Former Tribal Police Chief to Speak About Pima Indians at Mitchell Museum April 16, 2009

Kenneth S. Witkowski, a Pima Indian and former tribal police chief, will discuss the history, culture, and contemporary issues of Arizona’s Gila River Indian Community in a talk at 7 p.m. April 16 at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central St., Evanston.

Witkowski, a former Chicago police officer who is currently a corporate security executive, helped establish the Gila River reservation’s police force, eventually becoming chief of police. During the years that he, his wife, and children lived near the reservation, he also helped set up community service programs to address youth and adult crime.

Witkowski, who was born and raised in Chicago and now lives on the city’s northwest side, will relate what he found surprising as “an urban Indian on the reservation.”

While the Gila River community has developed a number of industrial and tourism enterprises –— including casinos and upscale resorts — Witkowski says poverty remains widespread. “Some households are still living in the 19th century, with no electricity or running water,” he says.

Witkowski says he first became acquainted with the Pima reservation as a child when visiting his maternal grandparents there during summer vacations. Among his extended family members is Ira Hayes, a Pima who was one of the U.S. Marine flag raisers on Iwo Jima during World War II.

The Gila River community is composed of the Pima and Maricopa tribes. Located just south of Phoenix, it has a population of about 14,000 and encompasses about 372,000 acres. Pima cotton is named for this traditionally agricultural tribe of desert farmers who were the first in the U.S. to cultivate this particular variety, developed by government researchers on the Pima reservation in the early 1900s.

Admission to the talk is included with museum admission. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, students, teachers (with valid school ID), and children. Maximum suggested admission per family is $10. For information, phone (847) 475-1030. On the Net: http://www.mitchellmuseum.org.

Official Website: http://www.mitchellmuseum.org