INDIGENOUS VISION - ROADSIDE PLACARD - TOHONO OODHAM 2017.PDF

Last updated: 05/09/2017
General information
Organization Indigenous Vision
Contact First name Souta
Contact Last name Calling Last
Contact e-mail soutacl@indigenousvision.org
Contact phone number 480-387-4747
Address
Street 2155 West State Route 89A, Suite 106
City Sedona
State Arizona
ZIP Code 86336
From what tribe is the Tohono O’odham Nation
organization requesting the
grant?
Total grant amount request 85250
1 / 1



To:
Chairman Edward Manuel
Tohono O’odham Nation
P.O. Box 837
Sells, Arizona 85634
ATTN: Doreen McPaul
(520) 383-2028 telephone
Educational Roadside Placard Tours
in Maricopa,
Yavapai and Coconino County
A cultural education project by Indigenous Vision, an educational non-profit organization
Project Description
Indigenous Vision (IV) is a newly incorporated 501c3 educational non-profit based out of
Phoenix, with offices in Sedona Arizona. We work to empower communities through enhanced
access to Indigenous environmental knowledge & practices by providing educational resources
to increase understanding, health, and cultural well-being for current and future generations.
To achieve our mission IV implements community activities that provide healthy community and
cultural empowerment opportunities. The Educational Roadside Tour project will consist of a
roadside placard tour and focus on the landscape knowledge of Tribal Nations in central Arizona
that are identified below. The roadside placards will be placed in new or pre-existing Scenic and
Historic Route County Program locations.
Users will be guided to locations throughout central Arizona, at each location the user will learn
about the Original Peoples historical use or a significant Tribal event from the Tribal perspective.
Placards will include fact checked Tribal historical and environmental knowledge, and pictures
unique to its location. The placards will be made of bronze to increase the longevity of their
placement and resistance to elements and vandalism, while fitting beautifully into the scenery.
IV will work intensively with Arizona Department of Transportation and Scenic and Historic
Route programs of local agencies within Maricopa, Yavapai and Coconino counties to permit
and identify locations for educational placards.

Perceived Need for Roadside Placards
The purpose of the Roadside Educational Tour project is to provide true and authentic
educational information sourced directly from Tribal Authorities. Currently many of the tourism
attractions and educational opportunities are based on the observations and events of the area’s
first settlers. In some cases, the information includes no tribal perspective at all and/or is not
representative of Tribal knowledge and experience. It would appear to a traveler that there are no
Indigenous People or our knowledge of the landscape does not exist. This educational project
creates cross-cultural learning opportunities for the local residents as well. The landscape
knowledge and rich culture provided by the tour will prove to make a more fulfilling experience
for those living in and visiting our region.
Each year millions of tourist pass through Maricopa, Yavapai and Coconino County. A
significant part of Arizona’s tourism relies on the historical and cultural history of the areas
unique landscape. Very little to none of the perspectives on current historic points include that of
the original Indigenous Nations. We strive to help enrich the heritage of the area by including
Tribal knowledge.
Target Population
Our project will target Arizona tourists and the local communities of the three counties located in
the Verde and Phoenix Valley’s. The project will target and empower the cultural and place-
based landscape knowledge of the Ft. McDowell Indian Community, Gila River Indian
Community, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Tohono O’odham Nation and the
Yavapai Apache Nations.
Over the entire region of the project location, the names of businesses, roads, and various
landmarks bear the names of the original people or are related to significant historical incidents.
Despite this use of names, the actual treatment and image of the regions Indigenous people are
commonly associated with negative stereotypes seeded by deep rooted racism. One reason for
racism is misunderstanding and availability of cross cultural learning opportunities.
The Indigenous Vision Roadside tour project will address the need for both local learning
opportunities and give tourists a historical adventure throughout the two major regions of central
Arizona. Indigenous Vision also creates similar educational k-12 resources, like our Significant
Place Interactive Map. Moving beyond classroom material, the schools located in Central
Arizona will have the added benefit of field trips as an exciting way to learn local history.

Budget
The budget expenses include cost of Tribal consultation meetings and working groups, the
bronze placards that will be placed along the roadways and the marketing of final project which
includes billboards and a “Tour Indigenous Arizona” commercial. The total amount requested to
conduct this project will be $85,250. This project will span across three Arizona counties with
average costs per county being $28,416. The $30,000 estimate for placards include 20 bronze
placard, educational content, shipping, and sign placement.
With the cost of marketing the project we hope to draw as many people along the route, to do
this we plan to create a commercial and billboards for highlighting the tour route. The remaining
budget will be used to generate a consensus within Tribal authorities and promotion of the
project.
Other Funding Requests
Indigenous Vision continually seeks opportunities that support our mission. At this time only
website donations exist for funding this project on a local, statewide and national level. As other
related grants become available, we will seek to expand this project to more regions of Arizona,
and beyond.
Previous Awards
Indigenous Vision has never received any award amount from the 12% distribution from the
Tohono O’odham Nation or any other Arizona tribe. When funding opportunities become
available Indigenous Vision will apply to expand our educational roadside tour.

Project Contact Person
Any questions, comments or recommendations for the Educational Roadside Tour Project can be
sent to Indigenous Vision’s Executive Director Souta Calling Last at
soutacl@indigenousvision.org or 480-387-4747
Priority Area
The educational roadside tour will fall under the Educational, and the Cultural & Environmental
Development and Protection priority areas of the 12% Gaming Distribution Tohono O’odham
Nation.
Requested By
This proposal is requested by Indigenous Vision a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit organization.
We will be collaborating with the Yavapai and Coconino County governments, Arizona
Department of Transportation and the Yavapai Apache Nation. A letter from each governmental
entity acknowledging their agreement to work on the Educational Roadside Tour will be
provided.
Sincerely,
Souta Calling Last, MIM
Executive Director
480-387-4747
soutacl@indigneousvision.org
Indigenous Vision
2251 West State Route 89A
Suite 106
Sedona, Arizona 86336
www.indigneousvision.org