Partnering with the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, The Sagrado Galleria, a Phoenix-based organization dedicated to helping local artists throughout the Valley, hosted its 8th Annual Ancestral Gathering & Celebration on Saturday, October 12.

This free-admission exhibition featured a diverse group of local artists from different cultures and backgrounds who shared their cultures and traditions in the form of art and dance.

Among them were, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s own champion hoop dancer, Jorge Gonzales, who had the opportunity to perform his style of the hoop dance for the event’s attendees.

Gonzales has been successful in making a name for himself in the dance world, having performed across the United States and even as far away as Australia, back in 2020.

With every performance opportunity, Gonzales proudly claims his Indigenous roots being from Salt River. “It makes me happy every time to announce and represent Salt River—I wouldn’t feel any other way if I was from a different tribe,” said Gonzales. “[I’m] just happy to represent our people.”

The Sagrado Galleria strives to preserve cultural traditions and arts in the Valley. It reminds us that there are so many deeply rooted cultures thriving here in Arizona. “It means a lot [to be able to perform]; it shows solidarity that our people are still around—Indigenous people all around,” said Gonzales. “We are still here; we are still vigilant and striving on this Earth.”

“I very much appreciate Jorge coming out and sharing his dance with our community. It’s important and we need to see that,” said Samuel Gomez, founder of The Sagrado Galleria. “I hope he continues and inspires the younger generation to continue this tradition.”