Gila River TRW

08/17/2026

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

The Ancestral Mountain Journey begins this fall! Join Tribal Recreation & Wellness as we EXPLORE. HONOR. EMBRACE. across three beautiful Arizona State Parks.

ORACLE STATE PARK (5K) - September 26, 2026
LOST DUTCHMAN STATE PARK (5K) - October 10, 2026
PICACHO PEAK STATE PARK (10K) - November 14, 2026

Each event will also feature a 1 mile family run/walk, giving families an opportunity to experience the journey together. (Trails are NOT stroller friendly.)

Honor the land while embracing the journey in the footsteps of our ancestors.

Registration is officially open, so secure your spot and get ready for the first stop at Oracle State Park.

Register today!
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/grictrw/activity/search/detail/204?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

08/13/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Gila River Indian Community’s Newest Certified Personal Fitness Instructors! 💪🏽

We are proud to introduce and celebrate the newest group of Certified Personal Fitness Instructors serving the Gila River Indian Community!

Representing Gila River Health Care Life Center, Tribal Recreation & Wellness, and Community Services District 3, District 4, and District 5 Recreation, these dedicated individuals came together with a shared purpose: to strengthen their knowledge, expand their skills, and better serve the health and wellness needs of our Community.

Through training with the Native American Fitness Council, this group invested in more than a professional certification—they invested in our people. By developing knowledgeable fitness professionals throughout Gila River, we are building greater access to safe, effective, and culturally relevant opportunities for movement, physical activity, and healthy living.

This collaboration is what community wellness looks like: departments and districts working together, sharing resources, building capacity, and creating opportunities for our people to live healthier lives.

Please join us in congratulating GRIC’s newest Certified Personal Fitness Instructors! 👏🏽👏🏽

We are excited to see the knowledge, energy, and leadership you bring back to your programs and the Community.

Movement is medicine. Community is strength. ❤️

08/13/2026

AOPPI WINNERS!

What an incredible AOPPI!!

Tribal Recreation & Wellness would like to give a HUGE thank you to all of the athletes, coaches, teams, vendors, exhibitors, volunteers, staff, and supporters who helped make this year's AOPPI a success!

From the competition on the courts to the connection on the courts to the connections made throughout the event, AOPPI brought everyone together for another memorable year of sports, wellness, community, and friendly competition.

And now... let's celebrate our 2026 AOPPI Champions!

GOLD DIVISION CHAMPIONS:
Onk Akimel Tadai

SILVER DIVISION CHAMPIONS:
Doz Guys

LETHAL TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS:
Pala Turtles

Congratulations to all of our winners and to every team that competed! Your hard work, sportsmanship, and energy made AOPPI 2026 one to remember.

Swipe through for a look back at some of our favorite moments and to celebrate this year's champions.

Thank you for being part of AOPPI 2026!! We'll see you next year!

08/12/2026

CALLING ALL SUPERHEROES!

Grab your capes, lace up your running shoes, and get ready to save the day!

Gila River Tribal Recreation & Wellness invites you t our Super Hero Run 1 Mile, a fun evening for the whole family!

September 24, 2026
5:45pm
Sacaton Fairgrounds

Families are welcome to join in the fun! Dress up as your favorite superhero or wear your best superhero gear and take on the 1 mile course together.

Whether you run, walk, or fly your way to the finish line, we want to see your SUPER powers!

SAVE THE DATE! Registration information and additional event details are coming soon!

08/12/2026

INTRODUCING THE ANCESTRAL MOUNTAIN JOURNEY

A new journey is on the horizon.

Gila River Tribal Recreation & Wellness is excited to introduce the Ancestral Mountain Journey, a run series that brings together movement, the outdoors, and an appreciation for the land around us.

This season, our journey will take us to three Arizona State Parks:
Oracle State Park
Lost Dutchman State Park
Picacho Peak State Park

Open to all ages! We highly encourage children that ages of 12years and older to be on the course, unless with adult/guardian.

All courses will have a 1 mile family run/walk course. All courses are NOT stroller friendly.

Each stop offers a new trail, a new challenge, and another opportunity to come together as a community.

Explore. Honor. Embrace.
In the footsteps of our ancestors.

The season awaits.

Run dates, registration details, and more information will be announced soon!

08/11/2026

GOOD LUCK, GRIC TEAMS!

Tribal Recreation & Wellness would like to wish GOOD LUCK to all 14 GRIC teams competing at the AVI Elder Chair Volleyball Tournament this week!

We're proud to see so many of our Elders representing the Gila River Indian Community. Play hard, have fun, support one another, and most importantly enjoy every moment on and off the court!

Safe travels and best of luck to all 14 teams! Bring that GRIC spirit!!!

08/10/2026

It's almost that time! 3v3 Lunchtime Basketball is back! We need a few more teams to register! Team captains can register via the link below:
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/grictrw/activity/search/detail/196?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Please click on the waitlist to register!

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN!

There's still time to join our 3v3 Coed Lunchtime Basketball League! Grab your coworkers, form a team, and enjoy some friendly competition during your lunch break.

- Fast paced 3v3 games
- Great way to stay active and connect with others.

Don't wait until last minute, secure your team's spot today!
Register Here:
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/grictrw/activity/search/detail/196?onlineSiteId=0&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1den5ev02mb8f&from_original_cui=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawTe-nNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJRQ0xienFROEhrdmdESGlac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtgwIywT5QKza-p3bvqCqSoCziwFrvZRZlYvhh34f_EwuKy6rfcwMl9e0RTN_aem_Z-mmUE34WNsMmrURnyRMhw

08/06/2026

We are honored to share some exciting news!

The Gila River Indian Community Tribal Recreation & Wellness Team has been selected by the National Indian Health Board as the recipient of the Phoenix Area Health Warrior Award.

This prestigious award recognizes individuals and programs that demonstrate extraordinary dedication, leadership, and perseverance in advancing the health and wellness of Tribal communities.

While we are incredibly grateful to receive this recognition, this award represents much more than our team, it reflects the strength of the community.

From AOPPI and community wellness events to youth sports, fitness programs, nutrition education, and family activities, every program is made possible because of the support, participation, and partnership within the Gila River Indian Community.

To our staff, volunteers, community partners, and every participant who has walked, learned, played, exercised, and gown with us, thank you. This recognition belongs to all of us.

We remain committed to creating opportunities that inspire healthier lives and stronger communities for generations to come.

Thank you to the National Indian Health Board for this incredible honor and thank you to everyone who continues to support Tribal Recreation & Wellness.

08/05/2026

We have 3 spots left! Create a team and lets get moving on the court! This is a team registration, team captain can register!

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN!

There's still time to join our 3v3 Coed Lunchtime Basketball League! Grab your coworkers, form a team, and enjoy some friendly competition during your lunch break.

- Fast paced 3v3 games
- Great way to stay active and connect with others.

Don't wait until last minute, secure your team's spot today!
Register Here:
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/grictrw/activity/search/detail/196?onlineSiteId=0&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1den5ev02mb8f&from_original_cui=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawTe-nNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJRQ0xienFROEhrdmdESGlac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtgwIywT5QKza-p3bvqCqSoCziwFrvZRZlYvhh34f_EwuKy6rfcwMl9e0RTN_aem_Z-mmUE34WNsMmrURnyRMhw

08/04/2026

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN!

There's still time to join our 3v3 Coed Lunchtime Basketball League! Grab your coworkers, form a team, and enjoy some friendly competition during your lunch break.

- Fast paced 3v3 games
- Great way to stay active and connect with others.

Don't wait until last minute, secure your team's spot today!
Register Here:
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/grictrw/activity/search/detail/196?onlineSiteId=0&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1den5ev02mb8f&from_original_cui=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawTe-nNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJRQ0xienFROEhrdmdESGlac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtgwIywT5QKza-p3bvqCqSoCziwFrvZRZlYvhh34f_EwuKy6rfcwMl9e0RTN_aem_Z-mmUE34WNsMmrURnyRMhw