favoriteJoin us for the 41st Annual NAC Parade! Saturday, Oct. 11th at 9am, Oak St. & 3rd. -> Learn more!
Saturday, October 11th, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Parade Route: Starts at 3rd St. & Oak St. → Ends at Indian School Rd.
We’re thrilled to announce the 41st Annual Native American Connections Parade—and this year, we’re turning up the celebration with a youth-focused theme: “The Future is Ours”!
We invite you to take part in this fun-filled day commemorating Native American Recognition Days and Indigenous Peoples Day. You can register your group to participate with a banner or float, nominate a Future Leader for our recognition award, and attend the parade and PISVC Open House to join in a community-wide celebration during this special time of year. See below for details on all the awesome activities in store!
Interested in learning more, sponsoring our parade, or volunteering? Connect with our parade team.
This year's event is all about empowering our youth—elevating their voices, honoring their strength, and celebrating the power of their dreams. We believe our young people aren’t just tomorrow’s leaders—they’re showing up, speaking out, and leading today.
We’re going all in to make this year’s parade our biggest and brightest yet—with community floats, a Grand Marshal, and a few magical surprises still in the works! We’re also finalizing a panel of amazing judges, and we hope you’ll come out to witness the joy, power, and brilliance of our community in action.
Whether you're marching, cheering, or simply showing up in solidarity—come be part of a movement that celebrates culture, history, and our youth-driven future. We can’t wait to see you there!
On Saturday, Oct. 11th, join our Phoenix-wide celebration of Native American Recognitions Days with 4 FREE and fun-filled community events in Phoenix! We'll see you there!
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM from 3rd St. and Oak St. to Steele Indian School Park
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Native Health Central, 4041 N Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85012
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM at Steele Indian School Park, PISVC, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM at Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Mary Kim Titla (San Carlos Apache)
A trailblazer in Native youth advocacy, Mary Kim has dedicated more than 30 years to empowering Indigenous voices. As UNITY’s Executive Director since 2013 and a former TV news broadcaster, she has told thousands of stories across Arizona and earned awards from the Associated Press, Arizona Press Club, and the Native American Journalists Association. She continues to inspire the next generation of leaders through her storytelling and mentorship.
Loren Tapahe (Navajo Nation)
With over 40 years of service in business, government, and media, Loren has shaped Native communities with vision and dedication. He has served in the Navajo Nation government, led as CEO of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Arizona, and was publisher of the Navajo Times. Loren also made history as the first Vice President of the Native American Press Association (now the Indigenous Journalists Association).
Together, Mary Kim and Loren bring wisdom, experience, and heart to the stage, embodying the theme of this year’s parade: “The Future is Ours.”
We are thrilled to welcome Che Jim, a dynamic Indigenous activist, content creator, and storyteller, as the emcee of our Youth Carnival!
Che Jim (Navajo Nation, Odawa, Latino)
Che is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation through his father, with Bitter Water and Black Sheep clans. Through his mother, he also carries Odawa and Latino heritage. He proudly weaves these identities into his activism, comedy, and creative work.
Since 2020, Che has built a powerful online presence as a content creator, using skit comedy and Indigenous humor to uplift Native voices and bring laughter to millions. His work has since grown to include educational content, political commentary, storytelling, horror shorts, and collaborations with major platforms and brands such as Peacock, Hulu, and Comedy Central.
Che’s humor, heart, and dedication to uplifting Indigenous youth make him the perfect voice to guide us at the Youth Carnival, part of the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center’s Open House.
To our entries and nominees, thank you for showing up, leading with heart, and shaping the future! We look forward to announcing the recipient of our Future Leaders Recognition Award.
Saturday, October 11th, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center | 300 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85012
Join us after the NAC Parade for the PISVC’s annual Open House at Steele Indian School Park! This year’s theme, “The Future is Ours,” honors Native youth by celebrating their voices, creativity, and leadership. Bring the whole family to enjoy a free Youth Carnival featuring games, prizes, community booths, and more!
Visit our Resource Room to meet youth-focused orgs like ASU American Indian Studies, Three Precious Miracles, and so many more!
See our schedule below & join us at the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center Open House.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Help us celebrate the recipient of our inaugural Future Leaders Recognition Award! This inspiring Native youth leader will share their hopes, passions, and vision for the future. Join us in uplifting the next generation and honoring their leadership, voice, and cultural pride.
11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Youth Carnival & Resource Room Open – Games, Booths, Food!
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Final Raffle & Grand Prize Drawing + Thank You
The Annual Native American Connections Parade is a Native American Recognition Days (NARD) event, a celebration of Native American heritage and culture, highlighting a new theme each year that embodies resiliency and community. Is your organization hosting an event for Native American Recognition Days? Get your event in the NARD Card and invite the Phoenix community to your event! Please register your event by August 29th!
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