A Year of Cultural Reverence: Renaming the S’edav Va’aki Museum

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As the S’edav Va’aki Museum, formerly known as Pueblo Grande, began a journey of celebrating the rich cultural history of Phoenix’s ancestors, the past year has been an example to the power of identity, heritage, and inclusivity.

In a few short weeks the S’edav Va’aki Museum (SVM) will complete its first year applying its new name after the unanimous vote from the Phoenix Park and Recreation Board on March 23rd, 2023. The decisions to change the museum’s name was not just a superficial change, this action brings attention to the reality that names have power, both emotionally and spiritually through oral history. Since that day, museum staff have worked actively to incorporate S’edav Va’aki’s new O’Odham name to highlight the connection the site has with the local O’Odham and Piipaash communities.

In an effort to introduce positive change and meaningful engagement, SVM has debuted its new logo designed by Jacob Butler (Onk Akimel O’Odham) across many platforms to represent an identity that at the same time honors the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People and respects the native communities that currently live around the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Continuing this transformative chapter, SVM has spent the past year updating signage throughout the site including the indoor galleries and outdoor trails in the archaeological park. In November, SVM hosted an official ceremony to celebrate the name change and to debut an onsite mural titled Legacy by O’Odham artist Thomas “Breeze” Marcus and the new What’s in Our Name? exhibit that explores ways in which the Museum has grown through an updated mission statement, new interpretive signs, programm ing, and ultimately, an entirely new interpretation plan.

Recently, SVM continues to strive toward meaningful engagement by installing new signage next to the Legacy mural. This sign serves a platform for guests to read Breeze’s artist statement in his own words, provides an overview of key features of the mural, and discusses the cultural and personal significance of the symbolism found in the artwork.

As we reflect on this journey of cultural reverence, we are reminded of the power of names, the resilience of communities, and the enduring legacy of those who came before us.