In a move to honor the region's Indigenous roots, the City of Mesa has unveiled a significant name change for the Mesa Grande Cultural Park. Now known as Sce:dagĭ Mu:val Va’aki — or "Blue Fly’s place of dwelling" in the O’odham language — the park's new moniker stands as a testament to the deep historical and cultural connections the O'odham and Piipaash peoples have with this landscape, according to the City of Mesa. The renaming ceremony, held at the park situated at 1000 N Date, Mesa, Arizona, was more than just a nod to the past.
The name change was guided by the cultural traditions of the O'odham and Piipaash, with "CHUH-dag MOO-vahl VAH-kee" emerging from ancestral songs from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Not too far off, just a mile from the park, this connection serves to reinforce the importance of Indigenous narratives in Mesa's tapestry. "The lands that comprise present-day Mesa are culturally affiliated with the O'odham, Piipaash and their ancestors, who have lived on and stewarded this land from time immemorial," Mayor John Giles said, as stated by the City of Mesa. "This renaming pays tribute to their enduring legacy and the sacred significance of these lands to the O'odham and Piipaash way of life."
Recognizing the importance of public engagement with this historical site, Sce:dagĭ Mu:val Va’aki will be open to visitors starting Saturday, Nov. 9, until mid-April. The hours of operation run Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., as per the City of Mesa. Those interested can learn more by visiting the AZMNH website directly.
