Annual Events

On the second Saturday of March, learn how people made jewelry, tools, and obtained food before hardware and grocery stores! This event is part of the annual Arizona Scitech Festival​. Ancient Technology Day showcases different historic and prehistoric skills, crafts, and technologies. At S'edav Va'aki Museum, guests can experience hands-on activities such as adobe brick making, basketry, pottery making, atlatl (spear) throwing, crafts inspired by first peoples, and much more! Visitors of all ages and interests are encouraged to try their and at each of the technolofies and test out their new skills. 

On the first Saturday of June, S'edav Va'aki Museum and S.A.L.T.​ (Study of Ancient Lifeways and Technologies) host an at​​latl accuracy and distance competition at S'edav Va'aki Museum to celebrate World Atlatl Day.  The atlatl is a weapon predating the bow and arrow.  It has a hook on the end to hold the dart/ spear, which increases the distance, speed and force of the dart/ spear. Atlatl demonstrations are open to the public from 9 AM to noon. 

In November, S'edav Va'aki Museum and Cultural Coalition host the Portal to the Past Festival as a free event here at the museum. One of the only events within the city of Phoenix that combines Indigenous history, cultural performances, archaeology, and interactive programming that is fun for the whole family. Enjoy exhibits, craft activities, demonstrations, and performances throughout the afternoon, in addition to tasty treats from local food trucks. In 2019, the inaugural Portal festival unvieled the "Portal to the Past" art installation, a winner of the New Arizona Prize Water Public Art Challenge. The piece, designed by local Arizona artisit Zarco Guerrero, is a sculptural gate that incorporates images acknowledging the importance of the complex canal systems created by the Ancestral Sonoran Desert Pople that we still use today. 

On the second weekend of December each year, the S'edav Va'aki Museum Foundation presents an Indian Market.  This Two-day event at the Museum features over 100 top Native American artists vending items such as paintings, sculptures, jewelry, baskets and more.  The Ki:him (village) hosts hands-on learning in beading, gourd art, weaving, pottery, hoop dancing, and other activities suitable for all ages.  Visitors can also enjoy music, dance performances, the Young Artist Market and traditional Native American Foods. For additional information on each year's event visit the S'edav Va'aki Museum Foundation​ website.​