Stella Tucker - Remembering the Tohono O'odham elder

On January 9th, Tohono O'odham elder Stella Tucker passed away, at age 71, surrounded by her family. Stella was the public face of the annual saguaro fruit harvest in southern Arizona, a Tohono O'odham tradition she learned from her ancestors and passed on to her three daughters. This segment was filmed 1994 for the long running Arizona Public Media series ‘The Desert Speaks.’
Producer: Tom Kleespie
Photographer: Dan Duncan
Thumbnail photo: Steven Meckler

[@cae2582]

We will stand for our people its time no more wake young people our time is now
Proud to have T.O. blood and culture ✊🏼🙏🏼

[@LAVirgo67]

I need to take part of this important ritual that my TO ancestors & my mother participated in every spring. I have family down in Sonora and some of my older cousins still to out and harvest. My heart is my people.

[@makeouthill6662]

That was my grandma RIP😭😭

[@cae2582]

May the Creator Bless Her ✊🏼🙏🏼

[@makeouthill6662]

NativCano thank you god bless you and your family 🙏

[@barbaraarndt4407]

Thank you for sharing this video online - Stella taught me not to pronounce the word I did up to today. May your culture live on forever.

[@adobetradingpost2236]

My mom was also a gatherer of Chollas, she is no longer alive. But I am so excited to see this video. Make more! This Tribe needs to share more. Be proud. You are awesome!

[@nativeboit9665]

Reminded me of good old sells

[@bacanora1962]

My grandmother told me about this, she called it in spanish "sopiches"

[@nathalyperez3628]

That's so cool. I call them "pitaya."

[@InlikeMikeQuinn]

Thank you for the knowledge

[@headdragondavidaustinsimmo4025]

You are friends with Aztec people crucified me DAS of Ying dynasty

[@BenjiJohnson110]

Thx

[@headdragondavidaustinsimmo4025]

Were is pima bible

[@headdragondavidaustinsimmo4025]

Im pima messiah DAS

[@jeremylewis9819]

They don't make too many women like this anymore.We are all doomed if we lose how to survive without a grocery store.