Cultural Demonstration Program at Grand Canyon National Park

Cultural Demonstration Program: A Decade of Growth 

Elevating the voices of members of the 11 Grand Canyon tribal communities, the Cultural Demonstration Program began in 2014 with just four demonstrators. Today, there are over 200 participants!

Over the past 10 years, millions of visitors to the park have been able to meet and learn from tribal members thanks to the support of Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) members and donors, the Intertribal Working Group, and Grand Canyon National Park. GCC funding covers costs from supplies to travel stipends and honorariums, allowing tribal members to share their culture and connection to the canyon with the public. Demonstrations are free and open to all, with demonstrations offered five days a week during the summer and three days a week in other seasons.

10 Year Anniversary Celebration 

In Summer 2024, Grand Canyon National Park hosted the 10th anniversary of the Cultural Demonstration Program. The celebration began with a prayer by Bennett Wakayuta, Hualapai drum-maker and Intertribal Working Group member. Remarks from Grand Canyon Cultural Demonstration Program Manager Dan Pawlak, Superintendent Ed Keable, and Grand Canyon Conservancy’s Chief Communication Officer Mindy Riesenberg highlighted the program’s impact on cultural preservation and education at the park.

Throughout the day, hundreds of visitors engaged with tribal members at their booths, located inside the historic Desert View Watchtower and surrounding areas. Attendees had the unique opportunity to:

• Experience traditional dances and learn about silversmithing, weaving, fetish-carving, painting, glasswork, drum-making, music, and graphic art
• Understand the significance of cultural preservation at Grand Canyon National Park
• Connect personally with tribal members including artists and storytellers

“What I saw today was a really gratifying sight. To see all the tribes, to see my people here, interacting with people from all over the world. I’m glad to have been an inspiration and a part of this. I want to thank the Park Service because without them accepting what we wanted, this would not have happened.” — Octavius Seowtewa, Pueblo of Zuni, Intertribal Working Group Member, at the Cultural Demonstration Program 10th Anniversary Celebration

Don't miss out on upcoming cultural demonstrations on your next trip to Grand Canyon! For more information about event schedules, visit the National Park Service website. To read more about the program and participating tribal members you might meet on an upcoming trip, visit the Cultural Demonstration Program page.