“Storytelling & Song” program draws to a close at Wild Horse Pass

The new and innovative “Storytelling & Song” program that launched in November at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa ends on Tuesday, March 21, with a closing blessing. The program, designed to share the ancient cultures of the Pima and Maricopa Tribes, has been a favorite of resort and restaurant guests, but it will end on the first day of spring due to cultural customs.

Winter is the only season when storytelling is permitted among the Pima and Maricopa people, and this seasonal tradition has never before been shared with the general public. The Resort completely re-designed and relocated its fire pit to accommodate this new program, which received rave reviews and drew crowds of up to 50 people per night, five nights a week.

The featured Storytellers are enrolled members of the Gila River Indian Community. They tell a combination of ancient legends based on desert wildlife and personal stories about their experiences growing up on the surrounding Tribal lands. A special seating area for guests was built around the outdoor fire pit to allow the Storyteller to move freely and interact with the guests. This program was developed and managed by the Resort’s Cultural Concierge.

“This new program exceeded all of our expectations,” said cultural concierge, Ginger Sunbird Martin. “The Resort’s goal is to create more tangible interactions with the Pima and Maricopa cultures for our guests, and this program does that. Everyone is looking forward to November when the time for storytelling returns, and the Program is able to resume.”

Storytelling is only one of the many ways guests of the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort are able to connect with the local Pima and Maricopa cultures. Tours are provided by the Cultural Concierge, horseback adventures on ancient Tribal land take place several times a day at the Koli Equestrian Center, one-of-a-kind spa treatments inspired by Pima and Maricopa culture are offered at the Aji Spa, locally grown and indigenous Native cuisine is offered in the Kai and Ko’Sin dining outlets, and Gila River Indian art and crafts are available at the new Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass.

“Storytelling & Song” takes place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday evenings and is appropriate for all ages. The last traditional storytelling will take place on Saturday, March 18, and the final evening of March 21 will consist of the closing blessing ceremony and remarks from renowned Storyteller Tim Terry. “Storytelling & Song” is open and complimentary to all resort and resort restaurant guests. For overnight or dining reservations call (602) 225-0100. For additional information, visit the resort’s web site.