Pima Indians
The Pima Indians, also known as Â-âtam, reside in the Gila and Salt River valleys. Their name has various interpretations, often linked to their dwelling styles. Historically, the Pima claim descent from the Salt River Valley and associate large adobe ruins with their ancestors. They faced significant disruptions from foreign incursions, leading to a change in lifestyle. The tribe interacted with early Spanish explorers, and after the Gadsden Purchase in 1853, their circumstances changed under U.S. jurisdiction. Pima County in Arizona retains their name and heritage.