The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation of Arizona held a celebration over the weekend to mark the defeat of a government plan to relocate the tribe and build a dam.

Creation of the Orme Dam would have flooded more than 17,000 acres of the reservation. Tribal members, young and old, protested by marching to the state capitol in 1981. The U.S. eventually killed the plan, choosing to build other dams.

Tribal members said the defeat of the dam was crucial to their survival. The tribe now operates a successful casino.

Get the Story:
Yavapai Victory Days honors dam protests (The Arizona Republic 11/22)
Orme Dam victory celebrated (The Arizona Republic 11/17)

Relevant Links:
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation - http://www.ftmcdowell.org