Photos: Members of Tohono O’odham Nation set up prayer camp at San Miguel gate
The Tohono O'odham Nation is preparing for potential confrontations between tribal members defending their land and federal contractors who will soon be uprooting thousands of cacti, including sacred saguaros, to make way for border-wall construction that's fiercely opposed by the tribe.
Tohono O’odham Nation
Members of the Tohono O’odham Nation perform a dance around a fire that has been burning since August 10 inside a prayer camp at the San Miguel U.S./Mexico border gate on the Tohono O’odham Nation on October 12, 2026. People have gathered to keep tabs on federal contractors’ activity as they will begin to remove vegetation to clear a way for a border wall.
Tohono O’odham Nation
Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Verlon Jose speaks after a prayer ceremony on the eastern boundary of the Tohono O’odham Nation, on October 12, 2026.
Tohono O’odham Nation
U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Arizona, right, listens as Pima County Board of Supervisors Chair Jen Allen, left, shares her thoughts about the upcoming border wall construction on Tohono O’odham Nation land on October 12, 2026. The U.S. government's plans to uproot thousands of cacti to make way for border-wall construction is fiercely opposed by the tribe.
Tohono O’odham Nation
A tag hangs off an ocotillo and many others that are marked for removal along the U.S./Mexico border on the eastern boundary of the Tohono O’odham Nation on October 12, 2026. The U.S. government's plans to uproot thousands of cacti to make way for border-wall construction is fiercely opposed by the tribe.
Tohono O’odham Nation
A tag hangs off an ocotillo and many others that are marked for removal along the U.S./Mexico border on the eastern boundary of the Tohono O’odham Nation on October 12, 2026. The U.S. government's plans to uproot thousands of cacti to make way for border-wall construction is fiercely opposed by the tribe.
Tohono O’odham Nation
Members of the Tohono O’odham Nation perform a dance around a fire that has been burning since August 10 inside a prayer camp at the San Miguel U.S./Mexico border gate on the Tohono O’odham Nation on October 12, 2026. People have gathered to keep tabs on federal contractors’ activity as they will begin to remove vegetation to clear a way for a border wall.
Tohono O’odham Nation
Members of the Tohono O’odham Nation have set up a prayer camp and fire circle at the San Miguel U.S./Mexico border gate on the Tohono O’odham Nation on October 12, 2026. People have gathered to keep tabs on federal contractors’ activity as they will begin to remove vegetation to clear a way for a border wall.
Tohono O’odham Nation
Brandi Espuma, far right, talks about the fire circle that has been set up by members of the Tohono O’odham Nation at the San Miguel U.S./Mexico border gate on the Tohono O’odham Nation on October 12, 2026. People have gathered to keep tabs on federal contractors’ activity as they will begin to remove vegetation to clear a way for a border wall.
Tohono O’odham Nation
Warren Mattias sings a song as members of the Tohono O’odham Nation perform a dance around a fire that has been burning since August 10 inside a prayer camp at the San Miguel U.S./Mexico border gate on the Tohono O’odham Nation on October 12, 2026. People have gathered to keep tabs on federal contractors’ activity as they will begin to remove vegetation to clear a way for a border wall.
Tohono O’odham Nation
Members of the Tohono O’odham Nation have set up a prayer camp and fire circle at the San Miguel U.S./Mexico border gate on the Tohono O’odham Nation on October 12, 2026. People have gathered to keep tabs on federal contractors’ activity as they will begin to remove vegetation to clear a way for a border wall.
Tohono O’odham Nation
Wahela Gregg, left, and Jasmine Stevens, far right, prepare a meal for members of the Tohono O’odham Nation who are taking part in prayer camp and fire circle at the San Miguel U.S./Mexico border gate on the Tohono O’odham Nation on October 12, 2026. People have gathered to keep tabs on federal contractors’ activity as they will begin to remove vegetation to clear a way for a border wall.
Tohono O’odham Nation
Clarissa Encinas stirs a pot as she helps to prepare a meal for members of the Tohono O’odham Nation who are taking part in prayer camp and fire circle at the San Miguel U.S./Mexico border gate on the Tohono O’odham Nation on October 12, 2026. People have gathered to keep tabs on federal contractors’ activity as they will begin to remove vegetation to clear a way for a border wall.
Tohono O’odham Nation
Members of the Tohono O’odham Nation have set up a prayer camp and fire circle at the San Miguel U.S./Mexico border gate on the Tohono O’odham Nation on October 12, 2026. People have gathered to keep tabs on federal contractors’ activity as they will begin to remove vegetation to clear a way for a border wall.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
The Tohono O'odham Nation is preparing for confrontations as federal contractors plan to remove thousands of sacred saguaros for border wall construction, which the tribe opposes, setting up emergency services and urging peaceful resistance.