[Source: Lynn Ducey, Phoenix Business Journal] -- The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation is offering a cultural heritage tour through tribal lands. Called "The Yavapai Experience," the tour is being offered through one of the nation's commercial ventures, Fort McDowell Adventures. As part of the tour, a professional guide acts as a facilitator between guests and tribal members. Visitors gather around a campfire to hear stories about the tribe's ancient culture, history and heritage from tribal members who were born and raised on the ancestral land of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. The tour also includes a guided one-mile nature trail walk that depicts how the Yavapai are connected to the Sonoran desert. Visitors can sample authentic Yavapai food with dishes including cabbage stew and fry bread, and the tour also includes a question-and-answer session to help visitors learn more about the nation. The Fort McDowell Yavapai is one of three Yavapai tribes in Arizona. The nation has lived in central Arizona for thousands of years and in 1903 was granted a 25,000-acre reservation 35 miles northeast of Phoenix. The tour is available for groups of four or more. Costs vary.
