Jacob Butler

Council Member (2022 – 2026)

District A Representative

Elected: 2022

Current term: expires in 2026

Jacob Butler is a member of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community and was elected to the SRPMIC Tribal Council in 2022. He is Onk Akimel O’Odham and has lived within his Community his entire life. Councilman Butler is the District A Representative.

Councilmember Butler has worked for his community for the past 20 years. He previously worked as the Cultural Resource Specialist and was the primary contact for the Section 106 government to government Consultation for the tribe and has worked with many indigenous communities across the country during his time as the Community Garden Coordinator. Councilman Butler is a strong advocate of supporting and maintaining ancestral lands of the Onk Akimel O’Odham and strongly supports representation of indigenous people.

Councilmember Butler is currently serving as Chair of the Non-profit Organization Native Seed Search and is a board member of the Friends of Pueblo Grande Auxiliary. Councilman Butler has also been appointed to serve on Salt River Fields Board and Salt River DEVCO boards.

Councilmember Butler is also an avid artist. He practices the O’odham tradition of shell-etching and has participated in a number of events and galleries around the world, including (but not limited to): Prehistoric Collectors Gallery of the Southwest Potters, SRPMIC Huhugam Ki Museum, Arizona Heard Museum, Smithsonian Institute National Museum of American Indian video, wall art panel for the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, wall art panel at the Odysea Aquarium, Gateway Airport traditional tools and shell, Great Wolf Lodge, Hayden House Rehabilitation Project, Pueblo Grand Museum, Huhugam Heritage Center. In 2018, Councilman Butler presented Colorado Rockies player, Ian Desmond with his personal fielding glove that was designed to represent the culture of the Akimel O’odham as a way to maintain and honor the unique connection and relationship the Colorado Rockies have established with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.