Ak-Chin Indian Community Council member Delia Carlyle was recently honored with the 2018 Phyllis J. Bigpond Lifetime Achievement award.

Each year, the Phoenix Indian Center hosts a dinner as part of Native American Recognition Days. This event celebrates those in the American Indian Community who demonstrate outstanding leadership to the advancement, promotion and development of the American Indian Community, according to the Phoenix Indian Center website.

Phyllis J. Bigpond passed away in 2009 and had served as an executive with the Phoenix Indian Center. Since 2009, this annual award has recognized an American Indian female who provides significant contributions to the American Indian Community throughout her career and life. It was one of several awards given out at this year’s ceremony, which recognized outstanding community members from many of our state’s different Native American communities.

Delia Carlyle currently serves as a Councilwoman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community Council. Over the years, she served the Council in the roles of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary. Carlyle also served on the Arizona Indian Gaming Association and is the first Native American woman to be inducted into the Arizona Democratic Hall of Fame, according to a profile on the National Indian Gaming Association website. She previously received the Phyllis J. Bigpond Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, the award’s first year.

Carlyle has a long history of serving her community. She joined the staff of the Ak-Chin Community Center, now known as the Service Center, in 1978 and was appointed Director in 1994. She also served as a representative from the Ak-Chin Indian Community on different boards and communities. Locally, Carlyle served as a member of the Maricopa Unified School District and as a member of the Maricopa Precinct #30 Election Board.

A 1974 graduate from Maricopa High School, Carlyle attended Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, Kansas and Central Arizona College. She also received certification as an Emergency Medical Technician and worked for the Ak-Chin Indian Community Fire Department.

Congratulations to Councilwoman Carlyle and all other honorees!