Austin G. Nunez, San Xavier District Chairman Tohono O’Odham Nation, Director

Austin G. Nunez is the elected chairman of the San Xavier District, of the Tohono O’odham Nation. He is currently serving his eighth four-year term, having served continually since 1987.

Prior to being elected, Austin worked as the Assistant Director for Save the Children’s Arizona Indian Nations Office, serving 19 Native American nations in Arizona; he also worked for the Papago Tribe of Arizona’s Community Development Program (the tribe changed their name in 1986 to Tohono O’odham Nation, Tohono means desert, and O’odham means people).

Austin is the current chairman for the Indian Land Working Group, an organization dedicated to the restoration and recovery of the native land base; and the control, use, and management of this land base by indigenous communities. He is an active member of the Native American Church of Southern AZ.