Gabriel Pietrorazio/KJZZ

New York painter Mario Martinez, of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, depicts a Yaqui deer dancer in a mural on display at the Vista del Camino Community Center.

The Yaqui village of Vista del Camino in south Scottsdale celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend. This historic Penjamo neighborhood consists of four cul-de-sacs between Miller and Hayden roads, south of the Vista del Camino Community Center on Roosevelt Street.

Facing religious persecution throughout the 19th century, the Yaquis fled north from Sonora, Mexico, creating communities near the Salt River, and in Guadalupe and Tucson.

Some even made their way to Scottsdale. Yaqui laborers comprised much of the workforce that built the Salt River Project canal system. The Salt River Project Water Users association even constructed housing for Yaquis during that time, prompting them to stay.

The city of Scottsdale has organized a heritage day with local vendors, food trucks and live entertainment to help honor that Yaqui pride half a century later.

More stories from KJZZ

• This Native American teen was honored by the White House
• Indian Health Service awards 200K grant to buy Native children's books for Arizona clinics