GRIC convenes at NCAIgilariver.org/GRIN/Nov2012_Final_GRIN.pdf · NCAI Youth Commission; she won by...

NOVEMBER 2012 WWW.GILARIVER.ORG/NEWS VOL. 15, NO. 11

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Inside The GRIN Culture & History.....4

Health & Wellness.....Page 7Education............Page 16-17

Announcements &Notices......................Page 21

Action Sheets.....Page 18-21

Inside The GRINInside The GRIN Culture & History.....Page 14Culture & History.....Page 14

Health & Wellness.....Page 7Health & Wellness.....Page 7Education............Page 16-17

Announcements &Announcements &Notices......................Page 21Notices......................Page 21

Action Sheets.....Page 18-21Action Sheets.....Page 18-21

Youth & Elder........Page 9

Letters & Opinions.....Page 3

p. 12-13

By Joshua JovanellyGila River Indian News

By Mikhail SundustGila River Indian News

Community Updates....Page 5

GRIC convenes at NCAI

“Serving al l seven dis tr ic ts of the

Gila River Indian Community”

B l a c k w a t e r - H a s h e n K e h k - G u U K i - S a n t a n - C a s a B l a n c a - K o m a t k e - M a r i c o p a C o l o n y

Law & Order.....Page 8

Akimel O’odham/Pee-Posh Youth Council sworn in

Rights and sovereignty are focuses of convention and marketplace

Fate of NGS a con-cern for Gila River and environmental groups

Rodeo hopefuls get ready for INFR p. 11

Continued on Page 22

Dressed in sharp professional attire and sitting on a stage usually reserved for tribal council, the Akimel O’odham/Pee-Posh Youth Council marked a milestone at its inauguration ceremony on Oct. 13. These young men and women will represent the Gila River Indian Community for the 25th year.

Newly elected president Kyle Flores, the 24th young leader to hold the position, said he was

honored to serve Gila River and looked forward to the year ahead.

“This is going to be a great year, I can tell already. I see a lot of change and that’s why I’m excited,” said Flores, speaking in the Community Council Chambers to a packed audience fi lled with proud family members and GRIC leaders.

Flores, who is from District 4, told his 16 fellow youth council representatives that he expects more volunteering and more frequent youth council-sponsored

events during his term. There will be many challenges ahead, he said, but the chance to serve as a voice for the Community’s youth population is not one to be taken lightly.

“Most youth from this tribe do not get to experience what you’re about to experience this year,” Flores said.

Flores, 18, will meet his duties as president while he attends Chandler-Gilbert

Continued on Page 9

Youth Council President Kyle Flores taking the oath of of-fi ce at the Community Coun-cil Chambers in Sacaton.

Joshua Jovanelly/GRIN

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The National Congress of American Indians held its 69th annual Convention & Marketplace from Oct. 21 – 26 in Sacramento, Calif. Tribal leaders from around the country come together once a year at the NCAI Convention to recognize the diversity of indigenous heritages, celebrate recent accomplishments in Indian Country, discuss the challenges confronting Native nations today and make decisions on how best to move forward.

Gila River was well represented at the convention by Gov. Gregory Mendoza, a number of Community Council Members and three members of the Akimel O’odham / Pee-Posh Youth Council – Robyn Soriano (D7), Shayne Madrid (D5) and Kristen Dosela (D6).

Mendoza delivered a speech to the General Assembly on the morning of the 23rd entitled, “Refi ning Our Unifi ed Vision: Indian Country & the Future of Our Communities.”

In his address, Mendoza fi rst acknowledged some of the victories from the past few years – including the signing of the HEARTH Act and the addition of “tribal provisions within [the] efforts to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act” – then he began a conversation “on how to accomplish our next set of goals,” which he says will only happen if Tribal Nations are as unifi ed in their vision and movement as they have been in the past.

Among that ‘next set of goals,’ Mendoza spoke at


PAGE, Ariz. — For most, a simple turn of a knob is all it takes to have the most essential substance for life, water, rushing into our homes. We cook with it, wash with it and, of course, drink it.

But how does the water get from a natural source, like the Colorado River, to a home hundreds of miles away? It must be pumped, and pumping requires electricity.

The Navajo Generating Station (NGS), made up of three coal-fi re units, produces 95 percent of the electricity needed to pump water through the Central Arizona Project Canal beginning in Lake Havasu and ending south of Tucson. Located on the Navajo Indian Reservation near Page, Ariz., it produces 2,250 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 3 million homes.

The Gila River Indian Community depends on energy from NGS to fund the historic Water Rights Settlement GRIC won in 2004. The settlement

length about “empowering and educating our Native youth” and used Gila River’s youth council as an example: “I strive to interact with our youth council on a regular basis to ensure that their views are being considered as our leaders make decisions about our future.”

He laid out other goals that stressed the importance of culture, language, better housing programs, increased economic development on Tribal lands, improved fi nancial literacy on reservations and having appropriate government-to-government relationships between Tribal Nations and the federal government. A printable copy of his speech is available on

the GRIC Facebook page.Some of most talked about

issues at the NCAI Convention included education, gaming, health, natural resources, taxation, the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Tribal Law and Order Act, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in Indian Country and the importance of voting.

Dosela, AOPPYC Member at Large, understands the importance of voting more than most. On Oct. 25, she was elected as the female Co-President of the NCAI Youth Commission; she won by one vote. She said that really made her realize what a difference one person’s vote can make.

As Co-President, Dosela hopes to boost youth involvement in community concerns. She said, “I want to get the youth more involved and have them participate in more things so that they actually know what they’re doing instead of being lectured all day.” To accomplish this, she said networking and communication are of upmost importance.

Dosela is happy to represent Gila River on a national level. Her term will last for two years alongside her male Co-President, Jared Massey from White Mountain Apache tribe, whom she worked with previously as a member of UNITY, Inc. Youth Board of Executives.

Mikhail Sundust/GRIN

Gov. Mendoza (second from left) delivering a speech entitled “Refi ning Our Unifi ed Vision: Indian Country & the Future of Our Communities” during the General Assembly of the NCAI conference.

First in a two-part series profi ling the Gila River Indian Community’s ties to the Na-vajo Generating Station near Page, Ariz.

GRIN Kids................Page 15GILA RIVERVOTERS GUIDE

2012

November 2012 Gila River Indian News

Gila River Telecommunications, Inc.“Proudly serving the Gila River Indian Community since 1988”

Box 5015, 7065 West Allison Road, Chandler, Arizona 85226-5135 (520) 796-3333 • www.gilanet.net • fax (520)796-7534

Robert Keller, Tribal Treasurer Linda Andrews, Community

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Material published in the Gila River Indian News may not be reproduced in any form

without consent from the Gila River Indian Community

LETTERS POLICY: GRIN welcomes letters and columns from readers. Let-ters should be limited to 200 words and be in good taste. Material that could be libelous or slanderous is not acceptable. All letters or columns should be signed with the writer’s true name, address and telephone number in the event GRIN may need to contact the writer. Only the name of the writer will be printed in the paper. Letters or columns without a complete signature, name, address or phone number will not be acceptable to GRIN for publication. GRIN reserves the right to edit submitted materials for grammar, spelling and content.

Write to: Editor, GRINP.O. Box 459

Sacaton, AZ 85147Published letters or columns do not nec-

essarily refl ect the opinion of theEditor or

Gila River Indian Community.

Zuzette [email protected]

CPAO Director(520)562-9851

Roberto A. [email protected]

Managing Editor(520)562-9719

Gina [email protected]

GRIN Secretary II(520)562-9715

www.gilariver.org/index.php/news

November 2012

Gila River Indian CommunityP.O. Box 459

Sacaton, AZ 85147(520)562-9715

www.gilariver.org/grin

GovernorGregory Mendoza

Gila River Indian News

Belated Dedication to

8/13/95-5/29/12

Kaitlin Paula Chico

Mikhail [email protected]

Community Newsperson(520)562-9717

District #1Arzie Hogg

Cynthia Antone

District #2Jewel Whitman

District #3Dale G. EnosMyron Schurz

District #4Barney B. Enos, Jr.

Jennifer AllisonChristopher Mendoza

Monica Antone

District #5Brenda RobertsonFranklin Pablo, Sr.Annette J. Stewart

Janice Stewart

District #6Anthony Villareal, Sr.

Albert PabloTerrance B. Evans

District #7Martha Miller

Community Council Representatives

Lt. GovernorStephen Roe Lewis

The GRIN encourages com-ments and suggestions about content that warrants correction or clarifi cation. To report an er-ror call (520)562-9719 or email [email protected]

CORRECTIONS

Joshua [email protected]

Community Newsperson(520)562-9715

Annie [email protected]

Community Newsperson (WIA)(520)562-9715

Letters & OpinionsLetter from Thomas White, Former Governor

“Serving al l seven dis tr ic ts of the

Gila River Indian Community”

B l a c k w a t e r - H a s h e n K e h k - G u U K i - S a n t a n - C a s a B l a n c a - K o m a t k e - M a r i c o p a C o l o n y

I have been contemplating this eulogy. There’s this feeling of paranoia but aspiration to this is still there. As of 5/29/12 we lost our grand-daughter, she was only 16. This unfortunate tragedy was a blow to us. She was trustful, well-intentioned in her demeanor towards others with respect we practically raised her one of our hopeful younger generation. We endured this loss with emotions and despair. We will truly miss her and our love for Katie will always be there and remembered. I pray to our great creator that other families won’t go through this experience but in reality this is unavoidable.

We were overcome by grief. It really hurt us. I thought, how could this happen? It was almost like a dream, I was helpless and didn’t want to do anything. I unashamedly wept for her for a long time. People say that ‘Time Heals’, but it will be forever on our mind, regardless. Seems like every morning I woke up with tears in my eyes and no energy to do simple chores. The feeling was like any moment she would appear at the door to be let in to come home. What helped us a lot to get through this ordeal was all the family members and relatives would gather and come by to comfort us, making sure we had food for nourishment, helping out with arrangements, etc… I really appreciated their help and sincere concern for us, whole communities from Gila River reservation, people from San Carlos and Tohono O’odham Nation. My gratitude goes out to all choirs from various districts performing at church and at the grave site. There were so many others that I might have overlooked. It was unintentional and you are not forgotten. Being Indian is a pride, a given gift from the Creator. Nobody can take that away from us and we will truly be forever thankful for that.

Thank God that I am humbled and relieved to say those responsible for this crime committed upon us are forgiven. God bless you all, thank you.

Respectfully from the Peter Family and Chico Family

Nearly two months ago, Pinal County Supervisor District 3 Candidate Steve Miller stated during a candidate forum that he thinks Pinal County ought to respond to Ak-Chin’s proposal to move some land the Community owns into trust status in a very negative and unfriendly manner. As a former Governor of the Gila River Indian Community, I shared my thoughts and concerns with the general public in a letter to this newspaper. To date, Mr. Miller has chosen to ignore the issues and has remained mute.

As Native Americans, we care about the land, the air, the water, education and employment for our young people, and health care for our infi rm and elderly. We work together with our neighbors on many of these issues because the concerns

We, the family of Mark J. Dawahoya, want to offer our sincere gratitude and appreciation for all your kindness of support as you

reached out in love with groceries, monetary donations, the digging, setting up the tent, and in prayer and encouragement whether in word, card, or by presence or thoughts of kindness. We would like to acknowledge and say THANK YOU to GRHC Transportation, Mark’s employer & fellow co-workers-Perini Construction/TERO, Offi ce of General Counsel, Coolidge Indian A/G, Blackwater

Community Staff & Labor Crew, Russel Blackwater who, once again, made it possible to have lighting, sound equipment, music, etc., cousins, and friends who dug the grave, cleaned the yard, stayed by his side endlessly and carried him safely to his fi nal resting place. We also acknowledge my sisterss, nieces, and Fawn’s aunties and the grandma’s, and other family members &friends who gave their time in cooking, cleaning, babysitting the children, cleaned the home daily, and certain ones who sacrifi ced their time and came out despite your own physical conditions—may God honor that. If we missed anyone, please know that your deed does not go unrecognized and words cannot

express how much this means to us, may God bless you in a very special way. Thank you from the depths of our hearts---- Mom/Yvonne Lewis, Fawn Morago & Children- Mark, Joy, Lena, Nella & Lightstar; Marketa & Family, Rudy Jr., Rudy & Rolanda Dawahoya. Aunties: Beryl Lewis, Lenora Lewis, Glenna Blackwater, Jennifer Manuel, Marie Nachie, Laureen Hough; Uncles: Glen Lewis Jr./Panther, Ruben Dawahoya; Grandparents: Imogene & Edmund Jackson; Glen Lewis Sr., Frances Dawahoya; Cousins: Lewis/Johnson, Pino/Stewart, Loretto/Jones, Manuel/Juan, & all Hopi family,

WE LOVE YOU, MARK!-- Philippians 4:6&7

Excerpts from “Letter to GRIC regarding Pangea & Landowners Initiative”As concerned District Six

Community members and our fellow voting members of Gila River; we request that all of the signatures submitted to the Gila River Indian Community regarding the “Save South Mountain Landowner Voter Initiative” by Nathaniel Percharo and Joseph Perez in collaboration with the Pangea Corporation on Sept. 28, 2012 be dismissed under the 2009 Gila River Indian Community Code: Title 5, Chapter 6, Section 5.602 (A) Obtaining Signature by Deception.

We make this claim due to the fact that one of their representatives came to our house to obtain our signature for their initiative and omitted facts material to the issue of the proposed Loop 202 Freeway. We asked them to explain what they were asking us to sign and why. They produced their SAVE SOUTH MOUNTAIN Landowner Voter Initiative propaganda sheet (which is attached). There are several instances of deception, misrepresentation, and of omission of facts in their information sheet.

Under the Section Entitled Frequently Asked Questions from the Landowner Voter Initiative

Q- Didn’t the last “NO BUILD” vote stop the building of the freeway?

A- No, it will not, because “no-build” is not an option for the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). The MAG and ADOT have to build the freeway because the voters in Maricopa County approved it and they have been collecting tax money to build it. The “No build” vote is only considered “public opinion” by ADOT. MAG and ADOT have already moved forward to build it down Pecos Road and it will have to cut through the mountain unless we allow them to build it on Community land.

These are fraudulent, deceptive and misrepresentative statements. The no build alternative is federally mandated to be under consideration and is being studied as a part of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The Loop 202 freeway has not yet been approved and is in fact still in the study phase. There was never a Maricopa County vote to approve the South Mountain extension to the 202. The Maricopa County vote that the initiative refers to was a 2004 proposition to approve a sales tax to fund regional transportation plans in Maricopa County. Tax revenues from proposition 400 have been set aside for light rail, widening of existing freeways, and new buses.

The proposed South Mountain extension of the 202 freeway has never been addressed on a ballot in Maricopa County.

While MAG, ADOT and private developers such as Pangea do not favor the No Build Alternative that does not mean the No Build option can be omitted as an option when presenting fact material to the issue of the 202 freeway.

They also make claims on the “FACT SHEET” that each Community member will receive $2,000 if they vote yes on the freeway, that the State and/or ADOT shall provide valuable replacement land to compensate the Tribe for the land we give up for the freeway, that ADOT and MAG will put measures in place to prevent ALL COMMERCIAL TRUCKS from using 51st Ave (the Beltline); and they claim the freeway will not bring more pollution and that the air quality will be protected.

What proof do they have that the State of Arizona has or will agree to these conditions?

Until the EIS is released no one knows what the environmental impacts will be.

Sincerely,Danelle Spring

Forever In Our Hearts...Mark J. Dawahoya

As the temperatures cool down, the days shorten and darkness falls upon our Community sooner, and it seems that our activity lessens somewhat as the holiday season begins, it is proper for us to refl ect and remember what is important to us as Community members and employees, members of families and as individuals.

A long time American tradition, Thanksgiving Day offers all of us an opportunity to remember the blessings that our Community enjoys. I encourage all Community members and employees to pause a bit during our Thanksgiving holiday while gathering in the spirit of gratitude to be mindful of the past year’s blessings and good fortune.

Thanksgiving Day was offi cially proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln in the dark days of the Civil War, and in proclaiming it

an offi cial national holiday, President Lincoln encouraged Americans to reach for healing and restoration of the nation. As a tribal sovereign nation, we, too, can fi nd inspiration in President Lincoln’s example and also call upon heavenly guidance, healing and prosperity for the Community during Thanksgiving, the holiday season, and the new year to come.

As we are mindful of the past year’s blessings and as we soon embark upon a new year with new challenges to address, let us all lift our hearts in gratitude for our lives, our families, our work, our Community, and our nation.

I extend to each Community member and employees my most sincere and heartfelt blessings to during Thanksgiving and the holiday season.

Sincerely,Gregory MendozaGovernor

and needs are not Native vs. non-Native. Members of the Gila River Indian Community, the Ak-Chin Indian Community, and the Tohono O’odham nation are neighbors and residents of this county: we go to your schools, buy products and services in your businesses, work in Pinal County businesses and employ Pinal County residents.

This leads me back to Mr. Miller and his apparent lack of respect for those of us who are Native American residents of Pinal County. I have friends who are registered as Republicans (just as I have friends and family who are Democrats) but since I haven’t heard any Republican repudiate Mr. Miller’s statements, I begin to think that his position is refl ective of his party’s attitude toward us.

Mr. Miller’s silence is not the response of a good neighbor. Supervisor David Snider has consistently engaged with our leaders and our Community members during the last eight years as our County Supervisor and worked with us as we worked through the issues of our water rights settlement agreement.

I urge the voters of Pinal County and District 3 to re-elect Supervisor David Snider to the Board of Supervisors. He listens, is respectful, and in my book, experience does count.

Respectfully,Thomas WhiteFormer Governor, Gila River In-dian Community

November 22, 2012Governor Gregory Mendoza

November 2012GILA RIVER INDIAN NEWS

GILA RIVER INDIAN NEWSNovember 2012

COMMUNITY UPDATESHere are some monthly updates on the on-going issues pertaining to the Gila River Indian Community.

BY GRIN STAFF

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa cel-ebrates 10 year anniversary with banquet


Loop 202 South Mountain FreewayThe Gila River Community

Council on Oct. 17 called for more information regarding Pangea’s Memorandum of Understanding, and upheld the Council Secretary Offi ce’s four- to six-month timeline for validating the signatures on the Landowners’ Loop 202 re-vote initiative.

After the council emerged from executive session with the Offi ce of General Counsel, Gov. Gregory Mendoza said there were some concerns about the MOU. The proposed agreement would allow Pangea, a development

company, to lease and develop allotted lands belonging to GRIC Landowners in the west end.

“The community retains civil regulatory authority over all lands within the Gila River Indian Community,” Mendoza said, adding, “the Community strongly supports development but it must be done in a careful way.”

In a motion carried by 14 votes to 0, Council Representative Myron Schurz (District 3) laid out fi ve steps Pangea and the OGC must take before the MOU could be reconsidered:

• OGC will meet with

the Bureau of Indian Affairs to discuss the details of the MOU.

• OGC will verify with Pangea and BIA that they have the required number of consenting landowners.

• OGC will ask Pangea to demonstrate it has the fi nances to pay for the Pangea.

• Pangea will provide a detailed description of the MOU, including operations, expenses, a feasibility study and documentation of adequate funding.

• OGC will demonstrate how this will impact community

business enterprises and projects.Pangea managing partner

Joseph Perez said the Landowners would decide whether or not continue pursuing the MOU at the next Landowners meeting on Dec. 22.

The status of the Landowners’ Loop 202 re-vote initiative was also discussed and the timeline for verifying the signatures was clarifi ed. Council Secretary Linda Andrews reiterated that it would take four to six months to determine whether the 1,509 signees are both enrolled members and registered voters.

The initiative was submitted to the Community Council Secretary’s Offi ce on Sept. 27.

Perez asked whether this timeline is in line with the GRIC Constitution, which states that once a voter initiative is received, the council has 60 days to schedule a vote. But using the 2007 per capita initiative as an example, OGC’s legal opinion is that the 60-day clock does not start ticking until the signatures have been verifi ed.

The council agreed, carrying the motion 13-0.

Cobell v. Salazar Settlement

Two separate parties have appealed the Cobell v. Salazar settlement to the United States Supreme Court asking that the Court reject the settlement and force the parties to continue negotiations.

The Cobell settlement was approved by Congress and President Barack Obama in late 2010, but has been challenged by two separate parties since then. The settlement was most recently approved by the federal courts in May 2012. Final approval of the settlement will become effective

and payments will be distributed once all appeals have been resolved by the courts.

The Cobell lawsuit involves the rights of hundreds of thousands of individual Indians and the mismanagement by the federal government of certain trust assets, including Individual Indian Money accounts, of these individuals. The parties to the lawsuit reached a settlement in December 2009 after more than 14 years of litigation. The settlement was for a total of $3.4 billion and the federal monies

have already been set aside to pay for the settlement. Of that amount, $1.5 billion is set aside specifi cally to pay individual Indian trust benefi ciaries for past accounting problems and resolve historical asset mismanagement claims. Another $1.9 billion was designated to be used primarily to buy up interests in trust lands that are owned by many individuals (“fractionated interests”).

The Supreme Court is expected to decide whether to hear either of the appeals by the end of 2012. If the Supreme

Court decides not to hear either appeal, the settlement will likely be fi nalized shortly thereafter. However, if the Supreme Court decides to hear one or both of the appeals, then arguments in the cases will be heard, and a decision will be handed down in late spring or early summer 2013. If all appeals are resolved without changing the existing settlement, the majority of individual Indian trust benefi ciaries will get at least $1,500 and some will receive tens of thousands of dollars. Either way, it is unlikely that the

settlement will be fi nalized before the end of this year.

Additional information about the Cobell settlement and whether you may be entitled to a portion of it can be found at www.indiantrust.com, by calling a toll-free help line (800-961-6109) or via email at [email protected].

-Offi ce of General Counsel

Parties Appeal Cobell Settlement: Payments Not Expected Until 2013

As part of the Gila River Water Settlement Agreement, GRIC won rights to an annual allotment of 653,500 acre-feet of water that includes 311,800 acre-feet of Central Arizona Project (CAP) water. Of this CAP water, 173,100 acre-feet was contracted by the Community under a 1992 repayment contract, with the remainder made available under the Water Settlement Agreement. All CAP water must run in a concrete-lined system, which is what Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project is working on throughout the reservation.

CAP water is pumped from the Colorado River on the west

side of Arizona across the state to Phoenix, through the city and around to the east side of the Gila River Indian Reservation where it is then picked up by the Pima Lateral and distributed throughout the Community via the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project canal system.

P-MIP will increase construction on its canal system in four key sections over the next several months.

1) P-MIP is concrete lining the Southside Canal, which runs along the south side of the reservation and delivers Gila River and CAP water to Gila River Farms in D5. This construction

project will close Signal Peak Road where it intersects the Southside Canal between SR-87 and Val Vista Road. The Signal Peak bridge crossing will be closed between Oct. 29 and Jan. 28.

2) The off-reservation McClellan Wash Siphon is a 96-foot pipe that feeds CAP and Gila River water directly to the Southside Canal from the Pima Canal. Construction here will last until mid February 2013 but will not cause any traffi c obstructions. This construction is the replacement of an existing 84-foot siphon pipe with a 96-foot siphon pipe.

3) The Pima Lateral in District 2 directs water from the CAP and Gila River into the Community. Construction here includes a widening and reinforcement of the present earth-lined system with a concrete-lined canal that will better provide for the delivery of irrigation water downstream and on to the north side of the river. Construction on the canal portion of this project will last until March 2013. The new on-reservation McClellan Wash siphon will be completed in the winter of 2013-2014.

4) In District 2, P-MIP is also constructing new bridge crossings at Akimel Road and Sacaton

Flats, where both cross over the Pima Lateral. Construction will close traffi c at the Akimel Road bridge crossing from now until Dec. 24 and on the Sacaton Flats Road bridge crossing from Dec. 24 to Feb. 28, 2013.

The total cost of these projects is over $35 million; P-MIP is funded exclusively by the federal government via the GRIC Water Rights Settlement of 2004 and the Community’s CAP repayment contract – no GRIC funds are involved in the construction of the P-MIP canal system.

Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project

Hundreds of community members came to the Sheraton Wildhorse Pass Resort & Spa to enjoy a buffet dinner on a pleasant Oct. 21 evening that featured live music and danc-ing. “We had a vision 10 years ago and now it’s here for everyone to enjoy,” said Council-man Chris Mendoza, vice chairman of the Wild Horse Pass Development Authority Board.

November 2012Gila River Indian News

It’s just before 6 a.m. and a crisp morning meets the people gathering near the Snaketown houses in District 4. The birds haven’t started singing yet, but they’re inevitable chirps will soon sweeten the desert. The sun hasn’t risen yet, but any second now it will begin to peek over the San Tan Mountains and ascend, signaling the birth of a fresh early autumn day.

Everything about the morning spoke of life, yet heaviness hangs among the people gathering on the dirt path on the corner of Goodyear and Lewis Roads. They greet one another in hushed voices and with downcast eyes, as they ready themselves to walk the path of a dead man.

A car pulls up, and out walks Bernadean C. Lewis. She exudes steadiness in spite of the cane she uses for support. She wears sweatpants and a grey and yellow windbreaker. The group of about 30, some of them children, gathers round the woman that

asked them to wake before dawn. Bernadean organized this

“Justice and Remembrance Walk” for her son Griffin “Kush” Lewis, who was found dead in an apparent murder in October 2011, a few weeks after his 35th birthday. Griffin often walked the roughly six-mile journey from his sister Rochelle’s house in Snaketown to the D5 house he was raised in. To honor his memory and bring attention to families in the Gila River Indian Community affected by violent crimes, Bernadean leads this memorial walk that cuts through the Aji Mountain, under the I-10 freeway and into Casa Blanca to the corner of Southern and Orchard Roads, a route her son walked more than 100 times.

“For all that we’ve lost in violent crime, you know their lives have been taken from their families and it’s hard,” Bernadean says before the journey begins. “It’s always hard. But all of you, friends, and those that are walking for other families too, our hearts go out to you. This is something that never should take place in our lives.”

Griffin’s case remains unsolved. According to Bernadean, it has been handed to federal prosecutors. She’s been assured that the prosecutor chosen for her son’s case is very thorough and will go over every inch of the paperwork. Unfortunately, justice can be painfully slow.

“It’s frustrating,” Bernadean said. “Some families have waited a year, two years, three years, so someone has to recognize what we’re going through here.”

Bernadean can’t bring her son’s killers to justice — that is a job for the courts. But the 55-year-old grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of three can step over the same ground Griffin traveled so often. It reconnects mother and son again, if only symbolically, from the chasm between this life and the next.

“It’s just something that we needed to do, I felt, to remember him, and walk that walk,” she said. “Many times he walked at night, during the cold, during the summer…We just felt we needed to do it.”

Cutting through patchy

shrubs and over rocky earth, Bernadean moves at a steady pace. The sun is getting higher now but the morning remains cool and welcoming. There is solitude in this long walk, a peace that comes from the surrounding mountains and the sprawling expanse of the desert.

Bernadean imagines that Griffin, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2004, used this pathway as a way to clear his head. Her son also struggled with drugs, alcohol and the law. About a week before he was killed, he told his sister that he thought he was ready to enter a long-term rehabilitation facility. He told his mother something similar on Oct. 1, 2011, before he left the house. It was the last conversation Bernadean would have with her son.

A few times, Griffin wouldn’t come home at night and they would find him in the hospital or in jail the next day. Bernadean knew something was wrong when Griffin didn’t come home the next day and his name wasn’t turning up at hospitals or jails. Authorities searched without success for the next five days. Then, on Oct. 6, the police knocked on Bernadean’s door.

She offered the officers a place to sit, but they remained standing. They said they had found Griffin.

“Is he okay, where is he at?” she remembered asking, just glad to hear he had been located. The officer responded not with words, but with his eyes. A look was all it took for the mother to know that her son was dead.

“I knew that look,” Bernadean says. “I said ‘Oh no, I don’t want to hear what you have to say, don’t tell me that.’”

“I’m sorry Bernadean, he’s deceased,” one of the officers said. Griffin had been found in a sewer near Wren Street. There were no gunshot or knife wounds, but his body had been brutally beaten.

“Ah gosh. From that point on, it’s just like my world stopped,” Bernadean says.

Mavis Jackson’s world was similarly struck when her son David Makil was killed at the age of 29 in 2009. Her son’s case also

remains open, but she said there wasn’t enough evidence to charge anybody with the crime. Jackson walked to support Bernadean’s efforts.

“She’d always been very supportive of me and then when her son passed away, I knew what she was feeling,” Jackson says.

Like Bernadean, Jackson at times felt helpless as she watched her son get in trouble with the law and fight a drawn-out battle with alcohol and drugs. But after a six-month stint in the Gila River Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Center in Lone Butte, Makil began turning his life around. He was working toward a business management degree at Everett College in Mesa to create a better life for his three children.

Makil was apparently at the wrong place at the wrong time, shot to death outside his girlfriend’s relative’s house. Afterward, police gave Jackson her son’s wallet. Inside, she found a list of his goals written on a piece of paper. Among them: Keep my family together.

“In the end I say at least he changed his life, at least he turned around,” Jackson says. “And that’s the kind of memory I tell my grandkids: ‘You remember that Daddy changed.’”

Memories are all these mothers have now. But out of these memories spring hope. On the day after Griffin’s funeral, Bernadean went outside and smelled the fragrance of soovak, a sweet-smelling grass that is used as a traditional medicine.

“I smelled that smell, it’s like a brand new fresh day,” Bernadean recalls. “I stood there for a while, I said, ‘Oh God, this is so nice, almost like a new beginning.’”

Both Griffin Lewis and David Makil were looking for new beginnings in lives that were cut short. Bernadean’s memorial walk is a chance to mourn and chance to bring awareness to a community problem. But like the sun that rises and falls and rises again, it is also a reminder that life continues in the face of death; that those with the heaviest hearts can still stand tall as they walk on the path where the dead have been and see a brighter future beyond.

‘Justice and Remembrance Walk’ brings attention to victims of violence


Bernadean C. Lewis, District 5, during the six-mile “Justice and Remembrance Walk.” The walk was organized for all the victims of violent crime in the Community.

GOVERNOR’S SEPTEMBER EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH CLYDE ANTONE

Submitted by Human Resources Department

Clyde Antone (center) with Gov. Gregory Mendo-za (left) and Lt. Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis (right) dur-ing the presentation of the Employee of Month award.


Today, I want to tell you a story of a man who knows compassion. A man who is a great co-worker, a friendly man,

a kind man, someone who shows compassion for his program and community through the numerous years of hard work and diligent service.

For 15 years, this man has always gone the extra mile, by

coming in on weekends and being ready to lend a helping hand.

His dedication and hard work is seen in the large things he does, but it is in those small things that makes this man stand out and above others.

Although a bus driver, it was during the time of destructive weather and damage to our building, that this man stood in the face of adversity in the wee hours of the night looking out for our center…and it was this man who stayed in the center helping out where possible, trying to salvage what he could out of our building.

In other words, he is a great employee. He is always quick to be resourceful and helpful.

He loves to run here and there. And when he is not running to assist someone in need over here or giving someone aid over there, he just runs.

It is this man who is seen

running both half and full marathons, and with the amount of miles that he has run in assisting the littlest of children, it is this man who still had the time to hold up the walls of Head Start when no one else answered the call.

He is a wonderful example

call of selfless dedication to the Head Start families and for these reasons and many more, it gives us great pleasure to announce the September Governor’s Employee of the Month, District 4’s own, Mr. Clyde Antone


November 2012 Health & Wellness

In October, pink was in. And it wasn’t merely a fashion statement.

Gila River Health Care promoted breast cancer awareness, prevention and hope with two events dedicated to offering services to affected families. Pink balloons, ribbons and pins lined the festivities held at Komatke Health Center on Oct. 5 and Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital on Oct. 12.

Six booths representing GRHC, including public health, nursing, family planning, case management and community outreach, presented information and answered questions. A “memorial tree” was on display where people could write inspirational messages to family members.

The all-day events offered free mammograms to woman over 40 or to those who fell into certain risk categories. A Susan G. Komen grant provided funding for assured imaging, a mobile mammography unit that provides digital images.

Services were also available to men, whose lifetime risk for breast cancer is one in 1,000.

While the yearly screenings are strongly encouraged for women as they age, regular self-examination is the best way to ensure a cancerous growth will be detected. But what exactly does a cancerous lump feel like?

Martha M. Cruz, a certified nurse midwife at the GRHC Women’s Clinic, tried to help answer that question. She ran a booth teaching women how to identify abnormal growths. Using rubber models of all sizes, Cruz helped self-examiners learn what to look for and encouraged them to speak up when they do.

Too often, Cruz said, women discover something during self-examination but hesitate to seek medical attention.

“They need to come to the clinic and let us know that they have a concern about their breast, because many a times, women do feel something and they get a scare, and they wait and then wait, in essence they get paralyzed by fear,” Cruz said.

Getting women comfortable with self-examination is often the first step.

“In reality some women don’t feel comfortable touching their breast,” Cruz said. “So you need to tell them, ‘This is normal, this is your body. Take ownership, these breasts are yours and you’re responsible to keep them healthy.’”

This was the third year GRHC put on a breast cancer awareness event and it has grown every year. June Shorthair, public relations director for GRHC, said that while breast cancer isn’t the most common cancer in the Community, “it really impacts the women in our families and our community. We’re very cognizant of that. We have a lot of community members that are close, who are so family-oriented that when one person gets ill, it tends to affect the whole family.”

Non-GRHC affiliates were also in attendance, including Mary Cathleen Wilson from the Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention, a coalition between the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University and the National Cancer Institute. Wilson, who is Tohono O’odham, works as a liaison to tribes.

“We’re trying very hard to build tribal capacity to build prevention measures,” Wilson said.


GRHC dons pink for Breast Cancer Awareness events

St. Peter Indian Mission School Principal Sister Martha Mary Carpenter (center) walk-ing with students at St. Peter Indian Mission School on Oct. 18 in honor of Na-tional Breast Cancer Awareness month. Students, staff and guests participated in the two mile walk and wore pink as a symbol to promote awareness and support.

Roberto A. Jackson/GRIN

St. Peter’s walk supports breast cancer awareness


Public Safety CrossFit Challenge

Gila River Police Department held the first ever “Public Safety CrossFit Chal-lenge in Sacaton on Oct. 20. The fitness activities were based on SWAT train-ing and included box jumps, tire flipping, pulling a rope with a 45-lb. weight and a 20-yard sprint. There were individual competitions and co-ed relays. Detective Manuel Duarte was heading the project. He said he hopes to make it an annual event and possibly a charity event in the future. The participating departments included the Police Department, the Fire Department, EMS and Department of Rehabilitation Services.


Lil’ Quails tops in D2 tourney, Hashan Kehk runners up


The Lil’ Quails (above) won 1st place in a t-ball tournament held at the District 2 Ballfield. The Lil’ Quails, from District 1, were given a good fight from the home team Hashan Kehk.Many families came out to support the t-ball teams which included the Beeliners, A. Rebels, Stotonic Rebels and Lil’ Braves.

Breast Cancer Awareness Event at the Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital in District 6.

November 2012 Law & OrderGila River PD receive special training for ‘active shooters’

Submitted byOffice of General Counsel



The Legislative Standing Committee (“LSC”) will be holding two public hearings to consider public comment on revisions to the Criminal Code. The Public Hearings will be held on Saturday, Dec. 15.

The first public hearing will be held in District 3 in the Governance Center from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Lunch will be provided in the Governance Center. Please RSVP to the LSC Administrative Assistant, Frances Gonzales, by Dec. 1, if you will be attending. Ms. Gonzales can be reached at (520) 562-9729 or at [email protected]. All are welcome whether or not an RVSP is received.

The second public hearing will be held the same day in District 6 at the District 6 Service Center from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In addition, the Legislative Standing Committee will be considering a revision to the Criminal Code at their regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 26 at 1:00 p.m., located in Conference Room A of the Community Council Secretary’s Office. A copy of the proposed revised ordinance in its entirety will be available Nov. 19 for review at all District Service Centers and

the Community Council Secretary’s Office. In July 2010, Congress passed the

Tribal Law and Order Act (“TLOA”) that made sweeping amendments to the Indian Civil Rights Act. For more than a year, the Community has been busy updating the criminal code to comply with the provisions of TLOA, particularly sentencing enhancements. These revisions include new offenses, offenses designated as felonies, and increased penalties from one year to up to three years per offense (or nine years per criminal proceeding).

If you are interested in providing comments to the revisions of the Criminal Code, please attend a Legislative Standing Committee Public Hearing, and/or the Legislative Standing Committee meeting, or you may contact your Council representative and/or the Legislative Standing Committee chairperson at (520) 562-9720. For more information contact the Office of General Counsel at (520) 562-9760.

LSC holding public hearings on Tribal Law and Order Act

From Sept. 29 to Oct. 6, the corridors and classrooms of Ira Hayes High School, bereft of their usual teenage population, served as an arena for a unique brand of education, echoing with the sounds of police boots, tactical commands and colorful, low-impact bullets. While the high school students were out on fall break, the Gila River Police Department utilized the vacant school building for Active Shooter Training.

Active Shooter Training is an intensive, team-oriented course designed to teach SWAT-like tactics to police officers of all levels and specialties. In an active shooter situation - like what happened in Aurora, Colorado and Oak Creek, Wisconsin earlier this year - where a SWAT or Special Response Team is not available or not yet on scene, these AST certified officers would have the ability to assess, manage and contain the problem to minimize loss of life.

Officer Jim Stevenson, the Training Coordinator for GRPD, reached out to Active Shooter Training, LLC – the creators of the AST curriculum – to bring their Instructor Course to Arizona. The curriculum of the Washington-based company is recognized by the Arizona Peace Officer Standard and Training Board. They held multiple classes in the summer of 2011 and spring of this year. GRPD now has seven officers that are certified AST Instructors. Those certified as AST Instructors are then able to pass the information along to their peers in classes such as the one last month.

“We are on track – and our goal is – to provide the Gila

River Indian Community with the highest trained, most up-to-date officers at any given time for any given situation,” said Stevenson. “The more you can give officers more real world like training, the more you can prepare to go into something you didn’t plan for.”

This is the first time in years that GRPD has done any kind of ‘non-traditional’ police training, Stevenson said. He described traditional training with static targets as archaic and noted that AST has exploded in popularity with police departments across the U.S. “This training gives officers real-world experience where they can fire and take fire, [learn/practice] target identification in a split-second and stop the aggressor.”

Training at Ira Hayes High was presented to groups of officers in a series of two-day

classes, 10 hours per day. The students spent most of their time weaving through the school in teams of four working on tactical maneuvering, communication and coverage. The first day was spent in the classroom and shooting at paper targets; the second day passed in a series of life-like situational exercises with a cast of civilian volunteers.

The police department was very grateful to receive outside help to make their shooting scenarios as realistic as possible. Dozens of brave souls – both young and old, male and female – from the Community and nearby municipalities volunteered to act as hostages and bad guys. Officer Stan Barzar said, “I’m glad that some of the community members came out to support us; being role players, they didn’t have to do that. But they came out on their

own to help us [train]. We thank them.”

Likewise, the role-players were more than happy to donate their time. “It’s a good feeling for me to come out and give them a hand to get this special training,” said Ernie Pauquette of Tempe, a National Guard retiree. Grace Watson of Gila River EMS played a crucial role in recruiting volunteers from within and around the Community.

They were also fortunate to have a store of “simunitions” (simulation ammunition) on hand. The bright yellow, blue and pink rounds have wax tips and use colored soap water for easy cleaning. They are shot from real rifles and pistols equipped with modified firing pins or other mechanisms. The simunition rounds may fly at 10 percent of the velocity a normal round

would travel but they still leave welts and bruises when they impact sensitive skin, just like a paintball might. All volunteers signed waivers before entering the training scenarios. All “bad guys” wore heavy padding and headgear but that didn’t stop a stray round or two from striking arms, hands, thighs or rear ends.

Each of the two-day classes passed in a serious and highly efficient manner and ended in a cumulative, multi-team scenario where the teams who had been functioning exclusively as a group of four had to adapt to a much larger scenario including multiple shooters and requiring multiple team cooperation. In some cases, volunteers acted as injured innocents with fake blood on their arms or legs and teams of officers dealt with them as well.

“Training is everything . . . we have to be prepared and if we aren’t, then shame on us because we’re here to protect the community,” Barzar said. “We’re excited to do this training because it’s going to better our skills as officers, it’s going to better the community for protection.”

Stevenson said the GRPD is especially thankful to Principal Dr. Wendy Ong, the School Board and the staff of Ira Hayes High School for their generosity in volunteering their facilities for this endeavor. The AST Instructor courses last year and last spring also took place there.

GRPD is the first in Arizona to put its entire police force through AST, which makes our police force stronger and our community safer. Ninety-one GRPD officers got AST certified in last month’s training session; the remainder of the 110-plus force is expected to complete the course this December.

Members of the Gila River Police Department during the Active Shooter Training class-es held at Ira H. Hayes High School. The officers trained in tactical scenarios with life-like situational exercises. All GRPD officers expected to receive certification by end of year.

November 2012 Youth & Elder

25 years of youth leadership: Youth Council inauguration

Joshua Jovanelly/GRINThe 25th Akimel O’odham/Pee-Posh Youth Council was sworn in by Judge Jay Pedro in Sacaton. Lt. Gov. Ste-phen R. Lewis called Youth Council, “the path to leader-ship” for young people in the Gila River Indian Community.

From Page 1

Community College.Kayla Williams will serve as

Vice President under Flores, along with Secretary Sache Foster and Treasurer Shayne Madrid to round out the executive offi cers. Elected district representatives include Darius Jackson and Charisma Quiroz of D1, Alexander Pablo of D2, Learall Jackson of D3, Alyssa Juan of D4, Richard Stone of D5, Elizabeth Francisco and Cheyenne Jackson of D6 and Robyn Soriano of D7. At-large members include Kristen Dosela, Tyler Owens, Travis Pablo, Jr. and Anissa Garcia.

Judge Jay Pedro swore in the new leaders. With one hand on the Bible and the other raised in the air, each youth council representative made the following pledge: “I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the Gila River Indian Community; that I will faithfully and impartially carry out the duties of my offi ce to the best of my ability; that I will promote and protect the best interests of the Akimel O’odham/Pee-Posh Youth Council in accordance with its Constitution, bylaws and ordinances, so help me God.”

When Gov. Gregory Mendoza pointed out the signifi cance of reaching 25 years of youth leadership, he spoke from experience. A June 1988 Gila River Indian News article that was distributed to the audience displayed a young, mustachioed Mendoza sitting with seven other founding members of what was then called the Gila River Youth Advocates.

Mendoza recalled how it was no simple task to convince a skeptical tribal leadership in the late 1980s that a youth advocacy group was necessary for the community. But former Gov. Mary Thomas, who was serving as the lieutenant governor at the time, provided the tie-breaking vote and 25 years later the Akimel O’odham/Pee-Posh Youth Council stands as a model youth leadership group for the entire country.

“That’s a milestone for the youth, that’s a milestone for the

history of our community,” said Mendoza, who also served as the Youth Council Coordinator for 17 years.

Current Youth Council Coordinator Michael Preston said he has a “dream job.” Other youth groups around the nation — both tribal and non-tribal — often ask him how Gila River has remained so innovative in preparing young leaders.

“Because we’re O’odham, because we’re Pee-Posh, that’s in our blood. We’re natural leaders,” Preston said. “But the second thing I tell them is the support — the support that young people get from their families and the support we get from our tribal leaders.”

Preston thanked the youth representatives’ families for allowing him to work with their children. He also recognized outgoing president Lisa Hendricks, who served two terms as president and was eligible to stay on as an at-large member but chose to give other people a chance to experience the leadership roles.

Hendricks said she will truly miss being on youth council and is very proud of the incoming leadership. After six years serving on youth council, Hendricks reminded her fellow youth to stay true to themselves.

“Always remember where your roots are wherever you may be,” she said. “You are Akimel O’odham or Pee-Posh men and women. Be proud of it. Wear it with a beautiful shine. Remember that you are all family now.”

In closing, Lt. Gov. Stephen R. Lewis said the youth council was the beginning of the path to leadership. He was impressed with the way the youth carry themselves with dignity and act in “the appropriate way, the proper way, with the values, with that etiquette, with that respect.”

“They epitomize the best, strongest aspects of our culture,” Lewis added. “And it’s a tough road, but we’re all going to support them on that.”

Every November the Gila River Indian Community, both as members of a sovereign Indian nation and as American citizens, are called to honor, respect and remember the veterans that have served and sacrifi ced for our country. As many of you know, the Community has an impressive legacy of armed service, dating back hundreds of years. From those Community member volunteers who pursued Apaches without compensation and recognition to the more well known individuals such as Marine Corporal Ira H. Hayes who is memorialized in a statue in our nation’s capital, it is important that we, as a Community, take time to recognize, honor, and refl ect upon those who serve so honorably.

It is important to note that Native Americans serve our country at a higher proportionate rate than any other group. In fact, it is

estimated that one in every four Native Americans has served in our nation’s Armed Forces in some capacity. I think it is fi tting and that we take special note that our people are “warriors” who are willingly respond to one of the most dignifi ed calls to service there is. And, when their service to our country is complete, many of these individuals continue to serve the Community in other and different capacities. Today, many of our Community’s leaders are veterans of our Armed Forces, including former Governors, Council members, and other top administrators.

On this Veteran’s Day, the Community pays special tribute to those men and women, our veterans, to those who do not come home, and to their family members who sacrifi ce alongside them. We honor the warriors who serve valiantly and who return to continue to serve the Community as decision

makers, administrators, leaders, business owners, and parents. We honor those who continue to make positive contributions to our Community, our country, and to society as a whole. Let us continue to offer sincere, heartfelt appreciation and reverence to our veterans and their families for their support today and throughout the year. Let us always be mindful of those who have served our Community and nation to preserve our freedom and our way of way of life. On Veteran’s Day and every day, I encourage all Community members to take the time to say a prayer for our veterans, our warriors. I encourage you to teach our children about them and their courageous acts of service. Take the time to acknowledge our service men and women and otherwise respect and honor them.

Every November the Gila River Indian Community, both as members of a sovereign Indian nation and as American citizens, are called to honor, respect and remember the veterans that have served and sacrifi ced for our country. As many of you know, the Community has an impressive legacy of armed service, dating back hundreds of years. From those Community member volunteers who pursued Apaches without compensation and recognition to the more well known individuals such as Marine Corporal Ira H. Hayes who is memorialized in a statue in our nation’s capital, it is important that we, as a Community, take time to recognize, honor, and refl ect upon those who serve so honorably.

It is important to note that Native Americans serve our country at a higher proportionate rate than any other group. In fact, it is

estimated that one in every four Native Americans has served in our nation’s Armed Forces in some capacity. I think it is fi tting and that we take special note that our people are “warriors” who are willingly respond to one of the most dignifi ed calls to service there is. And, when their service to our country is complete, many of these individuals continue to serve the Community in other and different capacities. Today, many of our Community’s leaders are veterans of our Armed Forces, including former Governors, Council members, and other top administrators.

On this Veteran’s Day, the Community pays special tribute to those men and women, our veterans, to those who do not come home, and to their family members who sacrifi ce alongside them. We honor the warriors who serve valiantly and who return to continue to serve the Community as decision

makers, administrators, leaders, business owners, and parents. We honor those who continue to make positive contributions to our Community, our country, and to society as a whole. Let us continue to offer sincere, heartfelt appreciation and reverence to our veterans and their families for their support today and throughout the year. Let us always be mindful of those who have served our Community and nation to preserve our freedom and our way of way of life. On Veteran’s Day and every day, I encourage all Community members to take the time to say a prayer for our veterans, our warriors. I encourage you to teach our children about them and their courageous acts of service. Take the time to acknowledge our service men and women and otherwise respect and honor them.

November 12, 2012Governor Gregory Mendoza

GILA RIVER INDIAN NEWS November 2012

Every year one young lady gets the chance to represent all of Arizona’s Native American tribes. Individual tribes hold royalty pageants and they select young women who will serve their community and represent their unique culture.

But the duty of Miss Indian Arizona is to represent and promote the Native American Heritage of all the indigenous communities in the Grand Canyon State. For the 51st year the Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program bestowed that honor to one of Arizona’s bright young role models.

Devanie Selma Duwyenie

(Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community) was crowned Miss Indian Arizona at the Chandler Center for the Arts carrying on a tradition that began over 50 years ago. “I do promise that I will do everything in my power to fulfi ll this duty,” said Duwyenie.

Devanie’s father Donovan Duwyenie was particularly touched by his daughter’s commitment. “I have such a tremendous amount of joy and I’m really proud of her,” he said.

Serving with Duwyenie will be 1st Attendant Angelica Lopez (Tohono O’odham Nation) and 2nd Attendant Desirae Bernice Rambler (San Carlos Apache Tribe).

The Oct. 13 pageant

commenced under the theme, “Celebrating the Strength of Native Women.”

Duwyenie succeeds Miss Indian Arizona 2011-2012 Jaymee Li Moore (Colorado River Indian Tribes).

During the pageant, Duwyenie said the contestants developed a close kinship. “I am very happy that I got to meet these four wonderful women standing behind me and now I look to them as older sisters,” she said.

Among Duwyenie’s newfound sorority was Miss Gila River 2012-2013 Raeging Storm Miles.

Miles took a brief spell from her studies at the University of Arizona to participate in the

pageant. Similar to Duwyenie, Miles

recognized the high quality of her fellow contestants. “It was a phenomenal experience, all the girls were amazing,” she said.

Although Miles will retain her Miss Gila River crown and not join the Miss Indian Arizona court, she still gave an award-winning performance.

Miles won the People’s Choice Award and the Community Service Award. “All that matters is that you put your heart in it and you get a lot out of it whether you have the crown or not,” Miles said.

Following the pageant, several supporters congratulated Miles on a splendid presentation. “I want to thank the Community

for their support as well as my father for always being there for me,” she said, “as well as the Royalty Committee.”

City of Chandler Councilmember Kevin Hartke gave the welcoming address. “Our neighbors, the Gila River Indian Community, play a critical role in this region,” he said, “I am personally thankful for the many partnerships that we share.”

Diverse artistic performances highlighted the entertainment portion of the program. Father and son duo Alex and Nick Maldonado (Pascua Yaqui Tribe) played numerous fl ute and percussion selections, and Shalanda Laine (Navajo Nation) did an interpretive hip-hop dance routine.

Miss Indian Arizona 2012-2013 crowned in Chandler

By Roberto A. JacksonGila River Indian News



From left: 1st Attendant Angelica Lopez (Tohono O’odham Nation), Miss In-dian Arizona 2012-2013 Devanie Selma Duwyenie (Salt River Pima-Maricopa In-dian Community), 2nd Attendant Desirae Bernice Rambler (San Carlos Apache).

Reigning Miss Gila River Raeging Storm Miles, as a con-testant during the Miss Indian Arizona Pageant, congratu-lated by outgoing Miss Indian Arizona Jaymee Li Moore.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012

Schedule & Meeting Sites:7am Meet at Casa Blanca Shell Station

For District 6 Participants;Meet at District 6 Service Center

For District 7 Participants;Meet at District 7 Pavilion

11am Cultural EventLocation: HuHuGam Heritage Center

1pm Bird Count Ends

*RAFFLE*RAFFLE*RAFFLE*RAFFLE*(DURING CULTURAL EVENT)

Please note: Transportation is not provided for this event.

GILA RIVER INDIAN NEWSNovember 2012

The rodeo circuit can be tough. Every cowboy has a story and the scars to go with it. The men and women that live the rodeo life wouldn’t have it any other way. Many cowboys have come and gone through the rodeo arenas searching for greatness. Some walk away beaten and lost in bitter defeat. Others triumph and taste championship glory.

Those precious championship moments come at a price.

Behind every bull ride are the countless bumpy hours of practice. Everyone sees the rope tossed in competition but no one sees the lone roper practicing well into the night.

For the athletes in the Indian rodeo circuit, all of their hard work is about to pay off. Riders, wrestlers, racers and ropers from Native American communities across the country are headed to the 37th Annual Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) in Las Vegas.

These men and women will represent their communities from Nov. 6-10 and compete against tough opposition at the South Point Equestrian Complex.

This year three hardworking individuals will be representing the Gila River Indian Community. Fernando Walker, District 4, Wahlean Riggs, District 5 and Skye Joaquin, District 4, will pack up their saddles and head to Sin City. All three qualified

Three GRIC members qualify for Indian National Finals RodeoBy Roberto A. JacksonGila River Indian News

with the Southwest Indian Rodeo Association (SWIRA) and were selected to participate in this year’s INFR.

Walker, who is from the village of Goodyear, is a Year-End Qualifier for the Senior

Team Roping. “To qualify for the Indian finals is really a blessing to me and my family,” said Walker.

Team roping consists of two riders on horseback who rope a steer. The riders and the steers are released from chutes. One

rider, called the header, ropes the steer’s horns after which his partner, the heeler, ropes its hind legs. Walker is the heeler and his partner Ralph Romo (Ft. MacDowell Yavapai Nation) is the header.

Walker said he’s been roping since 1972. He started roping again last year after a 15 year break. While back in the fold he renewed old friendships with pals from his former rodeo days.

The arenas felt like home again for Walker. “Just being there with my peers was good enough for me,” he said.

Walker was building camaraderie with his counterparts and also building up points in the standings. He eventually qualified for the INFR. “To this day I still can’t believe it. Every time I think about it I get chills down my spine,” Walker said.

Another inspirational story heading into this year’s INFR belongs to Wahlean “Bobbie” Riggs. She will be the first lady from Gila River to qualify for the INFR.

Riggs competes in breakaway roping. Horse mounted riders wait in a box until a calf is released from the chute. Once the calf runs out the chute, the rider attempts to lasso the neck.

Riggs, who lives in Wet Camp, started riding horses at eight years old. The roping came afterward. “I started learning how to breakaway rope later on in life,” she said.

Riggs credits her relative, the late Lorenzo Smith, for giving her the encouragement to pursue roping. “He was the main person who was behind me all the way through,” she said.

Riggs has been active on the rodeo scene for many years now but never qualified for the INFR. “For many years I have always tried to make the INFR. I always

had that goal to make it there,” she said.

At the SWIRA regional finals it all worked out for Riggs, and she won the Sudden Death spot.

Riggs recently included a wellness regimen to her routine. “I believe the wellness really had a lot to do with helping me,” she said.

Riggs is proud to represent the Community and she shares her story with others. “I am encouraging you all here at home that dreams come true and when you have the dedication and desire, things fall into place with patience.”

Joining Walker and Riggs is 14-year-old Skye Joaquin from Lower San Tan. The St. Peter’s Indian Mission School eighth grade student is making a return trip to the INFR. “It’s exciting to be going again,” Joaquin said.

Last year Joaquin placed sixth in the Jr. Steer Riding event. “He’s an up and coming steer rider and possibly a bull rider,” said Walker of the youngest GRIC member in this year’s INFR.

Joaquin may be young but he is not inexperienced. Joaquin said he’s been riding for 10 years and he recently participated in the National Junior High Finals Rodeo in Gallup, N.M. Joaquin’s older brother was in the National High School Finals Rodeo in bullriding. He is also a member of the Arizona Junior Rodeo Association.

Joaquin’s parents, Albert Joaquin and Faye Yesk encourage him in the arena and the classroom. They hope their son excels in his education and is eligible for a rodeo scholarship. A scholarship would be a great way for the young man to keep up with his sport. “We know he is keeping his grades up,” said Albert.


Roberto A. Jackson/GRINPhoto courtesy of Wahlean Riggs

Skye Joaquin (Top Left), Fernando Walker (Right) and Wahlean “Bobbie” Riggs (Bottom Left) will represent GRIC at INFR in Las Vegas.

GILA RIVER INDIAN NEWS November 2012

Dear Community Member Voter: It is the Gila River Indian Community’s pleasure to provide Community voters with the GRIC 2012 Voter Guide, which is designed to provide useful information to inform your decision making on one of the most important duties you have as a Community member – exercising your right to vote and to choose those leaders that will make important decisions that will affect your life and the lives of those dear to you. In the spirits of the late Pete Porter and Rudolph Johnson, two Community members who fought tirelessly for the rights of Arizona’s Native people to vote, the Community encourages all of its membership to responsibly exercise this fundamental right. We hope that the GRIC 2012 Voter Guide will assist you to become familiar with candidates and their positions as well as with the many ballot propositions that are at stake in this year’s election. Thank you for exercising your duty as a Community member voter, and for making your voice heard, and for participating in the electoral process.

Sincerely,Gregory MendozaGovernor

Pinal CountyDistricts 1 & 2 (Pct. 60, Blackwater)----- Haskell Osife Antone Veterans Memorial HallDistrict 3 (Pct. 29, Sacaton)----- D3 Service CenterDistrict 4 (Pct. 61, San Tan)----- D4 Service CenterDistrict 5 (Pct. 62, Casa Blanca)----- D5 Service Center

Election Day - November 6, 2012

What to expect on your ballot (below and opposite page)

Know where to go to cast your vote

Don’t forget to bring proof of ID Tips for Election Day

President of the United StatesBarack Obama; Joe Biden as Vice President Mitt Romney; Paul Ryan as Vice President

United States SenateSenator Jon Kyl is retiring from his seat in the U.S. Senate where he dutifully represented Arizona for 18 years. Below are the candidates running to fi ll that Senate seat: Jeff Flake (R) Richard Carmona (D) Marc Victor (L)

US House of RepresentativesThe Arizona Congressional Districts have recently been reorganized. Residents of the Gila River Indian Reservation now fall within Arizona Congressional Dis-trict 1; they used to be in AZ CD-7. The candidates for AZ CD-1 are: Jonathan Paton (R) Anne Kirkpatrick (D) Kim Allen (L)

District 8Joe Ortiz (R) Barbara McGuire (D)Dean Dill (L)

District 27Sarah Coleman (R) Leah Landrum-Taylor (D)

District 8Frank Pratt (R) Thomas “T.J.” Shope (R) Ernest Bustamante (D) Emily Verdugo (D)

District 27Daniel Coleman (R) Ruben Gallego (D) Catherine Miranda (D) Angel Torres (G)

Corporation CommissionerSelect up to THREE from the following candidates:

or

or

State House of Representatives by SLDSelect up to TWO from the following candidates:

State Senate by State Legislative District

Bitter Smith, Susan (R)Burns, Robert “Bob” (R)Stump, Bob (R)Busching, Marcia (D)Kennedy, Sandra (D)

Newman, Paul (D)Gohl, Christopher (L)Meadows, Thomas (G)Pout, Daniel (G)

Maricopa CountyDistrict 6 (Pct. 0340, Komatke)----- District 6 Learning CenterDistrict 7 (Pct. 0478, Pee Posh)----- District 7 Learning Center

Tribal Enrollment IDs are an acceptable form of ID for voting at the polls.

Depending on the type of ID, another form of ID may be needed. Check with your Tribe to see if other forms of ID are acceptable to use when voting at the polls such as a voter registration card for tribal elections or a home site assignment lease.

• If you are able to vote mid-morning or mid-afternoon there will be less congestion.

• Be sure you are at the correct polling place so that you don’t stand in line unnecessarily.

• Use your sample ballot to pre-mark your choices; bring it with you to the polls and simply transfer your selec-tions to the official ballot once you are in the polling place.

November 2012 GILA RIVER INDIAN NEWS

Election Day - November 6, 2012

Ballot Measures in Arizona Local AffairsPINAL COUNTY

County Supervisor District No. 3Steven “Steve” Miller (R) / David Snider (D) / Roberto Almaguer

(I)County Attorney

Lando Voyles (R) / James Walsh (D)Sheriff

Paul Babeu (R) / Kevin Taylor (D) / Ty Morgan (I)County Treasurer

Steven Boyd (R) / Dolores “Dodie” Doolittle (D)County School Superintendent

Jill Broussard (R) / Orlenda Robers (D)County Recorder

Virginia Ross (R) / Barbara Kelly (D)County Assessor

Douglas Wolf (R) / Randy Robbins (D)

Your ballot may have one of the following questions depending on your voting precinct:

1. REGARDING: Coolidge Unifi ed School Dist. 21A “yes” vote shall authorize the Coolidge Unifi ed School District No. 21 Governing Board to adopt a maintenance and operation budget which includes an amount that exceeds the District’s rev-enue control limit by up to 10% per year for seven years.A “no” vote shall NOT authorize the Coolidge Unifi ed School Dis-trict No. 21 Governing Board to adopt maintenance and opera-tion budget which includes an amount that exceeds its revenue control limit 2. REGARDING: Casa Grande Union High School Dist. 82Precincts:Board MemberVoters are asked to select THREE from the following candidates:

Nicholas DePadre / Nancy Hawkins / Corey Means / Ed Barbour

MARICOPA COUNTYCounty Supervisor District No. 5

Ron Harders (R) / Mary Rose Wilcox (D)County Assessor

Keith E. Russel (R) (unopposed)County Attorney

Bill Montgomery (R) / Michael Kielsky (L)County Recorder

Helen Purcell (R) (unopposed)County School Superintendent

Don Covey (R) (unopposed)Sheriff

Joe Arpaio (R) / Paul Penzone (D) / Mike Stauffer (I)County Treasurer

Charles “Hos” Hoskins (R) (unopposed)

Information provided in this publication is not intended to be exhaustivePrimary sources for this publication include State issued sample ballots and the Arizona Secretary of State Offi ce website.For more information on this year’s election in Arizona, visit: http://www.azsos.gov/election/2012/General/ElectionInformation.htm

Proposition 114 – protects crime victims from liability for dam-ages suffered by a person who was injured while that person committed or attempted to commit a felony against the victim

Proposition 115 – increases term length and raises the re-tirement age for justices and judges; modifi es membership of court appointment commissions; requires Arizona supreme, ap-pellate, and superior courts to publish decisions online and to transmit a copy of judicial performance reviews of each judge up for retention to the state legislature

Proposition 116 – sets the amount exempt from annual taxes on business equipment and machinery purchased after 2012 to an amount equal to the combined earnings of 50 Arizona workers

Proposition 117 – beginning in 2014, sets a limit on the an-nual percentage increase in property values used to determine property taxes to no more than 5% above the previous year, and establishes a single limited property value as the basis for deter-mining all property taxes on real property

Proposition 118 – changes the distribution formula for the state land trust permanent endowment fund, which funds vari-ous public institutions, including schools, to be 2.5% of the av-erage monthly market values of the fund for the immediately preceding fi ve calendar years

Proposition 119 – authorizes the exchange of state trust lands if the exchange is related to protecting military facilities or improving the management of state trust lands; outlines the process for exchanges, including independent appraisals and analyses, public hearings, and approval by public vote

Proposition 120 – repeals Arizona’s disclaimer of all right and title to federal public lands within the state and declares Arizona’s sovereignty over public lands and all natural resources within its boundaries

Proposition 121 – replaces the current party primary election with a “top-two” primary election in which all voters, regardless of party affi liation, vote in a single, combined primary and the top two vote-getters for each seat advance to the general elec-tion ballot

Proposition 204 – effective June 1, 2013, permanently in-creases the state sales tax by one cent per dollar for the pur-pose of funding educational programs, public transportation in-frastructure projects, and human services; forbids reductions to current k-12 and university funding levels; and forbids reductions to the current state sales tax base

Sponsored by the Akimel O'odham / Pee Posh Youth Council

AT ALL DISTRICTSERVICE CENTERS ON ELECTION DAY

AT ALL DISTRICTSERVICE CENTERS ON ELECTION DAY

November 2012

Peaceful Pimas Pushed Too Far

Culture & History

Gegosig Word Match

Match the picture with the proper name in Akimel O’otham

SPECIAL SERIES BY BILLY ALLEN

A’AGASOMETHING TO BE TOLD OR TALKED ABOUT

Solutions on page 16

Gila River Indian Community members take pride in historical references to our ancestors as friendly, honest, loyal, industrious, calm, and peaceful. But peaceful people can be pushed too far. In the late 17th century and into the 18th century, our ancestral homelands witnessed O’otham clashes with Spanish rule.

Missionary infl uence in O’otham homelands is well known. The Franciscan missionary Father Kino is revered by many O’otham. However, historically, some converts living near the missions found the changing lifestyle diffi cult. Foreign diseases of measles and smallpox were weakening the native population. O’otham labor for the missions produced revenue crops, but they saw little in return. There were uprisings. Even peaceful people have their limits.

In 1734, O’otham of the Santa Cruz

River missions of San Xavier, Guevavi and Santa Maria de Suamca rebelled by simply walking away from mission life. By 1747, Padre Sedelmayr, wrote “a number of whites, Indians and apostates retired from our mission to the Gila River.”

Then on Nov. 20, 1751, Luis Oacpicagigua, an O’otham headman, led the largest O’otham uprising now known as “The Pima Rebellion.” Oacpicagigua questioned the economic situation for Indians at the missions, and objected to whippings for those who questioned missionary policies. The spark might have been when a missionary put a pregnant woman in stocks and she died. Oacpicagigua’s forces burned the chapel at San Xavier, and Saric and Tubutama missions. His followers also attacked Arivaca, Tubac, and Guevavi missions. O’otham living near the churches, settlers,

and two padres were killed. The San Luis and Santa Cruz valleys fi lled with refugees headed for safety at Spanish forts.

A Sonoran troop of over 200 pursued Oacpicagigua, who had gone to Vav Giwulk (Baboquivari Mountains) to gather strength and resources. In January of 1752, he left with roughly 2,000 warriors to continue the revolt. They attacked 80 Spanish soldiers at Arivaca in a battle that lasted all day. Even though numbers favored the O’otham, they had to retreat. Headman Oacpicagigua was willing to compromise and met with church offi cials. Oacpicagigua negotiated to have a very despised Jesuit priest banned from the area. The Spanish agreed and Oacpicagigua was granted amnesty and swore allegiance to God and king. However, skirmishes continued to erupt in the area, and Oacpicagigua was held in jail, where he died a year later.

After Oacpicagigua’s rebellion, a peaceful calm seemed to return to the missions. But peace was intermittent because some O’otham continued raiding missions for Spanish livestock, rattling settlers and fellow tribesmen living near the missions. When O’otham gathered for a ceremony at San Xavier in the fall of 1756, Padre Alonzo Espinosa tried to stop the ceremony, upsetting Akimel O’otham who had come up from the Akimel or Gila River. An Akimel O’otham, Havan Mo’o (Raven’s Head) and other dissatisfi ed O’otham from the area, attacked San

Xavier mission. Padre Espinosa escaped and fi fteen Spanish soldiers rode in from Tubac, killing 15 O’otham.

A Sonoran military expedition rode north to retaliate, tracking Havan Mo’o and his force to the Akimel. Their pursuit continued throughout November and in December of 1756, Havan Mo’o and his followers were found camped near a hill on the Akimel at the West End. (This was probably Meridian Hill, next to present-day Phoenix International Raceway.) When the Spaniards charged up the hill, the O’otham jumped into the Akimel and escaped. (Good thing the river hadn’t been stolen yet.)

O’otham continued hit and run tactics against the people and culture they viewed as intruders. The last known confl ict occurred in early 1760. Juan Bautista de Anza, the younger, tracked and attacked an O’otham band south of Arivaca. Nine O’otham were killed, including a son of Luis Oacpicagigua. Overt hostilities between O’otham and the Spanish ended soon after. This ensured survival of O’otham bloodlines.

We can say that as a people we were peaceful. Push-overs? No.

Information was taken from these sources: Peoples of the Middle Gila; A Documentary History of the Pimas and Maricopas, 1500’s – 1945 and Islands in the Desert, A History of the Uplands of Southeastern Arizona, both by John P. Wilson. Before Rebellion: Letters & Reports of Jacobo Sedelmayr, S.J.; by Bernard Fontana.

Gegosig Word Match


Wua:sa’a

d Ha’o

Ko:ba Kusal Vainom

Chuak’nakud

Thak’wanakud

Gegosthakud

.

.

.

Gegosig Word Match


Wua:sa’a

d Ha’o

Ko:ba Kusal Vainom

Chuak’nakud

Thak’wanakud

Gegosthakud

.

.

.

Gegosig Word Match


Wua:sa’a

d Ha’o

Ko:ba Kusal Vainom

Chuak’nakud

Thak’wanakud

Gegosthakud

.

.

.

Soa:m Mashath means the yellow/brown month in the Akimel O’otham language. The name refers to the plant-life that goes dormant during the winter months. This month marks the beginning of the holiday season and a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate the holidays. Akimel O’otham and Pee Posh have always been social people and enjoy large communal gatherings.

There are certain social protocols and traditions that take effect when we have company over to visit. One protocol that should be practiced is being a good host. When we have visitors it’s always proper to offer something to eat and drink. If they have travelled a great distance its

proper to feed them a hot meal. When we were young we were always introduced to our relatives and used the proper terms in greeting them. The Elders always spoke fi rst and would say to us kids En Vopsmad! (My Grandchildren!), taking turns we would shake his hand or give him a hug and say En Vosks! (My Grandfather! - father’s side of the family). The whole family continued in this fashion until everyone had been reacquainted. When it came time to sit down for a family meal En Vosk would always say grace. After his prayer he would proclaim Oig thoth gegos! (Okay let’s eat!). Then our Je’e (Mom), or Lulu’u (Grandmother – mother’s side of the family) would say loudly Amk si e gegosith! (Eat to your heart’s content!).

Soa:m Mashath

Napth thonom? Napth biu:gim?

Ha’o, thonom anth. Ha’o, biu:gim anth.Hiksha eñ vasbith heg shu:thag.

Hiksha eñ ma:k heg um’ach.

Siovim u:vSi sap ap ka:k

This month as our families get together to celebrate Shonthal ha Thashga (Veteran’s Day) and Thova Thash (Thanksgiving) we encourage you to use these phrases and continue speaking our Akimel O’otham and Pee Posh languages at home.

Are you thirsty?Are you hungry?Yes, I’m thirsty.Yes, I’m hungry. (Please) pour me some water. You can also use kavi: ‘coffee’, vi:p ‘milk’, vadgaj ‘juice’, so:la ‘soda’ in place of shu:thag. (Please) bring me the (turkey) thigh. You can ask for your ‘favorite part of the thova (turkey) (ba:sho ‘breast’, a’anach ‘wing’, kayio ‘leg’, or ko:ji chu:kug ‘ham’)It smells tasty!It tastes really good!


Arizona likes to stick with its senators. In its 100-year history, only 11 men have represented the Grand Canyon state in the U.S. Senate.

Both Republican Rep. Jeff Flake and former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona are vying to be the 12th by fi lling Sen. Jon Kyl’s seat when Kyl retires this year. Locked in a tight

Senate race comes to Gila River: Carmona and Flake debate at Shelde building


race, the candidates faced off in a testy debate Oct. 18 hosted at the Anthony B. Shelde building at the Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass.

Lt. Gov. Stephen R. Lewis welcomed the candidates and the people who came out to watch them spar.

“We are honored this morning to host this debate between two men who have served our country, the United

States of America, very well,” Lewis said. “I’m sure that you will join me in looking forward to a very engaging and insightful exchange between these two great men.”

The Pinal Partnership hosted the morning discussion covering a wide range of national issues such as the budget crisis and the Affordable Care Act. Perhaps most importantly for Gila River, the candidates touched on the

Navajo Generating Station and water rights settlements.

While the two attacked each other on a variety of issues, they did not offer signifi cant differences on the issues affecting Indian country. Both said they would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from shutting down the Navajo Generating Station, a coal power plant.

“There is a war on coal being waged by EPA no matter what anyone says,” Flake said. He added that it would be “devastating for the rest of the state” if the power station were shut down.

The Navajo Generating Station provides 95 percent of the power that pumps water throughout the Central Arizona Project. The EPA has said the plant needs new nitrogen oxide controls, which could cost up to $1.2 billion. That price tag could jeopardize the project and threaten Gila River’s 2004 water rights settlement because the settlement relies on a set rate of power coming out of the Navajo Generating Station.

Carmona called the EPA “misguided” and maintained the importance of fi nding a way to keep the plant open.

“We absolutely need to get that done: our water is dependent on it, Indian nation is depending on it, jobs are depending on it,”

Carmona said. Both agreed that coal power

would remain a leading energy source for Arizona if they were elected senator.

The candidates were asked where they stood on water rights in light of the fact that the man one of them will replace, Sen. Kyl, was one of the nation’s experts on water rights issues.

“We have to be careful that we basically support the sovereignty of our brothers and sisters who were the original Americans that are here, and at the same time we don’t want to disadvantage them as we balance the needs of a growing state…” Carmona said.

Added Flake: “This is a very, very high stakes game and we’ve got to have somebody who understands it and is willing to fi ght for it — not just the water settlements themselves but issues like the Navajo Generating Station because that has an impact on all these water settlements.”

GRIC Community Manager David White, also a board member with the Pinal Partnership, helped bring this high-profi le debate to the Shelde building. He was pleased Gila River was able to play host.

“Any opportunity we have to showcase our community and highlight our facilities and venues is a great opportunity,” White


Democrat Richard Carmona (left), 12 News anchor Brahm Resnik (center), Republican Rep. Jeff Flake (right) at the Anthony B. Shelde building hosted by the Pinal Partnership.

November 2012



Tribal Education Department“Maschahamdud a Jeniktha”

Casa Blanca Community School: “100% Achievement, 95% Attendance, 85% Attachment”

Word Match Solutions from Page 14

Philana Kiely came to Ira H. Hayes high school with a message for Native American students: the world is open for business.

Kiely, vice president of programs and chapter development for MBA Women

MBA Women promoting careers in business at Ira Hayes High School

Philana Kiely, MBA, encour-aging students to consid-er a career in business at Ira H. Hayes High School.

International, presented a slideshow detailing basic business concepts in hopes of inspiring high schoolers to seek careers in the business world. Kiely, who is half Navajo and from Gallup, N.M., received her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Houston and now works at a company that seeks to empower female business professionals.

“Why would somebody go into business?” Kiely asked the group of about 30 students. “Because you can do anything with it.”

In a slideshow entitled “What Do You Want for Yourself?” Kiely demonstrated the concept of supply chain economics. She asked for seven student volunteers to symbolize each link in the chain — from research and

development to manufacturing, to logistics and distribution, to marketing, to sales, all the way to customer service. She explained how all of these departments constantly interact to create products to sell, such as the iPhone.

“You see that in every one of these core pieces, there’s a career there,” Kiely said. “There are so many different levels within each of these pieces, you just have to see which one fi ts for you.”

She suggested that maybe a student in the audience could design the next iPhone and talked about the thrill of “taking all of your passions and putting them into something that could affect millions of people.”

Ira Hayes students listened respectfully and some took the message to heart.

“It got me thinking, if she can do it then I can do it,” senior Paulette Morago said. “Someone telling me I can do it, it pushes me, telling me, ‘Yeah I can do it.’”

Sophomore Gabby Compton knows something about the challenges that face a female entrepreneur. Compton’s mother has her own embroidery and screen-printing business, a fi eld Compton is considering following her mother into. Kiely’s talk was even more motivation.

“It made me want to go into business,” Compton said.

Kiely of course stressed the importance of education in reaching these goals. She encouraged students to apply to at least 10 scholarships and use their Native American heritage to their advantage. Some colleges,

such as Fort Lewis College in Colorado where Kiely received her Bachelor of Business Administration, offer tuition wavers for Native students.

She also maintained that leaving to continue an education did not mean leaving her cultural tradition behind.

“It wasn’t until I took myself out, that I really understood what I had,” Kiely said. “That I had a connection home, that I had a connection to the land, I had a connection to my family. And so that always brought me back. That always brought me home.”

Kiely said the only limits students have are the ones they place on themselves.

“Don’t wait for life to happen. Either you’re going to be a passenger or you’re going to be driving it,” she said.

Highlights from Casa Blanca Community School:

Casa Blanca Community School is proud to announce that we opened our doors to our newly remodeled library, to the parents and students of Casa Blanca Community School, the fi rst week in October!

We have the latest and greatest innovative technology such as iPads, Laptops, Active Learning Tables, and Digital Storytelling. We

also have beautiful new comfortable furniture for both parents and students.

We welcome any visitors who would like to stop by and see the great things that are happening at our school!

We have more exciting news! Casa Blanca Community School would like to thank the Board of Trustees, Education Standing Committee, Tribal Council, and the representatives from Districts 3, 4, and 5, for

assisting us to attain a grant in the amount of $340,760 for our new playground equipment! The new playground equipment will be for our students in Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, and FACE Early Childhood. We will announce when we have our ribbon-cutting ceremony. Thank you again – we are extremely grateful for your help!

Newly remodeled library (above) opened in early October to parents and students. Students (below) get ready for new playground equipment as Casa Blanca attained a grant of over $300,000 to fund the project.

‘Magic Brad’ presentation: Building Assets In Your Child



Brad Barton performs mag-ic tricks for students be-fore his presentation at the October Family Meet-ing at Sacaton Elementary.

Brad Barton’s magic act comes with a message. Barton, a certifi ed prevention specialist, brought his mix of magic tricks and childhood stories to Sacaton Elementary for the October Family Meeting. Under the title “You Are The Magic: Building Assets in Your Child,” Barton used illusions to cast a spell over our perceptions of alcohol and other drugs. “There’s some dangerous illusions out there,” Barton said.

Barton’s message to the parents was to delay the fi rst usage of alcohol. According to his fi ndings, the risk for alcohol decreases when the user partakes at an older age.

Barton struck a chord with the parents and kids. The parents appreciated his heart-felt childhood stories and the students were dazzled by his magic routine.

According to Barton, parents need to monitor their children closely and to give them positive encouragement. “Even a broken watch is right twice a day,” Barton said.

When Barton, or “Magic Brad,” wasn’t using sleight of hand he was using his years of experience to help parent develop their own prevention skills.

November 2012

Tribal Education Department“Maschahamdud a Jeniktha”



Joe Garagiola, Sr. visits St. PeterBroadcaster on hand for blessing of Bus #17

ALEXANDRIA, VA–October 18, 2012–Jacquelyn L. Power is among 60 outstanding elementary and middle school principals from across the nation who were named 2012 National Distinguished Principals (NDPs) by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Power is principal of Blackwater Community School in Coolidge. The NDPs will be honored Oct. 19 at an awards banquet, which has been generously funded by VALIC for nearly 25 years. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will deliver the opening address, honoring principals during National Principals Month.

Established in 1984, the two-day program, which will be held at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., recognizes public and private school

principals who make superior contributions to their schools and communities. The distinguished principals are selected by NAESP state affi liates, including the District of Columbia, and by committees representing private and overseas schools.

NAESP Executive Director Gail Connelly commended the 60 principals for being exemplars of successful school leadership. “For more than 25 years, our National Distinguished Principals program has recognized the nation’s most accomplished principals—front-line champions for children—who vastly impact individual lives and strengthen schools,” she said. “We congratulate the NDPs for nurturing positive school culture that meets children’s social, emotional, and academic needs.”

“As the sole sponsor of the

National Distinguished Principals program for nearly 25 years, VALIC is proud to continue our unwavering support of our nation’s principals,” said Bruce R. Adams, president and CEO of VALIC. “Programs like this allow us to recognize the contributions that principals make to our teachers, our schools and our communities. On behalf of VALIC, I would like to congratulate all of this year’s distinguished principals and offer our utmost thanks for their commitment and dedication to educating our nation’s children.”

It is particularly fi tting to acknowledge the work of principals in October because Congress declared it National Principals Month through two separate measures. The U.S. Senate’s S. Res 552, and the U.S. House of Representatives companion resolution, H. Res

781, recognize and honor the contributions of school principals and assistant principals toward the success of students in the nation’s elementary and secondary schools, and encourage awareness throughout the month.

NOTE: A list of the 2012 NDPs and their biographical information can be accessed at www.naesp.org/ndp. To request an interview with the honored principals or to cover the Oct. 19 banquet and address by Secretary Duncan, contact Kaylen Tucker at [email protected] or 703-518-6257.

Established in 1921, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) serves elementary and middle school principals in the United States, Canada, and overseas. NAESP leads in

the advocacy and support for elementary and middle-level principals and other education leaders in their commitment to all children.

For more than half a century, VALIC has served as a leading retirement plan provider for K-12 schools and school districts, as well as for higher education, healthcare, government and other and not-for-profi t institutions. As of June 30, 2012 VALIC has more than $67 billion in total assets under management and manages plans for nearly 25,000 groups serving nearly 2 million plan participants. VALIC represents The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc. and VALIC Retirement Services Company.

NAESP Recognizes Local Principal, Jacquelyn L. Power, Among America’s BestU.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will provide congratulatory remarks to K-8 principal honorees

On Thursday Oct. 11, the children and staff of the District 6 Head Start & Early Head Start Center were treated to an early glimpse of the Miss Indian Arizona pageant contestants. After touring and meeting the children and staff at D6, the contestants toured other Head Start Centers within the Gila River Indian Community.

The pageant contestants shared words of encouragement, sang traditional songs from their own communities and even

taught some words from their own languages. Devanie Selma Duwyenie (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community) shared a song with one of the Early Head Start classes. She explained that the song she sang was one of guidance for our youth as they grow in today’s world. In another classroom, Jaymee Li Moore (Colorado River Indian Tribe/Miss Indian Arizona 2011-2012), shared a Mohave children’s song naming several familiar animals to the young children. Most of the

children were intrigued with the different types of traditional dress and jewelry each contestant wore to represent their own tribe.

On Oct. 13 the Miss Indian Arizona Pageant was held at the Chandler Center for the Arts. Devanie Selma Duwyenie was crowned the new Miss Indian Arizona and Gila River’s own Raeging Storm Miles was given the “Service Award” and the “People’s Choice Award”.

Miss Indian Arizona contestants visit D6 Head Start

Baseball Hall of Fame Broadcaster and former Major League catcher Joe Garagiola, Sr. was on hand for a special blessing at St. Peter Indian Mission School on Oct. 18. Garagiola, a long-time supporter of the school, attended the blessing of a new school bus. Garagiola was integral in assisting the school with the acquisition of a brand new school bus, said Principal Sister Martha Mary Carpenter.

The school was having problems with

their oldest bus. It would frequently break down, and when it did run there was no air conditioning. Garagiola became of aware of the situation and began assisting the school to acquire a new bus for the students. “He started researching and contacting people and talking to other schools,” said Carpenter.

Carpenter said the school ordered the bus in June and it was delivered on the day of the blessing.

“It’s easy to make a connection with the people here at Gila River because they’re all good people,” Garagiola said.

Joe Garagiola, Sr. (right) shakes hands with students after the new bus was blessed.

November 2012GILA RIVER INDIAN NEWS

Community Council Action Sheets Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012

Continued on next page, 19

ACTION SHEETCommunity Council; PO Box 2138; Sacaton, Arizona 85147; Phone (520) 562-9720; Fax (520) 562-9729CALL TO ORDER The First Regular Monthly Meet-ing of the Community Council held Wednesday, October 3, 2012, in the Community Council Chambers at the Governance Center in Saca-ton, Arizona was called to order by presiding Chairman Governor Gregory Mendoza at 9:07 a.m.INVOCATIONSalt River Indian Community Vice President Martin Harvier ROLL CALLSign-in Sheet CirculatedExecutive Offi cers Present: Governor Gregory MendozaLt. Governor Stephen R. Lewis Council Members Present:D1- Cynthia Antone, Arzie Hogg; D2-Jewel Whitman; D3- Myron G. Schurz, Dale G. Enos; D4-Monica Antone, Jennifer Allison, Christo-pher Mendoza, Barney Enos, Jr.; D5-, Annette J. Stewart, Janice F. Stewart, Brenda Robertson, Frank-lin Pablo, Sr.; D6-Albert Pablo, Ter-rance B. Evans; D7- Martha MillerCouncil Members Absent:D6-Anthony Villareal, SrAPPROVAL OF AGENDAAPPROVED AS AMENDEDREPORTS[Addendum to Agenda]MOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SES-SION16. Salt River Presentation (Ex-ecutive Session)Presenter: Mike ShieldREPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSIONMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION[GOVERNOR GREGORY MEN-DOZA CALLED FOR A 10-MIN-UTE BREAK.RECONVENED AT 11:01AM]*1. Land Use Planning & Zoning Department, Department Activities Report Presenter: Errol BlackwaterDISPENSED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA*2. St. Peter Indian Mission School Tribal Allocation 2nd Quarter Re-port Presenter: S. Martha Mary Car-penterTABLED*3. St. Peter Indian Mission School Tribal Allocation 3rd Quarter Re-port Presenter: S. Martha Mary Car-penterTABLED AT REPORT #2*4. Ira H. Hayes M.A.L.C. Tribal Allocation 1st Quarter Report Presenter: Dr. Wendy OngREPORT HEARD*5. Ira H. Hayes M.A.L.C. Tribal Al-location 2nd Quarter Report Presenter: Dr. Wendy OngHEARD AT REPORT #46. Ira H. Hayes M.A.L.C. Tribal Al-location 3rd Quarter Report Presenter: Dr. Wendy OngHEARD AT REPORT #47. Offi ce of the Prosecutor Presenter: Chuck AllenDISPENSED[MOTION MADE AND SECOND FOR 90-MINUTE LUNCH BREAKRECONVENED AT 1:51PM]8. Head Start 2011-2012 Year End Annual Program Information

Report Presenter: Pat FosterREPORT HEARD9. Gila River Early Educators Attaining Teaching Excellence (“GRE²ATE’) Presenter: Deborah ChadwickTABLED10. Employment & Training De-partment Status Report Presenter: Lana ChandaREPORT HEARD11. The Center Applied Research, Inc. FY’12 Annual Report Presenters: Ron Rosier & Robert RobinsonREPORT HEARD12. Exit Strategy for Economic De-velopment Standing Committee Presenters: CommitteeREPORT HEARD[GOVERNOR GREGORY MEN-DOZA CALLED FOR A 10-MIN-UTE BREAKRECONVENED AT 4:40PM]13. Community Council Secre-tary’s Offi ce Report Presenter: Linda AndrewsREPORT HEARD14. Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. Monthly Report August 2012 (Executive Session) Presenters: John James, CEO & Board of DirectorsTABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA15. Gila River Gaming Commis-sion Monthly Report (Executive Session) Presenters: Courtney Moyah & Serena JoaquinACCEPTED16. Salt River Presentation (Ex-ecutive Session) Presenter: Mike ShieldMOVED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDARESOLUTIONS*1. A Resolution Approving A Development Agreement Between The Gila River Indian Community And Akimel Enterprises, L.L.C. For Reimbursement Of Akimel Enter-prises’ Proportioned Share Of The Project Cost Of The Riggs Road Right Of Way And Water Pipeline (EDSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenters: Ron Rosier & Henry PeralesTABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA*2. A Resolution approving The Gila River Indian Community De-velopment Proposal Review Pro-cess (EDSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; NRSC, G&MSC & LSC concurs) Presenters: Ron Rosier, Dale Gutenson, & WHPDA BoardTABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA*3. A Resolution Consenting To And Approving The Acquisition Of A Temporary Construction Easement For Gila River Indian Community Department Of Public Works Project No. DPW 06-09 Crossing Allotted Parcels For The Purpose Of Constructing, A Public Utility Water Pipeline By The Gila River Indian Community Depart-ment Of Public Works Located Near The Southside Of Riggs Road In District 4 And As Shown In Drawing Number 40412-0148B-EA (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; G&MSC concurs) Presenter: Henry Perales

TABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA*4. A Resolution Consenting To And Approving The Acquisition Of A Right Of Way For A Grant Of Easement For Gila River Indian Community Department Of Public Works Project No. DPW 06-09 Crossing Allotted Land Parcels For The Purpose Of Construct-ing, Operating, Managing And Maintaining A Public Utility Water Pipeline By The Gila River Indian Community Department Of Public Works Located Near The South-side Of Riggs Road In District 4 And As Shown In Drawing Number 40412-0149A-EA (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; G&MSC concurs) Presenter: Henry PeralesTABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA5. A Resolution Approving An Intergovernmental Agreement Between The Gila River Indian Community And the Pinal County Flood Control District For Ac-quiring Aerial Photography And Topographic Mapping From Pinal County (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval, with correction, G&MSC concurs) Presenter: Seaver FieldsDISPENSED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA6. A Resolution Rescinding GR-320-08 And Approving The Re-vised Tribal Education Allocation Policy (ESC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; G&MSC concurs) Presenter: Ma-rio MolinaDEFEATED7. A Resolution Authorizing And Approving Amendments To The Corporate Charter For Casa Blanca Community School, Inc. (ESC forwards to Council under Resolutions with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Erin ByrnesAPPROVED8. A Resolution Concurring To The Settlement Agreement Between The United States And The San Carlos Irrigation And Drainage District In The Lawsuit San Carlos Irrigation And Drainage District V. United States, No. 06-576C (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; G&MSC concurs) Presenters: GRIIDD & Offi ce of the General CounselAPPROVED9. A Resolution Approving And Au-thorizing An Agreement Between The Gila River Indian Community And Government Finance Of-fi cers Association For Fiscal Year 2013 (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approv-al) Presenter: Kimberly DutcherAPPROVED10. A Resolution Approving The Removal Of Marcellina Monte From The Gila River Indian Com-munity Membership Roll (LSC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenter: Gwendolyn ThomasAPPROVEDORDINANCESUNFINISHED BUSINESSMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SES-SION1. Off-Reservation Gaming Up-

date (Executive Session) (G&MSC forwards to Council as FYI) Presenter: Scot ButlerITEM HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION2. Elections Update (Executive Session) (G&MSC forwards to Council) Presenter: Scot ButlerITEM HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSIONMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SES-SIONNEW BUSINESS*1. Ira H. Hayes M.A.L.C. Tribal Allocation Written Plan SY2012-2013 (ESC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Dr. Wendy OngAPPROVED *2. Skousen Family Gravel Op-erations, LLC – GRIC Southern Boundary (CRSC forwards to Council concurring with the recom-mendation from OGC) Presenters: Tana Fitzpatrick & Er-rol V. BlackwaterAPPROVED 3. Certifi cation of the Culture & Language Teachers (ESC forwards to Council; CRS & LSC concurs) Presenter: Dallas DeLoweACCEPTED AS FYI4. Creation of a Debate Club for the Gila River Indian Community (ESC forwards to Council; LSC concurs) Presenters: Mario Molina & Cece-lia VacaAPPROVED 5. Request to display student work and/or projects from various Gila River Schools (ESC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Patricia ValenzuelaAPPROVED MOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SES-SION6. Johnson O’Malley Program Concerns (Executive Session) (ESC forwards to Council in Ex-ecutive Session; LSC concurs) Presenter: Mario MolinaITEM HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSIONMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SES-SIONMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO REMOVE MICHELLE LYONS FROM THE POSITION AS MEM-BER OF THE JOM PARENT COM-MITTEEMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO DIRECT JOM PARENT COM-MITTEE TO DEVELOP BYLAWS INCLUDING A PROVISION REQUIRING BACKGROUND CHECKS AND INCORPORATING THE STANDARDS OF THE INDIAN CHILD PROTECTION AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PRE-VENTION ACTMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO DIRECT THE TRIBAL EDUCA-TION DEPARTMENT TO DEVEL-OP CHANGES TO THE ALLOCA-TION POLICY AND TO DEVELOP A NEW POLICY TO BROADLY ADDRESS ISSUES INVOLVING REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS[ADDENDUM TO AGENDA]7. Special Community Council Meeting Request Presenter: Bar-ney Enos, Jr.MOTION MADE AND SECOND


Community Council Action Sheets Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012

Community Council Action Sheets continued from page 18

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FOR SPECIAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING AT WHP HOTEL & CASINO ON OCTOBER 12, 2012 AT 9:00AM MINUTES1. May 22, 2012 (Special)APPROVED WITH CORREC-

TIONS2. July 18, 2012 (Regular)APPROVED WITH CORREC-TIONS3. August 1, 2012 (Regular)APPROVED WITH CORREC-TIONSANNOUNCEMENTS>COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE WORK SESSION AT RAWHIDE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012 @ 8AM

>FOUR TRIBES MEETING AT CASINO ARIZONA ON OCTOBER 13, 2012, 9AM>YOUTH COUNCIL INAUGURA-TION IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS OCTOBER 13, 2012, 9AM>MISS GILA RIVER COMPETING IN THE MISS INDIAN ARIZONA PAGEANT, CHANDLER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, OCTOBER 13, 2012 >GENERAL ELECTION REGIS-

TRATION DEADLINE OCTOBER 9, 2012>COMMUNITY MEMBERS COM-PETING IN THE INDIAN NATION-AL FINALS RODEO, LAS VEGAS, NVADJOURNMENTMEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:06PM* Denotes TABLED from previous meeting(s)

ACTION SHEETCommunity Council; PO Box 2138; Sacaton, Arizona 85147; Phone (520) 562-9720; Fax (520) 562-9729CALL TO ORDER The Second Regular Monthly Meeting of the Community Coun-cil held Wednesday October 17, 2012, in the Community Council Chambers at the Governance Center in Sacaton, Arizona was called to order by presiding Chair-man Governor Gregory Mendoza at 9:06 a.m.INVOCATIONProvided by Sister Martha Mary CarpenterROLL CALLSign-In Sheet CirculatedExecutive Offi cers Present:Governor Gregory MendozaLt. Governor Stephen R. Lewis Council Members Present:D1-Cynthia Antone; D2-Jewel Whitman; D3-Myron G. Schurz, Dale G. Enos; D4-Monica Antone, Jennifer Allison; D5- Annette J. Stewart, Janice F. Stewart, Brenda Robertson , Franklin Pablo, Sr.; D6-Anthony Villareal, Sr., Albert Pablo, Terrance B. Evans (9:19); D7- Martha Miller (9:17)Council Members Absent:D1- Arzie Hogg; D4- Christopher Mendoza, Barney Enos, JrAPPROVAL OF AGENDAAPPROVED AS AMENDEDREPORTS*1. St. Peter Indian Mission School Tribal Allocation 2nd Quarter Re-port Presenter: S. Martha Mary Car-penterREPORT HEARD*2. St. Peter Indian Mission School Tribal Allocation 3rd Quarter Re-port Presenter: S. Martha Mary Car-penterREPORT HEARD3. St. Peter Indian Mission School Tribal Allocation Annual SY2011/2012 Report Presenter: S. Martha Mary CarpenterREPORT HEARD*4. Gila River Early Educators Attaining Teaching Excellence (“GRE²ATE’) Presenter: Deborah ChadwickREPORT HEARD5. Sacaton Elementary School Tribal Allocation Annual SY2011/2012 Report Presenter: Leslie RychelREPORT HEARD6. Sacaton Middle School Tribal Allocation Annual SY2011/2012 Report Presenter: Philip BondsREPORT HEARD[GOVERNOR GREGORY MEN-DOZA CALLED FOR A 10-MIN-UTE BREAKRECONVENED AT 11:55AM]7. Casa Blanca Community School Tribal Allocation Annual SY2011/2012 Report

Presenter: Eric James REPORT HEARDMOTION MADE AND SECOND FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF LUNCH BREAKRECONVENED AT 1:44PMGOVERNOR GREGORY MENDO-ZA SUSPENDED THE RULESMOTION MADE AND SECOND FOR CESSATION OF REPORTS AND MOVE TO UNFINISHED BUSINESS #3 AND NEW BUSINESS #4 [ADDENDUM OF AGENDA]MOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SES-SIONUNFINISHED BUSINESS3. Legal Review of the Pangea Proposed Memorandum of Un-derstanding (Executive Session) (LSC forwards to Council under Unfi nished Business, in Executive Session) Presenters: Offi ce of General CounselITEM HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSIONMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION[GOVERNOR GREGORY MEN-DOZA CALLED FOR A 10-MIN-UTE BREAKRECONVENED AT 3:23PM]MOTION MADE AND SECOND FOR COMMUNITY COUNCIL TO REVIEW FURTHER WITH THE OFFICE OF GENERAL, APPROPRIATE BIA OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY TREASURER [ADDENDUM OF AGENDA]NEW BUSINESS4. Proposed Procedures for Re-view of Initiative Petition Signa-tures (LSC forwards to Council with the recommendation to adopt the procedures) Presenters: Linda Andrews & Ja-vier RamosAPPROVED8. San Tan Head Start Storm Dam-age Assessments Presenters: Tribal Education De-partmentREPORT HEARD9. 2012 Court Report Presenter: Chief Judge Anthony HillREPORT HEARD[MOTION MADE AND SECOND FOR A 10-MINUTE BREAKRECONVENED AT 6:43PM]10. Lone Butte Development Cor-poration 4th Quarterly Report Presenter: Esther ManuelMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ACCEPT THE REPORT11. Gila River Sand & Gravel Quarterly Report Presenter: Michael MoragoMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ACCEPT THE REPORT12. Land Use Planning & Zoning Department Activities Report Presenter: Errol V. BlackwaterREPORT HEARDMOTION MADE AND SECOND

TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND ADD ON THE PLANNING & ZON-ING CONCERNS TO NEW BUSI-NESS #813. Boys and Girls Club Of The East Valley – Gila River Branches 2012 Quarterly Report (April 2012-July 2012) Presenters: Jason Jones & Re-becca MartinezTABLED14. Overview of The National La-bor Relations Act In Indian Country Presenter: Tana FitzpatrickMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ACCEPT THE REPORT15. Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. Monthly Report August 2012 (Executive Session) Presenters: John James, CEO & Board of DirectorsMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ACCEPT REPORTS #15 AND #1616. Monthly Financial Report for 12 Months Ended September (Execu-tive Session) Presenters: Robert Keller & Mike JacobsACCEPTED AT REPORT #15RESOLUTIONS*1. A Resolution Approving A Development Agreement Between The Gila River Indian Community And Akimel Enterprises, L.L.C. For Reim-bursement Of Akimel Enterprises’ Proportioned Share Of The Project Cost Of The Riggs Road Right Of Way And Water Pipeline (EDSC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenters: Ron Rosier & Henry PeralesAPPROVED*2. A Resolution approving The Gila River Indian Community Development Proposal Review Process (EDSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; NRSC, G&MSC& LSC concurs) Presenters: Ron Rosier, Dale Gutenson & WHPDA BoardAPPROVED *3. A Resolution Consenting To And Approving The Acquisition Of A Temporary Construction Easement For Gila River Indian Community Department Of Public Works Project No. DPW 06-09 Crossing Allotted Parcels For The Purpose Of Constructing, A Public Utility Water Pipeline By The Gila River Indian Community Depart-ment Of Public Works Located Near The Southside Of Riggs Road In District 4 And As Shown In Drawing Number 40412-0148B-EA (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; G&MSC concurs) Presenter: Henry PeralesAPPROVED *4. A Resolution Consenting To And Approving The Acquisition Of A Right Of Way For A Grant Of Easement For Gila River Indian

Community Department Of Public Works Project No. DPW 06-09 Crossing Allotted Land Parcels For The Purpose Of Construct-ing, Operating, Managing And Maintaining A Public Utility Water Pipeline By The Gila River Indian Community Department Of Public Works Located Near The South-side Of Riggs Road In District 4 And As Shown In Drawing Number 40412-0149A-EA (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; G&MSC concurs) Presenter: Henry PeralesAPPROVED5. A Resolution Approving And Au-thorizing An Agreement Between The Gila River Indian Community And Gookin Hydrology, PLC For Fiscal Year 2013 (NRSC forwards to Councilwith recommendation for approval; G&MSC concurs) Presenter: Linus EverlingAPPROVED6. A Resolution Approving And Au-thorizing An Agreement Between The Gila River Indian Community And Franzoy Consulting, Inc. For Fiscal Year 2013 (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval G&MSC concurs) Presenter: Linus EverlingAPPROVED 7. A Resolution Approving And Au-thorizing An Agreement Between The Gila River Indian Community And Hardee Consulting For Fis-cal Year 2013 (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; G&MSC concurs) Presenter: Linus EverlingAPPROVED8. A Resolution Approving And Au-thorizing An Agreement Between The Gila River Indian Community And Peter Mock Groundwater Consulting, Inc. For Fiscal Year 2013 (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; G&MSC concurs)Presenter: Linus EverlingAPPROVED 9. A Resolution Approving And Au-thorizing An Agreement Between The Gila River Indian Community And Dorsey & Whitney, LLP For Fiscal Year 2013 (G&MSC for-wards to Council with recommen-dation for approval) Presenter: Linus EverlingMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS #9 THROUGH # 17 10. A Resolution Approving And Authorizing An Agreement Be-tween The Gila River Indian Com-munity And Andrea J. Curry, ESQ. For Fiscal Year 2013 (G&MSC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenter: Linus EverlingAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #911. A Resolution Approving And Authorizing An Agreement Be-



tween The Gila River Indian Com-munity And Osborn Malendon, P.A. For Fiscal Year 2013 (G&MSC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenter: Linus EverlingAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #912. A Resolution Approving And Authorizing An Agreement Be-tween The Gila River Indian Com-munity And Normandy Financial, LLC For Fiscal Year 2013 (G&MSC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenter: Linus EverlingAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #913. A Resolution Approving And Authorizing An Agreement Be-tween The Gila River Indian Community And Harvey Econom-ics For Fiscal Year 2013 (G&MSC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenter: Linus EverlingAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #914. A Resolution Approving And Authorizing An Agreement Be-tween The Gila River Indian Com-munity And Rothstein, Donatelli, Hughes, Dahlstrom & Schoenburg, LLP For Fiscal Year 2013 (G&MSC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenter: Linus EverlingAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #915. A Resolution Approving And Authorizing An Agreement Be-tween The Gila River Indian Com-munity And Akin Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP For Fiscal Year 2013 (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Linus EverlingAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #916. A Resolution Approving And Authorizing An Agreement Be-tween The Gila River Indian Com-munity And Greenberg Traurig, LLP For Fiscal Year 2013 (G&MSC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenter: Linus EverlingAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #917. A Resolution Approving And Authorizing An Agreement Be-tween The Gila River Indian Com-munity And Public Policy Partners For Fiscal Year 2013 (G&MSC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenter: Linus EverlingAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #918. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Coolidge For Walker Park Exercise Equipment (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS #18 THROUGH #4019. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To Pinal County For The Pinal County Adult Proba-tion, Vehicle Service And Safety Equipment (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1820. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Coolidge For Central Arizona Re-

gional Transit, Passenger Buses (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1821. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Chandler For The Veterans Memo-rial (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1822. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Coolidge For The Coolidge Unified School District #21, School Re-source Officer (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1823. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Chandler For The Chandler Firefighter Charities, Fire Safety House Program (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1824. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Maricopa For The Police K-9 Unit (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1825. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Phoenix For The Regional Wire-less Cooperative, Replacement Of Communication System Base Sta-tion (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1826. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian The Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To Pinal County For Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Automated Ex-ternal Defibrillators Purchase (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1827. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The Town Of Florence For The First Station, Vehicle Exhaust Capture And Fil-tration System (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1828. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Maricopa For The Amtrak Station Relocation (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval)

Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1829. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Mesa For The Arizonans For Chil-dren, Inc., Foster Children’s Visita-tion Center With Mentor/Tutor And Educational Program (G&MSC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1830. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Mesa For The Fun N Fitness Pro-gram (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1831. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Prescott For The Arizona Wildfire & Incident Management Academy (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1832. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To Maricopa County For The Girl Scouts – Ari-zona Cactus-Pine Council, Girl’s Empowerment, Inclusion and Edu-cation Program (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1833. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To Maricopa County For The Childhelp Chil-dren’s Center Of Arizona (G&MSC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1834. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Chandler For The National Advo-cacy And Training Network, Seeds Transitional Housing Program (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1835. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Glendale For The G.R.A.S.P. Fitness And Nutrition Program (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1836. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Mesa For The Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation, Memory & Brain Health Programs For Native Ameri-cans (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval)Presenter: Cheryl Pablo

APPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1837. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To Pinal County For Hoofbeats With Heart (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1838. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To The City Of Casa Grande For The Natu-ral Resource Education Center, Farm Filled Ag-Ventures Program (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1839. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To Maricopa County For The Back to School Clothing Drive, Student Attire For Education Program (G&MSC for-wards to Council with recommen-dation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1840. A Resolution Authorizing A Grant Award From The Gila River Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenues To Maricopa County For The Wittmann Fire District, Fire Station Expansion (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED AT RESOLUTION #1841. A Resolution Approving And Authorizing Amendment No. 3 To The Transit Service Intergov-ernmental Agreement Between The Regional Public Transporta-tion Authority And The Gila River Indian Community Providing For Extension Of Fixed-Route Transit Services Into The Gila River Indian Reservation (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: David WhiteAPPROVED 42. A Resolution Authorizing And Approving The Termination Of Per Capita Trust Accounts And Direct Distribution of Trust Assets To Certain Beneficiaries (G&MSC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenter: Robert KellerAPPROVED 43. A Resolution Approving The Appointment Of Kami Hart As Children’s Court Judge For The Gila River Indian Community (LSC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenter: Lucinda RhodesAPPROVED GOVERNOR GREGORY MENDO-ZA SUSPENDED THE RULESMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO PAUSE FOR THE OFFICIAL SWEARING-IN OF MS. KAMI HART[ADDENDUM TO AGENDA]SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR CHILDREN’S COURT JUDGE1. Kami Hart Anthony Hill, Chief JudgeHONORABLE CHIEF JUDGE AN-THONY HILL OFFICIATED THE OATH OF OFFICE TO MS. KAMI HART ORDINANCES

November 2012 Announcements & Notices

JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS:1. CHRIS ALLENReview HearingCase #: J-11-0093/0064/0095/0096/0097Court Date: November 09, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom #2, 1st Floor.2. ANTHONY ALLEN SR.Review HearingCase#: J-11-0093/0094/0095/0096/0097Court Date: November 09, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom #2, 1st Floor.

CIVIL SUMMONSJUVENILE PROCEEDINGS:

1. GAIL BROWNReview HearingCase#: J-10-0121/0122Court Date: November 27, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom #4, 2ND FLOOR.LOCATION OF COURT:

SALT RIVER PIMA-MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY COURT10,005 E. Osborn Road Bldg. 23Scottsdale, Arizona 85256

1. The Gila River Indian Com-munity Council Hereby Adopts Technical Amendments To The Community Chemical Emergency Planning Code As Published In Title 18, Chapter 5, Of The 2009 Gila River Indian Community Code (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; LSC concurs) Presenter: Tana FitzpatrickAPPROVEDUNFINISHED BUSINESS1. Declaration of Vacancies on the El Paso Right-of-Way Negotiation Team (EDSC forwards to Council; NRSC & G&MSC concur) Presenters: Christopher Mendoza & Ron RosierMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ESTABLISH THE EL PASO NATURAL GAS RIGHT-OF-WAY NEGOTIATION TEAM 2. Election Update (Executive Ses-sion) (G&MSC forwards to Council in Executive Session) Presenter: Scot ButlerACCEPTED3. Legal Review of the Pangea Proposed Memorandum of Un-derstanding (Executive Session) (LSC forwards to Council under Unfi nished Business, in Executive Session) Presenters: Offi ce of General

CounselHEARD AFTER REPORT #74. Gila River Sand & Gravel Board Member Appointment Presenters: Reviewing CommitteeMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO APPOINT MR. CAMILLUS NISH5. Gila River Gaming Commission AppointmentPresenters: Reviewing CommitteeMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO APPOINT MS. CHERYL JOA-QUIN 6. Gila River Indian Community Utility Authority Board AppointmentPresenters: Reviewing CommitteeMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO APPOINT MS. BELINDA NEL-SON [ADDENDUM TO AGENDA]7. Clarifi cation of Council Previous Motion Regarding Legal Matter (Executive Session) Presenters: Community CouncilMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO PROCEED IN PURSUING AVENUES AVAILABLE FROM LO-CAL AND FEDERAL JURISDICTIONSNEW BUSINESS1. St. Peter Indian Mission School SY2012-2013 Written Plan (ESC forwards to Council with recom-mendation for approval) Presenter: S. Martha Mary Car-penterAPPROVED2. Old Wild Horse Pass Casino

(EDSC forwards to Council) Presenter: Dale GutensonTABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA3. Request That The Federal Com-munications Commission (“FCC”) Uphold The Further Guidance On Tribal Engagement Obligations Issued By The FCC’s Offi ce Of Native Affairs And Policy (G&MSC forwards to Council under New Business, including amendments to the recital and with recommen-dation for approval) Presenter: Linus EverlingAPPROVED4. Proposed Procedures for Re-view of Initiative Petition Signa-tures (LSC forwards to Council with the recommendation to adopt the procedures) Presenters: Linda Andrews & Ja-vier RamosHEARD AFTER REPORT #75. Declaration of Vacancy for Gila River Health Care Board Two (2) vacancies Presenter: Linda AndrewsDECLARED6. Relocation of Tribal Depart-ments to Former Beaudry Facil-ity (G&MSC forwards to Council under New Business) Presenter: David WhiteAPPROVED7. MIS Directive Presenters: Community CouncilMOTION TO DIRECT THE MIS DEPARTMENT TO RESTORE

ELECTED OFFICIALS’ APPLE DEVICES MOTION MADE AND SECOND TO DIRECT THE COUNCIL SEC-RETARY TO BEGIN THE PRO-CESS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF OUTSOURCING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE APPLE DEVICES[ADDENDUM TO AGENDA]8. Land Use Planning & Zoning Concerns Presenters: Community CouncilITEM HEARD AS FYIMINUTESANNOUNCEMENTS>GOVERNOR GREGORY MEN-DOZA AND SIX COUNCIL MEM-BERS TO ATTEND NCAI CON-VENTION>HOUSING TASK FORCE MEET-ING RESCHEDULE TO NOVEM-BER>GRIC HOSTED SENATO-RIAL DEBATE AND BREAKFAST MEETING THURSDAY, OCTO-BER 18, 2012, 8AM, ANTHONY B. SHELDE BUILDING>105TH PIMA MARICOPA CAMP MEETING, THURS-DAY THROUGH SUNDAY AT THE VAH-KI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHADJOURNMENTMEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:35PM* Denotes TABLED from previous meeting(s)


JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS:1. CHRIS ALLENReview HearingCase #: J-11-0093/0064/0095/0096/0097Court Date: November 09, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom #2, 1st Floor.2. ANTHONY ALLEN SR.Review HearingCase#: J-11-0093/0094/0095/0096/0097Court Date: November 09, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom #2, 1st Floor.

CIVIL SUMMONSJUVENILE PROCEEDINGS:

1. GAIL BROWNReview HearingCase#: J-10-0121/0122Court Date: November 27, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom #4, 2ND FLOOR.LOCATION OF COURT:

SALT RIVER PIMA-MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY COURT10,005 E. Osborn Road Bldg. 23Scottsdale, Arizona 85256

CIVIL SUMMONSCIVIL SUMMONS

Gila River Indian Community Department of Transportation

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT Sacaton Road (Route 7)

Gila River Bridge Replacement

The Gila River Indian Community Department of Transportation (GRIC DOT) is planning to replace the existing Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Route 7 (Sacaton Road) bridge over the Gila River, located approximately 0.5 miles north of Sacaton in GRIC Districts 3 and 4, Pinal County, Arizona. The project is located entirely within the Gila River Indian Community. GRIC DOT encourages residents, organizations, and businesses in the surrounding area to offer comments related to the project during the design phase. Your feedback and input are valuable. The existing BIA Route 7 bridge over the Gila River Bridge is in need of replacement. The scope of work for the project primarily consists of replacing the existing 4 span bridge with a new longer, wider bridge, and reconstructing the low flow channel in the vicinity of the new bridge. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring/summer 2014 and would take approximately 6 months to complete. Sacaton Road will be closed to both directions of travel at the bridge for the entire construction duration. The proposed detour route is approximately 7.4 miles long and is shown in the map above. The detour route uses BIA Route 84 (River Road) to SR 87 to BIA Route 1 (Sacaton Road). Authorized emergency vehicles will be allowed to use the contractor’s access road to cross the Gila River at Sacaton Road, provided no river flows or other safety concerns are present. To submit comments, please contact GRIC DOT c/o Steve Johnson via mail at PO Box 97, 291 W. Casa Blanca Road, Sacaton, Arizona 85247; via email at [email protected]; via phone at 520.562.0950, or via fax at 520.562.0957. Thank you for your time and cooperation. Please submit comments by November 10, 2012.


Kisa Corcoran works with the Gila River Indian Community’s Crime Victim Services where victims of domestic violence go to find support and healing. In

observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, Crime Victim Services, Community Housing and the On Eagle’s Wings Domestic Violence Shelter hosted two community awareness events, one in Sacaton and the other in Komatke.

Two events acknowledge Domestic Violence Awareness Month



Artwork delivering uplifting messages on display at the Do-mestic Violence Awareness Day at Ira Hayes Memorial Park

For many people, talking about domestic violence is a difficult thing, but to a victim, it can be a vital step forward in the healing process. “This is an opportunity to celebrate those who have survived and to tell what really happens,” said Corcoran at the Domestic Violence Awareness Day at Ira Hayes Memorial Park. In her experience, it is in the sharing of one’s story that a victim can find healing and peace.

The events featured outdoor music, information booths, purple memorial ribbons and a series of personal stories from women who have lived through domestic violence printed on various cloths and hanging on the trees in the park. According to Corcoran, “By a woman putting [her story] on a cloth and letting it be out here in the community, she says, ‘I’m not ashamed. And I want others out there to know what I’ve been

through.’”Corcoran recalls an

encounter she had when she first started with Crime Victim Services in 2003. An elder said in O’odham Ñeok (the O’odham language), why does that white woman talk about what goes on behind our closed doors? For her part, Corcoran does not want to be the one holding the microphone preaching about what it means to survive. She said, “if it comes from the people, they will listen. They don’t have to listen to me but they do listen to their community members, their sisters, their aunties, etc.”

In fact, Corcoran and her staff view their roles in the recovery process as listeners often opting to say less and hear more. “Our job at Crime Victim Services is first and foremost to listen and then see what that person wants us to do to help them,” she said, “Sometimes they just want

someone to listen or just a little time away from home.”

Corcoran said that one of their most important tasks at Crime Victim Services, “is to help those who have survived domestic violence to say what they’ve been through and what they need from the Community.” The Community has responded positively over the past few years, creating the new victims’ rights codes and the On Eagle’s Wings shelter, which opened earlier this year.

If you or someone you know is seeking help on domestic violence issues, the following services are available:

Crime Victim Services: (520) 562-4106

Arizona Child Protective Services Hotline: 1-888-767-2445 (1-888-SOS-CHILD)

Gila River Police Department: (520) 562-7115

From Page 1

gave the Community 311,800 acre-feet of water — over 101 billion gallons — per year from the Central Arizona Project (CAP) to replace the water lost from the Gila River. It also subsidizes the Community’s cost of water, making it about half as cheap, and provides funding for infrastructure development, like the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to reign in nitrogen oxide emissions from NGS, which contributes to a haze around the region near the Grand Canyon. A ruling in the near future could require NGS to add the Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART), part of a control system that NGS says will cost $1.2 billion. If the EPA requires the entirety of that new control system to be put in place, that cost would be passed on to the consumer, increasing the cost of energy.

Gila River, as the single largest customer of CAP water, would be paying a disproportionate share of the environmental controls, said GRIC attorney Jason T. Hauter. The water from the 2004 settlement, which is intended for agricultural use once projects like the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project are completed, would then become too expensive to use.

Hauter said it would be akin to the federal government “stealing our water all over again.”

“We should not be the one that’s expected to pick up the bill on this one,” Hauter said.

Gila River is not opposed to stricter environmental emissions guidelines for NGS, Hauter said. Currently, the EPA regulates three pollutants at NGS: particulate matter, or fly ash, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. Paul Ostupak, environmental and safety manager at NGS, says the plant has always been within EPA guidelines.

“We’ve always been in compliance with the emission limits here,” Ostupak said. The

upcoming EPA ruling will likely decrease the acceptable level of nitrogen oxides, which would force NGS to implement the new control systems to continue to operate.

In addition to NGS, there is also concern about environmental pollution caused by the Black Mesa Coalmine in Kayenta, which feeds coal directly to the power plant. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation leases these two lands from the Navajo Nation. The lease expires in 2019, and new environmental regulations will have a direct impact on whether the lease is renewed.

Jihan Gearon, executive director of the Black Mesa Water Coalition, leads an environmental protection group that is organizing against pollution on the Navajo and Hopi nations. Gearon recognizes that while NGS and the Black Mesa Coalmine provide jobs to hundreds of Navajo, it comes at a cost to human health, nature and culture.

“We are economically dependent on our own cultural destruction because of this fossil fuel-based system,” Gearon said. “By trying to change what’s happening, that’s part of saving our culture too.”

The Black Mesa Water Coalition is also working to gather support within the Navajo tribal government to transition away from coal and into renewable energy sources, like solar power. The group knows it won’t happen overnight but with the 2019 deadline approaching, the time to plan for change is now.

“We’re not trying to shut everything down tomorrow,” Gearon said. “We understand that there has to be a transition, a way to get from here to there in a way that will not harm many people.”

Despite its vested interest in keeping NGS operating, GRIC does not want to compromise the sovereignty or health of the Navajo Nation in the process. Hauter agrees with an eventual transition.

“We totally recognize and

NGS energy costs could compromise historic water settlement

sympathize with those health concerns,” Hauter said. “We wouldn’t necessarily want those issues in our backyard. But there needs to be a glide path away from it, not just an action to shut the thing down right now.”

The Community has tried to

take a leadership role to find a viable solution that would lessen GRIC’s reliance on NGS. They have proposed a concept for a 20-megawatt solar facility on GRIC land that would help offset the potential increased energy costs coming from stricter NGS

environmental regulation. That plan is in its early phases but will take more federal interest and involvement if it is to actually happen.

“There’s no easy solution to this,” Hauter said. “This is a hard, hard dilemma.”



Views of the Navajo Generating Station from the outside and the interior.


Komatke Health Center17487 South Healthcare Drive

Laveen, Az 85339Phone: 520-550-6000Fax: 520-550-6033

Ak Chin Health Clinic48203 West Farrell Road

Maricopa, AZ 85239 Phone: 520-568-3881

Fax: 520-568-3884

483 West Seed Farm RoadSacaton, AZ 85147

Phone: 520-562-3321Fax: 602-528-1240

Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital

Submitted by Dr. Amish PurohitChief Executive O�cerGila River Health Care

At Gila River Health Care (GRHC), we are continuing to improve the quality of our services. But in order to accomplish a higher level and quality of these services, we need to expand our space. Currently, if you walk the halls of our clinics, you will �nd patients and families standing in the hallways for their appointments or medications since we do not have the space to accommodate all our patients with the recent, increased demand for our services and general growth.

GRHC truly understands the needs of the Community, our patients, and their families. We are undergoing many expansion projects and construction to improve the facilities for you. I want to take this opportunity to highlight some of the main projects that we are working on or will be working on in the near future. I will also provide insight as to why we are undertaking some of the projects we have as an organization.

The �rst project that we have worked on is our Wash Rack, or the car wash, that was recently built and is now being utilized. The main reason for this project was to ensure that we provide clean vehicles for our patients when they are transported by Gila River Health Care transportation services. It allows GRHC to be e�cient and allows each of the vehicles to be cleaned in a timely manner. Cleanliness of our vehicles is kept a top priority so that none of our patients that use GRHC transportation services ride in a �lthy or dirty vehicle. We want to make sure that your ride with GRHC transportation is stellar and that we provide you with the best possible experience.

Second, GRHC is in the planning and design stage of a new Administration building that will be located here in Sacaton. Over the years, GRHC has grown tremendously, and we have been unable to accommodate the growth due to lack of space. We have known for many years that we do not have enough clinical space to accommodate more doctors or other clinical providers. This has resulted in problems for you accessing your physician. As a result, in an e�ort to increase clinical space, we will be moving all non-clinical functions that do not support direct patient care into the new Administration building when completed. This will allow GRHC to convert existing space that is occupied by non-clinical areas into clinical space and make room for more clinics. On the horizon, GRHC will be looking to expand the Dental clinic and create a separate Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Family Medicine clinics. I am sure many patients and members in the Community will wonder why we have invested in a new Administration building, but really it is so that we can expand clinical space to improve the range of services we have to o�er at GRHC as well improve access to those services.

Thirdly, in the near future we are looking at converting the existing Administration building into a medical imaging center that will house an MRI and CT scanner. Currently, all of our patients that need these services have to go outside of the Community to get these services. For your convenience we have elected to build a center so you, our patients, do not have to travel far to get these services.

Fourth, for our Community on the west end, GRHC will be constructing and implementing an urgent

care center. In the past, I have heard many requests from patients saying that they do not have an emergency room or other resource to go to after hours or on the weekend. The urgent care center should alleviate some of these concerns, as our patient will have the ability to seek care after hours and weekends and have skilled personnel that are trained in treating higher acuity cases. In addition to the urgent care center, we will be building a heli-pad as well. We have had issues in the past when emergency medical services personnel are confused where a helicopter may land if a patient needs to be emergently transferred by air to a surrounding facility. The heli-pad will allow easier identi�cation for air transport services and expedite a critical process to ensure the safety of our patients.

For our Ak-Chin Community, we are currently working with your community leaders to plan the future of the Ak-Chin Clinic and the services that need to be provided for you. We will be assessing various options with your community leaders to ensure that we fully address the future of health care in your community. We at GRHC understand that health care should be comprehensive and convenient for you, and we are taking steps to ensure that we can accommodate your needs as we move forward.

Lastly, while GRHC is in expansion mode, we are staying true to the Patient and Family Centered Care Model. The expansion projects that I have outlined in this article have been designed with you in mind since the ultimate goal for GRHC is to provide high-quality accessible care to you and your family.

Accountability Commitment Patients & Families Culture Quality Self-Governance Trust

Gila River Health Care Looks Ahead

Gila River Health Care Breast Cancer Awareness Event A Great SuccessGRHC is grateful to its sponsors - most importantly to Gila River Telecommunications, Native Technology Solutions, and Gila River Sand and Gravel

Collec tion dates:NOVEMBER 1, 2012 DECEMBER 18, 2012

Collec tion Sites:ALL GILA RIVER FIRE DEPARTMENT STATIONS

& TRIBAL RECREATION WELLNESS CENTER

PLEASE DONATE A NEW UNWRAPPED TOY

For more information or schedule a toy pick-up contact:Merlena Calabaza at (520) 562-6087 | Amber Childs at (520) 562-2025

All collected gifts directly benefit Gila River Indian Community Tribal Social Services, Residential Programs for Youth and Community Head Start Programs.

A partnership between Gila River Indian Community FireDepartment & Marine Corps Toys for Tots of Pinal County.

GRIC convenes at NCAIgilariver.org/GRIN/Nov2012_Final_GRIN.pdf · NCAI Youth Commission; she won by...

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