Tiny Cactus Daycare, located at 143 W. Riverside Dr Parker, recently held its Grand Opening for children ages 1 to 5 years old.

Tiny Cactus Daycare features bright, engaging classrooms, an outdoor play area, and age-appropriate learning materials to support early childhood development.

The daycare is staffed by trained professionals with a focus on safety, creativity, and social development.

Tiny Cactus Daycare offers flexible scheduling options, including full-time and part-time care.

For more information, visit 143 W. Riverside Dr Parker, Arizona or call (928) 575-1095. Follow Tiny Cactus Daycare on Facebook @TinyCactusDayCare or Instagram @tinycactusdaycare for updates and parenting tips!
https://tinycactusdaycare.com

On May 3, 2025, Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) youth including Junior Miss CRIT along with Little Miss CRIT attended a solemn and impactful event at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). The gathering brought together tribal leaders, activists, and community members to raise awareness about the ongoing crisis of violence against Indigenous women and girls.

The event featured speeches from tribal representatives, survivors, and advocates, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change, improved law enforcement response, and greater public awareness. CRIT’s royalty participated in prayers, a memorial walk, and a ceremonial display of red dresses—symbolizing the countless missing Indigenous women whose cases remain unresolved.

The MMIW movement has gained significant momentum in recent years, with Arizona joining other states in declaring May 5 as a day of awareness. CRIT’s presence at the Capitol underscored the tribe’s commitment to advocacy and community leadership in addressing this critical issue.

As the event concluded, participants called for continued collaboration between tribal nations and state officials to implement stronger protections for Indigenous women and ensure their stories are never forgotten.

The Elks Lodge partnered with the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) and CRIT Education Department to host Elks Youth Day on May 1^st. It’s a celebration of education, leadership, and cultural pride. The event brought together students, educators, and community leaders.

The festivities included interactive workshops on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), traditional tribal arts, and career development. Elks Lodge members provided scholarships and awards to outstanding students, reinforcing their commitment to youth empowerment.

Members of the Tribal Council and Chairwoman Amelia Flores thanked the students for their hard work and dedication.

The CRIT Head Start dance was alive with rhythm and excitement as young dancers from the CRIT Head Start program took to the dance floor on April 25th.

The CRIT Head Start program focuses on fostering creativity and physical activity in young learners, incorporating dance as a way to build confidence, coordination and teamwork. The School dance included a photo booth as well a pizza made by the CRIT Head Start Staff.

“It’s amazing to see how much these kids have grown,” said CRIT Head Start Director Caroline Alcaida. “Dance isn’t just about movement it’s about expression, and tonight they truly shined.”

Parents praised the event for giving their children a chance to showcase their skills in a supportive environment. Blake School, known for its community engagement, provided the perfect venue for the celebration.

CRIT Head start would like to thank everyone who helped set up and volunteered their time for the event.

The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) celebrated with their elders in style at the annual Easter Elders Luncheon, held in the Bluewater Resort & Casino’s showroom. The event brought together tribal elders, leaders, and community members.

The luncheon served as an opportunity to honor the elders’ lifelong contributions to preserving CRIT’s culture, traditions, and values. Tribal leaders took time to express their deep appreciation, reminding everyone of the elders’ vital role in guiding the community forward.

This year’s gathering also featured special activities, CRIT Royalty, a prayer blessing, and gifts.

The Easter Elders Luncheon is an annual tradition, reinforcing the bonds between generations. CRIT extends its deepest thanks to all who helped organize, volunteer, and support this special day. The Parker Church of the Nazarene church choir sang at the event.

Departments in attendance included
CRIT Behavioral Health, CRIT Food Distribution, Parker Walk in Clinic, CRIT Special Diabetes Program, Indian Health Services, and CRIT Human Resources.

Council members in attendance included Chairwoman Amelia Flores, Council Members Vanessa Welch, Anisa Patch, Raeanne Patch, and Tommy Drennan.

Luther Lee, Tribal Engagement Director for U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), visited the Colorado River Indian Tribes April 17^th to discuss key issues affecting tribal communities, such as water rights, as well as its history, its culture, and ongoing engagement.

Lee’s visit was intended to underscore Senator Kelly’s commitment to strengthening government-to-government relationships with tribal nations. Lee met with tribal leaders to hear concerns about Colorado River water allocations, infrastructure needs including Joint Venture, and opportunities for sustainable growth.