July 29, 2026 11:34 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
July 29, 2026 11:34 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
Click the links below to download a form
Direct Deposit Authorization Form
General Welfare Application_09242024
General Welfare Application Minors_09242024
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Dear Tribal Member:
Tribal Council has approved a 2024 General Welfare Assistance payment of $2,000.00 for each CRIT Tribal Member. CRIT Tribal members, both minors and adults, who are enrolled with CRIT as of November 1, 2024 are eligible to receive assistance. Tribal Members MUST submit an application to receive a General Assistance Payment for 2024.
Click the links below to download a form
Direct Deposit Authorization Form
General Welfare Application_09242024
General Welfare Application Minors_09242024
This 2024 General Welfare Assistance payment replaces the annual Tribal Distribution Payment. The benefits to the membership are that the General Welfare Assistance payment is NOT income subject to federal taxes and should not impact eligibility for benefits such as SSI and food stamps. You will not be issued a 1099 for this payment. Please review the General Welfare Plan for more information.
Tribal Members will receive their General Welfare Assistance payment by mail or by direct deposit into a bank account after submitting their application. Parents or legal guardians may request direct deposit for their eligible minor tribal member children into an account owned by the parent or the child. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUBMIT A NEW DIRECT DEPOSIT FORM WITH YOUR APPLICATION IF YOU INTEND TO RECEIVE YOUR GENERAL WELFARE ASSISTANCE PAYMENT IN SAME BANK ACCOUNT AS YOU RECEIVED YOUR 2023 GENERAL WELFARE ASSISTANCE PAYMENT.
The General Welfare Assistance payment will be mailed or direct deposited as follows:
Application and Forms Due Date Payment Issued
Must be received by Accounting:
October 18, 2024 November 21, 2024
November 22, 2024 December 19, 2024
December 20, 2024 January 16, 2025
After December 20, 2024 Payments issued monthly on a rolling basis
and before December 31, 2025
If you want to receive your General Welfare Assistance payment by direct deposit, you must submit the attached Direct Deposit Authorization Form along with a voided check to CRIT Accounting. If you do not have a direct deposit authorization form on file from last year, or do not submit one for 2024 with your application, your payment will be mailed to the address on your application. The mailing address you provide on the application will be used to update your address with both enrollment and accounting. You may have already received written notification along with an application and a self-addressed stamped envelope for your use to return the forms or the forms can be dropped off in person at Tribal Administration. Additionally, the application and forms can be emailed to GWA@crit-nsn.gov.
Please note that the checks for eligible minor tribal members will be issued in the name of the child and not the parents. Parents or guardians must submit proof of their right to receive the distribution on behalf of their child by submitting an application with a copy of the birth certificate listing the parent(s), and if applicable, a court order establishing legal custody and placement before checks will be mailed or the payment directly deposited.
Checks will not be issued to the parent(s) if they do not have the care and custody of their children. Guardians and custodians of minors who are not the child’s legal parent shall be required to provide a court order indicating their status. Payments for children in the physical care and custody of CRIT Social Services or other state or tribal agencies shall be held in an account established by CRIT Accounting.
Tribal Members must apply for the 2024 General Welfare Assistance Payments no later than December 31, 2025 after which a 2024 payment will not be available.
Please be advised that if you are in default on a debt you owe to the Colorado River Indian Tribes or its enterprises, you may voluntarily agree to apply your General Welfare Assistance to the loan or other outstanding debt in default. If you have any questions about outstanding debts in default please contact Tracey Quillen at (928) 669-1239.
If you have any questions regarding General Welfare Assistance or you have an agency incorrectly treating this payment as income please contact the Office of the Attorney General at (928) 669-1271.
Click the links below to download a form
Direct Deposit Authorization Form
Follow this link for more information including how to apply.
This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Superintendent, Colorado River Agency in Poston, Arizona.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Council has made a historic decision to protect the lifeblood of their Reservation. On November 6, 2025, the Council unanimously approved Resolution No. R-375-25, which proclaims the personhood status of the Colorado River under tribal law.
This resolution acknowledges the Colorado River as a living entity whose health and well-being are intrinsically linked to the well-being of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) members. The Tribes’ deep-rooted connection to the river spans centuries, providing cultural identity, spiritual strength, food systems, and economic stability that continue to shape their community life today.
The resolution emphasizes the central role the river has played in defining the identity of the CRIT. It highlights that CRIT’s ancestors have preserved and protected these lands since before the establishment of the Colorado River Indian Reservation in 1865.
The Council underscores the crucial role the river plays in sustaining traditional practices, wildlife, and agriculture, including the federal irrigation systems authorized as early as 1867. Today, the Colorado River Indian Irrigation Project stands as a cornerstone of the tribal economy.
The resolution underscores significant legal milestones that acknowledged CRIT’s water rights. In the landmark 1964 and 2006 Arizona v. California U.S. Supreme Court decisions, the Tribes secured 719,248 acre-feet of water annually, ensuring their access to the river for generations to come.
By granting personhood to the River, the Tribal Council reaffirmed its sovereign duty to honor and protect it. This status mandates that the River’s well-being must be a priority in governance and decision-making moving forward.
As part of the resolution, the Attorney General and their staff will develop legal safeguards and propose updates to the CRIT Water Code and other relevant regulations. These updates may include the potential designation of the river as a protected cultural landscape.
Council members recognized that protecting the river is not merely a legal obligation but a continuation of cultural beliefs passed down through generations.
Through this declaration, CRIT demonstrates its unwavering commitment to stewardship. The resolution concludes with a resolute message: the Colorado River is, and will always remain, a vital entity deserving of respect, care, and protection for all future generations.
Article Written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero
News Update November 12, 2025
Negotiations over the future of the Colorado River have reached a standstill after all seven basin states failed to meet a key federal deadline. Reports from 12News and 8NewsNow confirm that the states were unable to agree on a new water-sharing plan, leaving the situation unresolved as the river continues to decline.
High Country News explains that the biggest disagreements involve how much each state should give up in the future. The upper Basin states want fewer mandatory reductions, while the Lower Basin states, including Arizona, say they have already taken the deepest cuts and cannot continue to absorb the majority of the impacts.
With no agreement in place, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has asked the Trump administration to intervene. She stated that Arizona has made significant sacrifices and cannot carry the weight of the reductions while other states refuse to commit to measurable cuts. If the states cannot reach a plan soon, the federal government may create one for them.
For the Colorado River Indian Tribes, the outcome of these negotiations has major importance. CRIT holds valuable senior water rights and relies on a stable and fair management plan to ensure long-term security for the community and the region.
For more information, you can read the news articles with the links below.
High Country News
https://www.hcn.org/articles/why-colorado-river-negotiations-are-so-difficult/
12 News
/wednesday-is-deadline-for-7-state-including-arizona-to-negotiate-the-colorado-river
Tribal Elders gathered for an unforgettable day of games, delicious food, and incredible entertainment. Elders enjoyed a hearty lunch, a beautiful fruit display, and variety of desserts in a festive Hawaiian atmosphere.
Guests at the recent Elders Luncheon had the chance to win raffle prizes and participate in games such as Simon Says, Hula Hoop, and Ball Toss. The highlight of the event was the Makai Show, which brought the spirit of the islands to life.
Elder women joined in learning to Hula dance, and the men at the event performed the Haka, a New Zealand ceremonial dance of warriors, proudly showcasing their moves!
To cap off the day, Elders lined up to take photos with the Makai dancers, capturing the perfect “Aloha” moment to remember this special celebration.
Frank Martinez Jr. was recently recognized for his dedicated years of service to Colorado River Indian Tribes.
Frank began his career with CRIT on July 7, 1980 as a Mechanic I in the Auto Shop Dept. Over the past 45+ years, he has earned numerous certifications, each one reflecting his dedication to keeping CRIT’s vehicles safe and reliable for our employees and community.
Frank has devoted his entire career — four and a half decades — to the Tribal Auto Shop, and his commitment has never wavered.
The Tribal Council and Human Resources Department extends its deepest gratitude to Mr. Martinez for his remarkable service, loyalty, and expertise.
Please give a warm welcome to CRIT Fish & Game’s new wardens to its team, Madison Schmeling and tribal member Brandy Eddy. Both women bring unique experience, a love for the outdoors, and an exciting step forward for diversity in the department as the only two female wardens on the team.
Brandy Eddy previously worked as a Security Officer at BlueWater Casino. She shared her excitement about the upcoming hunting seasons and the opportunity to explore more of the reservation. Looking ahead, Brandy hopes to continue her training, complete the academy, and eventually move into a supervisory role within Fish and Game.
Madison Schmeling comes to the department with a degree in biology and chemistry, as well as hands-on experience in Animal Control. She has always wanted to become a Game Warden, calling it her “dream job.” Her passion for fishing, hunting, and spending time outdoors makes this a natural career path for her. Both Brandy and Madison will begin their first step of training at the academy on August 17th in Yuma, Arizona.
The CRIT community looks forward to seeing their contributions to the protection and management of local wildlife and wishes them the very best in this new chapter of their careers.
Article Written by CRIT Reporter Ariana Romero
CRIT is proud to share exciting developments with ‘Amat Kuhwely, LLC which is expanding CRIT’s farming operations. With majority CRIT ownership, CRIT is entering a powerful new chapter: creating jobs, strengthening our economic sovereignty, and making full use of our water and land for the benefit of future generations.
Through an investment with Indigena Capital, this new venture will:
✅ Invest over $23.7 million in the first two years
✅ Create skilled trade and professional jobs
✅ Expand CRIT’s water use rights on Reservation
✅ Honor our heritage while building long-term prosperity
Learn more about the vision, impact, and opportunities of ‘Amat Kuhwely in our latest FAQ release.
Any comments, questions, or concerns you have about this new venture, please reach out to amatkuhwely@crit-nsn.gov and you can view the PDF online by clicking on this link: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:23d1fe0e-abd8-44e3-9d1a-07dbb8aa1160
