October 28, 2026 2:04 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
October 28, 2026 2:04 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ

Según BIA Electric, Mochem Housing en el valle no se quedará sin electricidad.

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

General Welfare Application_09242024

General Welfare Application Minors_09242024

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.

Duties

  • Responsible for supervising Lead Irrigation System Operators and Irrigation System Operators.
  • Receives water orders; takes daily measurements; maintains record of water delivery, reservoir inflow and outflow, and instream flows, calculates requirements for area served.
  • Operates project distribution facilities to regulate and deliver water in accordance with Bureau water project policies and procedures.
  • Responsible for constant surveillance and condition or irrigation related faculties. Recommends needed maintenance and schedules required repairs.
  • Plan work for subordinates, establish priorities and prepares schedules for its completion.

 

According to Arizona Water News, Arizona and its Lower Basin partners say they remain committed to finding common ground on new Colorado River operating rules despite stalled negotiations among the seven basin states. Officials emphasized continued collaboration with federal agencies and neighboring states to stabilize water supplies beyond 2026 as drought conditions persist. The effort reflects ongoing attempts to balance conservation, water demand, and long-term river sustainability. For CRIT, these negotiations remain important because federal and interstate agreements directly influence how tribal water rights are recognized and protected in future Colorado River management decisions.

Source: Arizona Water News — https://www.azwater.gov/news/articles/2026-02-19

According to the Navajo Times, federal officials are moving forward with developing new Colorado River operating guidelines even as state negotiations remain stalled. The Department of the Interior is continuing its environmental review process to prepare for post-2026 river management, highlighting the federal government’s role when states cannot reach consensus. Tribal consultation remains part of that process. For CRIT, federal involvement is significant because Colorado River policies shaped at the federal level directly affect tribal water rights, long-term planning, and regional water security.

Source: Navajo Times — https://navajotimes.com/reznews/federal-officials-move-forward-on-colorado-river-operating-rules-as-state-negotiations-stall/

According to ABC 15 Arizona, tribal nations along the Colorado River are among those with the most at stake as negotiations over future water allocations continue. Tribal leaders emphasize the importance of protecting established water rights while ensuring sustainable solutions to ongoing drought conditions. The article highlights how tribal participation is increasingly central in discussions about the river’s future. For CRIT, these conversations are especially important because tribal sovereignty and water rights remain critical factors in how Colorado River resources are managed across the basin. (more…)

According to CBS 5 Arizona’s Family, Arizona could face deeper Colorado River water cuts following missed negotiation deadlines, raising concerns about future water supply stability across the state. Officials say ongoing drought and reduced reservoir levels continue to challenge long-term planning efforts. These developments may lead to increased federal involvement in river management decisions. For CRIT, potential cutbacks are important because federal allocation decisions directly influence how tribal water rights are maintained and protected.

Source: CBS 5 Arizona’s Family — https://www.azfamily.com/2026/02/17/arizona-faces-major-colorado-river-water-cuts-deadline-passes/

According to the Colorado Sun, new forecasts suggest Lake Powell could reach critically low levels that threaten hydropower production and water deliveries if drought conditions persist. Reservoir storage plays a central role in determining how water is distributed across the Colorado River Basin. Experts say ongoing climate pressures and declining inflows continue to complicate long-term planning. For CRIT, reservoir conditions remain important because federal operational decisions tied to storage levels directly affect how tribal water allocations are managed and protected.

Source: Colorado Sun — https://coloradosun.com/2026/02/18/lake-powell-forecast-critical-lows-federal-study/

According to AZPM News, Colorado River basin states missed another federal deadline to reach agreement on future water reductions, increasing the likelihood of additional cutbacks across the Southwest. Officials warn that continued drought and declining reservoir levels could force tougher decisions about water allocation in the coming years. The missed deadline highlights growing uncertainty about long-term river management. For CRIT, potential water reductions and federal policy decisions directly influence how tribal water rights are protected and incorporated into basin planning.

Source: AZPM News — https://news.azpm.org/s/102728-arizona-and-western-states-miss-colorado-river-water-deadline-as-cuts-loom/

According to Newsweek, Lake Powell water levels could drop to critical levels sooner than expected, raising concerns about hydropower production and water deliveries across the Colorado River Basin. Experts say continued drought, reduced snowpack, and high demand are contributing to declining reservoir storage. These conditions add urgency to ongoing negotiations about future river operations. For CRIT, reservoir levels are important because federal decisions tied to storage conditions directly affect how tribal water allocations are managed and sustained.

Source: Newsweek — https://www.newsweek.com/lake-powell-water-could-drop-to-critical-levels-sooner-than-expected-11531274

According to Pinal Central, the Gila River Indian Community expressed concern over the lack of agreement among Colorado River basin states, noting the importance of tribal voices in ongoing water negotiations. Tribal leaders emphasized the need for sustainable solutions that recognize existing water rights while addressing long-term drought conditions. The statement highlights growing awareness of tribal participation in basin discussions. For CRIT, tribal engagement in Colorado River negotiations is significant because it reinforces the importance of protecting tribal sovereignty and water rights across the region.

Source: Pinal Central — https://www.pinalcentral.com/sacaton_central/gric-laments-lack-of-deal-over-colorado-river-water/article_cb91f461-07de-4f88-8d70-c3dec3b96c67.html

A recent statement from Colorado River Commissioner JB Hamby says California and other Lower Basin states have been working with federal officials and neighboring states to develop new long-term operating rules for the Colorado River after 2026. He noted that the original 1922 Colorado River Compact was based on water supply estimates that no longer match today’s reality, as river flows have declined over the past 25 years while demand continues to grow. 

According to the statement, California, Arizona, and Nevada committed to major conservation efforts in recent years and have already exceeded planned water savings meant to stabilize Lake Mead and Lake Powell. However, disagreements remain between Upper Basin and Lower Basin states about how future reductions should be shared, and negotiators have not yet reached a final agreement. 

For CRIT, these ongoing negotiations are important because federal Colorado River policies, interstate agreements, and conservation requirements directly influence how tribal water rights are protected, managed, and incorporated into long-term river planning that affects the entire region.

Source: https://crb.ca.gov/2026/02/statement-from-jb-hamby-colorado-river-commissioner-for-california/

 

February 14, 2026

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, federal officials are moving forward with new operating guidelines for the Colorado River even though the seven basin states have not yet reached full agreement. The updated rules, expected by October 2026, are meant to provide stability for water deliveries, power generation, and long-term management as drought conditions and declining inflows continue to strain the river system. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said discussions with states, Tribal Nations, and Mexico are ongoing, but federal action is needed to ensure future reliability of the river.

The Colorado River supplies water to about 40 million people, supports millions of acres of farmland, generates hydropower, and serves 30 Tribal Nations, making it one of the most important water sources in the West. Federal officials are currently accepting public comments on the draft environmental review that will guide future reservoir operations.

For CRIT, these federal guidelines are important because Colorado River management decisions directly affect how tribal water rights are protected, how water is allocated in the Lower Basin, and how long-term planning supports the Tribe’s water security, economy, and future generations.

Source: U.S. Department of the Interior / Bureau of Reclamation press release

According to Arizona Mirror, Colorado River negotiations hit a setback as Lower Basin states, including Arizona, criticized Upper Basin states for resisting deeper water conservation commitments. Officials say ongoing drought conditions and declining reservoir levels are increasing pressure to finalize new operating rules before current guidelines expire. The disagreement highlights continuing tension over how water reductions should be shared across the basin. For CRIT, these negotiations are important because interstate agreements and federal management decisions directly influence how tribal water rights are protected and incorporated into long-term river planning.

Source: Arizona Mirror — https://azmirror.com/2026/02/13/arizona-blasts-upper-basin-states-for-refusing-cuts-as-colorado-river-talks-fail/

According to the Arizona Department of Water Resources, state officials say they will continue protecting Arizona’s Colorado River resources even after basin states failed to reach a consensus ahead of the federal deadline. Leaders emphasized ongoing drought challenges and the need for continued negotiations to maintain stability for water users across the region. State agencies say collaboration with federal partners and neighboring states remains essential moving forward. For CRIT, continued state and federal coordination is significant because long-term Colorado River policies directly affect how tribal water rights are recognized and sustained.

Source: ADWR Statement — https://azwaternews.com/2026/02/13/021326_statement/

According to USA Today, Colorado River negotiations approached a critical deadline without a final agreement, reflecting ongoing disputes over how to manage shrinking water supplies across the Southwest. Experts say declining snowpack, persistent drought, and competing demands are making consensus more difficult as states prepare for new post-2026 operating guidelines. Federal involvement may increase if states cannot reach agreement. For CRIT, these developments matter because federal river management decisions play a key role in protecting tribal water rights and ensuring long-term water security.

Source: USA Today — https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/02/13/colorado-river-deal-deadline/88658491007/

by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero

The annual CRIT Royalty Pageants returned to Manataba Park on Oct. 2 and 3 for two evenings of competition and celebration. Contestants shared their talents, modeled modern and traditional dress, and introduced themselves to the audience as they competed to represent the Colorado River Indian Tribes for the coming year.

Hosted by the CRIT Royalty Board, this year’s pageants carried the theme “First in Time, First in Right.” The pageant pamphlet connected the theme to the Colorado River through a story of Mastamho, bringing the river and its people into the celebration.

In the story, Mastamho placed a staff into the ground and drew it out to bring forth water. He directed the water north, east, and west, stopping it each time. When he placed the staff into the ground once more and drew it out, he stepped aside and watched the water flow south, making the river. With the people standing behind him, he stretched out his arms to hold them back. The passage closed with the words “First in Time, First in Right.”

Both evenings opened with a welcome from CRIT Royalty Board President Valerie Welsh-Tahbo, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Eva Charles and Brandy Eddy. Co-emcee JaMahke Welsh kept the audience entertained as the program moved through introductions, interviews, and performances. Entertainment by the Lil Macavs and Quechan Xuumar Akuuts added to the celebration.

Friday’s Little Miss pageant featured six contestants: Kathleen Viola Stone, Amelia Jean Gonzales, Alura Rose Walrod, Zyarah Devika Sharp, Calliope Sage Ara Scott, and Allison Rene Gonzales. Modern dress modeling and interviews gave the audience an opportunity to get to know the contestants, while the talent showcase and traditional dress modeling gave each girl another moment in the spotlight.

Outgoing Little Miss CRIT Loraina Stone gave her farewell presentation before the evening concluded with the coronation. Alura Rose Walrod, 10, was crowned Little Miss CRIT for 2026–2027. She is the daughter of Amanda and Mario Walrod and is Hopi and Mayan. Joining Alura were first attendant Calliope Sage Ara Scott and second attendant Zyarah Devika Sharp.

The celebration continued Saturday with the Jr. Miss and Miss CRIT pageants. Arianna Kaye Carmona, Jessica Lynn Scott, and Leina Rene Carmona competed for Jr. Miss, while Zoey Moon Sharp and Veronica Webb competed for Miss. Each contestant participated in modern dress modeling and interviews, a talent showcase, and traditional dress modeling.

Saturday also provided an opportunity to recognize outgoing Jr. Miss CRIT Winter Harper and Miss CRIT Brenda Duckey. Their farewell presentations marked the close of their time as royalty as the evening moved toward the crowning of the next representatives. (more…)

The University of Arizona put the Colorado River Indian Tribes and their culture in the spotlight Sept. 5, honoring CRIT during the Wildcats’ Native American Heritage football game against Northern Arizona University.

The recognition went well beyond the game, with members of CRIT’s Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi and Navajo communities participating in cultural activities throughout the day.

Festivities began at Bear Down Field, where representatives of CRIT’s tribes shared cultural performances with Wildcat fans and visitors during the Bear Down Bash.

CRIT representatives also participated in the Wildcat Walk, Arizona Football’s traditional pregame arrival. CRIT royalty and tribal leadership were invited to greet the Wildcats’ head coach as part of a gift exchange before the team entered the stadium. (more…)