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July 30, 2026 1:42 am
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
July 30, 2026 1:42 am
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
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
The Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Department welcomes Officer Trevor Butler-Smith who was recently sworn in at the Tribal Courthouse by Judge Raymond Dodge.
Officer Butler-Smith is a recent graduate of the Arizona Western College Law Enforcement Training Academy having completed a 5-month program.
CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores and CRIT Chief of Police Cody Paddock were in attendance to welcome this addition to the Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Department. The officer’s family also attended the ceremony.
The CRIT Library in collaboration with CRIT Royalty has launched a program called Reading with Royalty at the CRIT library. The idea was inspired by the Reading Across America program and Dr. Suess’s birthday.
Members of CRIT Royalty would sit down and read a book while being recorded to create a short video that children and other guests at the library can watch or even read along with while listening to the short stories.
CRIT Tribal Council members along with members from Fish & Game and the early literacy program attended the inaugural event.
Those attending included Chairwoman Amelia Flores, Secretary Josephine Tahbo, Council Members Vanessa Welch, Raeanne Patch, and Tommy Drennan, Fish & Game Warden Andrea Eddy and, CRIT Library’s Early Literacy Coordinator, Emily Panuco.
Royalty Left to right: Little Miss CRIT Allie “Ray-Lynne “Fisher, Junior Miss CRIT Zian Nash, Miss CRIT Trevani Esquerra
The Colorado River Indian Tribes Head Start program held its 37th annual Youth Basketball tournament at the Parker High School’s new gym February 21st and 22nd.
3 teams competed for the tournament championship for the 3-year-old bracket
Matchup 3-year-old bracket: (Friday)
Wild Things Vs Dino- Rawrs – Dino Rawrs Advance
Match up 3-year-olds Championship Game (Saturday)
Dino Rawrs Vs Cookie Monsters – Dino Rawrs Champions
7 competed for the 4-year-old Tournament Championship
Friday’s Matchups 4-year-old bracket: Game 1 (Friday)
Fighting Coyotes – Advances
Pink Panthers Vs Team Lil Sharks – Lil Sharks Advance
The Wild Cats Vs Fast 4 – Wildcats Advance
The Dragons Vs Might Tornados – Dragons Advance
Consolation Bracket: Game 1(Friday)
Fast 4 Vs Mighty Tornados – Might Tornados Advance
Consolation Bracket: Game 2 (Saturday)
Pink Panthers Vs Dragons – Dragons Advance
Might Tornados Vs Dragons – Dragons Advance
Lil Sharks Vs Dragons – Dragons Advance to the Championship game to face the Wildcats
Saturdays Match Up: Winners Bracket Game 2(Saturday)
Fighting Coyotes Vs Lil Sharks – Lil Sharks Advance
Wildcats Vs Dragons – Wildcats advance
Saturday matchup game 3:
Lil Sharks Vs Wildcats – Wildcats Advance to the Championship Game to face the Dragons
Saturday Game 4 Championship Game:
Wildcats Vs Dragons – Dragons Tournament Champions
Caroline Alcaida Head Start Director would like to thank everyone who showed up to support the children and the event. She would also like to thank her amazing staff and everyone who pitched in as well as thanking the Parker High School for use of the gym.
