July 30, 2026 12:54 am
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
July 30, 2026 12:54 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
CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores was reelected in Tribal Council Elections held December 7th. She received 337 votes.
Councilwoman Vanessa Welch was reelected with 410 votes. Also elected to the Tribal Council were Tracey Quillen (460 votes), Tommy Drennan (316 votes), and Raeanne Patch (262 votes).
There were four candidates for Chair and 21 for Tribal Council. All vote totals are below.
Chairperson Results
Johnson “JD” Fisher- 288
Keith Moses- 136
Richard Armstrong- 153
Amelia Flores-337 (more…)
(LAS VEGAS) Water conservation and preservation have taken a giant leap forward for the Colorado River and the Colorado River Indian Tribes. CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores has signed an historic Letter of Intent with the Bureau of Reclamation in which the BOR has agreed to fund a $5 million study of a re-regulating reservoir on the CRIT Reservation. This reservoir could save as much as 35,000 acre-feet of water a year at a time when severe drought conditions persist, and when water is currently being lost due to inefficiencies in Bureau of Indian Affairs operated irrigation systems.
The reservoir would help CRIT make better use of water the Supreme Court allocated to the Tribes and enable CRIT to put more than 5,000 acres of additional land in production.
Chairwoman Flores said, “I learned from my ancestors that our creator, Matavilya and his son provided the Colorado River for the Mohave and other indigenous peoples who live along its banks. Matavilya also entrusted all of us with the sacred responsibility to care for and sustain the river and the environment that gives us life.”
The Study will also evaluate creating an associated wetland. To that end CRIT has partnered with the National Audubon Society and the Walton Family Foundation to protect CRIT’s water resources in a way that also protects its lands, fish, wildlife, birds, and ultimately its people. Chairwoman Flores added, “I am thankful for their constructive engagement and welcome them as partners in this project.” (more…)
From stunning cultural displays to family fun, hundreds attended the 50th Anniversary of the Colorado River Indian Tribes Native Fair and Expo.
Day one on November 20th started with a noon grand opening and free BBQ. It ended with the CRIT Royalty Pageant and the Miss CRIT Pageants. Pictured below are Allie Ray-Lynne Fisher who was crowned Little Miss CRIT. Trevani Rhiane Esquerra who was crowned Miss CRIT and Zian Enela Nash was crowned Junior Miss CRIT.
Day two on November 21st included the Children’s Regalia Showcase on the main stage.
CRIT Education recently held its annual CRIT Royalty Dance for the outgoing and incoming Little Miss, JR Miss & Miss CRIT contestants. CRIT Royalty started off the morning dancing for Le Pera Elementary. Opening remarks by outgoing Miss CRIT Jayde Booth included the importance of language, language preservation as well as Native American dance history. Outgoing Junior Miss CRIT Lily Deanne Dick and outgoing Little Miss CRIT Eimyah Ameelyenah wished contestants good luck on their journey for the title. The Mohave Bird Singers provided traditional bird songs.
