September 10, 2026 3:58 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
September 10, 2026 3:58 pm
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
In a powerful act of remembrance and solidarity, the Hualapai Tribe on April 5th joined the Colorado River Indian Tribes to commemorate the Trail of Tears, a dark chapter in Native American history marked by forced removals, suffering, and resilience. The event, held on the CRIT reservation near Ehrenberg, Arizona, honored the thousands of Indigenous people who endured displacement and hardship during the 19th century.
While the Trail of Tears is most commonly associated with the forced relocation of the Cherokee and other Southeastern tribes it the early 1800’s, its legacy resonates with many Native American communities, including those in the Southwest. The Hualapai, whose ancestral lands span the Grand Canyon region, have faced their own struggles with displacement and federal policies aimed at assimilation.
By participating in the commemoration, the Hualapai and CRIT Tribe’s acknowledged the intergenerational trauma caused by forced removals while celebrating the strength and perseverance of Indigenous peoples.
The collaboration between the Hualapai and CRIT tribe’s highlights the growing movement among Native nations to unite in remembrance and advocacy. CRIT, a coalition of Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, and Navajo people, has also experienced the impacts of colonization and water rights disputes, making the commemoration deeply significant.
Tribal leaders emphasized the importance of preserving history and educating future generations. The commemoration also served as a call to action, addressing ongoing challenges such as land rights, water rights, and cultural preservation. By honoring the past, the Hualapai and CRIT Tribes reaffirm their commitment to protecting tribal sovereignty and fostering unity among Indigenous nations.
CRIT Tribal Council Members Tommy Drennan & Anisa Patch attended the April 5th commemoration. Hualapai Tribal Council Members who attended include Chairman Duane Clarke, Council Member Robert Bravo Jr, and Council Member Earlene Havatone.
Frank Mapatis did the opening blessing. (more…)
The Colorado River Indian Tribes Mo-Chem-Ho-Na Senior Center recently held an Easter luncheon, bringing together elders for an afternoon of delicious food, laughter, and Easter spirit.
The Center was decorated with colorful Easter themed centerpieces and spring décor as attendees were treated to a traditional Easter meal, including roast beef and carrot cake. Program Director Jimi Mae White thanked the staff and volunteers who worked to make the event a success. In addition to the meal, the celebration included Easter egg coloring and an Easter egg hunt.
Many of the elders thanked organizers for the chance to get together and celebrate ahead of the holiday.
More than 500 people attended the third annual The Colorado River Indian Tribes Water Rights Day at Manataba Park Saturday April 5th. The event included traditional performances and a water ceremony in which Colorado River water was placed into special containers representing the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi and Navajo Tribes as well as a container representing CRIT. Small vials of river water were also handed out.
The day also featured a BBQ, bounce house inflatables, music, raffles, contests, and a performance from the Le Pera school band. (more…)
TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Arizona will host a special series of sign unveiling ceremonies on Friday, September 4, 2026, honoring the four languages of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT): Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, & Navajo. These ceremonies represent an important milestone in an ongoing campus-wide initiative to elevate the visibility, recognition, and continued presence of Indigenous languages and cultural heritage within the campus community.
The events are organized by the University of Arizona’s Office of Native American Advancement & Tribal Engagement (NAATE) in collaboration with individual academic colleges. Students, faculty, staff, tribal community members, and the general public are invited to attend the progression of ceremonies throughout the day.
The schedule for the Friday ceremonies includes:
The celebration of Indigenous culture continues into the weekend with the Native American Heritage Game on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The Arizona Wildcats will face Northern Arizona at Casino Del Sol Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 6:30 PM MST. Pre-game festivities at Bear Down Field will begin at 3:15 PM with the Bear Down Bash, featuring 18-minute cultural performances from each tribe. A traditional gift presentation will follow during the Wildcat Walk at 4:15 PM, leading up to an on-field tribal recognition ceremony during the second quarter of the football game.
For more operational schedules or to register for the unveiling events, please visit the official University of Arizona Event Page.
