September 10, 2026 1:38 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
September 10, 2026 1:38 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
CDO HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
2026-2027 HE Application
CDO ADULT VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
2026-2027 AVT Application
CDO Youth Services (YS) PROGRAM
CDO YOUTH SERVICES APPLICATION
Computer Assistance Program
COMPUTER PROGRAM APPLICATION
The Colorado River Indian Tribes is seeking applicants to fill a number of Tribal Board, Committee, and Commission vacancies. Applications are open until filled. Applications may be picked up at the Tribal Executive Offices or you can download the PDF’s here.
May 1st CommitteeBoard Member Application
Completed applications may be emailed to b.c@crit-nsn.go or dropped off at the Executive Offices.
Applicants must be CRIT Tribal Members, at least 21 years old, reside on or within the exterior boundaries of the reservation, and meet all board eligibility requirements.
Additional paperwork may be required depending on the board or committee.
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 celebrated its history and the meaning behind its flag. A Flag Day ceremony was held January 6th at The CRIT Library.
CRIT’s flag was first designed and brought to life by Margie McCabe and raised for the first time on January 4, 1979. The elements of the flag all have special meaning.
The flag remains a symbol for tribal pride and unity and serves as a reminder of the political, economic, and social development and progress CRIT continues to make.
The newly elected and re-elected members of the CRIT Tribal Council have been installed.
An installation ceremony took place January 2nd at the Bluewater Resort and Casino Showroom.
Re-elected Tribal Council Chairwoman Amelia Flores thanked everyone who supported her, “Thank you to all my supporters, friends, family and thank you to the Tribal Community for your unwavering support”
Councilman Bobby Page delivered the opening prayer before Chairwoman Flores introduced special guests in attendance including Ronald Flores, Councilman for the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council; Jordan Joaquin, President of the Quechan Tribe;
Jonathan Koteen, Quechan Councilmember; Donald Medart Jr.; Quechan Councilmember;
Jason N Chavez, Director of Tribal Affairs for Governor Hobbs; Cissimarie Juan, Project Coordinator for Governor Hobbs; and Dezbah Hatathli, Native Nation Ambassador for infrastructure development at the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Exiting Tribal Councilmembers Johnson JD Fisher, Bobby Page, and Jaymee Moore provided words of encouragement as they thanked everyone for their unwavering support throughout the time they served on Tribal Council.
The Department of Health and Social Services along with the CRIT Senior Center recently held a holiday drive through light show for CRIT elders and the community. The event showed off lights and decorations in the area and included treat bags and gifts for the elders and family members.
Tribal Councilwoman Vanessa Welch and CRIT Royalty helped hand out backpacks. Councilwoman Anisa Patch handed out blankets and cookies to the elders who participated in the drive through event. Councilwoman Jaymee Moore also assisted.
Program director Jimi Mae Jackson would like to thank everyone who came out to help including CRIT Royalty, CRIT Wildland and crew, CRIT Senior Center Staff, Councilwoman Welch, Councilwoman Moore, Councilwoman Patch, Chairwoman Amelia Flores, The Parker Boys Youth Bird Singing Group, River Tribes United Dance Group, CRIT Media, Debbie Pettigrew, Bluewater Cinemas, Nazarene Church for their Christmas carolers, CRIT PD , CRIT Fish and Game , and the many parents and community members who made the event possible.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes mourns the passing of former President Jimmy Carter who made significant contributions to the sovereignty of indigenous peoples during his presidency. Mr. Carter signed the American Indian Religious Freedom Act and Indian Child Welfare Act. He also created 39 national parks providing federal protection for millions of acres of land.
As a humanitarian, he understood the need to protect and preserve indigenous cultures and sovereignty. As a farmer, Mr. Carter understood the need to protect and preserve our environment. As a leader he had the courage to pursue both goals.
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.
