September 10, 2026 12:45 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
September 10, 2026 12:45 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
Help expand energy dominance and support Tribal energy futures with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)! We are pleased to announce 23 new hiring opportunities to help support energy development and permitting at BIA, with more opportunities coming soon.
All position announcements opened on 6/1/2026 and will close on Friday 6/12/2026, so act fast! We encourage all qualified applicants to submit application materials by applying online at USAJobs. Please help us spread the word and recruit high-qualitycandidates to help fulfill the BIA mission.
Positions include:
(1) Environmental Protection Specialist Series 28 (GS 11) at Southwest Regional Office
(Albuquerque, NM); DE-26-12973039-CAWY-SR;
(1) Environmental Protection Specialist Series 28 (GS 9/11) at Western Regional Office
(Phoenix, AZ); DE-26-12973039-CAWY-SR;
(2) Archeologist Series 193 (GS 7/11) at Southwest Regional Office (Albuquerque, NM);
DE-26-12973279-CAWV-MH;
(2) GIS Specialist Series 301 (GS 5/11) at Great Plains Regional Office (Aberdeen, SD);
DE-26-12973052-CAWV-JM;
(2) Geographic Information System Specialist Series 301 (GS 9/11) at Navajo Regional
Office (Gallup, NM); DE-26-12973052-CAWV-JM;
(1) Supervisory Engineer Technician (Petro) Series 802 (GS 11) at Osage Agency
(Pawhuska, OK); DE-26-12972843-CAWV-BSc;
(1) Realty Assistant Series 1101 (GS 7) at Farmington Indian Minerals Office (Farmington,
NM); DE-26-12972357-CAWV-TB;
(1) Realty Assistant (CM) Series 1101 (GS 5/7) at Anadarko Agency (Anadarko, OK); DE-
26-12972357-CAWV-TB; (more…)
Click the link below to download the application
26-27 SG Application Policy (Fillable)
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
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.
The CRIT Senior Center held its annual Elders Halloween Party October 31st at the Mo-Ch-Ho-Na Center. The elders enjoyed several games including a cake walk and costume contest. Lunch was also served.
Loretta Lee, Benefits Coordinator and Contact Representative of the Parker Indian Health Center, was on site to provide information on Medicare, changes to purchased referred care, and Arizona Medicaid. Anyone with questions on the presentation can contact Loretta Lee at (928)-669-2137 .
Tribal Council members in attendance included Chairwoman Amelia Flores, Councilwoman Vanessa Welch, Councilwoman Jaymee Moore and Councilman J.D. Fisher.
Senior Center Program Director Jimi Mae Jackson wishes to thank everyone who attended.
CRIT Library recently hosted a read along for the students of CRIT Head-Start with Smokey Bear. The day started off with a short story, “It’s Fall” by Rene Kurilla. Smokey Bear read “Smokey’s story time”. The book touches on camping safety and fire safety and prevention. CRIT Fire was on site to give the kids a tour of their fire engine and other equipment used to help put out fires and save lives.
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.
