September 10, 2026 1:27 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
September 10, 2026 1:27 pm
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
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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 CRIT Senior Center held a catered breakfast for CRIT elders on August 21st.
In addition to serving breakfast, Senior Center Director Jimi Mae Jackson and staff planned several activities including a picture trivia game, and a raffle for the attendees. Jessica Moore and Allyx Harper from the CRIT Police Department also provided presentations.
The CRIT Senior Center would also like to thank Debbie Pettigrew from CRIT Cooperative Extension for donating groceries and pens to the CRIT Senior Center as well as everyone else who helped at the event.
The Bluewater Resort & Casino held a grand opening August 16th for their brand-new warehouse which is located to the west of the casino itself.
This 15,300 square foot steel building includes an office for the shipping and receiving team, as well as a storage room for IT equipment. Other features include vaulted ceilings and a state-of-the-art A/C delivery system that keeps the warehouse at cool 74 degrees. 
Casino General Manager Shelli Eddy looks forward to bringing the casino further into the future with upgrades and events.
The building was built by Phoenix-based Gabet Construction with help from Rafael Quezada and Gabriel Ortega. Eddy added, “We would like to thank anyone and everyone who participated in setting up the event for the grand opening as well as anyone who helped bring this idea to life.”
Kimberly Booth started her career with the Colorado River Indian Tribes on June 13,1988 as a Secretary with the Job Training and Partnership Act Program (JTPA) that eventually became with Employment, Development and Training Program (ED &T) in 1998. 
In July of 1995, Kimberly was promoted to Program Coordinator, a position she held until March of 2014 when she was promoted to Director. Kimberly remains with the program and still holds this position today.
During her employment, Kimberly has earned several training certifications and attended numerous conferences to support her efforts in providing quality employment services to the CRIT community.
Kimberly has dedicated all of her 35 consecutive years of service to the ED & T Program.
The Tribal Council and Human Resources Department thanks Kimberly for 35 years of continued service to the Colorado River Indian Tribes.
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.
