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.
Above all else, the event honors CRIT’s hard-fought water rights. CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores delivered opening remarks stating that while CRIT is celebrating the resources it has today thanks to hard work and determination of past leaders, there is more work to be done, “In the situation we are in right now with the drought upon us, we need to continue to fight and stay informed about our river, and as leaders we need to keep you informed.”
Tribal Council Member Raeanne Patch remarked, “Water rights is one of the biggest examples of how this Tribe is showing self-sufficiency and utilizing its resources to fund this Tribe and help make this Tribe better.”
Tribal Council Member Tommy Drennan added, “When you look at the River and you look at the mountains, and you look at the sky, you were made from all of it. They are your brethren.” Drennan urged those gathered to keep that in mind as water rights are discussed.
CRIT’s water attorney, John Bezdek updated attendees the importance of CRIT’s senior water rights which date from before statehood, and the ongoing efforts to protect those rights, “We are mired in a long-term drought and there is a lot of conversation about the long-term health of the River.” Bezdek applauds CRIT’s plans to enshrine the role of the River in CRIT law, “So that there are tools in place, and as decisions are made in the future that resource is always protected.”
The day also included Bird Song and River Dance performances. CRIT Royalty was also in attendance. There were competitions for fry bread, ribbon skirts, and art. Mika Has No Horses took first place in the fry bread competition. Valerie Tahbo won first place in the adult ribbon skirt contest. Kayle Drennan won the ribbon skirt youth competition.
Mary Claw won first place in the adult division of the art contest, Allie Fisher won the youth ages 7-12 division, and Kamiah Tahbo took first place for youth ages 1-6.
