CRIT’s 15th Annual Earth Day Celebration May 31 not only featured raffles, music, food, and information booths, it also provided Tribal Members the opportunity to learn about and weigh in on personhood status under Tribal Law for the Colorado River.
The event took place at the Ahakhav Preserve and ran from 8am to 11am.
CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores and Councilman Tommy Drennan were on site to provide information and answer questions about the personhood status issue under consideration by the CRIT Tribal Council.
Personhood status would mean that the Colorado River, along with its spiritual and cultural connection to CRIT, has the right to be protected under Tribal Law. It would acknowledge what members already know and believe, that the River is alive, and it is a part of every Tribal Member. It would direct current and future Tribal Councils to account for the needs of the River in decision-making as well as giving CRIT legal means to address the damage climate change is causing to the Colorado River. It would state that anyone doing business with CRIT will be required to address the needs of the Colorado River.
CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores says other Tribes have approved similar measures to safeguard natural resources and CRIT should lead the way when it comes to safeguarding the Colorado River, “It’s to protect our people, it’s to protect who we are as Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi and Navajo. It further establishes our sovereign authority over our natural resources and it recognizes the stewardship of the River given to us by the Creator. The status will also reinforce our water allocation.”
Councilman Drennan said, “I think living with the River in your backyard has given us an advantage that we take for granted and it’s time for our community (Tribal and Non-Tribal) to be responsible and give back to the River and create avenues to not only enhance those habitats that the River supports but also to protect the flow of the Colorado River itself.”
And Councilman Drennan added that CRIT has always been a pioneer of efforts whether it was Tribal gaming, recovering land, or establishing legislation for water ventures, “When it comes to personhood status for our endangered river, I say why not CRIT.”
The Tribal Council is seeking input from CRIT Tribal Members. Comments or questions can be sent by email to coloradoriverpersonhood@crit-nsn.gov or mailed to/dropped off with the CRIT Office of the Attorney General at 26600 Mohave Rd., Parker AZ 85344.
