(Parker, Ariz.) Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has a much better understanding of the issues facing the Colorado River Indian Tribes following a visit to the community on March 26th. The Governor was welcomed by CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores and CRIT Farms Manager Joshua Moore. Hobbs and her staff toured some key sites at CRIT that bring into focus agricultural and water issues that are top of mind for both CRIT and Arizona governing bodies.
Hobbs toured the Headgate Dam, irrigation canals, active and fallowed farmland, the Ahakhav Tribal Preserve, among other sites.
Following the tour, Hobbs met with several members of the Tribal Council where she listened to concerns ranging from water rights, water conservation, irrigation systems, sober living homes, tribal sovereignty, and pending water agreements. In addition to Chairwoman Flores, Tribal Council members who spoke with Governor Hobbs included Vice Chairman Dwight Lomayesva, Secretary Johnson Fisher, and Council Members Robert “Bobby” Page, Jaymee Moore, Anisa Patch, and Vanessa Olivares.
Governor Hobbs said, “I just want to say how much I appreciate your leadership on the Colorado River. Recognizing your leadership is why the Chairwoman was on my Water Policy Council where we brought all the stakeholders together. Primarily looking at groundwater issues but recognizing your leadership on water, that was really important to have you there.”
Hobbs said partnerships between CRIT and the State of Arizona should go beyond water issues including broadband and the sober living homes crisis.
Hobbs added that when she ran for Secretary of State years ago, Native American leaders would tell her that politicians only come around when they are seeking votes. Hobbs vowed to be an exception. “As Secretary I worked really hard to build relationships specifically around voting rights and elections. And I knew when I got to the Governor’s office, I really wanted to expand that. And we can be working on so many other issues together. This isn’t the last time you’ll see me. I will be back and not just when I want your votes. I think it’s important to continue those relationships so that you to have a seat at the table.”
Charwoman Flores hoped the visit to CRIT gave Governor Hobbs the opportunity to escape the confines of the State Capitol and learn more about CRIT. Chairwoman Flores said, “Coming on our homelands, it opened up a grounded relationship with her administration. She saw firsthand the deficiencies of our irrigation system and hopefully she will be an advocate for us in getting more funding for our irrigation projects.”
