February 14, 2025 7:30 am
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ
February 14, 2025 7:30 am
CRIT Nation, Parker, AZ

CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores was reelected in Tribal Council Elections held December 7th. She received 337 votes.

Councilwoman Vanessa Welch was reelected with 410 votes. Also elected to the Tribal Council were Tracey Quillen (460 votes), Tommy Drennan (316 votes), and Raeanne Patch (262 votes).

There were four candidates for Chair and 21 for Tribal Council. All vote totals are below.

Chairperson Results
Johnson “JD” Fisher- 288
Keith Moses- 136
Richard Armstrong- 153
Amelia Flores-337 (more…)

(LAS VEGAS) Water conservation and preservation have taken a giant leap forward for the Colorado River and the Colorado River Indian Tribes. CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores has signed an historic Letter of Intent with the Bureau of Reclamation in which the BOR has agreed to fund a $5 million study of a re-regulating reservoir on the CRIT Reservation. This reservoir could save as much as 35,000 acre-feet of water a year at a time when severe drought conditions persist, and when water is currently being lost due to inefficiencies in Bureau of Indian Affairs operated irrigation systems.

The reservoir would help CRIT make better use of water the Supreme Court allocated to the Tribes and enable CRIT to put more than 5,000 acres of additional land in production.

Chairwoman Flores said, “I learned from my ancestors that our creator, Matavilya and his son provided the Colorado River for the Mohave and other indigenous peoples who live along its banks. Matavilya also entrusted all of us with the sacred responsibility to care for and sustain the river and the environment that gives us life.”

The Study will also evaluate creating an associated wetland. To that end CRIT has partnered with the National Audubon Society and the Walton Family Foundation to protect CRIT’s water resources in a way that also protects its lands, fish, wildlife, birds, and ultimately its people. Chairwoman Flores added, “I am thankful for their constructive engagement and welcome them as partners in this project.” (more…)

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.

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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.

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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.

The Human Bean coffee shop is now open just off Airport Road & Riverside Drive in the River People’s Plaza, next to the Walmart Supercenter.
The aroma of fresh ground coffee fills the air as patrons line up for espresso, coffee, tea, smoothies, kid-friendly beverages, or any number of specialty drinks.
The Grand Opening Ceremony will be held on October 2nd at 10 am.

 

Dozens attended CRIT’s Water Rights Day April 6th as members gathered to honor and protect the life of the Colorado River. The day included an Art Contest, Ribbon Skirt Contest, a performance by the Parker High School Band, and hard work from countless volunteers who made it such a special day. Chairwoman Amelia Flores said, “We gather today to recognize and reaffirm CRIT’s sovereignty of our present and perfected water rights and those benefits to our tribes and to our people.

The Colorado River Indian Tribes applauds President Biden’s decision to designate more than 624,000 acres in California to create the Chuckwalla National Monument. The monument would span south of Joshua Tree National Park and north of Interstate 10 across to the Colorado River. The designation will protect the Chuckwalla from mining, drilling and logging.

“The Colorado River Indian Tribes celebrates the permanent and long-term protection of ancestral lands and the cultural landscape through the designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument,” said Amelia Flores, Chairwoman of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. “CRIT has worked tirelessly to preserve and protect water, resources, and sacred sites. This designation clearly affirms CRIT’s spiritual, cultural, and ancestral connection to these lands.”

CRIT sent a delegation of Tribal Members including Tribal Council Secretary Josephine Tahbo and Councilwoman Tracey Quillen and representatives from the Mohave Elders Committee to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday January 4th when President Biden signed and designated the Chuckwalla lands.  In April, an 800,000-signature petition was presented to President Joe Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in support of the designation.

Chairwoman Flores and various Tribal Leaders in support of the Chuckwalla National Monument. Picture taken on January 7th, 2025 at the proposed site. 

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The Parker 400, one of the biggest events in off-road racing, has arrived hosting more than 300 competing teams from around the world to the CRIT reservation and the Parker area.

The Qualifying & The Downtown Experience took place Thursday January 16,2025 (hosted on Joshua Avenue in parker Arizona) and showcases some of the best and fastest vehicles in the race circuit.

The high-octane race stretches over a challenging 400-mile course. The start of the race began today Friday January 17 with the motorcycle race at 7:30 AM at the CRIT Gauntlet followed by the Limited Race. Additional races are taking place through Saturday.

Click here for more information.

Tickets are also available at the main entrance.

Under the management of the Martelli Brothers, the Parker 400 continues to honor the legacy of off-road racing, celebrating the rugged beauty of the Arizona desert and the ferocity of racers who take on the challenges of its terrain.