The Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Council held its quarterly Elders Luncheon on October 26^th for tribal and federally recognized elders.

The event was held at the Blue Water Resort and Casino Showroom. The activities included a chair volleyball match between members of the Tribal Council and the CRIT Mo-Che-Ho-Na Chair Volleyball group.

The Department of Health and Social Services were on site giving out free blood sugar checks, as well as to showcase some of their departments. Staff also gave a presentation on best practices to stay in a healthy mindset as well as healthy eating habits.

Councilwoman Anisa Patch gave closing remarks thanking everyone involved in setting up the event as well as the elders who were able to come and enjoy the day.

Our thanks to everyone who participated in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30^th

The day honors the children who never returned home as well as survivors of boarding schools, their families and communities. The day is also known as Orange Shirt Day to honor and raise awareness of the thousands of Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools.

Department staff who participated: Executive Offices, Public Defender, Media and Office of the Attorney General.

A quick-thinking CRIT Game Warden likely saved the life of an elderly motorist.

While on routine patrol in late June, Warden Alejandro Lopez III missed the turn off to Agnes Wilson Rd as he was returning from West Boundary patrol. As he turned his vehicle around, he noticed a vehicle facing northbound off the southbound shoulder of the road.  He got out of his truck and walked to the back of the car to run the license plate and found a man lying in the bushes in the desert area.

The man told Warden Lopez he got out of his vehicle for a rest stop, fell over, and could not get back to his feet. He told Lopez that he had been lying there for over three hours in direct sunlight and he was having trouble breathing.

Warden Lopez Immediately requested medical attention for the man identified as 86-year-old Luis Gonzalez.  Warden Lopez provided Mr. Gonzalez with water and improvised shade, keeping him calm as he waited for medical assistance to arrive.

Gonzalez was transported to the La Paz Regional Medical facility. Paramedics told investigators Mr. Gonzalez might not have survived if he had been exposed to the elements for another hour.

Chief Game Warden Woodrow Sharp said Warden Lopez’s attention to detail and patrol procedures led to Mr. Gonzalez being located and rescued from certain death had he not been found.

Nora Vasquez started her career with the Colorado River Indian Tribes on September 13^th, 1984 as a cook’s aid at CRIT Head Start. Nora has held many titles At Head Start including Assistant Cook, Nutrition Coordinator, Head Cook and Nutrition Specialist. In 2018 Nora was promoted as the Nutrition Specialist/Family Service Advocate, A position she still holds today. The Tribal Council and Human Resource Department thank Nora for 40 years of continued service to the Colorado River Indian Tribes.

Department heads and managers for the Colorado River Indian Tribes met September 16^th to exchange ideas and information. They received updates on local banking services from Wells Fargo and were introduced to new and acting directors.

These meetings are called on a quarterly basis by Chairwoman Flores to ensure communication, cooperation,  collaboration, and coordination among department heads and managers.

Additional topics included CRIT’s travel policies and five-year plans for departments.

The meeting was held in the Mohave Room at the Blue Water Resort and Casino.

Delivering a message of tribal sovereignty and unity, CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores gave opening remarks for a special meeting of the 30 Basin Tribes to discuss Colorado River water policy, allocation, and consultation with native communities. The meeting was held September 13^th at Chairwoman Flores’ request.

In addition to Chairwoman Flores, CRIT Vice Chairman Dwight Lomayesva, Tribal Council members Anisa Patch and Bobby Page also attended the conference held Courtyard Scottsdale Marriott owned by the Salt River Pima Indian Community.

The focus of the meeting was to discuss post-2026 Colorado River Guidelines, which could have a profound impact on CRIT’s water rights, as well as multiple indigenous communities and reservations when it comes to Colorado River water allocations. CRIT has vowed to make sure it has a seat at the table to ensure its rights are protected.

Chairwoman Flores stated in opening remarks that the rights of all tribes must be protected, “The stakes for all of us are too high as to how the post 2026 (Colorado River Guidelines) impacts our water rights so we need to keep in constant communication with our trustee.”

Flores called upon the tribes to work together, “All the tribal nations are unique, but we are bound by one great river, the Colorado River.”

In addition to tribal leaders, United States Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton was also in attendance. Touton said she and federal officials were there to listen, “I can see every single leader here and I know the issues we are working through together as sovereign nations.”

Topics discussed included:
• Status of discussions with the Basin States – Reclamation.
• Alternatives development – will Reclamation protect tribal water rights?
• Schedule of release of documents – what can we expect to see and when?
• Is the consultation process working? How can it be improved?
• Future/follow-up meetings between Tribal Nations and Reclamation.