October 2010
www.gilariver.org/news
Serving all seven districts of the Gila River Indian Community
Vol. 13 No 10
Gila River Indian News
P.O. Box 459
Sacaton, AZ 85147
Change Service Requested
Tribal Lawsuit: A Matter of Respect and Principle
By GRIC Gov. William Rhodes
casino, filed the week after. Out of
respect, I believe that I must explain the reasons why Community Council and myself so
pointedly disagrees with Washington and with TON’s plan to build a
casino on land they secretly
bought in Glendale, 160 miles
from their reservation headquarters in Sells. My explanation can
be summed up in a single sentence.
We believe the Tohono O’odham Nation, with the assistance of
the federal government, has disrespected the rule of law, the balance
so carefully struck among Indian
gaming tribes, our community, the
City of Glendale and every Arizonan.
At the crux of our lawsuit, is
PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Sacaton, AZ
Permit No. 25
There’s no literal translation
in English that does justice to the
tribal word himdag, As Governor
of the Gila River Indian Community, himdag guides my every decision, my every action. Himdag,
as passed down by our elders
across hundreds of years, teaches
us respect for all things, including
the value of a promise, abiding by
the law and concern for the welfare of others.
Respect as a guiding principle
feels old-fashioned in the 21st
century, but it exists all the same –
even when our community is compelled to sign its name to a lawsuit
against the United States Department of the Interior.
You may have read about that
suit, filed September 16th. You
may have also read about the City
of Glendale’s lawsuit to stop the
See Lawsuit page 6
Passing of Tony Curtis leaves behind legacy of
Ira Hayes on the silver screen
By Jeri Thomas, GRIN Staff
D5 Councilman Pablo
Sr. impeached on charges
of improper conduct
By Mihio Manus, GRIN Managing Editor
SACATON-With the passing of legendary actor Tony Curtis, the Gila
River News contacted Sharon and
Larry Cook, D3, caretakers of Kenny
Hayes, brother and immediate sole
survivor of Marine Cpl. Ira H. Hayes
(1923-1955) who is widely considered
a World War II hero.
The Cooks were generous in sharing their family photo of legendary
actor Tony Curtis, 85, who died Wed.
Sept. 29, 2010 of cardiac arrest in his
home in Henderson, Nevada.
Tony Curtis was born Bernard
Schwartz on June 3, 1925 in New York
City and took on the name Tony Curtis
at the onset of his acting career.
Curtis starred in over 150 films,
one of which was as Marine Cpl. Ira
H. Hayes in the film The Outsider
(1961). The film portrays the life of
Marine Cpl. Ira H. Hayes (1923-1955)
as it was afflicted by his participation
in the raising of the American Flag on
Mount Surabachi on the Island of Iwo
Jima, during World War II.
The Cooks say the photo was
taken in Casa Blanca by Universal Pictures.
A few people in the Community
recall the visit to Sacaton by Tony Curtis.
Julie (Eschief) Nasewytewa was
26 years old in 1961. In an interview
with her in her home in Sacaton,
Nasewytewa shared a copy of a 1961
news clipping of the visit. The young
Hollywood actor posed with three of
her friends.
Nasewytewa was the tribal council secretary at the time. She said Curtis and entourage came to the tribal
SACATON-During a special GRIC council meeting on
Thurs, Sept. 30, an impeachment hearing was held for District 5 Councilman Franklin Pablo Sr. The D5 councilman stood trial for four counts of improper conduct
stemming from a narcotics investigation that involved his
stepdaughter, Renee Johanna Cannon.
The investigation was an undercover operation that
took place in the Community on behalf of the GRIC
Strategic Enforcement Unit with support from the U.S.
B.I.A. drug unit. Prosecution in this case is being handled
by Jennifer E. Green, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of
Arizona, Phoenix.
After testimony was presented from witnesses on behalf of both the plaintiff and the defendant, GRIC Community Council motioned to impeach Councilman Pablo
based on the four charges of improper conduct against
him. According to the GRIC constitution, Article XII –
See Impeachment page 7
L to R: Job Hayes and Nancy (Whitaker) Hayes, parents of Ira H. Hayes,
Tony Curtis, Vivian Nathan, and unnamed male actor. Photo taken by Universal Pictures on location in Casa Blanca, D5 while filming The Outsider
(1961) directed by Delbert Mann. Photo courtesy of Sharon and Larry
Cook.
office to get permission to film.
When asked ‘were you starstruck?’ with reserved amusement,
Nasewytewa said, “That was the first
time I ever saw white Levis.”
Nasewytewa said the old tribal office was a frame two-story building located near what is now the Service
Center. She said the wardrobe trailer
was parked in the back. The actors and
extras had lunch under a big cottonwood tree. ‘I don’t know if it’s still
there,’ she said.
Nasewytewa said her best friend
was Hayes’ cousin and “every time I
went to their house he would be lying
on his bed listening to a little transistor
real close to his head.”
Patsy (Miles) (Birdinground)
Smith, D6, who also appears in the
photo, when contacted by phone said
she signed up to be an extra in the
movie. “But it was so hot, I didn’t keep
up with it,” Smith said. And “I remember his black platform shoes.
They must have been three inches
high,” she said.
Both Nasewytewa and Smith said
the actors donned heavy winter coats
despite the fact that filming was done
See Tony Curtis page 16
See Gila River Voter’s Guide &
2010 General Election Ballot Measures on Pages 8 and 9
Page 2
Gila River Indian News
October 2010
October 2010
Gila River Indian News
Page 3
Letters
Vandalism carries heavy price to students
Date: September 29, 2010
Gila River Indian
News
MIHIO MANUS
[email protected]
GRIN Managing Editor
(520)562-9718
JERI THOMAS
[email protected]
GRIN Office Manager
(520)562-9717
To the Community, Members and Families
of Gila River Indian Community:
My name is Ms. Molly Ryan and I am
the principal at Skyline D5, Gila River Middle School located in District 5 at Preschool
and Casa Blanca Road.
Skyline has been instructing students
from your community for three years. Unfortunately, during the past 3 years the school
has been grossly vandalized over 4 times. It
seems that the vandalism to the school is getting worse each time the school is hit. The
last incident occurred a week ago and the
school windows and doors were destroyed by
individuals with a baseball bat. These individuals were on the school security camera
however, they hid their faces so they were
not able to be identified as yet.
This past vandalism is going to cost the
school over $10,000.00 which at this time we
do not have available. In the meantime, the
school appearance is embarrassing with windows and doors boarded. The school has an
appearance of an abandoned building. The
students are aware when vandalism occurs it
takes money away from them. The student
morale is low as well as the staff and teachers and the community as this is depicting
our culture.
Skyline D5 Gila River is a charter that
the tribe does not recognize for additional
funding. The school funding is limited and
vandalism that occurs is costly to the school.
Money that is designated for student activities and promotions now has to be utilized to
pay for damage repairs. We need two things
from the community. Donations to help us
with the vandalizing and donations and in
kind gifts to secure fencing and a camera system more advanced that what we have now.
I am asking for any donations. The
school is in need of new glass for the doors
and windows. The community needs to be
aware of the vandalism that takes place at educational facilities can happen anywhere on
the GRIC Community. Unfortunately, it is
the students who end up losing.
Should you have any donations either
monetary or materials please contact me at
the telephone number listed.
Thank you.
Molly Ryan, M.Ed.
Principal
Skyline District 5
In Loving Memory of Everett L. Howard
GINA GOODMAN
[email protected]
Receptionist
(520)562-9715
ROBERTO A. JACKSON
[email protected]
Reporter
(520)562-9719
Fax: (520)562-9712
Email: [email protected]
www.gilariver.org/index.php/news
Gila River News
Material published in the Gila River
Indian News may not be reproduced in
any form without consent from the
Gila River Indian Community.
LETTERS POLICY: GRIN welcomes letters
and columns from readers. Letters should be
limited to 200 words and be in good taste.
Material that could be libelous or slanderous is
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be signed with the writerʼs true name, address
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the right to edit submitted materials for grammar, spelling and content.
Write to:
Editor, GRIN
P.O. Box 459
Sacaton, AZ 85247
Published letters or columns do not necessarily
reflect the opinion of the editor or Gila River Indian Community.
Gila River Indian Community
P.O. Box 97
Sacaton, AZ 85247
520.562.9500
www.gilariver.org
William R. Rhodes, Governor
Joseph Manuel, Lt. Governor
In Loving Memory of
Everett L. Howard
2/06/43-10/03/06
Each person that knew him on a personal
level called him “Moon”, we as his children
called him “Dad. Our Dad had many positions in his lifetime, all of which kept him
busy. Some of the things he did included:
being a marriage & family counselor, a Presbyterian-Lay Commissioned Preacher, a college graduate, a member of the Parent
Advisory Committee for boarding school students, one of the chapter founders of the
Sacaton Alcoholics Victorious, one of the
founders of the O’otham Ne’edam Choir, and
a member of the archeology crew at Snaketown. He also received many awards and cer-
tificates: the most memorable ones were the
Akimel O’otham Youth Council-“Elder of
the Year Award”, and the Russell Moore Festival-“Lifetime Achievement Award in
Music”. Our Dad enjoyed singing and translating church hymns into the O’otham Language.
From: His wife Barbara, his kids; Joey,
Elaine, Korn, Arlene & Liz and the grandchildren.
Four Years have gone since the day he
left us, and our tears are slowly drying. But
we still continue to have those days when the
loss of him is still hard to bear. Thanks to the
support of our faith, family and friends – we
are able to face each day. The impact he has
made in our lives and others has been a true
blessing. His voice and his ministry are truly
missed.
In Loving Memory of My Beloved Son Edward Daniel Osife Siquieros
In Loving Memory of My Beloved Son Edward Daniel Osife Siquieros “Eddie”
June 5, 1987 – October 29, 2006
My son it’s been four years
since you left us. It doesn’t seem
like you’re gone. We keep your
memory alive with us each
and every day. There isn’t a
day that goes when we don’t
think of you. We remember
your smile, your voice,
everything about you. Son we
all love you and miss you so
very much. Nothing has been the
same since you left us. There’s been
so many hurt feelings and pain for everyone you left behind. We were like a chain
hooked together for life. But now it’s broken
because you had to leave us. You were the
one that was holding us together for life. But
now it’s broken because you had to leave us.
I t
your place as we go on with our lives. We
keep you in our hearts always. Son you’ll
never be forgotten, we’ll always be loving
you but God loves you more, he has called
you home, where we will all meet again
someday. Then the chain will be reconnected for everlasting life. We
all love and miss you so very
much. Eddie you’re forever in our
hearts. Your memory lives on –
Never forgotten.
Love always,
Your Mom Edwardine Osife Reyes,
and sisters Rachael Enos, Marisol Osife
and your nephews and niece.
will
never be the
same again because no one can ever take
Rest in Peace -Alana Teresa Preston
District #1: Arzie Hogg
Augustine Enas
District #2: Jewell Whitman
District #3: Rodney Jackson
Myron Schurz
District #4: Barney B. Enos Jr.
Rebecca Rowe
Christopher Mendoza
John Antone
District #5: Brenda Robertson
Brian Davis
Delane Enos
District #6: Anthony Villareal
Albert Pablo
Terrance B Evans
District #7: Martha Miller
Arthur Felder, Tribal Treasurer
Linda Andrews, Community Council
Secretary
Rest in Peace
Alana Teresa Preston
August 4, 2009-October 4, 2009
My sweet little girl…
My sweet little girl, I know it’s been a
year I’ll always remember that dreadful day
I had to shed a tear. I’ll always ask the Creator why you couldn’t be by my side? I wonder if he knows how much pain and sorrow
he caused me inside? My sweet little girl,
you don’t know how much of an impact you
made in my world. Though it was short
lived, even though the Creator decided he
needed you more then Me and your Mom!
My sweet little girl, I remember the day
your mom told me that she was carrying you.
I was full of excitement. I had so many plans
for you. But when you left us, part of me
went with you. I would picture you in my
mind, your smile, your laugh. Everythang
about you! I would think how would you be?
How everything would turn out? But then
the Creator reminded me of what life was all
about!
My sweet little girl, I asked the Creator
why? But I was so mad and sad that I had to
cry!! I know you want us to be strong for
you, so in my mind/heart that’s something I
plan to do. I know you were with us in such
a little time span. But within that time you
really brought me happiness. And in the end
it’s nothing but sadness.
My sweet little girl, you know Alana, I
love you and I miss you so much… I’ll never
stop loving you and I know your mom feels
the same way too.
My sweet little girl, I know da Creator is
taking good care of you up above. I just
wanted you to meet your older brother and
your sisters! But now I guess we’ll all wait to
meet up until that day comes. And I know
when you see me, you’ll smile with open
arms, and say “Welcome home Dad…”
My sweet little girl, in this message that
I’m sending you, I know there’s a lot of “I’s”
in it, but I know it’s not about me! Its about
you!!! I love you, my daughter, Alana Teresa
Preston, My sweet little girl…
Forever your Dad,
Mr. Curry Jay Preston
Casa Blanca
Page 4
Gila River Indian News
October 2010
GRIN/Mihio Manus
Left: GRICʼs contribution of $200K helped the City of Maricopa afford and establish a mobile command center for their public safety departments. Right: (L to R) GRIC
Chief of Staff, Greg Mendoza stands next to Maricopa Police Chief Kirk Fitch and Maricopa Fire Chief Wade Brannon inside the mobile command center.
GRIC’s commitment to public safety assists Maricopa’s mobile command
By Mihio Manus, GRIN Managing Editor
MARICOPA-The Community’s dedication
to public safety extends well beyond Community boundary and into the surrounding
municipalities. This became evident when
the City of Maricopa recognized GRIC for
their contribution, in the form of a grant
award, toward an emergency command center to be utilized the public safety divisions
of the city.
During a city council meeting on Tues,
Oct. 5, Maricopa Mayor, Anthony Smith acknowledged GRIC’s generous contribution
of approximately $200K.
Maricopa’s Chief of Police, Kirk Fitch
said the command center, which was parked
outside the council meeting, was the culmination of several years effort and a generous
donation from GRIC.
Present at the council meeting was
GRIC Chief of Staff, Greg Mendoza who
commented that the Community was very
happy to assist Maricopa in establishing the
mobile command center. Mendoza told the
city council that GRIC Governor William R.
Rhodes extended his appreciation for the
city’s gratitude and hopes that Maricopa and
GRIC will continue to support each other’s
community services.
Mayor Smith said, “This council and
previous councils have been blessed in our
relationship with GRIC.”
The mobile command center has already been used on a few crime scenes and
major city events. Maricopa Fire Chief,
Wade Brannon noted that the fire department will use the vehicle for fires and spe-
cial events as well.
The command center boasts a camera
telescope that can be hoisted up 30 feet in
height. This gives the public safety divisions an extended field of view when monitoring crime scenes or patrolling special
events. The command center has multiple
rooms which the police department can use
for on-site meetings or briefings.
TCRP Task Force presents final draft to Community
Submitted by the TCRP Task Force
In accordance with its Action Plan, the
Tribal Constitution (TCRP) Task Force presented the Final Draft of the Constitution to
the Community.
The first presentation was made to the
Akimel O’otham Pee Posh Youth Council in
July and subsequent meetings were held
throughout the districts during August and
September. The presentation consisted of 3
parts. The first part was a 7-minute video
which gave an overview of the major
changes in the draft. A Summary of Proposed Changes and an overview of the Secretarial Election in PowerPoint format were
also presented.
The TCRP Task Force traveled to San
Francisco on September 11 and Los Angeles on September 17 & 18. The urban members asked questions and voiced their
concerns on the critical issues to Gila River
members. They stated that although they
live in the cities, they would like to be informed and were grateful for the presentations. Councilman John Antone, District
Four accompanied the Task Force to the California meetings.
Overall, the response and feedback
from the community on the Final Draft is
positive. The majority of the comments and
feedback indicated that although they do not
agree with every proposed change, the community is in favor of the amendments within
the Draft.
At each of the presentations, a survey
was distributed which consisted of two
questions:
1) Overall, do you think the changes in the
Final Draft Constitution meet the needs of
the Community?
2) If the elections were held today, would
you vote to approve the Final Draft of the
Community’s revised constitution?
The comments received were as follows:
1) Yes. Our community should strive on this
constitution reform.
2) Yes. Because this demands our people involved in voting.
Youth Council
1) God Bless GRIC. We need changes.
2) YES
D-#6
1) Yes, it is clearly worded where we can understand this and is truly updated.
2) YES, it is something we can finally read
to our understanding and I’m a person who
didn’t have much schooling. Very informative. Thank you. UMA
1) Yes
2) Yes. Look into further tribal membership,
specific to Pima/Maricopa and some other
tribe. Disagree that Treasurer should be appointed by Governor. D-#1
1) Yes the explanations were beneficial—a
PowerPoint printout would be good as a
handout.
2) Yes. I await to be contacted to vote.
Thank you for coming. The ethics element
needs to be included. Urban centers is a
helpful outreach.
San Francisco
1) No. I believe in lowering the bloodline
to 1/8.
2) No. Same reason as above. San Francisco.
1) Yes. Find an answer for degree blood. 2)
Yes. I agree with the off reservation rule, I
agree with the changes. Los Angeles.
1) Yes. With a couple of changes: 1. Extend
# of days to file statement of justification
from 10 to maybe 20 days under Article
XVII, Sec 4 (b) and 2. Inclusion of Chief
Judge and Associate Judges under Article X,
Sec. 1. 2) Yes. Per above.
D-#5
The TCRP Task Force would like to
thank all those who attended the meetings
and to those who submitted feedback. The
Task Force would also like to thank Edit
Box Productions for the production of the
video.
The TCRP Task Force awaits a decision
from the Legislative and Government and
Management Standing committees to move
the Final Draft to the Community Council
and request a Secretarial Election.
For further information and continuing
updates, please contact your district representative or call (520) 562-9759.
October 2010
Gila River Indian News
Page 5
Governor’s Employee of the Month
for September 2010, David Huerta
Submitted by Joel Orona, EAP Specialist
the ongoing and sustaining program maintenance making this an especially memorable
and fun filled time for everyone.
At the “Mustering In Day” event held
annually in September; David on a weekend
has also been available and ready to repeat
his assistance to make this equally memorable, fun and safe. Mustering In Day commemorates the Pima and Maricopa Army
volunteer’s contributions to the Apache Indian wars. This is an important historical
event for the community and especially to
the descendants of those volunteers.
David’s weekends are also often spent
pitching tents for burials to shade the families who have come to bid a loved one
farewell. Continuing outside of his regular
duties as a carpenter, David assists with a
food delivery route for the homebound elders and the disabled. In all respects David
does not limit himself to his daily housing
and property work orders. Instead, he stands
A full year has turned since the inception of the Governor’s Employee of the
Month program. September marked our 13th
recipient in David Huerta, Carpenter Helper
from the District 7 Service Center. It has
been great seeing us showcase some of our
very best.
Mr. Huerta was hired as a laborer at
District 7 in 2007 and promoted to Carpenter Helper in 2008. Mr. Huerta is noted by
his peers as an humble man but enthusiastic,
selfless, and a hard working employee. This
is the case when he is first to volunteer for
District 7’s annual events.
Notably, this past April marked the
143rd Anniversary of the 5 Tribes Peace
Agreement commemorated at District 7.
The event commemorates the peace agreement of 1863 among the Maricopa, Pima,
Yuma, Hualapai, and Chemehuevi. There
David is given to doing some of the important preparatory work as well as engaging in
GRIN/Roberto A. Jackson
ready to serve the community in his quiet
and reserved manner, nonetheless showing
his dedication and concern for the wellbeing
of the Gila River Indian Community.
David Huerta was born in Los Angeles
and moved to the Phoenix area in 1985. His
family is composed of his own Hispanic heritage and his wife Anna Marie PennHuerta’s Akimel’O’odham ancestry. Mr. and
Mrs. Huerta have four daughters and two
sons ranging from age 7 to 21 years of age.
Employees from the departments of
Public Works, Education (Head Start, Library), Social Services, Police, DRS,
H.R./Insurance, Facilities Maintenance,
PMIP, MIS and now District 7 have been
honored in this program thus far.
GRIN/Roberto A. Jackson
Seven Generations Awards Dinner yielded 3 recipients who were honored by the NABA of Arizona. Left to Right: Dr. Clinton Pattea, Judge William C. Canby Jr., and Kerry
Patterson were recognized at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino. The event also included a silent auction to aid Native American law students.
NABA Present Honors at Seven Generations Awards Dinner
By Roberto A. Jackson, GRIN Reporter
CHANDLER-Wild Horse Pass Hotel &
Casino was the site for this year’s Native
American Bar Association of Arizona’s
(NABA-AZ) Seven Generations Awards
Dinner and Silent Auction.
Native American attorneys, judges, law
students and distinguished guests convened
on September 25, 2010 to recognize the
achievements of three honorees and also to
raise funds for NABA-AZ, a non-profit organization. Proceeds from the silent auction will go toward scholarships to Native
American law students.
The honorees included Judge William
C. Canby Jr, lifetime achievement award;
Dr. Clinton Pattea, community service
award; and Kerry Patterson, member of the
year.
In 2007 a group of local Native American attorneys noticed a disparity in networking opportunities for Natives in law
parallel to other races, and in September of
that year NABA-AZ was established to promote legal, social and cultural issues pertinent to Native Americans.
Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, NABA-AZ
Board President and member of the Pointeau-Chien Indian tribe, welcomed guests and
highlighted some of their recent community
work which included a food & toy drive,
golf tournament and the awarding of four
scholarships to Native American law students.
Mr. Alan Bayham, President of the
State Bar of Arizona, offered welcoming remarks on behalf of the State Bar and fondly
recalled the pleasure of visiting the GRIC
court in Sacaton. “I was impressed then and
I remain impressed,” he said.
The lifetime achievement award was
given to 9th Circuit Judge, William C.
Canby Jr., for his substantial contribution to
the practice and administration of Indian
law in the state of Arizona. Judge Canby
was noted for his extraordinary expertise in
Native American law cases, tranquil demeanor and deadpan sense of humor. To
Indian law professors, Judge Canby’s work
is always present and he was extremely
grateful for the honor. Judge Canby said he
was delighted to follow in the footsteps in
Community member Rod Lewis who was
last year’s recipient.
Dr. Clinton Pattea, President of the
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, was recognized with the community service award
for his years of leadership and contribution
to the Native American community. Dr.
Pattea was introduced by Dr. Peterson Zah,
Special Advisor to the President on American Indian Affairs, who recalled the days
when the two were young schoolmates.
Dr. Pattea who has devoted much of
his career to the welfare of People of the
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, accepted
the award on behalf of the those he served
for over 40 years.
Kerry Patterson, counsel in Lewis and
Roca’s Tribal Affairs and Gaming practice
group, said she was very humbled to be
named NABA-AZ member of the year.
Patterson was a founder member of the
NABA-AZ and served as the organization’s
first president. During her acceptance she
said that it was an honor and a privilege to
work with such an outstanding Indian Law
community.
Special thanks, for the event, was
given to APS, Sacks Tierny, and the Canby
Law Clerks – 1980-2010 for their generous
sponsorship.
Page 6
Gila River Indian News
October 2010
In the Courts of the Conqueror
By Jeri Thomas, GRIN Staff
“A
s Americans, we can reasonably
expect justice,” Water R. EchoHawk
“Most Americans equate our legal system with justice
with a good moral compass. Justice occurs when the law reflects and protects the widely held needs and values of all
segments of society.” Eloquent words spoken by Walter R.
Echo-Hawk before a small crowd gathered at the Heard Museum recently.
The Heard Museum was the setting for esteemed and
prolific author Walter R. Echo-Hawk to share his latest
book, In the Courts of the Conqueror, the 10 Worst Indian
Law Cases Ever Decided.
Echo-Hawk is newly retired from the Native American
Rights Fund located in Boulder, Colorado. After 35 years of
advocacy, Echo-Hawk is considered a pioneer and icon of
Indian law.
Echo-Hawk said he penned In the Courts in an effort to
give back to the profession and graciously credited legal
scholars in the field saying, none of the opinions in the book
are original thoughts.
The title is partly attributed to Supreme Court Justice
John Marshall (1755-1835) who was “the definer of our nation and widely considered the most influential chef justice,
kind of like Elvis,” Echo-Hawk mused the audience gathered in the atrium of the Steele Auditorium.
Echo-Hawk said that Marshall ominously described the
American judicial system as ‘the Courts of the conqueror’ in
Johnson v. M’Intosh (1823) wherein the Supreme Court
handed down a sweeping opinion that appropriated legal
title to the United States, even though most of the continent
was still owned and occupied at the time by Indian tribes.
In the Courts succinctly restates history that escapes
school books and the knowledge of many.
That during the Colonial Era (1492-1960) nations of
Europe competed to conquer, colonize, and Christianize the
rest of the world and embedded into American law doctrines
of discovery, religious intolerance, and guardianship, which
provided the source for plenary or absolute power of Congress over Indian people and their property.
American conquest also impacted indigenous people of
the Philippines, Guam, Hawaii, and other territories.
The legal opinions of the day were persuasive, eloquent,
and supported with legal authority with convincing results,
Echo-Hawk said.
Lawsuit from Page 1
clear evidence that the proper procedure for creating an
Indian casino has been sidestepped. I’ll leave the legal
wrangling to the lawyers, but in the 21 months since our
sister tribe surprised us with plans to build a casino on our
aboriginal lands, our community has learned more about
legal loopholes, PR spin and shading the truth than we
would care to. The surprises have continued to come, and
so have the disappointments, especially where our sister
tribe is concerned.
In the past, our community and the Tohono O’odham
Nation have lived side by side and mutually benefitted
from our entwined cultures and interests. There’s no better example than the Indian gaming compacts ratified by
Arizona voters in 2002. Proposition 202, supported by 17
tribes statewide, including the GRIC and the TON, created a sound but delicate balance, a promise, that kept
casinos out of urban neighborhoods, gave much-needed
revenue to the state and created an economic engine to lift
every tribal community. To see that balance upset and that
promise broken – and to see one tribe use secrecy and
legal maneuvering to benefit at the expense of every other
tribe and our state – is difficult to comprehend, let alone
stand for in silence.
Thus, the Gila River Indian Community took our case
to federal court. Our first goal is to force the federal government to apply federal gaming laws evenly. Never before has a tribe been allowed to “shop” for reservation land
half a state away from its homeland, then open a casino on
the newly created “pocket reservation.” That not only flies
in the face of federal gaming law, but in the face of every
Arizonan’s vote for Proposition 202.
As for our sister tribe, I know our disagreement is
temporary. Himdag has a place of supreme importance in
their culture, too. I would like to believe that their leadership will rediscover their way soon enough. I believe we
can achieve more together than apart, and that greed
should never be allowed to trump respect for all things.
which struck down the legal underpinnings of segregation
and the Jim Crow laws and culminated several decades of
social movement.
Legal scholars note that the same good/dark phenomenon occurred with federal Indian law cases. The law comports with prevailing politics of the day.
Echo-Hawk said there are shining stars in the horizon
that can strengthen federal Indian law. Notions of colonialism have become repudiated as repugnant. Tribes are firmly
embedded and have more resources than ever, he said.
“The passage in 2007 of the United Nations Declaration is the new order of the day. The courts need to mature
to a more just culture. Millions of people need government
protections against crimes of society,” Echo-Hawk said.
Echo-Hawk said he purposely set out to examine the
far reaching cases. Of the ten cases he examined, “I tried to
chart a middle ground,” he said. And when asked which case
is the worst, Johnson v. M’Intosh (1823) bodes first on his
list.
In the Courts of the Conqueror, the 10 Worst Indian
Law Cases Ever Decided is published by Fulcrum Publishing. [email protected]
GRIN/Jeri Thomas
Echo-Hawk has been the recipient of numerous
awards including the “Spirit of Excellence Award”
from the American Bar Association and the “Civil
Liberties Award” from the ACLU.
“The law at its worst can become a perversion of justice,” Echo-Hawk said. “As a man-made institution, the law
is imperfect, and sometimes the law falters and falls short of
the mark with a double-edged sword with two sides of the
law,” he said.
“At its worst, we can look at world history and try to
fathom the amazing capacity of the law to bring great harm
to people,” Echo-Hawk said. “The law was used as a tool of
evil when judges, prosecutors, and law professors were willing instruments of the Natzification of Germany. The war
crime trials of World War II were compromised and the law
was an instrument of terror and coercion,” he said.
Echo-Hawk said at its finest, the law can stir the heart,
such as in the case of Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
New GRFD building utilizes green aesthetic
Lt. Gov. Joseph Manuel with
GRFD Chief Thomas Knapp
during a tour of the new fire station in Sacaton. The building
was made to be cost effective
with an emphasis on reducing
operational costs and maintenance.
The building is
equipped with energy saving
lights and some of the hallways
are naturally lit with daylight.
The flooring was made from
river bed rock harvested locally
for concrete. The bathrooms
were upgraded to cultured marble over torrazo at about 1/3 of
the cost. The new station also
has low water flow which was
estimated to be 45% less water
usage compared to an average
building of similar size. The
grand opening is tentatively
scheduled for mid-November
when the building will be prepared for operation.
GRIN/Roberto A. Jackson
October 2010
Gila River Indian News
Page 7
Native American Day at Gila Crossing bring spirit of unity to students
By Roberto A. Jackson, GRIN Reporter
A day of Native American celebration was observed at
Gila Crossing Community School on September 16, 2010.
Students, faculty and families joined in a morning of song,
acknowledgment and high spirits that overflowed the energetic gymnasium. Beginning at eight o’clock in the morning, the elementary and middle school’s student bodies
attended along with families to welcome guests as they
shared their admiration and love for Native American heritage. Gila Crossing’s previous Native American Celebration Day had separate festivities for elementary and middle
school at their respective campuses. “We are uniting as a
school,” said co-master of ceremonies Scott Garcia. Jolyana
Bitsuie partnered with Garcia and participated in the event
with the sharing of a song.
The cultures of Native American people were brought
together as well as representations of O’odham and Pee Posh
culture from local Community members. “This is really
good for the kids, promotion of the culture is everything,”
said James Mercado, D7, who performed traditional songs
as a soloist for the delighted crowd.
Several pageant winners also attended the celebration
including Miss Indian Arizona 2009-2010 Daryl Lynn Jay
and 2010-2011 Arizona State University Indian Royalty
Cher Thomas and Dave Nezzie. High school royalty from
Betty Fairfax and Cesar Chavez High School’s visited to address and interact with the students.
In the spirit of Indian Day exhibitions of neighboring
tribes were shared with the students. Navajo songs, Yaqui
deer dancers, Apache crown dancers provided a welcoming
atmosphere for the students and families. Basket songs were
performed and a special Pima basket dance performance by
the Co-Op Basket Dancers and Gila Crossing Community
School Dancers drew rave applause. Several items were donated to provide gift baskets for the dancers and singers.
The presence of families added a sparkle to the event as
Fernando Madrid, Acting Interim Middle School Principal,
said that families are the most important part of a learning
community. “The foundations of learning start at home,”
he said.
GRIN/Roberto A. Jackson
Co-Op Basket Dancers joined the Gila Crossing Community School Dancers on stage during the Native American
Day Celebration at Gila Crossing Community School. In addition to Oʼodham and Pee Posh showpieces there
were exchanges from Apache, Navajo and Yaqui. Donations were made for all the visitors who participated in the
celebration and food was provided for all the families and guests that supported the students.
Madrid, D6, also exclaimed the importance of uniting
the various tribes for events especially in a state such as Arizona with our 21 federally recognized Native American
communities. “Every community has to bring the cultures
of the Native American people together.”
Credit was also extended to Executive Director Joe Fra-
zier who Madrid distinguished as being very supportive on
parental involvement. “It’s the parents that make the key
and the difference.”
Before the lunch hour the Middle School students were
transferred back to their campus and lunch was served for
the students and visitors.
high-ranking GRPD officers although he was aware of the
policy. Accordingly, in seeking and obtaining confidential
information, Councilman Pablo Sr. compromised the best
interest of the Community and the integrity of the investigation.
In his defense and during his testimony, Councilman
Pablo Jr. said that he met with high-ranking GRPD officers
‘as a parent and not as a councilman’. Pablo also said the alleged confidential documents in question were actually
copies of the search warrant and an affidavit that were provided to his stepdaughter’s roommate during the time that
the warrant was served. Pablo contended that these documents were given to him by his stepdaughter’s roommate
and not acquired through meeting with GRPD.
Pablo Sr. also addressed jurisdictional concerns regarding GRPD serving a warrant in the town of Maricopa. According to Pablo, these concerns were the basis of his
meeting with GRPD officers.
“What if it was your child? You would be concerned
too,” he said. “I didn’t demand anything. I got answers. I
left. I was there no more than ten minutes”
In closing arguments, GRIC legal counsel reiterated that
by meeting with GRPD officers and inquiring about infor-
mation surrounding a confidential investigation, Councilman Pablo Jr. put employees in jeopardy and compromised
the investigation. They also contended that Pablo Sr. did
not meet with GRPD officers as a concerned parent but as a
councilman on behalf of the Governor.
Russell C. Ray, Legal counsel on behalf of Councilman
Pablo Jr., stated that the councilman never asked for, or received, any confidential documents and that there were numerous inconsistencies and contradictions presented in the
testimonies of the plaintiff’s witnesses.
After hearing arguments on behalf of both GRIC legal
counsel and the defendant, GRIC community council motioned to deliberate in caucus for 30 minutes. Upon reconvening from caucus, Councilman Jewel Whitman, D2, spoke
on behalf of the community council in voicing their decision.
GRIC community council motioned to impeach Councilman Pablo Sr. for the four charges against him. The council found him guilty of improper conduct. As stated
previously, the motion was carried with a vote of 13 yay and
three nay.
Impeachment from page 1
Removal from Office, Section 2, if a councilman is found
guilty of improper conduct they can be expelled by an affirmative vote of no less than 12 favoring expulsion. The constitution also provides that the accused official shall first be
given the full and fair opportunity to reply to all charges at
a designated council meeting.
The motion to impeach Councilman Pablo Jr., was carried with a vote of 13 in favor and three in opposition.
Legal counsel on behalf of GRIC contended that Councilman Pablo Sr., used his political clout in meeting with
three high-ranking officers of the Gila River Police Department to influence the disclosure of confidential information
while discussing the arrest of his stepdaughter.
Based on communication protocol set forth by Governor Rhodes and presented to GRIC community council in
July ’09, to control the flow of information between Community department directors and the Executive and Legislative branches of government, any request for information
or meetings between councilmen and department directors
must first be met with concurrence of the Governor.
It was the opinion of GRIC legal counsel that Councilman Pablo Jr. circumvented the chain of command and violated protocol by not seeking authorization to meet with
Page 8
Gila River Indian News
October 2010
October 2010
Gila River Indian News
Page 9
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Gila River Indian News
October 2010
Navajo Code Talker, Sgt. Allen Dale June passes away at age 89
Submitted by Gerry Gall, Post Historian
Ira H. Hayes American Legion Post 84
Left: American Legion Post 84 escorting the casket of Code Talker Sgt. Allen Dale June. Ron Enderle leads the front of casket with Robert Delsi at the back of casket and
Leonard Enos holding Marine Corps Flag. Right: Ira H. Hayes Post 84 from Gila River Indian Community is the lead Honor Guard with Ute Mountain Ute Honor Guard from
Towaoc, Colorado standing behind them.
PRESCOTT-Navajo Code Talker Marine
Sgt Allen Dale June, age 89, passed away on
Sept. 8 , 2010 in Prescott, Ariz. at the Veterans Administration Hospital after being ill
for an extensive period. American Legion
Posts 51 and 84 participated as honor guards
on Wed, Sept. 15.
Sgt. June was one of the original 29
who trained at Camp Pendleton, CA in 1942.
These individuals developed the original
framework for the secret military code
which was used in battlefields. After completion at Camp Pendleton, they were sent
to Marine units throughout the Pacific.
Ironically, just days prior to June’s passing, an article about the three survivors of
the original 29 was published in the Stars
and Stripes, a worldwide military newspaper.
Navajo Code Talkers participated in
every Pacific Island campaign from 1942 to
1945 including Guadalcanal, Tarawa,
Peleliu and Iwo Jima.
In addition to the original 29, it is estimated that 400 recruits were trained as Code
Talkers for Marine Corps. Not all were deployed overseas. It was stated by Major
Howard Connor, 5th Marine Division signal
officer, “were it not for the Navajos, the
Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima.”
All Code Talkers were sworn to secrecy
about their duties until 1968 when the Code
was declassified.
June’s funeral procession began in
Flagstaff at 5:30 a.m. with the Navajo-Hopi
Honor Riders and the Arizona Highway Patrol leading the procession to Page. Over
300 individuals attended the church services.
Ira H. Hayes Post 84 stood as honor
Iwo Jima Flag Raising Renactment kicks
off NARD
GRIN/Jeri Thomas
The Haskell Osife Antone Post 51 of Blackwater, reenacted the raising of the American Flag on Mount Surabachi, Iwo Jima on the lawn of the Heard Museum to
kickoff the festivities for the Native American Recognition Days on Oct. 1, 2010.
guard during viewing and Haskell Osife Antone American Legion Post 51 served as
honor guard when leaving the church for the
procession to Kaibeto for internment.
Military honors were conducted by active duty members of the U.S. Marine
Corps, 6th Engineer Support Battalion stationed at Luke Air Force Base.
After burial, dinner was provided. Sgt.
June’s wife, Virginia, family members, four
Navajo Code Talkers, and other dignitaries
told stories about Sgt. June’s life.
In attendance was Peter MacDonald,
former Navajo Nation Chairman and Marine
Code Talker himself, said he remembered a
conversation with Sgt. June about the landing on the Island of Peleliu on Sept. 15,
1944. June described the machine gun fire
right above their heads. Sgt. June, in recalling the Battle of Bloody Nose Ridge said,
“what I read in the Bible about Hell is paradise compared to Peleliu.”
MacDonald also said he remembered
reading an article in 1968 after declassification, which called them “Code Talkers.”
Prior to that, they had always considered
themselves as being “Radiomen.”
While the World War II Code Talkers
are widely familiar, other native languages
was used by the Army during both World
Wars.
Several times throughout the services
the Gila River Indian Community was cited
not only for honoring its own veterans such
as Ira H. Hayes, but also for the support provided to other veterans such as Sgt. Allen
Dale June. May he rest in peace.
Cash for Candy, Local dentist takes a
stand against sweets this Halloween
A local dentist has redefined the phrase “put
your money where your mouth is.” This
Halloween, trick-or-treaters can bring their
excess candy to Impressions Dental in Casa
Grande and receive $1 per pound. Dr.
Kelly B. Wettstein and Dr. Spencer Weed
are leading this anti-decay movement by
giving away dollars and glowing electric
toothbrushes in exchange for cavity-provoking candy.
Global sugar consumption by kids increases by about 2% annually and currently
sits at 50 million tons per year, which
means parents need to be sure their children’s teeth are being cared for more than
ever. Candy, as well as hurting teeth, can
lead to hyperactivity and weight gain. “In
some cases, the wrong types of candy can
also lead to broken teeth and damaged
braces” adds Dr. Weed.
“Ditch the candy, that’s what we’re saying.
Visiting your dentist twice a year and
brushing daily are great preventative measures, but doing away with excess sweets altogether would really give your teeth a
healthy boost,” said Dr. Wettstein of Impressions Dental. “Kids can still have all
of the fun of trick-or-treating, and now their
piggy banks will benefit as well.”
Candy will be collected at Impressions
Dental the day after Halloween only, Monday, November 1st from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The candy must be unopened. Please no
bites! It will then be shipped to troops overseas.
All candy donated to Impressions Dental is
donated to the U.S. troops in Iraq and
Afghanistan through Operation Gratitude.
“We have been holding this event for 3
years and collected over 750 pounds of
candy last year alone. That made a lot of
Christmas baskets for our troops”, said Dr.
Weed.
Impressions Dental is a private-practice located at 442 W. Kortsen Rd #104 in Casa
Grande (NW corner of Pinal Ave and Kortsen Rd.). Impressions Dental emphasizes
general family dental care as well as cosmetic procedures. Dr. Wettstein and Dr.
Weed are available to provide more information on the Candy Buy Back at 520-3742400, or visit Impressions Dental online at
www.ImpressDentalCG.com.
October 2010
Gila River Indian News
“Workout for the Health of It” - 2010
Physical activity is one of the most important
ways that an individual can lead to a healthier
lifestyle. Maintaining an ideal weight and being
physically active on a regular basis helps reduce
the risk of many diseases. In order to promote
physical activity and provide an opportunity for
the community to continue along the path of
healthiness, or to take the next step to lead healthier lives, we launched our “Workout for the Health
of It” campaign. Every year during the month of
July, the campaign takes place at both the Sacaton
Wellness Center and the Komatke Fitness Center.
We offer our health informational booth, which
promotes physical activity, we provide one on one
health education and we raffle off fitness prizes to
the workout participants. In the past, the event was
held every week, Monday through Friday from 11
am to 1 pm. Participants were entered into a raffle drawn from both locations totaling a number
of eight (8) winners. This year we had a successful outcome and we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and recognize all eight (8)
winners for participating in this year’s “Workout
for the Health of It” campaign 2010.
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Gila River Indian News
October 2010
October 2010
Gila River Indian News
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Gila River Indian News
Family Fun All Year Round
Submitted by First Things First,
GRIC Regional Partnership Council
The cool weather is finally upon us and
with the cool down comes parades and
rodeos and of course the Arizona State Fair!
It’s important that families continue to have
fun together through the entire year and not
just during the fair.
Arizona is a very diverse state and children can learn a lot while they are having
fun with their family. Having a good time
as a family doesn’t have to cost a lot of
money so here are some suggestions on
how to have fun without having to spend a
lot.
Fishing, Hiking and Outdoor Activities: The Gila River Indian Community
lands are beautiful and our children should
learn to appreciate and enjoy them. During
the cooler months families can take their
children for walks in the dry Gila River bed
and look for migrating birds and other
wildlife. To make it an even more memorable experience, consider packing a picnic
lunch with some of your children’s favorite
foods. They will enjoy the exercise they get
while being able to spend time with their
family.
Educational Activities: Arizona has numerous activities for children to do while
learning and having fun at the same time.
Locally, Ira Hayes Memorial Library hosts
various activities for young children and
their families. In most cases, these activities are free to the public and allow kids the
opportunity to use their imaginations. If you
are looking to head to Phoenix or Tucson,
consider checking out some of the museums designed especially for children. Some
of the most popular are:
1. The Tucson Children’s Museum
2. Children’s Museum of Phoenix
3. The Phoenix Zoo
Just Plain Fun: If you are looking for
something fun your kids will remember, try
visiting one of these locations:
1. Red Rock State Park
2. Castles N Coasters
3. Water World
Remember that in most cases, planning
fun activities with your children can take
some time and preparation. For those activities that require traveling or even entrance
fees, plan ahead and set aside a little bit of
money at a time. Most importantly, your
children will remember the fun you have
with them as long as you are enjoying yourself as much as they are. Take time to have
fun with your children year-round.
If you would like more information
about early childhood development and
health, please feel free to contact Cathy
Thornton, Regional Coordinator at (602)
771-4991or via email at [email protected].
October 2010
October 2010
Gila River Indian News
Page 15
Coolidge Schools Media Project, Students submit stories on daily life
Submitted by Rachel Broadley, Assistant Principal, Hohokam Middle School
Written by Taylor Alakel
Heartland Ranch Elementary
21st Century Comes to Hohokam Middle School
By Joshua Alakel
September has and still is a busy month here at Heartland Ranch Elementary. We have just received student council election results. Our winners are, for President Britney
Vasquez, our Vice President is Armando Robles, our Secretary is Jana Bowles and our Treasurer is Anissa Andujar.
My school had an assembly presented by the third
graders September 24th. Every assembly we have is presented by a grade level. We also present awards for certain
categories. The people that get the awards work hard for
them. That’s what mostly goes on at Heartland Ranch’s assemblies.
Next, on September 10th we had bus drills. We always
want to do bus drills in case of an emergency on the bus. We
learned how to exit the bus, and which door to use in case of
an emergency. We learned how many doors there are to exit
a bus. There are 6 exits in a bus. That is what we learned
about bus drills and safety on the bus.
Also, we had a PTO meeting on September 16th. Our
PTO meetings are sophisticated. At the meeting we talked
about things that you wonder about. PTO meetings here talk
about your kids’ learning and questions about the school.
The meetings almost always give you answers on what they
know is going on. That is the PTO meetings here at Heartland Ranch.
Finally, we are really looking forward to October. Also
parent teacher conferences on 10/13-10/14. That is what
goes on here at Heartland Ranch Elementary.
21st Century is a free after-school tutoring program for
students who need educational assistance. The program offers many classes that are filled with fun activities to help
motivate the student with challenging games and learning
strategies. The classes are being taught by great teachers,
among them are: Mr. Bruno, Mr. Herrera, Mrs. Holland,
Mrs. Jensen, Mrs. Timmons, Mrs. Ukat, Miss Cullen, Mr.
Schoefield, and the program coordinator for Hohokam, Mrs.
Arrants.
The first session begins on October 4, 2010 and runs to
December 21, 2010. The second session begins on January
3, 2011 and runs to April 27, 2011. The times for these
classes are 7:15 am to 7:45 am and 3:15 pm to 5:15 pm. The
morning sessions are offered for students who might have a
conflict in schedules with after school practice activities.
There will be a late activity bus at 5:30 for those students
who normally ride the bus.
The classes the program offers are: Art, Drama,
Computers/Journalism, Spanish, Agriculture/gardening with
the emphasis being in Math and Reading. This promises to
be a fun and rewarding experience for all the students who
participate.
Written by Miranda Enos
Heartland Ranch Elementary
September has and still is a busy month here at Heartland Ranch Elementary. We had an assembly on September
24th and the third graders performed. At the assembly they
passed out awards for student of month and Wildcat Awards.
We had bus drills on September 10th. We had to jump out of
the bus where the door is and if you don’t have a backdoor,
you have to jump out of the side door to get out of the bus.
After that you have to sit down where the cars park and then
you go back to class. Parent teacher conferences are coming
up in October. That means teachers meet parents and parents meet teachers to see how the students are learning in
class. Progress report cards came out on September 10th. If
you have an A plus you did a great job on your work.
We had some guests come visit all the 5th grade classes
and they were talking about the Constitution. They were
dressed in costumes and they were talking about the making
of the Constitution.
That is all that we did in September. Like I said, parent
teacher conferences are coming so you better do good on
your grades so you can have a good time with your family
and you don’t get in trouble and they might say you did a
good job on your stuff.
Mountain Vista Student Council
Written by Taliah Rodriguez
This year student council is panning lots of events and
hopes to take lots of action in the benefit of our school. We
have covered a lot of material in the two meetings that we’ve
had and it looks like we have put together a very hardworking group of officers and representatives and officers.
The officers and representatives are very interested with
the idea of fundraising and we’ve thought of some very interesting ideas. This year is going to be a great one if our
firm group continues its great way of working together. We
will have a very successful school year.
Some of the fundraising events we have planned include selling items after school on half-day Wednesdays and
on Fridays. We also would like to host a Fall dance. These
are a few of the subjects that have been addressed so far.
Thank you for your time.
Still Undefeated
Written by Angelica Morales
The Lady Wolverine softball team remain undefeated!
We have beaten all of the teams we have played twice now
throughout the year. We are heading off into playoffs, which
will be held at Mt. Vista on Monday, October 4th at 4:15pm.
If we are lucky enough to play that game and win we will
compete in the league championship game on Wednesday. If
we win that game we will be league champs and undefeated
for the second year in a row.
This year we have improved so much as a team. We
have fabulous pitchers and players backing her up each
game. We have to say a big thank you to the coaches. Without all three of them we would not have won all of the games
this season. Thank you Ms. Tomerlin, Ms. Sorace, and
Robert.
Please come out on Monday and root on your Lady
Wolverine Softball team at Mountain Vista Middle School!
San Tan Heights Elementary
By Kody Swencki and Nick Umali
San Tan Heights Elementary is very excited to share
some upcoming events with you. The first is the Great
American Fundraiser starting October 6th thru October 19th.
It will have lots of interesting items. Some of which are
candy, magazines, Christmas wrapping paper, and jewelry.
Please help us raise money for our school by purchasing
some of these items. We also have our October Fest coming
up on October 28th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This will be held
at our school and is open to the public. Come join us for
games, food, costume contest, and much more. Wrist bands
to enter cost $4.00, which includes all the games and trickor-treat lane to get candy.
We would like to remind everyone that parent teacher
conferences are coming up. They will be on October 13th
and 14th and both days are half days. Look for a letter from
your teacher coming home soon. After conferences we hope
you will be excited for a little break. We will have our fall
break Friday October 15th thru October 18th. Have a Happy
Fall Break!
West School
Mercedez Madril
5th Grade
At West School we are learning how good character is
important. In October we will learn about respect. We will
work hard at treating others the way we want to be treated.
In October there will be a door decorating contest and an assembly about respect.
In school we are working on writing fiction stories with
good ideas and organization. In math we are working on
fractions and learning about folktales from other countries in
reading. In Science we are working in teams to create a volcano, and learn about the changes in the earth.
At West School we have traditions like student of the
week every Friday; we play the song “Eye of the Tiger” as
the school song during Friday’s announcements. Soon we
will be starting Tiger Tech- our after school program to help
anyone needing help with their school work. I enjoy being
at West School because I like the teachers, they are helpful.
Mr. Streit our Principal and Ms. Williams the Assistant Principal are helpful with the students at West.
West Elementary
ByElysia Burgos
I would like to give a big tiger welcome to all of the
new teachers and students to West Elementary School. The
new teachers to West School this year include: Delicia Garcia, Dianna Snurpus, Therese Langlois, Christine Cooper,
Nicole hall, Marlene Capron and Dan Herrera. As a new
student at West Elementary, I particularly like the activities
and extra programs that allow students to get involved with
the school and to help us with our school work. Teachers
and students are working hard on reading and math.
At West we are learning about the school’s traditions.
We have learned the school mascot is the TIGERS and the
school colors are blue and orange. During the morning announcements on Fridays we play the school song “Eye of
the Tiger”. Everyone is encouraged to wear their school colors on Friday or their tiger shirt to show their school spirit.
Every week the teachers pick their students of the week and
they are recognized.
Character counts at West School. The character trait for
October is responsibility. On October 22nd the school will
hold a character counts door decorating contest and the students will put on an assembly for others about responsibility. Red ribbon week will be the week of October 25-29.
During Coolidge days the winners of the character poster
contest will participate on the float for West School. We
would like to thank Ms. Dobbins for being our Student Government sponsor and helping our school.
Page 16
Gila River Indian News
Tony Curtis from page 1
during the summer months.
When asked about his recollections of
the Tony Curtis movie, Rodney B. Lewis,
longtime general counsel said, “The movie
gave the Pima people a great sense of pride
because Ira was finally being recognized as
a hero even if it was through exploits.”
A few people pointed out that The Outsider contained factual errors and when
asked about the errors, Larry Cook chalked
them up as deliberate and for entertainment L to R: Tony Curtis, Arlene Miles, Patsy
purposes. “I don’t remember my mom (the Birdinground, Peggy Feather, and Julia
late-Sara Bernal) ever saying he ran for Nasewytewa
council. He was real quiet.”
The formal surrender ceremony by the
Cook chuckled when he remembered Japanese aboard the USS Missouri marked
patches of snow in the movie.
the end of World War II.
In life, Schwartz served as a US Navy
Movie critics say Curtis’ portrayal of
signalman aboard the submarine USS Pro- Cpl. Hayes in The Outsider was one of Curteus during World War II. Proteus was in tis’ few dramatic roles and that Curtis
Tokyo Bay in 1945.
should have won an Oscar for his stellar
The battleship USS Missouri sup- performance.
ported the Iwo Jima invasion.
News accounts say Curtis was laid to
It is reported that Schwartz witnessed rest on Oct. 4 with several of his favorite
the formal surrender of Japan on Septem- possessions–a Stetson hat, an Armani scarf,
ber 2, 1945, through a pair of binoculars. driving gloves, and an iPhone.
October 2010
Fall Activities at Ira H. Hayes Library
Photo Courtesy of Jolene Holgate/ Ira H. Hayes Library
Grant and Tristan Paul created ‘Rocket Robot Pumpkin’ as a part of the Ira H.
Hayes Memorial Library Fall Fun Activity Days. The activity days are part of
the library’s fall programming that will go until Christmas.
Echo Hawk Announces Tribal Consultation on Tribal Law and Order Act
Photo Courtesy of The Cook Family
Tony Curtis poses with Kenneth G. Hayes, the sole survivor of the late-Jobe and
Nancy Hayes, and brother of Ira H. Hayes. The Cooks say Kenny Hayes is often
overshadowed by his brother’s fame but that Kenny served in the US Army and is
a medal recipient for his bravery in the Korean War Conflict (1950-1953).
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk today
announced that the Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA) Office of Justice Services (OJS) will
conduct tribal consultation with the federally recognized tribes throughout the month
of October, 2010. A letter announcing the
meetings was sent to tribal leaders on September 17, 2010.
“The input from tribal leaders is crucial to ensuring safety in Indian Country,”
Echo Hawk said. “It is among my top priorities to move forward to develop the most
effective policies and procedures in law enforcement so that the American Indian and
Alaska Native people can benefit from this
landmark legislation.”
The President signed the Tribal Law
and Order Act of 2010 (“TLOA”) into law
on July 29, 2010. Among other provisions,
TLOA provides Tribes with the opportunity
to exercise enhanced sentencing authority,
requires BIA - OJS to collect and report additional data to Congress regarding public
safety in Indian country, and directs BIA to
establish certain policies, procedures and
guidelines in consultation with tribes.
The BIA is committed to ongoing and
meaningful consultation with tribal nations
to implement TLOA and ensure utilization
of effective public safety strategies.
Flu Season Begins Again in Arizona
Maricopa County Confirms its First Case of the Season
Submitted by Maricopa County, Dept. of Public Health
PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of
Health Services and the Maricopa County
Department of Public Health confirmed on
Mon, Oct. 4, the first flu case of the season;
an unvaccinated woman in her early 30’s
who recovered at home.
“And it starts again,” said Dr. Bob
England, director of Maricopa County Department of Public Health. “The good news
is that this woman did not have H1N1; the
bad news is that this woman did not have
H1N1. We just don’t know which strain of
the flu will dominate our flu season this
year which is why I can’t stress enough for
everyone to get their flu vaccine.”
This year, for the first time, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recommends that everyone 6 months and
older get the flu vaccine. As always, this
year’s flu vaccine protects against three different flu viruses; an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that
caused so much illness last season.
Last year Arizona had 13,032 flu cases
and at least 122 deaths, almost all due to the
H1N1 pandemic strain.
“No one should have to get sick with
influenza this year. There is plenty of vaccine across the state and finding a shot is almost as easy as going to the ATM,” said
Will Humble, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. “If your doctor doesn’t have any, there are clinics and
mini-clinics. Plus if you don’t like shots,
you can get the nasal spray!”
Preparation includes getting the flu
vaccine and being vigilant in good hygiene
— covering our cough in our sleeves, washing our hands frequently and staying home
when we are sick.
For more information about the flu in
Arizona or where to get flu vaccine, please
visit StopTheSpreadAz.org.
For more information, please contact:
Jeanene Fowler, Maricopa County
Public Health: 602-506-4926
Laura Oxley, Arizona Department of
Health Services: 602-542-1094
October 2010
Gila River Indian News
Court Removes Protections From Desert Bald Eagle
Submitted by Dr. Robin Silver,
Center for Biological Diversity,
PHOENIX, Ariz.— On Fri, Oct. 1, a
federal judge granted a request by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the desert nesting bald eagle
from the endangered species list unless
and until the Center for Biological Diversity successfully challenges the
agency’s February 2010 decision taking the species off the list.
On July 9, 2007, the Bush administration overruled Fish and Wildlife
Service biologists, ordering the agency
to remove the desert nesting bald eagle
from the endangered species list. It had
been on the list since the 1970s. The
Center filed suit and on March 6, 2008,
U.S. District Judge Mary H. Murguia
struck down the delisting decision and
ordered the agency to return the bald
eagle to the endangered species list.
On Feb. 24, 2010, the Obama administration issued a new decision also
removing protections from the eagle.
This new decision uses the same
flawed logic as the 2007 Bush-era decision and also involved agency bureaucrats overruling agency scientists.
The Center had asked the judge to
keep the species on the list until the
new decision was legally challenged
and resolved. The judge denied that re-
quest, telling the Center it first needed
to file suit and prove the new decision
is illegal.
“The Obama administration’s decision earlier this year was just as politically tainted as the Bush decision in
2007,” said Dr. Robin Silver of the
Center. “We look forward to proving
that in court in a suit we plan to file
shortly.”
For more than three decades,
every recognized bald eagle expert has
acknowledged the fact that the desert
nesting bald eagle is unique and important to the species as a whole. But
on July 18, 2006, Fish and Wildlife
Service career administrators gave
their staff “marching orders” to
abruptly reverse their opinion and “to
find an analysis that works.”
On March 5, 2008, Judge Murguia called the agency actions “arbitrary and capricious.” She ordered the
agency to issue a new evaluation, and
issued an injunction against lifting protection for the eagle in the interim.
On Dec. 9, 2009, after agency
bald eagle experts again reinforced
their opinion that the desert nesting
bald eagle is unique and important to
the species as a whole, career adminis-
trators again ordered the eagle experts
to reverse their position, saying, “My
staff will work with you on development of the revised version of the finding.”
The biggest threats to the eagle
are increasing habitat destruction and
human harassment — and the judge’s
protective order had been the only law
protecting eagle habitat. Today’s order
also removes the requirement for
mandatory mitigation funding of the
NestWatch program.
NestWatch provides on-site protection for the most threatened eagle
nests beginning in the middle of December of each year. Between 1983
and 2005, NestWatch rescued 9.4 percent of all young eagles fledged in Arizona, including up to 50 percent of a
given year’s reproduction. Until this
ruling, agencies such as the Salt River
Project, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of
Reclamation and Department of Defense had been required to contribute
yearly money to the NestWatch program to make up for destruction of
habitat and harm to eagles.
Page 17
Lawsuit Seeks to Restore
Protection for Desert
Nesting Bald Eagle
Submitted by Dr. Robin Silver,
Center for Biological Diversity,
PHOENIX— The Center for Biological Diversity and
Maricopa Audubon Society filed a lawsuit on Tues, Oct. 5,
2010, to reinstate Endangered Species Act protection for
desert nesting bald eagles. The suit seeks to return protections removed last week by U.S. District Court Judge
Mary H. Murguia.
“With only about 50 breeding pairs left, and facing
increasing habitat threats this bird desperately needs federal protection in order to survive,” said Dr. Robin Silver
of the Center. Murguia on Fri, Oct. 1, granted a request
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the desert
nesting bald eagle from the endangered species list but did
not examine the agency decision itself. The Maricopa
Audubon Society’s lawsuit challenges the basis of the
agency’s February 2010 decision to remove protections
from the eagle.
For more than three decades, every recognized bald
eagle expert has acknowledged the fact that the desert
nesting bald eagle is unique and important to the bald
eagle species as a whole. But on July 18, 2006, Fish and
Wildlife Service career administrators gave their staff
“marching orders” to abruptly reverse their opinion and
“to find an analysis that works.” That decision was finalized July 9, 2007.
On March 5, 2008, Judge Murguia called the agency
actions “arbitrary and capricious.” She ordered the agency
to issue a new evaluation and issued an injunction against
lifting protection for the eagle in the interim.
On Dec. 9, 2009, after agency bald eagle experts
again reinforced their opinion that the desert nesting bald
eagle is unique and important to the species as a whole, career administrators again ordered the eagle experts to reverse their position, saying, “My staff will work with you
on development of the revised version of the finding.”
“Hopefully today’s suit will put science, not politics,
front and center in determining the fate of this eagle,” Silver said.
The biggest threats to the eagle are increasing habitat
destruction and human harassment. The Endangered
Species Act is the only law protecting eagle habitat.
Without Endangered Species Act protection, eagle
habitat-destroying grazing and ORV abuse can resume,
and the mandatory requirement for agency funding of the
NestWatch program will no longer be necessary. NestWatch provides onsite protection for the most threatened
eagle nests and has rescued 9.4 percent of all young eagles
fledged in Arizona between 1983 and 2005, including up
to 50 percent of a given year’s reproduction.
Contact: Dr. Robin Silver, Center for Biological Diversity,
(602) 799-3275
Page 18
Gila River Indian News
October 2010
Echo Hawk Announces 2nd Year Indian Education Renewable Energy
Challenge for BIE High School and Tribal College Students
BIE-IEED-ANL sponsored competition to promote careers in the green and renewable energy professions
WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk announced
the second competition for students attending high schools and tribal colleges funded
by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)
that will promote careers in the fields of
green and renewable energy. This year’s
competition will be looking for designs of a
conversion process that will change
biomass into diesel fuel. The Indian Education Renewable Energy Challenge is
being sponsored by the BIE in partnership
with the Indian Affairs Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED)
and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory (ANL).
“I am pleased to see this partnership
provide such wonderful opportunity for students to design an innovative process that
will convert biomass into diesel fuel,” Echo
Hawk said. “Our BIE students are incredibly talented, and this is an opportunity to
take on a real world challenge to demonstrate a renewable energy and technology
process that tribes can use to promote economic self-sufficiency in Indian Country.”
The challenge is designed as a two-part
competition. During Phase I, each school
and college will establish a team of students
to process designs for converting biomass to
diesel fuel using any raw biomass material
they wish, and must indicate how their
process design ensures safety in view of the
flammable product and the properties of any
chemicals that may be used in the production. Five high school and five college design teams with the best submissions will
receive $3,500 apiece to construct prototypes of their inventions. In Phase II, the
teams will be provided with a diesel-powered generator so that each team can conduct
performance data collections to submit,
along with detailed reports and videos of
their prototypes in operation, to ANL for
evaluation by a team of judges. There are
eight requirements to be met for Phase II of
the challenge in order for the judges to view
the final submissions:
1) A narrated video showing the process
by which bio-diesel fuel has been made
from biomass material.
2) A narrated video showing the generator in operation fueled by the bio-diesel and
powering some appliance.
3) A 100 milliliter sample of the produced bio-diesel fuel, to be shipped in a container
provided by Argonne National Laboratory.
4) Chemical equations showing the reactions used to convert the biomass material
to biodiesel fuel. Include a per cent yield calculation for your process.
5) A flow chart for your process.
6) A specification sheet for the biodiesel showing generator fuel consumption
versus output power.
7) A written discussion of the safety issues associated with your process and with
generator
usage and the specific procedures that
have been followed to ensure safe operation.
8) PowerPoint slides that will comprise
a poster that will be displayed in Washington, D.C.,
in the event that your team wins the
competition.
One top project will be selected from
the high school teams and one from the college teams. The two winning teams will see
their projects prominently displayed in
Washington, D.C., where they also will have
the opportunity to meet with senior Interior
Department officials and attend a reception
to be held in their honor.
Design proposals for the Indian Education Renewable Energy Challenge must be
submitted to the ANL by November 30,
2010. The 10 teams whose projects have
been selected will be notified by December
15, 2010. The submission deadline for final
projects is May 1, 2011. Winners will be announced shortly after the final submissions.
For further information and application
forms visit the Argonne National Laboratory’s website at http://www.dep.anl.gov/indianed_energychallenge/.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Settlement Agreement with Native
American Farmers Who Claim to Have Faced Discrimination by USDA
Settlement Addresses Discrimination Claims Made Over Farm Loan Programs
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Attorney
General Eric Holder today announced the
settlement of a class action lawsuit filed
against USDA by Native American farmers
alleging discrimination by USDA. The settlement ends litigation concerning discrimination complaints from Native Americans
generally covering the period 1981-1999.
“Today’s settlement can never undo
wrongs that Native Americans may have experienced in past decades, but combined
with the actions we at USDA are taking to
address such wrongs, the settlement will
provide some measure of relief to those alleging discrimination,” Vilsack said. “The
Obama Administration is committed to closing the chapter on an unfortunate civil rights
history at USDA and working to ensure our
customers and employees are treated justly
and equally.”
“The settlement announced today will
allow USDA and the Native American farmers involved in the lawsuit to move forward
and focus on the future,” said Attorney General Holder. “Under the process established
in this agreement, Native American farmers
who believe they suffered discrimination
will have their claims heard. The Department of Justice is proud to partner with
USDA in the agency’s effort to ensure fair
and equitable treatment of its clients.”
Under the settlement agreement announced today, $680 million will be made
available to eligible class members to compensate them for their discrimination
claims. Two payment “tracks” are available. Under the first track, persons who
meet the class definition and provide substantial evidence of discrimination to an impartial adjudicator will receive a uniform
settlement of up to $50,000. The second
track is for those persons who meet the class
definition and believe they have stronger evidence of economic losses caused by discrimination. This track requires a higher
evidentiary standard and damage awards are
capped at a maximum of up to $250,000 per
individual. Actual monetary awards are subject to reduction based on the amount of
available funding and the number of meritorious claims.
The Judgment Fund maintained by the
U.S. Departments of Justice and Treasury
will fund any monetary awards provided
under the settlement. USDA will provide up
to $20 million to administer the settlement.
In addition to the monetary award, the
agreement provides up to $80 million in
debt forgiveness to successful claimants
with outstanding USDA Farm Loan program
debt. Also, a moratorium on foreclosures of
most claimants’ farms and a moratorium on
accelerations and administrative offsets of
class members’ farm loan accounts will be
put into place until after claimants have gone
through the claims process or the Secretary
of Agriculture has been notified that a claim
has been denied.
The settlement also provides a broad
range of programmatic relief for Native
American farmers, including creation of a
new Federal Advisory Council for Native
American farmers and ranchers that will include Native American representation from
around the country as well as senior USDA
officials. Meanwhile, a new Ombudsman
position will be created to address farm program issues relating to Native American
farmers and ranchers as well as all other socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
The Department will also offer Native
American farmers enhanced technical assistance services through the establishment of
a network that provides intensive instruction
to recipients concerning financial, business
and market planning skills and supports the
deployment of tribal agriculture advocates
and third party outreach and education
providers.
This lawsuit, Marilyn Keepseagle et al.,
v. Vilsack (Civil Action No. 99-3119
(D.D.C.)), was filed on November 24th,
1999. The settlement will not become final
until it is formally approved by the U.S. Dis-
trict Court for the District of Columbia.
Under Secretary Vilsack’s leadership,
USDA is working to address past civil rights
complaints and today’s announcement is a
major step in that effort. The Secretary and
his leadership team are committed to addressing allegations of discrimination, and
shortly after he took office he sent a memo
to all USDA employees calling for “a new
era of civil rights” for the Department. In
February 2010, Secretary Vilsack an-
nounced the Pigford II settlement with black
farmers; the Keepseagle settlement continues as part of that new era. Meanwhile, Secretary Vilsack continues to pursue the
resolution of all claims of past discrimination against USDA, including claims from
women and Hispanic farmers. Additional
information on the efforts undertaken by the
Secretary and USDA management is available at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/.
October 2010
Gila River Indian News
Page 19
Upcoming Events
34th Annual Pueblo Grande Museum Indian Market, Sat
and Sun, Dec. 11 & 12, 2010
Phoenix, AZ-The 34th Annual Pueblo Grande Museum Indian
Market, named one of the “top 10 Indian Markets in the country”
returns to its original site, the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park on Saturday and Sunday, December 11 and
12, 2010. More than 200 artists participate in this major cultural
event.
Tribally enrolled artists are encouraged to visit the website
www.pgindianmarket.com for an application and corresponding
regulations and guidelines. To be eligible for a discount on booth
rental fee, applications must be postmarked no later than September 30, 2010.
The only five-time World Champion Hoop Dancer, Derrick
Suwaima Davis (Hopi/Choctaw), will perform each day. The
daily entertainment schedule of traditional and contemporary
musicians, singers and dancers features violinist Arvel Bird
(Paiute) who studied classical music at ASU.
The museum offers an award-winning video presentation
on the Hohokam early civilization, plus fully accessible trail
leading to an ancient platform mound and ballcourt. The public
is encouraged to use the metro light rail which stops within easy
walking distance of the event site.
Admission fee is $5 per person and children under 12 are
free. Admission fee includes free admission to the museum during the annual Indian Market weekend. Pueblo Grande Museum
address is 4619 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034. The
event takes place rain or shine. For more information, call 602495-0901.
CONTACT: Isaac Curley, Market Director
September 22, 2010 Pueblo Grande Museum
602-495-0901
7th Annual National “Fatherhood is Leadership Conference”
The 7th Annual National Fatherhood is Leadership conference
will be held November 3—5th, 2010 at the Phoenix Marriot
Mesa Hotel by the nationally recognized Native American Fatherhood and Families Association (NAFFA). The conference
will cover principals of fatherhood and their roles in strengthening themselves, their family and cultural values. Credible studies have showcased the NAFFA owned Fatherhood is Sacred
program as the number one Native American Fatherhood program in the country. The three day conference will provide
unique workshops and a look into the Native American family
structure. NAFFA welcomes anyone interested in learning of
Native American fatherhood roles when it comes to Education,
Criminal Justice and Health and Human Services to register. For
registration cost and conference information please contact the
Native American Fatherhood and Families Association at
[email protected], call 480-833-5007 and visit their website at
www.nativeamericanfathers.org.
Who: Native American Fatherhood and Families Association
What: Annual “Fatherhood is Leadership Conference”
Where: Phoenix Marriot Mesa Hotel
When: November 3—5th, 2010
Why: Strengthening Native American Families
Contact Information:
Kumen Louis, Public Relations Officer
Native American Fatherhood & Families Association
123 N Centennial Way, Ste 116
Mesa AZ 85201
Office: 480-833-5007
CORRECTION
It has been brought to the attention of Gila
River Indian News that there was a name
error on page 20 of the August 2010
issue. We identified Miss Sherman on the
right-hand side of the picture as Latanya
Nelson. The correct name is Toshina
Shawray John. She is Miss Sherman
2010-11. Toshina is member of the
Yakama, Nez Perce & Navajo Tribes.
Toshina is in her Senior year at Sherman
and will be graduating in May 2011.
We extend our apologies to Ivan ʻRockyʼ
Whitman and Toshina Shawray John for
the incorrect identification.
Page 20
Gila River Indian News
Community Council action sheets for GRIC council
meetings held on Wed, Sept. 1 & Wed, Sept. 15, 2010.
AC-
TION SHEET
Community Council; PO Box 2138; Sacaton AZ 85147; Phone (520) 562-9720; Fax: (520) 562-9729
CALL TO ORDER
The First Regular Monthly Meeting of the Community Council held Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 9am, Community
Council Chambers, Governance Center, Sacaton, Arizona was called to order by presiding Chairman Governor William
R. Rhodes at 9:02 a.m.
INVOCATION
Floyd Johnson, Community Member
ROLL CALL
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS PRESENT
Governor William R. Rhodes
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
D1—Augustine Enas, Arzie Hogg; D2—Jewel Whitman; D3—Myron G. Schurz, Rodney Jackson’ D4—-Christopher
Mendoza, Barney Enos, Jr. (9:04), John Antone, Rebecca Rowe; D5—Delane Enos, Franklin Pablo, Sr., Brian Davis,
Sr.; D6—Anthony Villareal, Sr., Albert Pablo, Terrance B. Evans (9:07)
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS ABSENT
Lt. Governor Joseph Manuel
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT
D7-Vacant
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
APPROVED AS AMENDED
SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBER
D7-Martha Miller sworn into office
15-minute reception followed; reconvened @ 9:20
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS PRESENT
Governor William R. Rhodes; Lt. Governor Joseph Manuel
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
D1—Augustine Enas, Arzie Hogg; D2—Jewel Whitman; D3—Myron G. Schurz, Rodney Jackson’ D4—-Christopher
Mendoza, Barney Enos, Jr., John Antone, Rebecca Rowe; D5—Delane Enos, Franklin Pablo, Sr., Brian Davis, Sr.; D6—
Anthony Villareal, Sr., Albert Pablo, Terrance B. Evans; D7—Martha Miller
REPORTS
1. Casa Blanca Community School 3rd Quarterly Progress Report
Presenter: Patty K. Cook
REPORT HEARD
2. Ira H. Hayes High School 3rd Quarterly Progress Report
Presenter: Presenter: Jeff Thornburg
REPORT TABLED
3. Department of Transportation Report FY10
Presenter: Douglas Torres
REPORT HEARD
4. Grand Opening of the District One Multipurpose Building
Presenter: J. Andrew Darling
REPORT HEARD
5. 2010 Annual Report – NIDDK National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney
Presenter: Clifton Bogardus
REPORT HEARD
6. Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. Monthly Report (Executive Session)
Presenter: Harold Baugus & Board of Directors
MOTION WAS MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
REPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
[Lunch break]
7. Gila River Gaming Commission General Report – July 2010 (Executive Session)
Presenter: Courtney Moyah / Scott Sanderson
REPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
8. FY 2010 July 31, 2010 Month End Financial Reports (Executive Session)
Presenter: Arthur Felder / Lupita Martinez / James Jenkins
REPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION WAS MADE AND SECOND TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION
RESOLUTIONS
1. A Resolution Eliminating the Gila River Education Affordability Program and Rescinding Resolutions GR-47-98 and GR59-05 (ESC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; G&MSC concurs)
Presenter: Executive Team
APPROVED
2. A Resolution Approving Supplemental Agreement No. 19 to Lease No. B-GR-61 between the Gila River Indian Community, as Lessor, and Lone Butte Industrial Development Corporation, as Lessee (EDSC motioned to forward resolution
to Council with recommendation of approval)
Presenter: Esther Manuel & Christina Waquie
TABLED; NO MATERIAL
3. A Resolution Authorizing the Gila River Department of Environmental Quality to Submit a Grant Application for the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service FY2011 Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program on Behalf of the Gila River Indian Community
(NRSC forward to Council with recommendation for approval; G&MSC concurs)
Presenter: Margaret Cook
APPROVED
4. A Resolution Authorizing and Approving the Assignment of a Parcel of Community Land Located in District Six of the
Gila River Indian Reservation to the Gila River Fire Department for Use as a Fire Station as Shown in Drawing #306080358A (NRSC forward to Council with recommendation for approval)
Presenter: Dante Nash
APPROVED
5. A Resolution Authorizing the Gila River Indian Community to Apply for a Multi-Year Grant for FY2011-2015 from the Inter
Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., Area Agency on Aging (HSSC motioned to forward to G&M with recommendation of approval
and to Community Council; G&MSC concurs)
Presenter: Stephanie Goulette
APPROVED
6. A Resolution Authorizing the Gila River Indian Community Children’s Court to Accept the 2010 National CASA New Development Grant Award and Authorizing a Community Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (HSSC motioned to forward to Council with recommendation of approval; LSC concurs)
Presenter: Jan Morris & Kami Hart
APPROVED
7. A Resolution Approving an Agreement with the City Of Chandler and the Gila River Indian Community and Gila River
Health Care for Waste Water Treatment Regarding the Southeast Ambulatory Care Center (HSSC motioned to forward
to Council for approval)
Presenter: Linus Everling
APPROVED
8. A Resolution Approving the Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. Operating Budget and Capital Projects Budget For Fiscal Year 2011 (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval)
Presenter: Harold Baugus & Board of Directors
APPROVED
9. A Resolution Approving the Gila River Indian Community’s 2010 – 2011 Tribal Membership in the National Congress
of American Indians (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval)
Presenter: Linda Andrews
Delegates designated: Martha Miller, Christopher Mendoza, Myron G. Schurz, and Terrance B. Evans
APPROVED
10. A Resolution Approving the Petition for the Enrollment of Tomas Albert Joseph into the Gila River Indian Community
(LSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval)
CCSO Action Sheets continued on page 21
Public Notice
October 2010
October 2010
Gila River Indian News
President signs Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act into Law
Statement by the Press Secretary
On Tuesday, October 12, 2010, the President signed into law:
H.R. 2923, the “Combat Methamphetamine
Enhancement Act of 2010,” which requires
retail sellers of products containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine that are precursors for
methamphetamine to submit to the Department of Justice a self-certification that includes a statement that the seller
understands and agrees to comply with the
legal requirements with respect to these
products;
H.R. 3553, the “Indian Veterans Housing
Opportunity Act of 2010,” which makes
changes to certain Native American housing assistance programs by disregarding as
income benefits received for disabilities resulting from military service;
H.R. 3689, which extends the authority of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc.,
to construct a visitor center at or near the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Federal
land in the District of Columbia;
H.R. 3980, the “Redundancy Elimination
and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act,” which requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) to submit reports to Congress on:
(1) plans to eliminate redundant reporting
requirements imposed by FEMA on State,
local, and tribal governments in connection
with the awarding of homeland security
preparedness grants; and (2) efforts to
measure and assess the performance of the
programs funded by the grants;
S. 1132, the “Law Enforcement Officers
Safety Act Improvements Act of 2010,”
which (1) specifies that current and former
law enforcement and police officers of the
executive branch of the Federal Government and current and former law enforcement officers of the Amtrak Police
Department and the Federal Reserve may
generally be exempted from State laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons;
and (2) makes various other amendments to
the requirements for exemption of current
and former law enforcement officers from
such State laws; and
S. 3397, the “Secure and Responsible Drug
Disposal Act of 2010,” which Provides authority for ultimate users who have lawfully
obtained controlled substances to deliver
those substances for disposal to entities, including long-term care facilities, authorized
to engage in drug disposal in accordance
with regulations issued by the Department
of Justice to prevent diversion of the controlled substances.
Page 21
CCSO Action Sheets continued from page 20
Presenter: Francisco Osife
TABLED; NO MATERIAL
11. A Resolution Approving the Relinquishment of Kelly Ann Buckley from the Gila River Indian Community Membership
Roll (LSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval)
Presenter: Francisco Osife
TABLED; NO MATERIAL
ORDINANCES
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. RTC Update – Action (HSSC motioned to forward to Council with the five (5) recommendations listed for approval)
Presenter: Linus Everling
APPROVED
NEW BUSINESS
1. Vechij Himdag MaschchamakuD Alternative Inc. SY2010/2011 Written Plan (ESC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval)
Presenter: Kim Franklin
APPROVED
2. Special Report of Audit – Gila River Indian Community Utility Authority (Executive Session) (G&MSC motions to forward this report to regular Council meeting of September 01, 2010, under New Business, and to recommend to Council
to accept the audit report and to forward It to the Bureau of Investigation for review of possible criminal prosecution; and
to direct the Law office to institute exclusion of Christina Levenson from the Community; EDSC Concurs)
Presenter: Robert Keller / Penni McCabe
MOTION WAS MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
REPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION WAS MADE AND SECOND TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION TO ACCEPT REPORT; FORWARD TO FBI; & EXCLUDE CHRISTINE LEVINSON
MOTION TO REMOVE GRICUA BOARD
MOTION TO PLACE GRICUA UNDER BUSINESS OWNERS TEAM
3. Revenue/Internal Audit Department 3rd Quarter Report – FY 2010 (Executive Session) (G&MSC Forwards to Council
in Executive Session under New Business)
Presenter: Robert Keller / Penni McCabe
MOTION WAS MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
REPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION WAS MADE AND SECOND TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION
4. Review of Gila River Farms Board Applicants (G&MSC Forwards to Council the (5) applicants for consideration of appointment)
Presenter: Robert Stone
APPLICANTS APPROVED BY ACCLAMATION
5. Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 (G&MSC forwards to Council under New Business with recommendation for the assignment Ms. Patterson and Ms. Hall as project leads)
Presenter: Rebecca Hall / Kiyoko Patterson
KIYOKO PATTERSON & REBECCA HALL ASSIGNED
6. Schedule Work Session with Department of Environmental Quality
Presenter: Community Council
MEETING SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 22
7. Appointment of Interim General Counsel
Presenter: Community Council
LINUS EVERLING APPOINTED
MINUTES
*1. April 21, 2010
APPROVED
*2. July 21, 2010
TABLED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION WAS MADE AND SECOND TO ADJOURN
Meeting adjourned at 5:35 P.M.
* Denotes TABLED from previous meeting(s)
~~~~~~J~~~~~
ACTION SHEET
COMMUNITY COUNCIL; PO BOX 2138; SACATON AZ 85147; Phone: (520) 562-9720; Fax: (520) 562-9729
CALL TO ORDER
The Second Regular Monthly Meeting of the Community Council held Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 9am, Community Council Chambers, Governance Center, Sacaton, Arizona was called to order by presiding Chairman Governor
William R. Rhodes at 9:00 a.m.
INVOCATION
Councilwoman Rebecca Rowe
ROLL CALL
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS PRESENT
Governor William R. Rhodes; Lt. Governor Joseph Manuel
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
D1—Augustine Enas, Arzie Hogg; D2—Jewel Whitman; D3—Myron G. Schurz, Rodney Jackson; D4—Christopher
Mendoza, John Antone, Rebecca Rowe; D5—Delane Enos, Franklin Pablo, Sr., Brenda Robertson, Brian Davis, Sr.;
D6—Anthony Villareal, Sr., Terrance B. Evans; D7—Martha Miller
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT
D4—Barney Enos, Jr. (Travel); D6—Albert Pablo (Travel)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
APPROVED AS AMENDED
PRESENTATIONS
1. Farewell Address by Daryl Lynn Jay, Miss Indian Arizona 2009-2010
(15-Minute reception to follow in Council Chambers lobby)
INTRODUCTIONS
1. Casa Blanca Community School—Eric James, Assistant Principal
Presenter: Darren C. Pedro
TABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA
2. BIA Staff Members
Presenter: Superintendent Cecelia Martinez
REPORTS
8. Litigation Update (Executive Session)
Presenter: Thomas Murphy
MOVED TO #1 AT APPROVAL OFAGENDA;
MOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
REPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION MADE AND SECOND TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION
*1. Ira H. Hayes High School 3rd Quarterly Progress Report
Presenter: Jeff Thornburg
REPORT HEARD
2. Bi-Annual Report of the Caring House
Presenter: Bonnie Lyons & Mark Klein
REPORT HEARD
3. Community Wildlife and Managing Today for Wildlife Tomorrow (PowerPoint Presentation)
Presenter: Margaret Cook
REPORT HEARD/POWERPOINT NOT USED
4. Pecos Road Landowners “City Concept” and Loop 202 Santan Freeway Alignment Option
Presenter: Nathaniel Percharo
CCSO Action Sheets continued on page 22
Page 22
CCSO Action Sheets from page 21
TABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Lunch break until 1:30
Reconvene: 1:30
5. Gila Crossing Community School Elementary & Middle School 3rd Quarter
Progress Reports
Presenter: Ronald Stiffarm / Joe Frazier
REPORT HEARD
6. Gila Crossing Community School Elementary & Middle School Annual Reports
2009/2010
Presenter: Ronald Stiffarm / Joe Frazier
REPORT HEARD
7. Gila Crossing Community School Feasibility Study
Presenter: Ronald Stiffarm / Joe Frazier
REPORT HEARD
9. Progress Report for the Gila River Water Storage, LLC (Executive Session)
Presenter: Michelle Bowman
MOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
REPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION MADE AND SECOND TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION
10. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP – Status Update on All Pending Matters – FY 2010 Contract (Executive Session)
Presenter: Don Pongrace & Rod Lewis
REPORT TABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA
RESOLUTIONS
*1. A Resolution Approving Supplemental Agreement No. 19 to Lease No. B-GR61 between the Gila River Indian Community, as Lessor, and Lone Butte Industrial Development Corporation, as Lessee (EDSC motioned to forward resolution
to Council with recommendation of approval)
Presenter: Esther Manuel & Christina Waquie
APPROVED
*2. A Resolution Approving the Petition for the Enrollment of Tomas Albert Joseph
into the Gila River Indian Community (LSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval)
Presenter: Francisco Osife
APPROVED
*3. A Resolution Approving the Relinquishment of Kelly Ann Buckley from the Gila
River Indian Community Membership Roll (LSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval)
Presenter: Francisco Osife
APPROVED
Press Releases From the US
Attorney’s Office, District of
Arizona
U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE NOMINATES SIX
INDIAN COUNTRY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE
PHOENIX – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has nominated six
officers from throughout Arizona for the Indian Country Police Officer of the Year Award that will be given by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in October. This
award provides international recognition of Police Officers
having demonstrated exceptional valor in service, thereby
exhibiting the highest traditions of law enforcement.
Nominees eligible for this award have distinguished
him/herself through their heroic acts and/or outstanding
courage while completing a task or assignment. They have
also gone out of their way to encourage and demonstrate an
effective use of the culture and traditions of indigenous people in crime prevention and community oriented projects.
“We appreciate all of the hard work and commitment
these officers have displayed throughout the past year,” said
U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. “ Their hard work has paved
the way to many successful prosecutions in Indian Country
and we will continue to work together in pursuit of public
safety in the tribal nations of Arizona.”
Nominations
Special Agent Tracie Keegan of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation has been nominated for her tireless efforts in
investigating assaults, sex crimes and other crimes of violence to protect the Colorado River Indian Tribes, Fort Mojave and Hualapai Indian communities. She has recently
distinguished herself while serving as the case agent in an
assault case on the Colorado River Indian Tribes Indian
Reservation, U.S. v. Calvin Evanston. Throughout the case,
Keegan’s work ethic far exceeded what is expected of a federal agent and her efforts have been critical every step of the
way.
Detective Manuel Rodriguez of the Tohono O’odham
Police Department has been nominated for his involvement
in prosecuting an Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Minor
case. Detective Rodriguez worked tirelessly to prepare the
case for prosecution and he developed a relationship with
the family, which was essential to a successful prosecution.
Without Detective Rodriguez’s dedication, perseverance and
professionalism the government would not have been able to
convict the defendant.
Sergeant Matthew Hall, supervisor of the Anti-Violent
Gila River Indian News
October 2010
4. A Resolution Approving the Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. Operating
Budget and Capital Projects Budget for Fiscal Year 2011 (G&MSC forwards to
Council with recommendation for approval)
Presenter: Harold Baugus & Board of Directors
APPROVED
5. A Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Agreement between the Gila River
Indian Community and R. Eugene and Delphia M. Anderson of Coolidge, Arizona, for the Replacement of Certain Irrigation Ditches within the Newly Acquired
Right-of-way along the Pima Lateral Canal East of the City of Coolidge (NRSC
forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; G&MSC concurs)
Presenter: David DeJong
APPROVED
6. A Resolution Approving The Gila River Indian Community Internal Audit Department’s Annual Audit Plan For Fiscal Year 2011 (G&MSC Forwards to Council
with recommendation for approval; to include Finance as a priority and discussion in Executive Session with Council members, Mr. Bob Keller, Governor, Lt.
Governor)
Presenter: Robert Keller
APPROVED
7. A Resolution Authorizing the Finance Department of the Gila River Indian
Community to Write Off Outstanding Accounts in Fiscal Year 2010 for Individuals
Who are Deceased (G&MSC Forwards to Council with recommendation for approval)
Presenter: Arthur Felder / Lupita Martinez / James Jenkins
APPROVED
ORDINANCES
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Department of Community Housing Monthly Report – August 2010 (G&MSC
Forward to Council under Unfinished Business)
Presenter: Nellie Gilmore
REPORT ACCEPTED
NEW BUSINESS
1. Ira H. Hayes High School 2010/2011 Written Plan (ESC forwards under Council with recommendation for approval)
Presenter: Jeff Thornburg
APPROVED
2. Gila Crossing Community School 2010/2011 Written Plan (ESC forwards
under Council with recommendation for approval)
Presenter: Ronald Stiffarm / Joe Frazier
APPROVED
3. Request to Declare Vacancy – Gila River Gaming Enterprises Board of Directors (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation to approve declaration of
vacancy; to have resumes and letters of interest to be submitted by October 14,
2010 by noon and appointment to be made at the regular Council meeting of Oc-
tober 20, 2010)
Presenter: Kenneth Manuel
VACANCY DECLARED; APPOINTMENT ON OCT 20, 2010
4. Request to Attend the 67th Annual NCAI Conference (G&MSC forwards to
Council with recommendation to open to Council with a deadline date of October
1, 2010 to submit request to attend)
Presenter: Brenda Robertson
OPENED TO ALL COUNCIL; OCT 1 DEADLINE
MINUTES
*1. July 21, 2010
APPROVED
2. February 2, 2010
APPROVED
3. August 4, 2010
APPROVED
4. August 24, 2010
APPROVED
5. February 5, 2009
APPROVED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
> 4 Tribes Meeting at Salt River 9-1
> G&M holding a special meeting tomorrow on the Water budget; all Council welcome
> Indian Day holiday on Friday
> Meeting with the Renewable Areas Team at 1p
> WHPDA Board meeting Monday; 7am.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ADJOURN
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 4:36 p.m.
* Denotes TABLED from previous meeting(s)
Unit of the Tohono O’odham Police Department has been
nominated for his organized and coordinated investigation
into a cocaine distribution ring in Sells, Ariz. Through an
investigation lasting several months, Tohono O’odham
police officers along with agents from the Bureau of Indian
Affairs were able to identify 10 targets who were dealing
cocaine to tribal members. Officers obtained and executed
search warrants for seven residences and arrest warrants for
10 subjects. The subjects were indicted and are currently
awaiting trial. Sergeant Hall’s efforts to coordinate operations with different agencies and to plan and prepare the
searches and arrests in this matter were exceptional.
Detective Wenona May of the Tohono O’odham Police
Department has been nominated for her hard work and professionalism through multiple child sexual abuse cases. In
each case she has gone above and beyond to develop crucial
relationships with the victim’s families. Her grasp on the issues pertaining to each case has been superior.
Special Agent John Anderson of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation has been nominated for the Peace Officer of
the Year Award because of his efforts to investigate violent
crime and child molestation offenses on the Navajo Indian
Reservation. His assigned communities have crime rates between 6 and 20 times higher than the national average. SA
Anderson’s caseload has at times averaged 50 violent crime
and child molestation cases. The number of violent criminals
that he removes from those communities improves the quality of life.
Special Agent Andrew Smith of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation has been nominated for his efforts in American
Indian law enforcement. SA Smith’s investigations relate to
violent crimes — including homicide, aggravated assault
and sexual abuse cases — that occur within the Gila River
Indian Community. The positive relationship that SA Smith
has forged with tribal law enforcement as well as tribal and
federal prosecutors assists in the successful prosecutions of
crimes that occur in Indian Country. He exemplifies the team
working concept by his unselfish assistance to all of those he
serves.
los Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished
the fire. While the Pontiac and a portion of the residence
were destroyed by the fire, no one was injured.
A conviction for Arson carries a maximum penalty of
life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or both. In determining
an actual sentence, Judge Frederick J. Martone will consult
the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate
sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by
those guidelines in determining a sentence.
Sentencing is set before Judge Martone on January 10,
2011.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, San Carlos Police Department and
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The prosecution is being handled by Thomas C. Simon, Assistant U.S.
Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
SAN CARLOS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO
ARSON
PHOENIX - Marty Charles Randall, 20, of San Carlos,
Ariz., pleaded guilty to Arson, in federal district court in
Phoenix.
On October 30, 2009, Randall, a member of the San
Carlos Apache Indian Tribe, while intoxicated, intentionally
set fire to a Pontiac Grand Prix automobile and a residence
located on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. The
residence was occupied by Randall’s father and sisters. A
San Carlos Police Officer saw the resulting fire, responded
to the residence and removed the occupants. The San Car-
THREE LIFE SENTENCES FOR BRUTAL
MURDER IN GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY
Man sentenced for first degree murder and kidnapping
PHOENIX – Eugene Joseph Escalanti, 34, of Tucson, Ariz.,
was found guilty by a federal jury on June 25, 2010 of First
Degree Murder, Kidnapping and First Degree
Murder/Felony Murder. He was sentenced on Monday by
U.S. District Judge Susan R. Bolton to three concurrent life
sentences in a federal prison.
“This was a senseless and brutal act of violence,” said
U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. “Marshaling the evidence
necessary to convict this defendant took an extraordinary
amount of time, effort and old-fashioned police work on the
part of law enforcement. I want to thank the Tucson Police
Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and, particularly, the Gila River Police Department and its Detectives who worked tirelessly to bring this man to justice. ”
The evidence at trial showed that on July 19, 2009, Escalanti, an enrolled member of the Quechan Indian Tribe,
was negotiating the sale of a recreational vehicle with the
victim when he began assaulting the victim with a pair of
pruning shears. Escalanti then bound the victim’s hands together and directed a witness to drive them to a remote area
of the Gila River Indian Community. Once on the reservation, Escalanti beat the victim with a wrench and slit his
throat killing him.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila
River Police Department, the Tucson Police Department and
the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was
handled by Brian E. Kasprzyk and Thomas C. Simon, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
October 2010
Gila River Indian News
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Gila River Indian News
October 2010