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Gila R
iver Indian New
sP.O
. Box 459
Sacaton, AZ
85147C
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GILA RIVER INDIAN NEWSJANUARY 2012 WWW.GILARIVER.ORG/NEWS VOL 15, NO.01
SERVING ALL SEVEN DISTRICTS OF THE GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY
Inauguration 2012GRIC GovernorGregory MendozaAddresses FiftiethLegislature; Page 5
Community Chal-langed to developapp for mobile de-vices; Page 5
No Build rebuttesYes 202 ad; Page 4
NEWS:
FEATURES:
OPINION:
A New Generation of Leadership for the PeopleBy Roberto A. Jackson, Community Newsperson
Jan. 7, 2012 will go down as a
memorable day for those in the
Akimel O’otham Ballroom at the
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort
& Spa. While the spotlight was on
GRIC, several distinguished and
notable guests attended and offered
support to the new administration
and all the judges.
Master of Ceremonies Randy
Ruiz welcomed the crowd prior to
the posting of the colors followed
by an extensive procession headed
by Gov. Mendoza and Lt. Gov.
Lewis.
District 5 Council Representa-
tive Brenda Robertson provided
the invocation. Lorena Clashin,
Miss Gila River 2011-2012 and
Lisa Hendricks, President of the
Akimel O’odham/Pee Posh Youth
Council each gave a welcome ad-
dress.
U.S. Rep. David Schweikert
said he was honored to give the
opening remarks, and is looking
forward to working with Gov.
Mendoza and Lt. Gov. Lewis.
Arizona Attorney General
Tom Horne’s general remarks
touched on the permanence of
GRIC’s ancestral roots. “You
treasure and revere your history
and your ancestors, and for that I
applaud you,” Horne said.
In a special videotaped mes-
sage, Gov. Jan Brewer recognized
former GRIC Gov. William R.
Rhodes for his accomplishments
and congratulated Gov. Mendoza,
Lt. Gov. Lewis and the judges.
“As Arizona enters into its second
century in this centennial year, I
wish you well on your journey in
public service and I trust that you
will carry the torch - and with it
light the way to a great future for
the Gila River Indian Community,”
said Gov. Brewer.
In her keynote address, Diane
Enos, President of the Salt River
Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
(SRPMIC) pointed out the close
ties between GRIC, SRPMIC, The
Tohono O’odham Nation, and the
Ak-Chin Indian Community. “We
are family,” President Enos said.
The governor’s inaugural ad-
dress was awakened by the occa-
sion to bring the Community
together not just for one magical
evening, but for the breadth of his
term and beyond. “I am truly hum-
bled by the privilege I have been
given to partner with the people to-
wards a new era of prosperity and a
Before a great crowd rejoicing in a moment of unity and
optimism, GRIC inaugurated Governor Gregory Men-
doza and Lieutenant Governor Stephen Roe Lewis
under the theme, “A New Generation for the People”-a refer-
ence to the administration’s spirited outlook and determina-
tion.
See Inauguration 2012/Page 8
Governor Gregory Mendoza taking the oath of office. GRIN/Roberto A. Jackson
GRIN/Roberto A. JacksonLt. Governor Stephen Roe Lewis taking the oath of office.
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2 • JANUARY 2012 • Gila River Indian News
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Gregory Mendoza, GovernorStephen R. Lewis, Lt. Governor
Gila River Indian CommunityP.O. Box 459
Sacaton, AZ 85147(520)562-9715
www.gilariver.org/grin
Robert Keller, Tribal Treasurer Linda Andrews, Community Council
Secretary
LETTERS POLICY: GRIN welcomes lettersand columns from readers. Letters should belimited to 200 words and be in good taste.Material that could be libelous or slanderous isnot acceptable. All letters or columns shouldbe signed with the writerʼs true name, addressand telephone number in the event GRIN mayneed to contact the writer. Only the name ofthe writer will be printed in the paper. Letters orcolumns without a complete signature, name,address or phone number will not be accept-able to GRIN for publication. GRIN reservesthe right to edit submitted materials for gram-mar, spelling and content.
Write to:Editor, GRINP.O. Box 459
Sacaton, AZ 85147
Published letters or columns do not necessarilyreflect the opinion of the editor or Gila River In-
dian Community.
District #1: Arzie HoggCynthia Antone
District #2: Jewell Whitman
District #3: Dale G. EnosMyron Schurz
District #4: Jennifer AllisonBarney B. Enos Jr.Christopher Mendoza
District #5: Brenda RobertsonBrian DavisAnnette J. StewartJanice Stewart
District #6: Anthony Villareal Sr.Albert PabloTerrance B Evans
District #7: Martha Miller
Material published in the Gila RiverIndian News may not be reproduced in
any form without consent from theGila River Indian Community.
Gi la River IndianNews
ZUZETTE [email protected]
CPAO Acting Director(520)562-9715
MIHIO [email protected] Managing Editor
(520)562-9718
GINA [email protected]
Receptionist(520)562-9715
ROBERTO A. [email protected]
Reporter(520)562-9719
WALT [email protected] volunteer reporter
Fax: (520)562-9712Email: [email protected]
www.gilariver.org/index.php/news Gila River News
Gila River Indian News • JANUARY 2012 • 3
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
For My Summer A. Blackwater!
Congratulations on winning the title of
CGUHS Miss Amerind for 2011-2012. For
you, this is a great accomplishment and the
beginning of something new for your life.
Your family is so very proud of you. Learn
from your new upcoming experience and
practice your lessons. I know this was
something new to you and you jumped in
with both feet, not knowing if you were
going to sink or swim. Now you are swim-
ming!!! Have fun with this experience and
I hope it inspires you to keep going and to
pursue whatever you want to accomplish in
life! We Love You Shweetie!! From Mom,
Noodlez, Easha and the babies, Alex & of
course your escort, Big Broskis, Tim!
For My New Daughter Ayissa “Easha”
Antone!
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS for being
named as the 19 Tribal Nations-WIA Out-
standing Youth of the Year! I know your
struggles and have seen you overcome and
conquer those struggles. You are the mother
of my grandchildren and I thank you for al-
lowing me to call them my grandsons, Mr.
Tracy & Mr. Hunter! You are still learning
lessons that life is constantly teaching all of
mankind and sometimes we fail and suc-
ceed, but we learn and that is the point in
life. Keep learning for the boys and yourself
and you will succeed in whatever life has to
throw your way!
Love Your “Mom”
Dear Citizens of the Gila River Indian Com-munity,
On February 7 you have the opportunity tovote on where to build the southwest seg-ment of the 202 Freeway. The current plancalls for the road to cut northward fromPecos Road through the western ridges ofSouth Mountain. Due to the amount of cut-ting and filling involved this would be avery expensive stretch of road that wouldforever scar the western end of the SouthMountain Range. This is why we, ThePhoenix Mountains Preservation Council(PMPC), respectfully request that you votein favor of placing the freeway on the morelevel lands at the northern edge of yourcommunity.
PMPC has been a strong advocate for thebeautiful mountains of Phoenix for over
forty years. We believe that if we fail to pro-tect and maintain the mountain lands thenour responsibility to current and future gen-erations has been neglected. Furthermorethe cultural ties that have existed between apeople and the mountain should never beforgotten. For more than twenty years wehave worked with numerous groups andagencies including Arizona Department ofTransportation (ADOT), the Maricopa As-sociation of Governments (MAG), thePhoenix City Council, the Governor of theState of Arizona and your legal counsel,Simpson Cox, in an effort to keep the 202Freeway from damaging the function,unique biology, archeology and naturalbeauty of South Mountain.
We understand you must carefully considerother things when deciding how to vote.There may be significant economic oppor-tunity in having this road connect your com-
munity with both the east and west sides ofthe Greater Phoenix Area. There will also beenvironmental and land transfer issues toconsider. With forethought and vigilance allthese things can accrue to the greater good.Fortunately for all of us the fate of themountains we all cherish is now in the handsof a thoughtful community.
Thank you for your consideration on thismatter.
Respectfully,Scott Frische, PresidentPhoenix Mountains Preservation Councilhttp://www.phoenixmountains.org
Christmas time is a time
for giving. There are
some who have been
givers throughout their
lifetime. The Elderly
Service Program is
proud to acknowledge 6
elders who have been
recognized by their dis-
tricts for outstanding
achievements. Leslie
Pasqual Dist. 4, Brenda
Kyyitan, Dist. 5, Tilly
Pratt, Dist. 3, Irving
Terry, Dist. 4, the late
Ethelene Histia, Dist. 3,
and the late Frances
Vavages, Dist. 3. In
keeping with the theme,
lifelong cowboy Leslie
Pasqual was leading the
float. Each horse repre-
sents the six elders. Two
unridden horses are in
honor of the late Ethe-
lene Histia, Dist. 3, and
the late Francis Vav-
ages, Dist. 3.
Elderly Services Program acknowl-
edges D6 elders
In Remembrance of Lita Reynolds
Lita Reynolds, 78, of
Peoria passed away at
5:23 p.m. Thursday,
Dec. 15, 2011 at OSF
St. Francis Medical
Center in Peoria. Born
March 17, 1933 in
Sacaton, AZ to Miles
and Eliza (Vavages)
Davis. She married
James H. Reynolds in
Florence, AZ on Dec.
15, 1955. He preceded
her in death in 1971.
She was also preceded
in death by her parents;
two sisters, and two
brothers. Surviving are
her daughter, Jeanie
(Harry) Lutes of Chan-
dler, AZ; son, Philip
(Marsha) Reynolds of
Peoria; four grandchil-
dren; eight great-grand-
children; brother,
Chester Davis; and sis-
ter, Neva Davis. Cre-
mation has been
accorded. There will be
no services or visitation.
Davison-Fulton Wood-
land Chapel in Peoria is
in charge of arrange-
ments. Online condo-
lences may be made at
w w w . d a v i s o n -
fulton.com.
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4 • JANUARY 2012 • Gila River Indian News
The December 2011 edition of the Gila
River Indian News featured a paid ad-
vertisement from a campaign calling
itself 202 Yes. A company called
Pangea that leases Native American
land for profit is behind the 202 Yes
campaign. Pangea paid Initial Impres-
sions, an advertising agency that spe-
cializes in marketing Native American
casinos, to design the ad. Pangea and
Initial Impressions work hand-in-hand
at the same physical address in Tempe.
Pangea refers to themselves as GRIC
landowners, but Pangea is actually a
corporation that is pressuring GRIC
landowners to lease their lands to
Pangea for development. Pangea’s
website, designed by their casino mar-
keting friends at Initial Impressions,
announces their goals to build a mas-
ter-planned city in District Six, which
Pangea refers to as nothing but “acres
of undeveloped land” in a prime loca-
tion for Pangea’s City Concept.
Our responses to Pangea’s ad. Re-
sponses from O’odham who are for
NO BUILD.
*202 Yes states that the on-reserva-
tion option saves the mountain.
In fact, both proposed freeway align-
ments destroy the mountain. The on-
reservation alignment will force the
loss of more than 600 acres of GRIC
lands at the base of South Mountain
(source: Kimberly Dutcher, GRIC Law
Office). These sites are full of cultural
significance, and The Arizona Depart-
ment of Transportation (ADOT)
knows this. By destroying the foothills
of Muhadag Do’ag, we destroy the en-
tire mountain, as well as Muhadag
Do’ag’s connection to the Estrellas.
And what about the Pee Posh and
O’odham families that would fall vic-
tim to the on-reservation alignment,
and lose their homes to the freeway?
*202 Yes states that by allowing the
on-reservation alignment to be built,
GRIC has a say in the noise control,
pollution, and construction costs of
the freeway extension.
In fact, any and all cost and environ-
mental analysis has already been done
by HDR Engineering, an international
consulting firm handpicked by the Ari-
zona Department of Transporta-
tion/ADOT without the input of GRIC.
HDR and ADOT also share office
space. HDR completed a draft envi-
ronmental assessment in 1987 that has
not made been made available to Gila
River. The obvious question is—why
not?
HDR was supposed to finish the EIS
in 2006 (Environmental Impact State-
ment, which describes the freeway’s
impact to our air quality, cultural sites,
groundwater, displacement of homes,
plant and animal life, etc), but they
have still not released the EIS to our
Community. GRIC will not have a say
in the noise control, pollution control
measures or construction costs of this
freeway extension…we can only make
comments on the EIS that HDR is
doing for ADOT. A vote for NO
BUILD will remind ADOT that Gila
River is sovereign, and we will have
our say. If neither ADOT or HDR have
made an effort to disclose past envi-
ronmental findings to our Community,
with the freeway proposals still in
limbo, why should anybody in Gila
River believe they will do right after a
yes vote?
*202 Yes states that NO BUILD is
not an option, because Maricopa
County voters approved it in 2005,
through the passing of Proposition
400.
In fact, Proposition 400 merely pro-
vided the State with partial funding for
a freeway, by authorizing a sales tax,
with revenues from the tax going to
freeway planning. It did not authorize
the South Mountain extension of the
202. Furthermore, due to rising con-
struction costs and decreasing sales tax
revenues, the state of Arizona is facing
a 5.3 billion dollar shortfall for free-
way planning. (source: Arizona Re-
public, March 9, 2009 “Freeway
decision put off until 2011”).
* 202 Yes states that NO BUILD is
not an option.
In fact, ADOT’s own website states the
following, from a section about the
South Mountain extension to the 202:
14. Is it possible that nothing will be
built?
Yes, that is one of the options being
studied. It is important to recognize
that impacts can occur by doing noth-
ing. The no-build alternative is being
evaluated in the Draft Environmental
Impact Statement. (source:
http://www.valleyfreeways.com/High-
ways/Valley_Freeways/Loop_202/Sou
th_Mountain/library.asp#faq)
Another source: In a January 26, 2005
Arizona Republic article about the 202
titled, “ADOT Report Stirs Up Con-
cern” the following point is made:
“The environmental impact study and
preliminary design of the project was
begun in 2001 and is expected to be
complete by 2006. If after the study’s
completion the Maricopa County As-
sociation of Governments, the com-
munity and other governmental bodies
deem the freeway unfeasible or unnec-
essary, the process will stop. The free-
way will not be built.”
It is important to note that the State of
Arizona has delayed the release of the
202 EIS for decades. The “due date”
of 2006 was already severely behind
the expected EIS completion date. In
1986, former Governor Donald Antone
wrote a letter stating the Community’s
concerns about environmental impacts
of the proposed freeway. Governor
Antone requested that the EIS be re-
leased to the Community before any
other steps regarding the 202 freeway
were to be made. Twenty five years
later, Gila River is still awaiting the
EIS.
* 202 Yes states that the freeway will
bring economic development to Gila
River.
In fact, there are no freeway exits
planned within the boundaries of Gila
River, and ADOT’s own report circu-
lated within Gila River stated that the
purpose of the freeway is to shorten
east-west travel time by 17-20 minutes
for Phoenix area commuters.
This freeway proposal is not for our
benefit. The off-reservation option will
cut a 40-story high, 200-yard wide
blast through our sacred mountain. The
on-reservation alignment is just as bad,
forcing families out of their homes,
and forcing us to give up 600 acres of
our lands with no guarantees of a land
swap. If approved, both alignments
would bring cancer-causing emissions
to the west end, as well as release
chemicals into the air that cause
deficits in lung function for our chil-
dren as they age (source: The Lancet,
January 2007, “Effect of exposure to
traffic on lung development from 10 to
18 years of age: a cohort study”).
The Loop 202 should not be extended
anywhere at all! Either proposal for the
202 would be a killing zone, bringing
us the footprint of an 8-lane freeway
where nothing grows, all plant and an-
imal habitats in the footprint would be
destroyed, and our groundwater and
air would be polluted with carbon
emissions, nitrogen dioxide, and other
exhaust pollutants. The two proposed
routes for the 202 extension are less
than 1/4 mile apart in some areas, and
both routes would come close to Gila
Crossing, where our children would
breathe in freeway pollution that
harms brain development. In addition,
because the two routes are so similar,
our Creator’s home would be forever
destroyed if either Loop 202 proposal
is approved.
We are O’odham who believe in NO
BUILD, and we hope that you are too.
The evenings in Komadk this time of
year, the night air is sweet and cold.
You do not hear waves of freeway traf-
fic rushing by. Our skies are dark, so
you can clearly see the stars twinkling
over the Estrellas. No noise pollution,
no freeway lighting, no haze of smog
blanketing the desert. We hope to keep
it this way for our children, our nieces
and nephews, and their unborn chil-
dren and grandchildren.
Please attend the January 14th forum,
9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Sacaton
Boys and Girls Club and voice your
opposition to the South Mountain ex-
tension to the 202. And please save the
date for the January 21st 202 forum in
D6, at the Komatke Boys and Girls
Club, 9:00 am to 3:00pm. Lunch will
be served at both forums.
Please contact us for more informa-
tion on how you can help
support NO BUILD before the Feb-
ruary 7th vote at home.
Sapo.
http://gilariveragainstloop202.word-
press.com
Gila River Alliance for a Clean Envi-
ronment
Gila River Against Loop 202
(we’re on Facebook)
(520) 610-3405
(480) 458-8329
OpinionViews expressed are those of the authors and do not represent the views of Gila River Indian News
No Build rebutes 202 Yes ad
Submitted by Ms.
Francina Francisco-Gar-
cia, Senior Administra-
tive Assistant, TOCC
Sells, AZ—Tohono O’od-
ham Community College
(TOCC) inaugurated James
Vander Hooven, Ed.D., as
its fourth College President
on December 9, 2011. The
ceremony was a festive
event held in the Fine Arts
Building at Baboquivari
High School in Topawa,
Arizona. The stage was
decorated with creosote
greens, gourd rattles, bas-
kets, and other artwork.
The Tohono O’odham
Kekel Ha-Mascamakud
(TOCC) Himdag Commit-
tee and College Outreach
& Events staff arranged for
participation in the cere-
mony from throughout the
College. TOCC student
Yvette Ventura sang the na-
tional anthem in Tohono
O’odham. Students Eliza-
beth Ortega, Nacho Flores,
and Richard Pablo gave
opening and closing bless-
ings. Delores Saraficio,
GED Instructor, and
George Miguel, Depart-
ment Chair of Occupa-
tional Programs, served as
Mistress and Master of
Ceremony.
Mr. Timothy Joaquin,
Chairman of the Tohono
O’odham Nation Legisla-
tive Council, welcomed Dr.
Vander Hooven on behalf
of the Tohono O’odham
Nation. Mr. Joaquin con-
veyed greetings from the
Honorable Dr. Ned Norris,
Jr., Chairman of the To-
hono O’odham Nation. Dr.
Vander Hooven was also
greeted by Mr. Jonas Rob-
les, Vice Chairman of the
TOCC Board of Trustees,
and by TOCC students, fac-
ulty, and alumni.
Mr. Bernard Siquieros,
Chairman of the TOCC
Board of Trustees, gave the
Trustees’ Charge to Dr.
Vander Hooven and pre-
sented him with a custom-
made basket woven by Ms.
Geneva Ramon as a gift
from the College.
Dr. Vander Hooven’s
Inaugural Address touched
on the need for the College
to build partnerships and to
rely on the strength of its
faculty and staff. He em-
phasized that projects
started by the College must
be sustainable over the long
term and must be imple-
mented with natural objec-
tives (rather than methods
contrived for short-term re-
sults). He said that com-
munity colleges change
lives and that he is commit-
ted to bringing this power
of change to as many peo-
ple as possible on the To-
hono O’odham Nation.
Jim Vander Hooven’s
wife Jennie Vander
Hooven, and the couple’s
sons Jude, age 3, and
Jonah, age 1, attended the
inauguration, as did Jim’s
two uncles from Colorado
Springs, Colorado. Jim and
Jennie said they are happily
settled in Arizona, and they
are looking forward to their
first winter in the desert.
For more information
on the inauguration cere-
mony or the College,
please contact Ms.
Francina Francisco-Garcia
at tel. 520-383-0015 or
f f r a n c i s c o -
[email protected]. The Col-
lege’s website is
www.tocc.edu.
Dr. James L. Vander Hooven
Inaugurated as President of
TOCC
NEWS FROMAROUND THE STATE
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Gila River Indian News • JANUARY 2012 • 5
Valarie Tom, Media Re-
lations
SALT RIVER PIMA-
MARICOPA INDIAN
COMMUNITY— The
next Indian Law and Order
Commission field hearing
will be held from 8:30 am
to 4:30 pm on Friday, Janu-
ary 13 at the Talking Stick
Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ.
The Salt River Pima-
Maricopa Indian Commu-
nity (SRPMIC) will host
the one-day event that will
bring together legal ex-
perts, tribal judicial repre-
sentatives and law
enforcement officials to
gain insight into implemen-
tation of the Tribal Law and
Order Act (TLOA) from
the people who are going to
be affected by it the most—
Native Americans living on
Reservations.
Some of the topics to
be discuss include: “Law
Enforcement in Indian
Country”, “Overview of
Juvenile Systems: The
Practitioner’s Experience”,
“Community Perspective
on Judicial Systems in In-
dian Country”, and “Tribal
Court Jurisdiction and the
TLOA”. SRPMIC Presi-
dent Diane Enos will ad-
dress the gathering during
the welcoming address.
The Tribal Law and
Order Act (TLOA) was
signed into law by Presi-
dent Obama in July 2010
with bipartisan support and
makes federal agencies
more accountable for serv-
ing Indian lands. TLOA
also provides greater free-
dom for tribes to design
and run their own criminal
justice systems.
TLOA created the In-
dian Law and Order Com-
mission, an independent,
all-volunteer advisory
group, to help with the
greatest challenges to se-
curing equal justice for Na-
tive Americans living and
working on Indian lands.
TLOA directs the
Commission to report back
to the White House and
Capitol Hill this fiscal year
with specific proposals to
make Indian Country safer
and more just, so that Na-
tive Americans may finally
receive the full protections
guaranteed to all U.S. citi-
zens by the Constitution.
To gain insight into
these and many other sys-
temic challenges, the In-
dian Law and Order
Commission has begun vis-
iting Indian tribes and na-
tions to develop
recommendations for last-
ing public policy reform.
For event informa-
tion, contact www.indian-
lawandordercommission.c
om.
Indian Law and Order Com-
mission Field Hearing
GRIC Governor addresses
State Legislature
Commission to listen and learn from Indian Countryabout lasting structural reforms to tribal justice sys-tems.
SACATON – Youth Council Coordi-
nator, Michael Preston, presented a
challenge for Gila River youth to cre-
ate a smart phone applications revolv-
ing around culture and community.
The criteria for the challenge in-
cludes: Original content must be cre-
ated and designed by a Community
member under 22 years old, and incor-
porates O’odham or Pee-Posh songs,
culture, stories, language, history or
teachings. For creating the app the
youth would receive an iPad.
“Young people interact with tech-
nology and I see they’re always on
their cell phones. Everyone wants an
iPad and they mess around on their
computer. They consume the content
everyday. I want them to look at creat-
ing their own content,” said Preston.
The reason for the challenge is to get
youth interested in technological de-
velopment and for them to use the re-
sources within the Community,
according to Preston.
“Also, it will get these young people
to see that you don’t need to work in
those fields to create content,” said
Preston.
Android owner and GRIC youth ex-
plains what smart phone apps are used
for.
“Certain applications allow you to
get on to certain stuff, like music,
games, New Year’s applications, or
check the weather,” said Craig Antone.
Antone said he knows general
knowledge about technology, but com-
puters are a different story on applica-
tion development.
“If I put my time into it, I could,”
said Antone when asked if he would be
able to create an Droid application.
Time and an idea is what it would
take to make an application for the An-
droid Market and Apple App Store ac-
cording to Mike Mercado, IT Security
Manager for MIS.
Mercado developed an application
for the Droid and showcased the gourd
music maker to the 23rd Youth Con-
ference.
“I did a little bit of research and
found that Google had an application
engine that allows you to develop ap-
plications for the Android smart
phone,” said Mercado.
Mercado explained the methodology
and idea process in making the app and
putting the pieces together through the
website’s engine.
“It was a culmination of ideas, put-
ting together the sound, the picture and
understanding the logistics of the
phone,” said Mercado.
“It’s very simple. You would think
programming language would be very
tedious. Understanding functions and
processes and how they work in con-
junction with each other, but with the
Google App engine, everything is la-
beled for you.”
He is aware of technological ad-
vances and the benefits for youth in the
Community. Understanding mobile as-
sets, how to utilize them, Mercado
says will allow us to see the technol-
ogy transition over the next few years.
Mercado believes that ‘dinosaur
phones’ will be phased out and even-
tually everyone will have a smart
phone sooner or later.
Dallas Delowe, Cultural Coordina-
tor for the Tribal Education Depart-
ment, jokingly said all he knows about
phones is that if he presses a button he
can talk to someone or get something
called a text message, but not too
much about applications for smart
phones.
Other than that, Delowe says he has
does not have a problem with sharing
songs or even legends as long as fac-
tual.
“I have no qualms with sharing, but
just what is it? What would I be not
comfortable sharing or given the ex-
treme ‘not wanting to share’....? I can’t
think of anything right now,” said De-
lowe.
Robert Cruze from the Four Tribes
Cultural Resources Protection Com-
mittee wants to get orthography from
the different communities: Ak Chin,
Gila River, Tohono, and Salt River to
digitize the information from an online
interview with tohonocom on
youtube.com.
“We were talking about keeping it
here in the schools, but they were
thinking about cyberspace,” said
Benny Thomas.
The big question for everyone is
what can and cannot be shared. Pre-
ston said to ask people in the Commu-
nity what can and cannot be shared.
According to Delowe he says culture
should be shared with everyone be-
cause it has not been defined with
specifics what can and cannot be told.
As reported recently in the Navajo
Times, an application has been devel-
oped for the Navajo language, Speak
Navajo Native Indian Language, and
is both criticized and heralded, receiv-
ing remarks from app users like, “in-
teresting, but fail.” And “Some of the
translations are incorrect.”
This is something that O’otham com-
munities have asked when individuals
want to put together a multimedia lan-
guage program or written language.
Would it be possible to develope an es-
oteric app? Meaning sharing informa-
tion on what is thought to be cultural
sensitive information (including lan-
guage) -for a specific group of people?
If you have any questions or com-
ments for the Digital Youth Challenge,
please contact the youth council office
at (520)562-1866 or youthcoun-
Challange: Develop an app for a mobile device
NEWS FROMAROUND THE STATE
STATE CAPITAL-GRIC
Governor Gregory Men-
doza was one of three dig-
nitaries to address the
opening session of the Ari-
zona House of Representa-
tive’s Fiftieth Legislature –
Second Regular Session.
Governor Mendoza
addressed the House of
Representatives remarking
on the great history of Ari-
zona and how the Akimel
O’odham has historically
played an integral role in
the United States path to
westward expansion. The
Gila River Indian Commu-
nity was the first Indian
Reservation in Arizona
having been established by
Congress in 1859.
The GRIC Governor
gave a brief synopsis of the
tribe’s history and struggles
in losing water provided by
the tribe’s namesake, Gila
River.
“Though we have
struggled much as a people,
our struggle has helped us
grow in faith and en-
durance to become a com-
plete people,” he said.
“Today, the GRIC is a vi-
brant center of economic
development, agriculture
and ranching. Like you, I
look to the next 100 years
and I am filled with opti-
mism.”
Governor Mendoza
pledged to continue to
make Arizona a better place
for everyone by striving to
create jobs within GRIC’s
economic corridors that
border Phoenix.
“As we always have,
we will work with our
neighbors as a kind and de-
pendable friend,” he said.
The Fiftieth Legisla-
ture – Second Regular Ses-
sion marks the beginning
of Arizona’s Centennial
Year with the first legisla-
ture having taken place in
1912.
By Mihio ManusGRIN Managing Editor
-
Is good nutrition important for learning? In a word, yes.
We cannot underestimate the impact of nutrition on learn-
ing. Nutrition plays an important role in mental, physical
and emotional development in the first three years of life,
plus life in the womb. When food intake is inadequate a
child’s body conserves energy by first limiting social activ-
ity and brain development (they do not play or learn). The
body then limits the energy available for growth. Most
growth failure occurs between 6 months and 24 months of
age. Early damage due to anemia, iodine deficiency, and
chronic malnutrition can only partially be reversed in later
life.
Although it is likely that children are most susceptible
to the effects of insufficient nutrition in the first few years of
life and that some of these effects may be irreversible, much
can still be done to improve the learning potential of mal-
nourished schoolchildren. The First Things First Program
promotes early childhood nutrition programs as a way to al-
leviate malnutrition and its effects on learning. Proponents
of such programs argue that improved diet, particularly in
the crucial first years of life, enhances intellectual develop-
ment and, ultimately, academic success. Early childhood
programs at Gila River such as Head Start and BabySmarts
promote and provide early childhood nutrition programs
Malnutrition
With the increase in the number of working parents and the
over abundance of fast-food establishments, children are eat-
ing more meals away from home than ever before. Fast
foods, although convenient, tend to be high in fat and in-
crease children’s risk of becoming obese and of developing
various chronic diseases in adulthood. Today, it is estimated
that one out of three kids is overweight. Surprisingly, both
overweight and underweight kids in America may be con-
sidered malnourished. A lack of proper food intake is
known as malnutrition/malnourishment and it does not only
mean that there is a lack of food; malnutrition signifies a
lack of nutrients. Therefore, while most American children
may be taking in a great deal of calories, they may not be
taking in any essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals.
This lack of vitamins and minerals leads to detrimental side-
effects. Children with insufficient diets are reported to have
more problems with health, academic learning, and psy-
chosocial behavior (Chen 2008).
Breakfast Is Important
Some research indicates that there is a connection between
food additives and children’s learning disabilities and that
those children who eat an adequate breakfast show better
late morning learning than other children. For these rea-
sons, children in the preschool setting should be provided
with nutritious breakfasts and snacks and should be offered
nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables instead of junk
foods high in sugar, salt, and fat.
Children who regularly eat breakfast have better standard-
ized test scores, better behavior, and are less hyperactive
than children who skip breakfast. What makes a good
breakfast for children? One good example would be an egg,
a slice of whole grain toast with nut butter, a piece of fruit
and a glass of low-fat milk. Lean meat and whole grain ce-
reals are also good choices at breakfast. The protein and
fiber from the whole grains will keep your child satisfied
until lunch time. Try to avoid giving your child sugary
breakfast cereals, white-flour pancakes and syrup — all of
which will leave your child hungry and tired half way
through the morning. If your child tends to get hungry in the
middle of the morning no matter what breakfast they are
given, send an apple, whole grain crackers, nuts and cheese
snacks rather than sugary cookies or white-flour crackers.
After School Snacks
Even with a great breakfast and healthy lunch, a light after-
school snack is nice to refuel a kid’s body before play or
study time. A handful of nuts and an apple is perfect, or
maybe a snack tray of vegetables and dips. Even a healthy
version of a peanut butter and sugar free jelly will satisfy
picky kids. Keep chips, sugary sodas, pastries and candy
out of the house.
A Plan at Home
To promote healthy eating and brain function outside of
school, parents should provide their kids with smaller meals
and snacks every three to four hours. Reports reveal that
after just thirty minutes feelings of fatigue and stress drop
after a nutritious snack or meal. Healthy meals and snacks
should consist of natural fruits and vegetables, whole grains,
and lean proteins, such as chicken, fish, nuts, and eggs.
Also, specific vitamins can be incorporated to target defi-
nite functions. For example, to improve memory, individu-
als should purchase foods that are rich in lecithin such as
peanuts, soy beans, and wheat germ. Potassium also aids in
energy and brain functioning and can be derived from or-
anges, bananas, apricots, avocados, melons, peaches, and
nectarines. Avoiding processed foods, and incorporating
natural foods into a daily diet will ultimately promote a
healthier body, behavior, and brain power (Chen, 2008)
The Relationship Between Child Nutrition and Learning
Skyline District 5 is excited to have in
place this year’s 7th and 8th grade Honors
Program for Language Arts and Math.
These subjects focus on advanced skills in
preparation for secondary honors and AP
course work in high school. Honors courses
provide expectations and opportunities for
students to work at an accelerated pace. It
engages them in more rigorous and complex
content and processes, and it also utilizes
their higher level thinking process to de-
velop authentic products that reflect the stu-
dent’s understanding of key concepts. The
curriculum in each honors course includes
appropriate adaptations for accelerated and
enriched learning for pursuing in-depth stud-
ies that require abstract and higher-order
thinking skills. Student accountability is
stressed.
Placement in the honors program is based
on multiple criteria including the student’s
performance on the AIMS scores, bench-
mark testing, attendance, attitude, previous
class grades from each block, and effort.
Factors such as the desire of the student and
parent or guardian to be in the program are
also taken into consideration. Once the stu-
dent is in the program, he/she must maintain
an A or B average, have good attendance,
exhibit good behavior, show true effort, and
have a positive attitude.
One of the most critical components to the
success of every student is parent involve-
ment and support from home. Parents are
committed to ensuring that students are re-
sponsibly completing homework and proj-
ects that often require additional time
outside of the classroom setting.
Although the program has only been in
place for a portion of the year, we have al-
ready seen growth in both subjects. Our stu-
dents are excited, enthusiastic, motivated
and humbled that they were selected to be
recipients of Skyline District 5’s Honors
Program. We are continuously working to
refine the program based on what works best
for the success of our students.
Skyline D5 Honors Program Students.
Skyline District 5 Honors ProgramBy Rudy Dolfo
Counselor, Skyline D5
Front from left to right. Amanda Scoofer, Alexcine Kist, Marissa Ulate, Kayla Lewis, Justine
Pratt, Raven Peters, Alyssa Scoffer, Tori Whitman, Roman Rodriguez, Christine Cannon, Sab-
rina Jackson, Dakota Pablo, Zane Miller, Elleno Bandin, Devin Yazzie, Samuel Valencia, Alysia
Serawop, Enony Gonzalez, LaDawn Long, Brianna Kisto, Kohl Barnes, Elex Ruvacaba,
Braden Brown, Fabien Calleros, Suzette Lewis, Maria Robles, Martin Solarez & Cornrlia
Apkaw. Not pictured: Nicole Lyons, Olivia Ramirez,and Sierra Austin.
6 • JANUARY 2012 • Gila River Indian News
-
BLACKWATER-George Pettit is no
stranger to the Elderly Center in D1, Black-
water. He’s a regular who comes in to drink
coffee and share meals with the other elders
from the district. Like many other Com-
munity elders, Pettit is a war veteran; a dec-
orated war veteran.
Elderly Coordinator for D1, Doris Jold
said that Pettit would often talk about the
medals he received for his service in the
Navy and how he regrettably had lost his
medals through the course of his life. As a
proud veteran of the Navy, Pettit felt these
honorable decorations spoke to the com-
mitment and excellence of his service to
this country. Yet, they were missing.
Interestingly, the widowed Pettit is not
a GRIC Community member but was mar-
ried to a Community member and has lived
here for many years.
Pettit asked Elderly Center employee
Cruz Lewis to look into having his medals
reissued to him. Lewis took it upon him-
self to give it a try.
With only a partial service record pro-
vided to him by Pettit, Cruz beat the trail to
the Navy department via phone calls and
emails. Putting the information together
was a puzzle of sorts.
“Some medals were listed on the
record,” Cruz said. “[Pettit] had some rib-
bons that were issued to him and these
matched the service records.”
Having put some of the pieces to-
gether, Cruz said the Navy department was
able to assist in following through with rest.
Altogether the process took three months
which in the scope of things isn’t very long.
During D1’s Christmas Dinner on
Wed, Dec. 21, 2011 all the elders came to-
gether as usual. They watched Community
Council on their television. But before the
meal was served, veterans from the Haskell
Osife-Antone Post #51 were called upon to
make a special presentation.
The Navy department had restored
George Pettit medals. Pettit had medals
from the 1st Asiatic Campaign with stars for
his service in Quadulan, Saipan in the
Philippines; American Medal for Service,
World War II Victory Medal and the Philip-
pine Liberation Medal.
SACATON-Since the New Year, the staff at
the Wellness Center has received more people
whom would like to shed pounds through low
impact workout exercises with a well-trained
staff.
Scott Garman, fitness instructor, is bring-
ing different types of training to the Commu-
nity: stout, suspension, bag, and battling
training along with diet. Through these meth-
ods, Garman plans to “turn this world upside
down.”
“We take individuals based on whether
they want to gain weight or lose weight. Our
programs are based on performing and getting
stronger,” said Garman.
The instructor has two counterparts, Ryan
Duran and Jacob Valasquez, that are learning
how to train.
Duran says he challenges himself as
much as he does the cliental, “I learn and I
teach what I learn.”
There are lots of resolutions to lose
weight this year or to maintain a healthy
lifestyle, and according to Garman, the 30 min.
workout will do just that.
Using sand bags, kettle bells, ropes, med-
icine balls, and other gear helps individuals to
build self-esteem, self-confidence and a
stronger heart.
“What we do in everyday life, we’re
training people for that. As far as their, kids,
work, home, taking care of the yard, art work,”
said Garman.
Since the start of the program, more peo-
ple have joined in the fitness fun, in turn, the
instructors have to turn people away because
of limited equipment.
The staff plans on ordering more equip-
ment for use and have a morning cardio blast
class at 5:30 a.m.
Garman and the staff believe that getting
a workout in the morning, “kicks the day off
and you will have a more productive day.”
There are few that are in the class now,
but they think that once you start you will like
the remainder of your day
“If you’re tired and have that lazy feeling,
it’s going to take you half the morning to get
going,” said Garman.
Prior to working in the Community, Scott
has worked for the Arizona Rattlers’, Suns’,
and Cardinals’ cheerleaders, Fort Lewis Uni-
versity football team, Coolidge High School,
UFC and MMA Fighters, trained a few play-
ers for the Philadelphia Eagles and designed
specialty fitness programs for gyms and or-
ganizations throughout the state.
The fitness expert says age is not a factor
when it comes to getting muscle tone. It can
be done and according to Garman, the ropes
exercise is the best way to go verses the tradi-
tional treadmill.
A combination between the two is going
to break up many fat cells. Garman also ad-
vises for faster results in losing weight to
squeeze excess fat around the belly. Massage
it because it does break up the fat cells and
eventually shrink them.
“When they come back they’re not too
sore, it’s very low impact. We start adding
more to those that need to be pushed a little
more. You’re going to find areas that are going
to be sore because those muscles haven’t been
worked before,”
Words of encouragement are always of-
fered by the staff to keep your mind focused
and to endure. What can be heard from the in-
structors is, “Breathe, work together, relax.
Focus on one movement at a time and
breathe.”
Garman says, the brain is a computer.
And the body is going to do what it tells it to
do.
Duran encourages the individuals he
trains to get a lot of sleep, because sleep is the
biggest recovery for the body.
When talking about a diet and eating right
Garman believes that everyone needs to keep
a good balanced diet. Keeping carbohydrates
low and proteins high Garman added, “Water
is the best thing to drink. Soda is poison pe-
riod.”
The team at the Wellness Center would
like to start going out in to the Community.
Visiting the fire and police departments and
getting the elders more active.
New Year Prompts New Fitness Goals forCommunity Members
Gila River Indian News • JANUARY 2012 • 7
Elder Veteran has Navy Medals Restored
By Mihio Manus, GRIN Managing Editor
By Walt Porter, GRIN
Stacey King, Eva Johns, Lenay Chavez, Deanna Jackson, and Tina Nuvamsa havecommitted their lunch time to the ropes exercise for a healthier New Year.
Fitness instructor, Ryan Duran, pedals tothe max during the cardio blast.
-
8 • JANUARY 2012 • Gila River Indian News
Inauguration continued from the Cover
new generation of leadership restoring gov-
ernance to the people,” said Gov. Mendoza.
Gov. Mendoza’s said that major issues
were greater transparency, accountability
and creating, “a user-friendly GRIC.”
Gov. Mendoza outlined a 100-day plan
and the 12 initiatives toward building cohe-
sion and support. The initiatives were Fi-
nancial Stability, Tribal Constitution,
Communications, Protect and Promote Sov-
ereignty, Health Care, Housing, Public
Safety, Natural Resources, Education, Youth
and Elderly, Economic Development and In-
frastructure.
Gov. Mendoza said that hardcopies of
his plan would be available soon, and also
via email and online.
A particularly touching moment came
when Gov. Mendoza paid tribute to his late
mother, Brenda Mendoza. “She was a true
inspiration and my first teacher and while
she is no longer with us, her influence is pro-
found and lasting.”
In his conclusion, Gov. Mendoza ac-
knowleded the challenges ahead, but at the
same time he anticipates many opportuni-
ties. “I will look forward to collaborating
with you to restore confidence in govern-
ment and to create the quality of life that
each of you are deserving of and can truly
become a reality.”
Following his speech Gov. Mendoza
called out to Lt. Gov. Lewis who was seated
in the audience and asked him if he was,
“ready.” Lt. Gov. concurred and the two
shook hands before the audience.
“Today we stand united,” Lt. Gov.
Lewis opened in his remarks. Services for
GRIC veterans, children and elders are a pri-
ority of great importance, Lt. Gov. Lewis
emphasized.
Lt. Gov. Lewis said he was particularly
inspired during the campaign by letters from
GRIC students. One young student was
keen to point out that as Lieutenant Gover-
nor he should not forget about the people;
especially the elders. He responded, “I
promise you, I will not.”
Lt. Gov. Lewis also quoted from, “A
Pima Remembers,” written by the late
George Webb noted Community author.
“Many moons, many suns have come and
gone since our forefathers here on this same
ground, toiled and struggled so that we
might enjoy life today.” Adding to this Lt.
Gov. said, “Let us all strive together to make
this a better day for our families, for our dis-
tricts, our community and our country.”
The oath of offices for Chief Judge An-
thony Hill and Associate Judges Harriett Al-
lison-James, Donna Kisto-Jones, Lucinda
Oliver, Lucille Antone-Morago were like-
wise integral to the inauguration highlighted
by traditional social dancing, a fireworks
show, an O’otham social giveaway and an
inaugural dance.
Gov. Gregory Mendoza (center) with Miss Gila River 2011-2012 (left) and Lisa Hendricks, President of the AkimelOʼodham/Pee Posh Youth Council (right) during the procession.
Lt. Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis during his remarks.
Oath of Office for Harriett Allison-James, AssociateJudge.
Oath of Office for Lucinda Oliver, Associate Judge. Oath of Office for Lucille Antone-Morago, AssociateJudge.
Oath of Office for Anthony Hill, Chief Judge.
Oath of Office for Donna Kisto-Jones, AssociateJudge.
Oath of Office for Janice Breckenridge, AssociateJudge.
-
Gila River Indian News • JANUARY 2012 • 9
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10 • JANUARY 2012 • Gila River Indian News
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Gila River Indian News • JANUARY 2012 • 11
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12 • JANUARY 2012 • Gila River Indian News
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Across Down 1. Rainbow 2. Whirlwind 4. Lightning 3. Wind 6. Cloud 5. Snow 8. Rain 7. Hail 9. Fog 8. Duststorm 11. Thunder 10. Drizzle (Light Rain)
Cultural Crossword Public Notice
Public NoticeThe Gila River Indian Community Department of Envi-ronmental Quality will be submitting a proposal for aBrownfield’s assessment/clean-up grant for the formerDela-Tek facility located within the former Blackwater
Industrial Park. If the grant is awarded to the Communityit will provide funding to conduct remedial activities atthe former Dela-Tek facility.
-
Gila River Indian News • JANUARY 2012 • 13
ACTION SHEETCommunity Council; PO Box 2138; Sacaton, Arizona85147; Phone (520) 562-9720; Fax (520) 562-9729CALL TO ORDERThe First Regular Monthly Meeting of the CommunityCouncil held Wednesday December 7, 2011, in the Com-munity Council Chambers at the Governance Center inSacaton, Arizona was called to order by presiding Chair-man Governor William R. Rhodes at 9:00 a.m.INVOCATIONCouncilwoman Jennifer AllisonROLL CALLSign-In Sheet CirculatedExecutive Officers Present:Governor William R. RhodesExecutive Officers Absent:Lt. Governor - VacantCouncil Members Present:D1- Arzie Hogg, Cynthia Antone; D2-Jewel Whitman; D3-,Myron G. Schurz, Dale G. Enos; D4- Jennifer Allison, Gre-gory Mendoza, Christopher Mendoza, Barney Enos, Jr.;D5-Brian Davis, Sr., Annette Stewart, Janice F. Stewart(9:04); D6-Anthony Villareal, Sr., Albert Pablo, Terrance B.Evans (9:09); D7- Martha Miller (9:14)Council Members Absent:D5 - Brenda RobersonAPPROVAL OF AGENDAAPPROVED AS AMENDEDPRESENTATIONS1. Casa Blanca Community School Presentation Presen-ter: Eric JamesMr. Eric James was present and introduced Ms. DeniseRodriguez, Administrative Assistant, Mr. James providedan overview of the Casa Blanca Community School’s re-port card and the plan established to obtain a high rate ofstudents passing.2. Gila River Telecommunications, Inc.Presenters: GRTI Board of DirectorsMr. Malcom Eschief, the GRTI Board, and BruceHoldridge General Manager presented a check in theamount $2.0 million to the Community.REPORTS*1. Ira H. Hayes High School 3rd Quarter Allocation Re-port Presenter: Wendy OngREPORT HEARD2. Off Reservation Boarding Schools 1st Quarter Report Presenter: Christopher BanhamTABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA3. 2010/2011 School Administrator and School BoardCoalition Meeting Attendance Presenter: Benny ThomasREPORT HEARD4. Pima Leasing & Financing Annual Report 2010-2011Presenters: Pima Leasing StaffREPORT HEARDMOTION MADE AND SECOND FOR 10-MINUTE BREAKRECONVENED AT 11:00AM5. Health Resources Department FY10-11 Annual Report Presenter: Laverne DallasTABLED6. Managed Aquifer Recharge Sites Evaluation Presen-ter: Eugene Franzoy REPORT HEARD7. Head Start Facilities Update: Districts 4, 5, & 6 Presen-ter: Wilfred BrownREPORT HEARDMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVESESSION8. Gaming Internal Audit – Fourth Quarter Report July 1,2011- September 30, 2011 (Executive Session)Presenter: Robert Russin & Robert KellerREPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION9. FY2007 Basic Financial Statements For The Gila River IndianCommunityFY2008 Basic Financial Statements For The Gila River Indian Community FY2009 Basic Financial Statements For The Gila River Indian Community FY2010 Agreed Upon Procedures Report For Per Capita (Executive Session) Presenters: Bruce Bleakman, Robert Keller & Mike JacobsREPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSIONMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO EXIT EXECUTIVESESSIONMOTION MADE AND SECOND FOR AN HOUR ANDHALF LUNCH BREAKRECONVENED AT 1:46PMMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVESESSION10. Gila River Gaming Enterprises Monthly Report Octo-ber 2011 (Executive Session) Presenters: John James &Board of DirectorsREPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION11. Gila River Gaming Commission Monthly Report Octo-ber 2011 (Executive Session) Presenters: Scott Sander-son & Courtney MoyahREPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSIONMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO EXIT EXECUTIVESESSIONRESOLUTIONS1. A Resolution Amending Resolution GR-112-11 And GR-18-06 To Identify Interim RentalLease Rates For Undeveloped Agricultural Lands WithinThe Exterior Boundaries Of The Gila River Indian Reser-vation Until A Permanent Agricultural Resources Manage-ment Plan is Established (NRSC forwards to Council withrecommendation for approval, with corrections; G&MSCconcurs) Presenters: Javier Ramos & Gary Parker
APPROVED
2. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreement Between the Gila River Indian Community and Quarles & Brady, LLP for Fiscal Year 2012 (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; G&MSC concurs)Presenter: Rudy C. MixAPPROVED3. A Resolution Approving And Authorizing An Amendment To The Intergovernmental Agreement Between The Regional Public Transportation Authority And The Gila River Indian Community For Extension Of Transit Services To The Lone Butte Casino (G&MSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: David WhiteAPPROVEDORDINANCESUNFINISHED BUSINESS1. A Resolution Authorizing The Bureau Of Indian AffairsTo Enter Into Deputation Agreements With Selected Juris-dictions For Special Law Enforcement Commissions(G&MSC forwards to Council under Unfinished Businesswith accompanying report) Presenters: Michael Carter & Tracy NortonDISPENSED2. Request for Special Council Meeting re: Fire Depart-ment Report On The Organizational Structure (G&MSCforwards to Council with recommendation for a SpecialCouncil Meeting; item under Unfinished Business) Presenters: Government & Management Standing Com-mitteeMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO HAVE A SPECIALCOUNCIL MEETING REGARDING THE FIRE DEPART-MENT ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE; DIRECT THE COUN-
CIL SECRETARY TO ORGANIZE A DATE
NEW BUSINESS1. Casa Blanca Community School Written PlanSY2011/2012 (ESC forwards to Council with recommen-dation for approval) Presenter: Eric JamesAPPROVED2. Education Standing Committee Declaration of Vacancyof One (1) Council Member Seat (ESC forwards to Coun-cil with recommendation to Declare Vacancy and to Ap-point on December 21, 2011) Presenters: Education Standing Committee
DECLARED3. Legislative Standing Committee Declaration of Vacancyof One (1) Council Member Seat (LSC forwards to Coun-cil with recommendation to Declare and set the deadlinedate for Letters of Interest to December 15, 2011, 12 p.m.and to Appoint on December 21, 2011)Presenters: Legislative Standing CommitteeDECLARED4. Gila River Gaming Enterprises Holiday Gift2011(G&MSC forwards to Council to concur with theGRGE Christmas gift)Presenters: John James & Board of DirectorsAPPROVED5. GRTI Tariff and GRTI Bylaws (G&MSC forwards toCouncil with recommendation for approval) Presenters: GRTI Board of DirectorsMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO APPROVE GRTITARIFFMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ASK THE BYLAWSGO BACK TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDING COMMITTEE6. Gila River Indian Community Revenue/Internal AuditFourth Quarter Report – FY2011 (Executive Session)(G&MSC forwards to Council in Executive Session)
Presenter: Penni McCabeAPPROVED7. Certification of the 2011 General Election Results Presenters: Legislative Standing CommitteeFOR THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR: GREGORY MEN-DOZA CERTIFIEDFOR THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:STEPHEN ROE LEWIS CERTIFIEDFOR THE OFFICE OF CHIEF JUDGE: ANTHONY J. HILLCERTIFIEDFOR THE OFFICE OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE: LUCINDAM. OLIVER CERTIFIEDFOR THE OFFICE OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE: HARRIETALLISON-JAMES CERTIFIED FOR THE OFFICE OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE: LUCILLEANTONE-MORAGO MOTION CERTIFIEDFOR THE OFFICE OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE: DONNAKISTO-JONES CERTIFIEDFOR THE OFFICE OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE: JANICEBRECKENRIDGE CERTIFIED[ADDENDUM TO AGENDA]MOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVESESSION8. Personnel Issues (Executive Session)Presenter: Robert KellerITEM HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSIONMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO EXIT EXECUTIVESESSIONMOTION MADE AND SECOND FOR 10-MINUTE BREAKRECONVENED AT 3:14PMMOTIN MADE AND SECOND TO TERMINATE FORCONVENIENCE THE CHIEF OF POLICE DEREK ARN-SON; ALSO IN THIS MOTION TO TERMINATE FORCONVENIENCE COMMUNITY DIVISION MANAGERALEX YAZZA; ALSO IN THIS MOTION TO SUSPENDDEPUTY CHIEF VALARIE BRIBIESCAS, PENDING IN-TERNAL INVESTIGATION; FURTHERMORE THE COUNCIL RECOMMENDS SER-
GEANT RAYMOND SOTO TO BE THE ACTING CHIEFAND BE COMPENSATED AND GIVEN THE RANK UNTIL ANEW CHIEF OF POLICE IS PLACEDAMENDMENT: EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELYMOTION MADE AND SECOND FOR THE COMMUNITYCOUNCIL TO DIRECT FOR ONE OUTSIDE COUNSELTO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE FI-NANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE IRREGULARITIES ATTHE GILA RIVER POLICE DEPARTMENT AS DIS-CUSSED; 2 – THE PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION WILLCOOPERATE FULLY WITH THE INVESTIGATION: 3 – AMORATORIUM BE PLACED ON TERMINATIONS FROM THE POLICE DE-PARTMENT; 4 – DIRECT THE GOVERNOR TO SUS-PEND THE MEMORANDUMS DATED MARCH 7, 2011MINUTES
*1. July 6, 2011 (Regular)APPROVED*2. July 20, 2011 (Regular)APPROVED3. October 19, 2011 (Regular)APPROVEDANNOUNCEMENTS>CHRISTOPHER MENDOZA’S BIRTHDAY >UPDATE OF COUNCIL HOLIDAY PARTY>VERLENE PARSONS SERVICES FRIDAY AND SATUR-DAY>PRAYERS REQUESTED FOR DARLENE FLOOD>DONATIONS FOR THE WORKROOM>LIGHT PARADE DECEMBER 8, 2011 IN DISTRICT 3>REQUEST FOR ACTING DELEGATION FOR DIVISIONMANAGER & POLICE DEPARTMENT>PRAYERS REQUESTED FOR JAN JONES FAMILY>PRAYERS REQUESTED FOR SUNDUST FAMILY>EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REVIEW AT 11AM, DECEM-BER 8, 2011ADJOURNMENTMEETING ADJOURNED AT 3:32PM* Denotes TABLED from previous meeting(s)
ACTION SHEETCommunity Council; PO Box 2138; Sacaton, Arizona85147; Phone (520) 562-9720; Fax (520) 562-9729CALL TO ORDERThe Second Regular Monthly Meeting of the CommunityCouncil held Wednesday December 21, 2011, in the Com-munity Council Chambers at the Governance Center inSacaton, Arizona was called to order by presiding Chair-man Governor William R. Rhodes at 9:02 a.m.INVOCATIONCommunity Member Delores WilliamsROLL CALLSign-In Sheet CirculatedExecutive Officers Present:Governor William R. RhodesExecutive Officers Absent:Lt. Governor - VacantCouncil Members Present:D1- Arzie Hogg, Cynthia Antone; D2-Jewel Whitman; D3-,Myron G. Schurz, Dale G. Enos; D4- Jennifer Allison(9:07), Gregory Mendoza, Christopher Mendoza (9:41),Barney Enos, Jr. (9:33); D5-Brian Davis, Sr., AnnetteStewart, Janice F. Stewart (11:15); D6-Anthony Villareal,Sr., Albert Pablo, Terrance B. Evans; D7- Martha MillerCouncil Members Absent:D5 - Brenda Roberson. APPROVAL OF AGENDAAPPROVED AS AMENDEDPRESENTATIONS1. District Three Elders –Christmas Carols to CouncilThe elderly of District three sang several Christmas carolsand presented the Council with gifts.REPORTS*1. Off Reservation Boarding Schools 1st Quarter Report Presenter: Christopher BanhamREPORT HEARD2. Re-Discovering Culture and Building Sustainable Com-mercePresenters: Mathew Kisto, Danelle Spring & Phil Allsop
REPORT HEARD3. Caring House Annual Report Presenters: Fernanda Reams & Mark KlienTABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA4. United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation’s Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study – Update to the Gila River Indian Community Presenters: David H. DeJong & Gary L. ParkerREPORT HEARDMOTION MADE AND SECOND FOR 10-MINUTE BREAKRECONVENED AT 11:22AM
5. Human Resources Department Annual Report Presen-
ter: Sydney McKinneyREPORT HEARDMOTION MADE AND SECOND FOR 1-HOUR LUNCHBREAKRECONVENED AT 2:33PM6. District Housing Development Office Monthly ReportPresenter: Robert MawsonREPORT HEARDMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVESESSION7. FY 2011 4th Quarter Financial Reports (Executive Ses-sion)Presenters: Robert G. Keller & Mike JacobREPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSINMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO EXIT EXECUTIVE
SESSION RESOLUTIONS1. A Resolution Acknowledging And RatifyingThe Distribution Of The Rawhide Operating Company,LLC Assets To The Wild Horse Pass Development Author-ity (EDSC forwards to Council with recommendation ofapproval, G&MSC concurs) Presenter: Ron RosierAPPROVED2. A Resolution Approving An Amendment To The Lease Agreement Dated February 18, 1998 Between The Gila River Indian Community And The Gila River Gaming Enterprise (EDSC forwards to Council with recommendation of approval, NRSC & G&MSC concurs) Presenters: Ron Rosier & Steve HeeleyAPPROVED3. A Resolution Approving And Authorizing The Gila River Health Care Corporation And The Thwajik Ke (Residential Treatment Center) To Enter Into Contracts With Indian Tribes To Pay For Services Received By The Tribes’ Members At The Thwajik Ke (HSSC forwards to Council with recommendation of approval, G&MSC concurs) Presenters: Linus Everling & Steven GreenAPPROVED4. A Resolution Authorizing Gila River Health Care To Submit A Competitive Grant Application On Behalf Of The Gila River Indian Community To The Indian community Development Block Grant Program Of The U.S. Department Of Housing And Urban Development For Fiscal Year 2012, Requesting Grant Funds In The Amount Of $2.75 Million Dollars (HSSC: forwards to Council with recommendation for approval; noting this also serves as a Public Hearing) Presenters: Richard Narcia & Amish PurohitAPPROVED5. A Resolution Designating a Representative for the Purpose of the Gila River Indian Community’s Participation in the Bureau of Reclamation’s Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval and insert into The resolution David DeJong as an Alternate, G&MSC concurs) Presenters: Gary L. Parker & David DeJongAPPROVED6. A Resolution Rescinding Resolution GR-853-62 and Authorizing and Approving a 17 Acre Parcel of Community Trust Land to District Six for the Purpose(s) of a Cemetery located on Community Trust Land within the Gila River Indian Reservation and Designated as Drawing No. 40811-0233C (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval contingent upon the correction of P&Z Commission’s motion sheet)Presenter: Pam PasqualAPPROVED 7. A Resolution Granting an Ingress/Egress and a Utility Corridor Right of Way to the Gila River Indian Community Department of Transportation, Gila River Indian Community Utility Authority, Salt River Project, Gila River Indian Community Department of Public Works, and Gila River Telecommunications, Inc. for the Purpose(s) of a Road Way and other Utility Services, located on Community Trust Land in District Six of the Gila River Indian Reservation and Designated as Drawing No. 30609-0084D-EA (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Pam PasqualAPPROVED8. A Resolution Approving a Fifty (50) Year Homesite Assignment Agreement for Donald T. Johnson located in District Six of the Gila River Indian Reservation and designated as Drawing No. 30609-0084C (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval)Presenter: Pam PasqualAPPROVED 9. A Resolution to Request the Reassessment of Cultural Affiliation of the Los Muertos Hohokam from Maricopa County, Arizona and all other Hohokam that are presently listed as Culturally Unidentifiable in Control of Harvard University, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (CRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Semana ThompsonAPPROVED 10. A Resolution to Request to Cease Current and Future Research Study of Hohokam Human Remains and Funerary Objects Determined Culturally Unidentifiable by and in Control of Harvard University, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (CRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval) Presenter: Semana ThompsonAPPROVED 11. A Resolution of the Gila River Indian Community Designating Monument Hill (ha’ksh do, xagavicado’, Water Divider) as a Sacred Place and Traditional Cultural Property (CRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval, NRCS concurs) Presenters: Barnaby V. Lewis & Devin RedbirdAPPROVED 12. A Resolution Approving The General
Community Council action sheets for GRIC council meetings held on Wed, Dec. 7 & Wed, Dec. 21, 2011
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14 • JANUARY 2012 • Gila River Indian News
Investment Policy Of The Gila River Indian Community (G&MSC motions to forward to Council with recommendation of Approval under Resolutions) Presenter: Robert G. KellerAPPROVED 13. A Resolution Approving The Bylaws Of The Voter Registration Board Of The Gila River Indian Community (G&MSC motions to forward to Council with recommendation of Approval under Resolutions) Presenters: Linda Andrews, Javier Ramos & Janice StewartDISPENSED[Addendum to Agenda]14. A Resolution Approving The Immediate Payment Of A Portion Of The Amount Appropriated Under The Gila River Indian Community Operating Budget For Fiscal Year 2012 To Certain Organizations Who Are Recipients Of Grants Or Supplemental Funding
Presenter: Robert KellerAPPROVED ORDINANCESUNFINISHED BUSINESSMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ENTER EXECUTIVESESSION1. Status Update on All Pending Matters – Fiscal Year 2011 Contracts (Executive Session) (NRSC forwards to Council with recommendation for approval, G&M concurs)Presenter: Steve HeeleyITEM HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSIONMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO EXIT EXECUTIVESESSIONGOVERNOR WILLIAM R. RHODES CALLED FOR 10-MINUTE BREAKRECONVENED AT 4:07PM2. Recommendation for Appointment of GRGE Board Va-cancies (2)Presenters: Reviewing CommitteeMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO APPOINT KENNETHMANUEL, JR. AND PAMELA JOHNSON3. Gila River Farm Board Vacancy ExtensionPresenters: Reviewing CommitteeMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO EXTEND THE VA-CANCY FOR 30 DAYS
4. Council Member Appointment to Legislative StandingCommitteePresenters: CouncilMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO CERTIFY JENNIFERALLISON5. Council Member Appointment to Education StandingCommitteePresenters: CouncilMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO CERTIFY CYNTHIAANTONENEW BUSINESS1. GRHC Board Vacancy – (1) One (HSSC forwards to be declared at the Council meeting of 12/21/11, closing date 2/21/12; with appointment date of 3/7/12)Presenter: Richard NarciaAPPROVED2. Executive Office – Donation Process (G&MSC motions to forward to Council under New Business with Recommendation of Approval) Presenter: David WhiteAPPROVED3. Resignation of District 4 Councilman Greg MendozaPresenters: Legislative Standing CommitteeMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO ACCEPT THE RESIG-NATION OF COUNCILMAN GREGORY MENDOZA IN-
CLUDING THE DISTRICT FOUR WAIVER OF ELEC-TION; EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31, 2011[Addendum to Agenda]4. Mendoza-Lewis Work Session (proposed Dec. 30)Presenter: Gregory MendozaMOTION MADE AND SECOND TO HOLD WORK SES-SION ON DECEMBER 30, 2011, 8AM, SIVLIK GRILL,WILD HORSE PASSMINUTES1. September 7, 2011 (Regular)APPROVED WITH CORRECTIONS2. October 5, 2011 (Regular)APPROVED WITH CORRECTIONSANNOUNCEMENTS>TERMINATION OF MS. FAYE LEWIS>JERYLN MCDONALD AND AUDRE MORRIS NEWCCSO TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES>COUNCIL MEMBERS EXPRESSED WORDS OF GRATI-TUDE TO GOVERNOR WILLIAM R. RHODES CLOSING PRAYER PROVIDED BY PHYLLIS ANTONEADJOURNMENTMEETING ADJOURNED AT 4:52pm* Denotes TABLED from previous meeting(s)
CCSO Action Sheets continuedfrom page 13
Gila River man sentenced to over
six years for selling crack cocaine
Submitted by
Office of the United States Attorney
PHOENIX – Joseph Kelly Molina, 35, of
Sacaton, Arizona, and a member of the
Gila River Indian Tribe, was sentenced by
U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to
78 months in federal prison on January 9,
2012. On August 8, 2011, Molina pleaded
guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with the
Intent to Distribute 28 Grams or More of
Cocaine Base.
Between December 2007 and May
2009, during an undercover investigation
on the Gila River Indian Reservation,
Molina and his co-defendant, Darin James
Kisto, conspired to sell, and did sell, co-
caine base, to an undercover officer on
multiple occasions. The sale of crack co-
caine by Molina and Kisto took place at
their residences which are both located on
the Gila River Indian Reservation. Kisto
was sentenced on October 24, 2011, to 87
months in federal prison after pleading
guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with the
Intent to Distribute 28 Grams or More of
Cocaine Base.
The investigation in this case was
conducted by the Gila River Police De-
partment and the U.S. Bureau of Indian
Affairs. The prosecution was handled by
Christina J. Reid-Moore, Assistant U.S.
Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
Gila River man sentenced to 230
months for murder
PHOENIX – Raymond Herman French,
41, of Sacaton, Ariz., was sentenced yes-
terday by Judge Frederick J. Martone to
230 months imprisonment, followed by
five years of supervised release.
French pleaded guilty on May 31, 2011,
to the crime of second degree murder.
French murdered the victim, Jeffrey
Thomas, on January 22, 2011, when he
shot the victim with a firearm. The victim
died as a result of the injury. The crime
occurred on the Gila River Indian Com-
munity.
The investigation in this case was con-
ducted by the Federal Bureau of Investi-
gation and the Gila River Police
Department. The prosecution was han-
dled by Heather H. Belt, Assistant U.S.
Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
Gila River man sentenced to 41
months for involuntary
manslaughter
PHOENIX – Steven Burnette III, 41, of
Sacaton, Arizona, was sentenced on Janu-
ary 17, 2012, by Judge Roslyn O. Silver to
41 months imprisonment to be followed
by three years of supervised release. Bur-
nette pleaded guilty on August 30, 2011,
to the crime of involuntary manslaughter.
On December 3, 2010, Burnette
drove his car, which contained three pas-
sengers, while intoxicated. Burnette
drove in excess of 50 miles per hour on a
dirt road on the Gila River Indian Com-
munity. After failing to stop for stop signs
and driving erratically, Burnette crashed
into a canal that he did not see. Burnette’s
front seat passenger died as a result of the
crash. Burnette’s blood alcohol concentra-
tion was .18.
The investigation in this case was
conducted by the Gila River Police De-
partment. The prosecution was handled
by Heather H. Belt, Assistant U.S. Attor-
ney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
Press Releases From the US Attorney’s Office,District of Arizona
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Solutions for Cultural Crossword
Sacaton branch of the Boys &Girls Club gets a facelift.
Submitted by Colleen Sparks
SACATON-The Boys & Girls Clubs of
the East Valley’s Gila River – Sacaton
branch is getting a facelift that will make
learning even more fun on Sat, Dec. 10.
Honeywell Aerospace is sponsoring a
renovation and repair project with its or-
ganizing partner Rebuilding Together Val-
ley of the Sun at the club branch at
Seedfarm Road and Cholla Avenue.
Honeywell volunteers along with mem-
bers of Rebuilding Together Valley of the
Sun will paint walls in the art and discov-
ery room, teen center and computer room
in kid-friendly colors.
Children and teens will find it more fun
to watch movies after the volunteers paint
black walls surrounding a white, high-
gloss spot where the films can be pro-
jected in the movie room.
New cubbies and shelving will make it
easier for club members to find their fa-
vorite toys, games and art supplies and for
staff members to stay organized.
Ceiling tiles will also be repaired to en-
hance the positive learning space that
draws 760 members a year or about 100
children and teens on average per day.
“Our children and teens are going to
love the new look and feel to their club,
their home away from home,” Boys &
Girls Club Gila River- Sacaton Branch
Executive Rebecca Martinez said. “We are
grateful to Honeywell Aerospace and Re-
building Together Valley of the Sun for
helping us spruce up our club, something
which would be difficult for us to do oth-
erwise in this economy.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Val-
ley’s Gila River – Sacaton branch opened
its doors to the Gila River Indian Commu-
nity in 1997. The club draws its members
directly from the surrounding community
and area middle and elementary schools
provide transportation there for youth.
Many of its members also walk to the club
from one of many local housing projects.
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Gila River Indian News • JANUARY 2012 • 15
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16 • JANUARY 2012 • Gila River Indian News
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