gric opens new wild horse pass hotel and casinogilariver.org/grin/2009_novembergrin.pdfgric opens...

www.gilariver.org/newsNovember 2009 Vol 12, No. 11

Serving all seven districts of the Gila River Indian Community

Daryl Lynn Jay, D6, has

added to her royal credentials by

besting five other contestants to cap-

ture the title of 2009-2010 Miss In-

dian Arizona on Oct. 10 2009.

While relinquishing the crown of

Miss Gila River, Jay said during the

pageant she represented herself and

family the best that she could. “I

was definitely myself.”

Jay said she is still deter-

mined to fulfill the goals she planned

as Miss Gila River while represent-

ing the State and learning about

other Native Communities. “The

biggest thing is being flexible,” said

Jay of her newfound duties.

Jay’s experience represent-

ing GRIC was augmented by her

work with National Congress of

American Indians (NCAI), United

National Indian Tribal Youth

(UNITY) and six years on the

Akimel O’odham Pee-Posh Youth

Council with a term as President.

Jay also credits her great-grandpar-

ents and godparents who gave her

the strength and determination to

succeed.

During her official intro-

duction on Oct. 21, 2009 before

GRIC Tribal Council as Miss Indian

Arizona, Jay said she was honored to

serve the Community during the last

eight months and to be only the third

Community member to hold the title

of Miss Indian AZ. She was pre-

ceded by Victoria Quintero and Pam

Thompson.

During her introduction to

Council, Jay passed on the Miss Gila

River crown to her 1st Attendant

Kristen Dosela. “I know I have big

shoes to fill as Daryl has become the

new Miss Indian AZ and I will do the

best of my ability to live up to the

standard she has set for me,” said

Dosela, D6, a sophomore at South

Mountain Community College.

As Miss Gila River, Dosela

now completes a royal flush for the

Dosela family as her younger sister

Starsha is the current Jr. Miss Gila

River. While Jay continues to travel

across Arizona she still has rigid

plans to graduate from Arizona State

University and eventually moving

on to Georgetown University. “I

want to be a lobbyist for the Tribe,”

she said.

Jay was overcome by the

support she received from the Com-

munity during the competition. To

see the faces of the youth during the

pageant was, “very heartwarming.”

Daryl Lynn Jay wins Miss Indian AZ title and passescrown to 1st attendant

Daryl Lynn Jay, the newly proclaimed Miss Indian Arizona

2009-2010, crowns 1st Attendant Kristen Dosela as Miss

Gila River during a ceremony before Council. (GRIN Photo

- Roberto A. Jackson)

GRIC opens New Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino

By Roberto A. Jackson

GRIN Reporter

Balancing Act

While the Gila River Indian

Community (GRIC) has moved fur-

ther into the second month of fiscal

year 2010 (FY 2010), the Governor’s

Executive Team struggles with pro-

posing a balanced budget that will ap-

pease both it’s constituency and the

Community Council.

On Sept. 29, the Community

Council passed GR-168-09, a resolu-

tion approving continuing GRIC’s op-

erating budget for FY 2009 into FY

2010 for 60 days. This continuation

was based on four critical aspects: the

decrease of incoming revenues due to

the national economic recession; the

initial per capita distribution of gam-

ing revenues to Community members;

needs of departments and districts to

adequately serve members while pro-

moting economic growth; and the

Community’s effort to devote funds to

long term savings.

The continuation allowed

Community departments to resume

GRIC struggles withbringing forth a balancedbudget for FY ‘10By Mihio ManusGRIN Managing Editor

Continued on Page 6

Story on Page 6

Ribbon Cutting time at the new Wild Horse Pass Casino and Hotel. From Left: GRIC Lt. Governor, Joseph Manuel, Harold Baugus, Kenneth Manuel, John Strauss,

Carolyn Williams, GRIC Governor William R. Rhodes, D6 Councilman Anthony Villareal, Sr., Allison Anderson, Deborah Griffin and Dale Enos. (GRIN Photo -

Roberto A. Jackson)

GRIN November 2009

November 2009 GRIN

William R. Rhodes, GovernorJoseph Manuel, Lt. Governor

Gila River Indian CommunityP.O. Box 97

Sacaton, AZ 85247520.562.9500

www.gilariver.org

Arthur Felder, Tribal Treasurer Charmaine Escalante, 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 85247

Published letters or columns do not necessarilyreflect the opinion of the editor or Gila River In-

dian Community.

District #1: Arzie HoggAugustine Enas

District #2: Jewell Whitman

District #3: Rodney JacksonMyron Schurz

District #4: Barney B. Enos Jr.Rebecca RoweDarrell GerlaughJohn Antone

District #5: Brenda RobertsonBrian DavisFrank Pablo, Sr.Delane Enos

District #6: Anthony VillarealAlbert PabloTerrance B Evans

District #7: Devin Redbird

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

MIHIO [email protected] Managing Editor

(520)562-9718

JERI [email protected] Office Manager

(520)562-9717

GINA [email protected]

Receptionist(520)562-9715

ROBERTO A. [email protected]

Reporter(520)562-9719

Fax: (520)562-9712Email: [email protected]

www.gilariver.org/index.php/news Gila River News

I had represented myself at the

MAG hearing on 10-21-09 as a Citizen of

Phoenix, and not representing the Phoenix

Mountains Preservation Council

(PMPC). Tribal people there asked for more

information about PMPC, provided below.

The Phoenix Mountains Preserva-

tion Council was founded in 1970 with the

purpose of preserving the mountains within

the boundaries of Phoenix so that these

would be set aside as unique wilderness pre-

serves, untouched by development with all

their natural beauty intact. There is currently

an issue that threatens the unique pristine

livelihood of the mountains in Phoenix,

specifically the impending South Mountain

Freeway. The current proposed alignment of

the planned Southwest Loop, or South

Mountain Freeway SR-202, will severely im-

pinge on South Mountain itself, where large

cuts will have to be blasted out of the moun-

tains to make space for traffic lanes going in

each direction. These will cut across the

Main Ridge North, the Main Ridge South

and the Alta Ridge, and will pass through

dedicated Preserve parklands. They will se-

verely impact the sacred mountains, cut off

access or destroy sacred sites. In response to

this, an official statement of the PMPC’s

standing has been recently sent to all gov-

ernmental entities, and news media, as fol-

lows: “The Phoenix Mountains Preservation

Council and their membership would like it

to be known that we oppose any freeway,

parkway or other road alignment that goes

through, encroaches upon or constitutes an

incursion into the South Mountain

ranges. The currently planned route for the

Freeway will cause hundreds of millions of

this nearly $2 billion project to be used in re-

location and mitigation of area homes. Other

routes exist that would not require these mil-

lions be spent in this manner.

The PMPC would like to make it

clear that we are not opposed to the freeway

itself. It is recognized that the freeway is an

important addition to the road system and

will both decrease traffic in other areas and

create economic opportunities that the state

needs. However, the PMPC is adamantly op-

posed to the freeway alignment across any

part of South Mountain. We encourage your

efforts to find an alternative alignment across

land that does not have such dramatic natural

beauty, cultural significance and historical in-

terest. We strongly ask you to consider the

detrimental effects that the proposed freeway

route will incur and take action from your po-

sition and responsibility to find another route

for the freeway.”

The planned freeway cannot avoid

Reservation land without going through a

portion of the sacred South Mountain Park

Preserve. As referenced in my letter in the

ASU Dottie Gilbert collection, with Court

case references cited, as available at

http://www.asu.edu/lib/archives/gilbert/1990

s.htm, there are legal issues to any freeway

that is planned through parklands.

Additionally, the City of

Phoenix government, including the

Phoenix Mayor and City Council, cannot en-

dorse or approve any route through mountain

preserves, or willfully allow the transfer or

alienation of any mountainous park lands,

without a vote of the Citizens of Phoenix as

provided within Chapter 26 of the Phoenix

City Code, as can be available to you on their

website at http://www.municode.com/re-

sources/gateway.asp?pid=13485&sid=3 :

Chapter XXVI, which states in part:

“In no event shall any real property

within any City Mountain Preserve be sold,

traded or otherwise alienated, redesignated or

deleted from the Mountain Preserve except

by approval of a majority of the electors vot-

ing thereon,” (Election of 11-5-1985); and

“Notwithstanding any other provi-

sion of the Charter of the City of Phoenix, no

land within any City Mountain Preserve, as

that term is defined in Chapter XXVI of the

Charter of the City of Phoenix, shall be sold,

traded, alienated, redesignated, leased, or

otherwise deleted or removed from the

Mountain Preserve except by approval of a

majority of electors voting thereon.” (Elec-

tion of 12-9-1986)

As in the cited Texas highway

case, State officials and other agencies can

waste a great deal of taxpayer funds trying to

get around the protections over

parklands, trying to rely on so-called en-

dorsements by local municipalities, city

councils, and regional boards, but fool-

ishly not having a consensus of the voters. In

Phoenix, to try to go around provisions to

have the voters decide, would be unconstitu-

tional and un-American, as a completely

wasted effort. If they do waste extensive

funds pursuing an improper freeway route,

ADOT and MAG should be held accountable

for their malfeasance and be subject to judi-

cial actions.

David C. Gironda

1515 E. Las Palmaritas

Phoenix, Arizona 85020

(Part Mohawk of the Iroquois)

Dear Editor,

I am a resident of District 4. I am an

Elder and a non-drinker. My sister-in-law and

I were leaving bingo from the Fort at 3a.m.

and saw a police car with their lights off

parked near a tree. I was going the speed

limit.

I saw him turn his lights on then

quickly start to tail gate me. I did not know

why he was bothering me. I eventually pulled

me over just before entering the rez on Ari-

zona Avenue. His lights went on and he

pulled me over. A Caucasian officer came to

the car and flashed his light in my face and

asked if we were drinking. I asked him why

he pulled me over. He said because of my

dirty car and license plate. He kept insisting

we were drinking. He then asked me to get

out of the car.

Then another non-Caucasian officer

came up in another car. He just stood there

quietly. I asked him, in a calm tone, if he had

pulled us over because we were Native. He

became very agitated and stated he could give

me more charges if I want to go there.

My car was towed away because of

a ticket I forgot to pay a long time ago. That

was my fault but the officer did not know this

until after everything happened. I want our

people to know this is going on. Keep your

cars clean, tags clean, and do not use Arizona

Avenue at night. Try to stay on the rez. Run

Indians, run. They are coming after you.

Elaine Newmoon

Lyle,

My dear son, I still can’t

believe you’re gone. Memories

come flooding back to days when

you were 5 years old, and you would

come running to the road when I

came home from work yelling,

“There’s my daddy!” You were so

full of life then and up to that fateful

day.

There were times when

your mom and I would go to the

dances, and you were always riding

on my shoulders, wearing your little

cowboy hat. You were so proud of

that hat, you would say “Daddy, I’m

a cowboy huh?” and I would tell

you, “Yes you are son.”

However, you took your

own road in life, as all young men

must do.

Then there’s that funny,

silly side of you…coming to the

house saying, “Dad when are you

going to another rodeo?” I’d tell you

“Next week son” and you’d say “I’m

going with you, I’m gonna

ride…..just kidding Dad, I don’t

want to make you cowboys cry

when I take your money!”

Son, you were always smil-

ing, laughing, and we had great

times you and me.

To say good-bye is the

hardest thing to do, but know that

your DAD is ever so proud of you.

No one will ever take your place.

I know what a broken heart

feels like, because this father’s heart

is truly broken.

Creator took you much too

soon we say. I feel your brother

needed you, so take care of him. My

sons, you both are in my thoughts

everyday, and both of you were

taken much too young.

My comfort in this world

is, knowing that we’ll all see each

other one day.

Love always,

Dad

Ricky R. Jackson

In Memory of Lyle Davis

Be careful driving along AZ Ave

Letter from David C. Gironda/202 Extension

Letters

GRIN November 2009

The Arizona Republic recently re-

ported that the Maricopa Association of

Governments passed a plan to extend Loop

202 through Ahwatukee Foothills and South

Mountain Park.

Plans for a thoroughfare have been

in the works for the past two decades.

Strong opposition to the loop continues

from many Ahwatukee residents.

The proposed loop is designed to

relieve congestion on Interstate 10 East, by-

passing the Phoenix metro area, and con-

necting to Interstate 10 West through

Laveen at 59th Avenue.

The Gila River Indian Community

Council passed resolutions twice against the

freeway being located on Reservation land.

According to the Arizona Repub-lic, approximately two dozen GRIC mem-

bers appeared at the MAG Transportation

Committee meeting held in downtown

Phoenix. A few individuals gave testimony

in opposition to plans to cut through the

South Mountains.

After an hour of hearing testi-

mony, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith moved that

the Committee approve the plan and said,

“None of the solutions are perfect, but as a

region we have needs that can’t be ignored.”

Although it was reported by the

Arizona Republic that prior to the MAG

vote to approve the extended loop, Lt. Gov-

ernor Joseph Manuel, who sits on the MAG

by proxy, announced that the Community

would be willing to consider a proposal to

build on tribal land. In actuality, according

to MAG minutes, Lt. Governor Manuel

replied that the tribe would look at that

issue, as it has never been proposed to them.

Manuel voted to abstain from the

vote to cut funding for freeway expansion

work due to plummeting tax revenue and

economic downfall.

The MAG Regional Council voted

to cut its $16 billion freeway-improvement

program to $9.4 billion. Many projects were

scaled back or shelved.

Dennis Smith, executive director

of the MAG, said following the meeting, he

received a phone call from GRIC Commu-

nity Manager David White requesting a

meeting with BIA, ADOT, MAG and Con-

gressmen Harry Mitchell and Ed Pastor to

discuss putting the freeway on Tribal land.

Changing the route of the South

Mountain freeway to connect Chandler to

Laveen is far from a done deal. It will take

weeks to organize the gathering.

Additionally, ADOT community

relations director said, “ADOT officials do

not intend to formally look at any potential

freeway routes south of Ahwatukee until the

Gila River Tribal Council repeals two reso-

lutions it has voted on against having the

202 on tribal land.

Extending the 202 through GRIC

PHX. A panel of experts from the Cen-

ters for Disease Control recently gath-

ered to talk to ethnic media about H1N1

flu vaccinations. Disparities and special

factors affect ethnic communities differ-

ently.

The CDC asked for briefings to

get closer and contacted New America

Media, host, who has been conducting

forums around the country. “This [CDC]

is the first government agency who has

reached out to ethnic media, said

Sandy Close, Executive Editor and Di-

rector of New America Media. “Just like

Obama and the Indian leaders,” refer-

ring to the White House Tribal Nations

Conference held on Nov. 4.

Dr. Corey Hebert, Chief Med-

ical Editor, WDSU-NBC and assistant

professor of pediatrics at Tulane Uni-

versity said, “Black, Asian, and Latino

communities have a distrust of govern-

ment in lots of ways. We cannot allow

those things to step in the way of sci-

ence.”

“We have been on a wild ride

for the last 7 months. I hear so many

untruths about vaccines. We have to be

very careful. Vaccines are a good thing

when done correctly.” Hebert went on to

say that there was a disease called HIB

meningitis that ‘died’ at his hospital, due

to vaccinations.

Dr. Andrew Kroger, Medical Of-

ficer, National Center for Immunization

and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, said

the H1N1 strain has been detected

throughout the world and the World

Health Organization declared a pan-

demic on June 11. Since then, muta-

tions of the strain have not occurred.

However, a recent new twist is that the

illness has been detected in household

pets. “Cats, dogs, and ferrets are com-

mon hosts. There is no evidence of pets

infecting humans.”

Kroger went on to say that the

efficacy of the vaccine depends on how

healthy an individual is. “In healthy peo-

ple the vaccine is effective 70 to 90 per-

cent and 40 to 50 percent effective in

preventing illness complications and

death.”

Kroger said people with com-

promised health should be first to get

the H1N1 vaccination. The list includes

diabetics, asthmatics, or people with

chronic heart or lung diseases. Preg-

nant women should get the vaccine.

However, the vaccine is not licensed to

be administered to infants younger than

6 months.

The CDC estimates the H1N1

strain has afflicted 40,000 people, an

underestimate, according to Kroger,

and hospitalized 200,000. Statistics

show that every year 36,000 people die

from complications to the seasonal flu.

The goal of getting the H1N1 vaccina-

tion is to ward off or prevent complica-

tions from the flu.

“The seasonal flu is classified

as H3N2. There is one little piece of a

protein variation that when injected into

your body your body may react but it will

not get Influenza. The next time your

body recognizes the foreign substance

you will be immune,” said Hebert. We

have been doing this for 30, 40 years,

and we do it every year.

Hebert went on to say, “This

[H1N1] is a new disease. There was no

vaccine. Children spread disease like

crazy. They are dirty little things. They

do not wash their hands, they wipe their

runny noses . . . By next year the next

vaccine will have H1N1.”

Janey Pearl, Public Information

Officer and Latino Outreach Coordina-

tor, Arizona Dept. of Health Services in

speaking of immigrant day laborers,

“Lets face it, employers do not care if

you are sick. If you stay home, there are

other people lined up on the side of the

road for your job.”

Arleen Porcell-Pharr, Public Af-

fairs Specialist, CDC, said, “We are ask-

ing employers to be flexible. This is all

we can do. We posed this same ques-

tion to the White House. There is legis-

lation currently being proposed for a

mandatory 5 days of paid leave. You

The Flu Ends with YouBy Jeri Thomas

Pictured Left to Right: Dr. Andrew Kroger, Medical Officer, National Center for Im-munization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC; Dr. Corey Hebert, Chief Medical Editor,WDSU-NBC; Arleen Porcell-Pharr, Public Affairs Specialist, CDC; and Sandy Close,Executive Editor, New America Media. (GRIN Photo - Jeri Thomas)

By Jeri Thomas

have to cocoon yourself among those

around you to keep the virus from

spreading.”

In obtaining access to the vac-

cine, an unidentified reporter from Uni-vision Phoenix 33 said people are afraid

they will be asked for papers as identifi-

cation at the County Health Dept.,

which, according to Pearl, should not

happen. “You should only be required to

give consent,” she said, which also can

pose a problem.

“Adverse events are entered

into a database,” said Hebert, who is

also the Medical Director for the

Louisiana Recovery School District, and

is responsible to protect children at 50

schools. He said he had a no-adverse-

event incident where a child was vacci-

nated, but the mom did not sign the

consent. “She could not read. The vac-

cine is safe and effective to protect your

child.”

November 2009 GRIN

Sacaton-Shawn Tsinhnahijinnie, D3, (above) was one of many Commu-nity members who opted for the pay card in the Community’s inauguralper capita distribution. However, many chose to be issued a live check andwaited in line on Mon, Nov. 2, at the Governance Center in Sacaton, Ariz.Tsinhnahijinnie said that she feels the amount given was sufficient for thisfirst payment.

“We should all be happy that we’re being given this per capitaand that we’re here,” she said. For those who work and support families,Tsinhnahijinnie says this payment is a welcome boost to their income.

Although all Community members are entitled to Per Capita dis-tribution, only those adults who applied for it, received it. This first quar-terly distribution was approximately $300 dollars and comes at a criticalperiod in the economy of the Community. Many Community members arefeeling the squeeze of a down-turning economy while others are dealingwith job losses and work furloughs.

Christopher Louis Rhodd, D3, is another Community memberwho has welcomed the additional per capita funds. “They (the tribe) putme through school, any other money they want to give me I’m cool,” hesaid.

For Amber Johns, D2, accepting the payment wasn’t such a blackand white decision. “At first I was against it,” Johns said, noting that itwould affect several programs.

The D2 resident went on to express that she hoped everyonewould be smart with the money.

It was estimated that 2000 checks were printed by the Per Capitaoffice for those who opted to receive a live paycheck like Kelley Terrazasand Rebecca Moreno (pictured below, left to right).

Mihio Manus/GRIN

Per Capita hits GRIC New regulations enforceclean up of Tres Rios Refuge

At Phoenix Inter-national Raceway (PIR)NASCAR’s elite race cardrivers negotiate thrillingturns on the one mile cir-cuit. Fans enjoy race carsthat average over 100 milesper hour from one of PIR’s70,000 plus seats while theroar of the Subway FreshFit 500 can be heard frommiles around. Outside thetrack, authorities are in aheated race of their own tohalt illegal activities thatare defiling the revitaliza-tion efforts of environmen-tal sites.

On Oct. 15, 2009County Attorney AndrewThomas held a press con-ference at the confluenceof the Gila, Salt and AguaFria Rivers to outline aplan to restore the TresRios Riparian Refuge, arevitalized ecological sitein the west Valley whichincludes a portion of theCommunity’s Westend.Thomas is aligning withArizona Game and Fish aswell as local law enforce-ment to put the brakes onactivities that range fromillicit dumping, trespass-ing, gang and drug crimes.“We are going to bereaching out to all part-ners in law enforcementand among the people here in MaricopaCounty to work together to clean up and pre-serve the Tres Rios refuge,” Thomas said.“The Gila River [Indian] Community wouldbe an important part of that.”

Efforts include increased patrols andinvestigations into illegal activities as well asa focus on crimes that contribute to the envi-ronmental degradation of the Tres Rios Ri-parian Refuge. “It would be great to havesupport from your Nation on this when we doa major clean up in March,” said Thomas re-ferring to the role of GRIC during clean upsin the spring at the Tres Rios Festival.

The Community is also involved inits own restoration efforts. Projects includethe Pee-Posh Wetlands on 91st Ave north ofBaseline and the Gila River Wetlands whichis south of the Tres Rios Project. Army Corpof Engineers is working with GRIC to definetheir own Tres Rios Project along the West-end.

The area in and around the TresRios area remains volatile due to drug andhuman smuggling and the firing of weapons.Drug labs were reportedly located in the areawhere human and animal remains were re-covered. The dumping of toxic materials andindustrial waste is active as are incidents in-volving illegal hunting and angling.

Through a special grant the GRIC’sDepartment of Environmental Quality (DEQ)was able to remove 86 tons of trash from thePee-Posh wetlands. Cleaning costs for TresRios and surrounding Community sites are inthe millions of dollars. In times of recessionand cutbacks, there is simply inadequatefunding to address the issue in its entirety.

Development of adjacent communi-

ties brings encroachment issues to the fore-front for GRIC. Through funding from theBureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) a number ofgates were installed which proved helpful inkeeping trespassers out.

The problems in the Tres Rios re-gion barely echo the severity of illegal dump-ing and misuse of the land located in theexpanse of the Community. “Trash growsmore trash,” said Corporal Richard Sichlingof the Special Services Division/Rangerswith GRPD.

Typical dump sites include, TVs,tires, wrecked furniture, used oil, cans ofpaint and other building materials such asconcrete dry wall and roofing material. Usedoil along with acetone and weed killer hasvery high drainage potential to contaminateground water.

Large items that are illegallydumped within the Community have a ten-dency to be used as objects aimed at for tar-get practice. The mercury found in TVs andlead in paint contaminates the aquifer and en-danger local wildlife.

Similarly, around the Tres Rios Ri-parian Refuge sewage affluent streams aremistaken for natural rivers. Despite signage,it is very common to see entire families hav-ing an outing of swimming, and fishing insewage. The fish in the sewage are alsooften consumed as people continue to usestreams from the sewer for recreation.

A major clean up of the area beginsin March of 2010. “My hope is now that wecan build on that to preserve the area andclean it up and restore it to its original lus-ter,” Thomas said.

Debris from polluters lines the banks of the Tres Rios Riparian

Refuge at the confluence of the Gila, Salt and Agua Fria Rivers.

(GRIN Photo - Roberto A. Jackson)

By Roberto A. Jackson

GRIN Reporter

The US Census Bureau is calling

on Arizona students to use their creativity

to help promote the 2010 campaign. The

students can help by participating in the

student design contest which will allow

the students an opportunity to develop

messages on the importance of the census

by using posters, T-shirts or video.

The students from grades 3

through 12 are asked to come up with

ways to say why Census is important to

their community. There are 3 separate

competitions, which are: 3rd-5th Grade:

Poster Design 6th-8th Grade: T-Shirt

Logo Design 9th-12th Grade: Video Sub-

mission

Prizes will be awarded to the top

3 designs/submissions in each group.

Also, the winning design in each group

will be used to assist the Census during

the 2010 promotional campaign.

Deadline to submit entries are

November 20, 2009. All entries must be

mailed to: Attn: 2010 Census Arizona

Student Design Comp 850 W. Adams

Street Suite. 110 Phoenix, AZ 85007

Every student must submit an

entry form along with their designs. The

entry form provides the rules and specific

information about the contest.

To print the entry form and fly-

ers, visit the Census Student Design Com-

petition temporary website:

http://azcensus.weebly.com/

Census Bureau launches Arizona student competition

GRIN November 2009

normal operations under the stipulation that

controlled spending measures from Budget

Modifications 1 and 2 would continue and

that the four percent wage adjustment for FY

’09 would be retracted effective October

’09. Controlled spending measures in-

cluded, but were not limited to, eliminating

the Christmas gift to Community employ-

ees, elimination of GRIC’s Water Rights Set-

tlement Day as a paid holiday, reduction in

travel and also a reduction in Community

department operations budgets by 13.1%.

With the national unemployment

rate hitting the 10 percent mark in October

‘09 and the U.S. Government facing fiscal

2010 with a 176 billion dollar deficit, the

economic crisis that faces the Community is

undoubtedly reflective of the greater na-

tional economic condition.

In a special Council meeting held

on Wed, Oct. 29, GRIC Governor, William

R. Rhodes said, “Finally it’s here too. We’ve

been meeting trying to decide the best way

to cut expenses but before we can make res-

olutions, we need council’s approval.”

During the special Council meet-

ing, the Governor’s Executive Team brought

forth four resolutions addressing measures

that the team hoped would effectively reduce

the budget by approximately 35M dollars.

The resolutions were presented as 2010

Budgeting Options.

The first measure addressed elimi-

nating or lessening funds allocated toward

GRIC’s Education Affordability Program

(EAP) that provides assistance to Commu-

nity parents in purchasing school clothes and

supplies for their children. The rationaliza-

tion behind this measure being that along

with the implementation of per capita pay-

ments are guidelines by which parents of mi-

nors are able to receive funds from the

minor’s trust account for purposes of pur-

chasing school supplies.

The second resolution proposed a

shift in GRIC’s Housing program to move

away from using tribal Residential Housing

Improvement Program (RHIP) funds toward

utilizing federal NAHASDA monies, which

are provided through the Native American

Housing Assistance and Self Determination

Act of 1996. While this option sought to

temporarily suspend the RHIP program, it

afforded the Community a possible budget-

ary cushion while allowing a re-evaluation

of RHIP guidelines and the enforcement of

RHIP policy.

The third resolution proposed a re-

duction in force measure to examine areas

within GRIC departments where the Com-

munity could possibly eliminate positions

that are not absolutely needed. This option

also took into consideration the possibility

of work furlough days and marking the re-

mainding FY 2010 holidays as unpaid, leave

without pay (LWOP) days.

And lastly, the fourth resolution

sought to scrutinize income guidelines for fi-

nancial assistance programs, like the Home

Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), by

which Community members are able to gain

assistance in paying their utility bills. In dis-

cussion regarding this particular option, D5

Councilman Frank Pablo, Sr., said, “There

are a lot of people who are making money

but are still coming to the districts for utility

assistance. People with two incomes.”

Ultimately, Council motioned to

dispense these items under the premise that

adequate information regarding these reso-

lutions was not provided to them to, in turn,

inform their constituency.

“We need these resolutions to be

approved for us to start making moves and

taking initiative,” Governor Rhodes said. “I

don’t have the power. Council has the au-

thority. We need to approve these resolu-

tions to address these issues. We need coun-

cil approval to proceed.”

Beyond motioning to dispense the

proposed 2010 Budgeting Options, Com-

munity Council brought forth several offi-

cial motions to also address budgetary

concerns.

Councilman Myron Schurz, D3,

motioned to direct Governor Rhodes to con-

duct an assessment on the inventory of the

community vehicles and to address the take-

home policy of all tribal vehicles to deter-

mine justification.

D6 Councilman, Anthony Villareal

Sr. motioned to postpone the Compensation

Study until fiscal year 2011. This particular

study would allow the Community to review

and adjust the salaries of Community em-

ployees according to national and regional

averages.

Councilman Villareal Sr., also mo-

tioned to direct Governor Rhodes, Treasurer

Arthur Felder and the Government and Man-

agement Committee to analyze budgetary

options 3 and 4 for consideration to meet the

goal of a balanced budget without negatively

affecting 24/7 departments. Included in the

motion was to consider cuts without nega-

tively affecting the operation and service of

these 24/7 departments.

In a motion made by D4 Council-

man Barney Enos, Jr., it was directed that

Governor Rhodes and Community Manager

David White expedite the Government Re-

organization project. Furthermore, Council-

man Enos, Jr., motioned to clarify that the

‘expedition’ be included with the motions re-

garding the analysis of tribal vehicles and

the budget process for FY 2010.

Councilman Darrell Gerlaugh, D4,

motioned that the Governor and Executive

Team look into the possibility of the Com-

munity utilizing the RSA dividends from

Verizon that the Community gets every

quarter.

Before the assembled Council,

GRIC Treasurer, Arthur Felder said that now

is the time to make these decisions. “Now

we’re in a situation where we have less than

60 days to solve these things,” Felder said.

“The truth of the matter is we’re spending

more than we make and we have to fix that.”

As GRIC nears the November 25

continuance deadline to come forth with a

balanced budget, Community departments

continue to operate on 1/12th of their operat-

ing budgets per month.

The Executive Team along with the

Public Information Office have taken to the

districts with an outreach program designed

to address the budgetary concerns and fur-

ther proposed options surrounding reducing

the budget to the tune of 35M dollars.

Included in these proposed options

are:

•A 13.1% reduction to all Community de-

partment operational budgets.

•A reprioritization of RHIP.

•To postpone the compensation study until

FY 2011.

•A proposal to eliminate the Education Af-

fordability Program (EAP).

•A reprioritization of Capital Projects to in-

clude new buildings for the MIS, Property

and Supply, and Fleet Management build-

ings.

•Seven LWOP holidays effective 1/2/10.

•12 LWOP work furlough days, excepting

24/7 operations.

According to Governor Rhodes,

the budget is at a critical point. “Money isn’t

coming in from tribal entities as it once

had,” Rhodes said. “We’re not exempt from

the recession. You’ve seen it in the news.

What we’ve been doing is trimming the fat

off the budget.”

Balancing Act/from page 1

CHANDLER-On Fri, Oct. 30, the Gila River Indian Com-

munity opened the doors to its new 100,000 square foot Wild

Horse Pass Casino. The casino features over 1,000 slot ma-

chines, 71 table games along with five lounges and eight

new dining facilities.

Billed as Arizona’s premier hotel/casino, the new

Wild Horse Pass Casino and Hotel will offer 242 rooms in a

ten story hotel and the finest in upscale service and lodging.

Ernie Stevens, Jr, Chairman of the National Indian

Gaming Association was on hand for the grand opening.

Stevens delivered a message of how important gaming is to

Indian Country.

“Even though this is an economic endeavor it re-

ally starts out with culture and it evolves to the business

world and economic development. It still comes back to tak-

ing care of our economies and communities,” Stevens said.

“We understand this it’s a challenging economy and we’re

working hard to fix it. But I think that the foresight, the ex-

pertise and the work ethic of Indian Country, it really is an

important part of what we’re about.”

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, Governor

William R. Rhodes was given the honor of placing the first

bet and spinning the reels of the first slot machine. Rhodes

didn’t win on the inaugural spin but his luck changed the

second time around winning $60 dollars.

The Governor acknowledged that this momentous

financial endeavor has taken a lot of hard work and planning

on behalf of the Community.

“It’s a good asset for the Community. They’ll ben-

efit from the proceeds coming in and through here. Educa-

tion gets a big chunk of the money that comes in,” Rhodes

said.

The Governor also noted that many other programs

would benefit alongside education such as programs for the

elderly.

GRIC Lt. Governor, Joseph Manuel said, “It’s

going to bring unanticipated revenues that we need, espe-

cially in the economic times that we’re in. It’s just unbe-

lievable that this place is so immaculate. We’re premiere in

the State of Arizona for hotel and Indian casinos. We’re at

the top and we’re going to stay there.”

Harold Baugus, Chief Executive Officer for the

Gila River Gaming Enterprise was thrilled to see the new

casino come to fruition with such grandeur.

“What were going to see is a brand new type of

gaming in Arizona like it’s never seen before. We’ve built

a multimillion-dollar facility that’s going to be the top of the

state for a number of years to come,” Baugus said. “We have

state of the art gaming as well as eight food outlets that en-

compass fine and casual dining. Our Shula’s Steakhouse

will probably be known the finest steakhouse in Arizona.

We’re also offering a four-star hotel along with a 1400 seat

entertainment venue which no other casino in Arizona has.

This is huge endeavor and commitment for the Community.”

In addressing the state of the national economy,

Baugus said that the new Wild Horse Pass Casino and Hotel

has been developed as a long-term plan for the Community.

“This is was not a short term vision,” he said.

“When we started this, the economy was okay. When it

started to go bad, all it caused us to do was change our busi-

ness model and change our marketing strategies into a dif-

ferent direction. However, this is a long range plan for

generations to come for the Community.”

New Wild Horse Pass Casino andHotel/from page 1By Mihio Manus

GRIN Managing Editor

A preview of the 1400 seat entertainment venue housed in the new Wild Horse Pass Casino and Hotel. (GRIN

Photo - Mihio Manus)

GRIC Governor William R. Rhodes makes the inau-

gural spin on a slot machine as Lt. Governor Joseph

Manuel watches at the grand opening of the new

Wild Horse Pass Casino and Hotel. (GRIN Photo -

Roberto A. Jackson)

November 2009 GRIN

WASHINGTON—The Department of

Homeland Security and the Tohono O’od-

ham Nation of Arizona today formalized an

agreement to develop a Western Hemi-

sphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant

Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC)—signed by

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Assistant Commissioner Thomas S.

Winkowski and Tohono O’odham Nation of

Arizona Chairperson Ned Norris, Jr., in a

ceremony in Washington.

The ETC verifies tribal citizenship

and identity for the purpose of entering the

United States by land or sea—enhancing

safety and security of U.S. borders while fa-

cilitating legitimate travel and trade.

“This agreement will strengthen

safety along our borders while providing To-

hono O’odham members a secure and stan-

dardized ID card,” said Secretary

Napolitano. “In the months ahead, we will

continue to build upon these efforts—from

secure identification to preparing for emer-

gencies—with our tribal partners across the

country.”

“This agreement is of tremendous

importance to the Tohono O’odham Nation

and is an excellent example of how positive

government-to-government relations can

benefit the greater good. Secretary Napoli-

tano, Acting Commissioner Ahern, CBP and

the Tohono O’odham Legislative Coun-

cil deserve a great deal of credit for their

diligence in developing this momentous

agreement,” said Chairperson Norris. “The

Tohono O’odham Nation is committed to

doing its part by working with federal au-

thorities to protect the U.S. homeland.”

Today’s agreement reflects Secre-

tary Napolitano’s commitment to close co-

ordination with tribal partners across the

United States on security initiatives and un-

derscores the mutual commitment of DHS

and the Tohono O’odham Nation to enhance

border security and combat threats of ter-

rorism and transnational crime through se-

cure identification.

Since January, CBP has also signed

agreements with the Kootenai Tribe of

Idaho, the Pascua Yaqui of Arizona and the

Seneca Nation of New York. CBP is cur-

rently working with approximately 25 addi-

tional tribes across the country on the ETC

initiative.

WHTI is a joint initiative between

DHS and the Department of State that im-

plements a key 9/11 Commission recom-

mendation and Congressional mandate to

establish document requirements for travel-

ers entering the United States who were pre-

viously exempt, including citizens of the

United States, Canada and Bermuda.

DHS implemented WHTI at land

and sea ports of entry as of June 1, requiring

travelers to present an approved travel doc-

ument to enter the United States. Approved

documents include passports, U.S. passport

cards, trusted traveler program cards and

state- or province-issued enhanced driver’s

licenses. Upon successful testing and is-

suance, ETCs, developed in accordance

with the signed agreement, will also be ac-

cepted for border crossings.

There are over 28,000 enrolled cit-

izens of the Tohono O’odham Nation. The

Nation’s lands contain 75 miles of the inter-

national border in south-western Arizona

and extend into Mexico, covering an area

the size of Connecticut.

Department of Homeland Security, Tohono O’Odham Nation to develop enhanced tribal IDSubmitted by The White House Media

Affairs Office

SACATON-For D5’s Vanessa Enos, 24, the

drive to become a Gila River Police Officer

was what compelled the young lady through

the rigors of an 18-week training program

which embodies the CARLOTA Academy.

The Central Arizona Regional Law Offi-

cers Training Academy (CARLOTA) of-

fered through Central Arizona College at

Signal Peak is a program designed to pre-

pare potential police recruits for entry into

law enforcement positions. In addition to

physical fitness training and practical exer-

cises, cadets also study matters of the Crim-

inal Justice System, Laws of Arrest, Search

and Seizure, and Narcotics and Dangerous

Drugs among many other subjects.

Since it’s inception, the CARLOTA Acad-

emy has trained over 2,400 officers and as-

sisted upwards of 88 different police

agencies.

On Thurs, Oct. 22, Officer Vanessa Enos

graduated with Class 109 from the CAR-

LOTA Academy with distinguished honors,

sweeping the awards given in areas of phys-

ical fitness, firearms and academics. Enos

was also given the coveted Russell L. Dun-

can award which memorializes a fallen pa-

trol officer from the Apache Junction Police

Department who was killed in the line of

duty in 1983. This particular award is given

to a member of the graduating class who has

been chosen by his/her peers in the acad-

emy.

Of the 12 cadets who started the program,

Enos was one of the remaining five to grad-

uate. “I didn’t want to give up. That’s not

something I look to do,” she said. “I really

wanted to become a ranger so I kept up and

kept my grades up as well.”

Upon graduating from CARLOTA, Enos

is a state certified police officer. However,

in her pursuit to become a ranger with the

Gila River Police Department (GRPD), Of-

ficer Enos will be put through a 12-week

field-training program in which she’ll learn

to be an officer of the Gila River Indian

Community. After which, she will then un-

dergo another 8-week program where she

will learn laws and codes regarding bound-

ary and resource protection that rangers

must abide by.

“After that 8-week training, she’ll be able

to go out on her own,” said Corporal

Richard Sichling of the Special Services Di-

vision/Rangers with GRPD.

Sichling also remarked on Enos accom-

plishments in graduating with honors from

the Academy. “There were students from

Yuma, San Carlos, Casa Grande, all over the

state,” he said. “She was at the very top of

her class. We’re very proud of Ms. Enos.”

Before Community Council on Weds,

Nov. 4, Enos was presented as a graduate of

the CARLOTA academy.

D5 Councilman, Frank Pablo, Sr., con-

gratulated Enos saying that he knows it was-

n’t easy but how remarkable it was that she

came out on top. “Overall I think the person

who is most proud is Mr. Enos.”

Officer Enos is the daughter of D5 Coun-

cilman Delane “Tony” and Terry Enos.

“Yes, I’m very proud of her and what she’s

accomplished,” Councilman Enos said.

“With what she’s accomplished, the rest will

follow. She’ll be protecting the Community

from Districts One to Seven.”

Although her training with the academy is

over and she no longer has to spend hours

on end at the shooting range in mid-sum-

mer, triple-digit heat, Officer Vanessa Enos

can now look forward in her career as a

GRIC ranger patrolling the seven districts

of the Community.

D5 Community member, Enos graduatesfrom CARLOTA Academy

Councilman Delane “Tony” Enos ceremonially places the GRPD badge on his daugher, Vanessa Enos at her

graduation from the Carlotta Academy at CAC/Signal Peak. (GRIN Photo - Mihio Manus)

Story by Mihio Manus

PHOENIX - Webster Norris III, 44, of

Sacaton, Ariz., was sentenced yesterday to

27 years in prison by U.S. District Judge

Mary H. Murguia after Norris was found

guilty of Second Degree Murder and Ag-

gravated Assault by a federal jury on June

26, 2009. Norris was responsible for the

2008 vehicular homicide of a bicyclist on

the Gila River Indian Reservation.

On September 20, 2008, Norris and a

female colleague spent the day drinking and

driving throughout the Arizona communi-

ties of Chandler, Maricopa, Casa Blanca,

Casa Grande and Sacaton. Norris had con-

sumed a 12-pack, as well as 40-ounce cans,

of beer. About 20 minutes before the colli-

sion, Norris raced through a residential area

where emergency responders were trying to

extinguish a residential fire. Although

warned to slow down approximately 10

times, the passenger testified that Norris’s

speed reached as high as 90 mph.

Norris passed two vehicles and col-

lided with a bicyclist, a 60-year-old Gilbert,

Ariz., man who was cross-training in prepa-

ration for a marathon. The impact of the

collision was at such a high speed that the

left side of the victim’s body was mangled,

to include total amputation of his left arm

and hand and near amputation of the left

side of his leg. The victim’s amputated arm

and hand flew into Norris’s car and into the

back seat.

The evidence showed that Norris never

slowed prior to, or after, hitting the victim.

Norris drove his vehicle some distance

down the road, stopped his vehicle and told

his passenger to get out and run. Norris was

located 48 hours later and claimed he had

no memory of the previous 48 hours due to

his extreme intoxication. Norris had previ-

ously been convicted of Aggravated DUI in

Arizona and had been arrested for DUI

twice in 2007 for drunk driving on the Gila

River Indian Reservation.

The investigation in this case was con-

ducted by the Gila River Police Department

and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The prosecution was handled by Heather

Belt and Sharon Sexton, Assistant U.S. At-

torneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

Sacaton man sentenced to 27 years for 2nd degreemurder for vehicular homicide of Gilbert man

GRIN November 2009

Following each of the district presentations on the

Constitution Reform Project, the Tribal Constitution Reform

Project Task Force (Task Force) received questions regard-

ing proposed amendments. The Task Force is reprinting

some of those questions and answers for your review.

•How did the Task Force decide to leave the required

blood quantum at ¼ degree Indian blood?

Blood quantum is critical to membership and many Com-

munity members had many diverse opinions on the topic.

For example, one suggestion was to eliminate the blood

quantum requirement entirely and move to descendency (lin-

eal ancestry). Another suggestion was to lower the blood

quantum from ¼ to 1/8 or 1/16. Others suggested leaving

the blood quantum at ¼ but changing the requirement from

¼ Indian blood to ¼ Pima or Maricopa blood. Still others

suggested increasing the blood quantum to ½. After re-

viewing all of the suggestions, the Task Force created Draft

1 of the Proposed Revised Constitution. In Draft 1, the pro-

posed blood quantum requirement was changed from ¼ In-

dian blood to 1/8 Gila River Pima and/or Maricopa blood as

a basic membership requirement. When Draft 1 was pre-

sented to the Community, the Community was asked to pro-

vide feedback on that specific requirement. Only 76 of 139,

or 55% of those completing surveys indicated that they

agreed with the proposed blood quantum requirement.

The blood quantum requirement directly impacts whether

one is eligible for membership in the Community and any

changes to this amount will impact the overall membership.

If that threshold is set too low, many people who may not be

of Pima/Maricopa descent would be eligible for enrollment

and the benefits that derive from enrollment. On the other

hand, if the threshold is set too high, membership will de-

cline and could affect the long term existence of the Com-

munity. Because blood quantum is such a critical issue, the

Task Force felt it necessary to leave the quantum at ¼ degree

Indian blood and make a recommendation to the Commu-

nity Council to conduct a detailed study on the issue of blood

quantum and how each suggested change, either to increase

or decrease blood quantum will impact the long term exis-

tence of the Community. All of these factors should be stud-

ied in great detail to determine what the effects of a change

in blood quantum would have on the Community. Once

these issues are analyzed, each Community member voting

on any proposed change would have better information on

how the change will or could impact the Community’s exis-

tence over time.

•Draft 1 of the Proposed Revised GRIC Constitution

contained term limits for the Governor, Lt. Governor

and the Community Council members. The final draft

only has term limits for the Governor and Lt. Governor.

Why were term limits for the Community Council re-

moved?

Early survey results indicated Community members wanted

term limits for elected officials. Draft 1 did include a limit

on the number of terms one could serve as Governor, Lt.

Governor or Community Council member to 2 four year

terms. However, responses to the surveys on Draft 1 demon-

strate overall that support for term limits was not strong. On

this issue, 139 Community members were asked if they liked

the term limits. Only 86, or 62% of those responding agreed

with the term limit concept, while 46 Community members

either did not answer the question or answered they didn’t

like the term limits. One comment on the topic was, “[t]he

interest currently shown by members to run for office is so

few that limiting could give even less choices.” Another

pointed out, “[t]here are some very effective council people

who should be allowed to serve more than 2 terms.” Term

limits were left in the final draft for the Governor and Lt.

Governor to reduce the potential for concentrated power in

one person who might be re-elected time and time again.

•What is the issue with the District 6 and 7 Boundary?

The Community’s Constitution has an internal conflict re-

garding the District 6 and 7 boundaries and directly affect-

ing the Co-Op Village. Article XI, Section 1 describes the

boundaries for each district with a legal description followed

by an identification of the villages. The legal description for

District 6 and District 7 crosses through the Co-Op Village

leaving a portion within District 6 and a portion within Dis-

trict 7. The village identification, however, states that Co-

Op Village is a part of District 6. The village description for

District 7 only includes Maricopa Colony. The Task Force

held special meetings at District 6 and 7 on this issue. Res-

idents of Co-Op Village explained the difficulty they expe-

rienced in getting services from District 7 Community, they

believe, in part, because District 7 is primarily Maricopa

while residents of District 6 are Pima. This has led to nu-

merous issues throughout the years. Residents of District 7,

acknowledged problems in the past but that there are no cur-

rent problems and some residents of Co-Op Village pre-

ferred to remain a part of District 7 where they receive their

services.

The options were to leave the language as is, to propose

moving the boundary line so that all of Co-Op Village was

in one of the two districts or to clarify the language of the

constitution so that it was clear that Districts 6 and 7 each in-

cluded portions of Co-Op Village. After reporting to their re-

spective districts, Task Force Representatives decided to

leave the language “as is” and allow the districts to try to re-

solve the issues. They reported that many of their district

residents opined that other districts shouldn’t “have a say” in

a district where they do not reside. At a recent Legislative

Standing Committee Meeting, the Task Force was directed

to change the draft language to move the District 6 and 7

boundary line so that all of Co-Op Village was a part of Dis-

trict 6.

•Why is there only minimal increase in the educational

requirements for elected officials?

In the original surveys, many Community members relayed

that elected officials should be required to meet educational

requirements to serve. Some commented that they make

multi-million dollar business decisions without the benefit of

advanced education. Others pointed out that an education

doesn’t mean the person will make the right decision. One

person wrote, “Some individuals are smart culture wise –

fair, honest.” After review of all comments, a survey of ed-

ucational requirements in other tribal constitutions as well as

consideration of the requirements to hold public office else-

where, the Task Force decided to balance the two extremes,

including an educational requirement with the reality that

some individuals make great leaders, even if he or she has

not had an opportunity to pursue higher education.

•What are the benefits of a separation of powers?

“Separation of powers” is generally used to describe a sys-

tem of checks and balances on the government and its three

branches: legislative, executive and judicial. Under this sys-

tem, each branch of government is delegated certain powers

while, at the same time, exercises oversight over the other

two branches so that no one branch can become more pow-

erful than the other two. This concept was added to the draft

based upon numerous comments received from interested

Community members raised in the first round of presenta-

tions. In the responses to Draft 1, Community members

overwhelmingly indicated that they support the inclusion of

a separation of powers into the Community’s Constitution.

Of the 139 responses received, 115, or 83% of those re-

sponding indicated they agreed with the addition of separa-

tion of powers, 10 or 7% disagreed with adding separation

of powers and 14, or 10% did not answer the question.

•Why is there a succession plan included in the Final

Draft?

Article IX of the current Community Constitution spells out

what happens if there is a vacancy in the Office of the Gov-

ernor, the Lt. Governor acts and if, the Governor’s absence

is permanent the Lt. Governor succeeds the Governor’s Of-

fice and the Office of the Lt. Governor become vacant.

However, there is no plan for succession if there is an ab-

sence in both the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor.

This could be an issue because there would be on one ful-

filling the duties until an election could be held. The pro-

posed draft includes a provision for the Treasurer to assume

the responsibilities of the Office of Governor if there is a va-

cancy in the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor due

death or disability of both officers. This succession plan will

make certain that the business of the Office of the Governor

and Lt. Governor will continue until the next election in the

unlikely event that both the Governor and Lt. Governor are

unable to serve.

•What are the benefits of an independent Election

Board?

In one of the first surveys conducted by the Task Force, one

community member suggested that the Election Board be

removed from the Community Council Secretary’s Office.

The Community Council Secretary is appointed by and

serves at the direction of the Community Council. This

gives, at a minimum an impression of impropriety or the po-

tential for over involvement in elections by the Community

Council. Added to the conflict is the Community Council’s

power to sit as the final judge of all elections. After survey

of other tribal constitutions, the Task Force reviewed some

that had provisions for an independent elections board. The

Task Force evaluated the idea and decided to include the

concept in the Proposed Revised Constitution. However, in

an effort to make certain that the independence of the Elec-

tions Board was not compromised through budgetary con-

straints and work space issues, the Proposed Revised

Constitution requires the Board to be funded and provided

work space.

An independent Elections Board is necessary to make cer-

tain that the Community Council, Governor’s Office and

Court system do not overly get involved in the elections

process. Community Council members, the Governor and

Lt. Governor and most of the Court’s judges are elected. To

allow any one of those branches to exercise unchecked au-

thority over the procedures and employees responsible for

carrying out the duties of Elections carries, at a minimum

the appearance of a conflict of interest. The inclusion an in-

dependent election board gives an additional protection for

the elections process to speak the voice and message of the

people.

The question arises whether this provision should be a part

of an ordinance as opposed to the Community’s constitution.

Although an elections board could be created by the Com-

munity Council through ordinance, it could also be abolished

through similar action of the Community Council. One

Community member commented about the proposed lan-

guage regarding the inclusion of an independent elections

board, “[t]his article is also very good.”

•What is a Secretarial Election?

A Secretarial Election is the election necessary to amend the

Community’s Constitution. It is a federal election, super-

vised by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and conducted using

procedures outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Tribal elections law does not apply.

•Why does the Bureau of Indian Affairs have to conduct

the elections to amend the Community’s Constitution?

The Community’s Constitution was originally adopted as a

part of the Indian Reorganization Act and the terms of the

Community’s Constitution require a Secretarial Election to

amend the Constitution. The Bureau of Indian Affairs con-

ducts the election as a representative of the Secretary of the

Interior and in accordance with 25 CFR Part 81.

•I’m already registered to vote in tribal elections, will I

need to register for the Secretarial Election?

Yes, you will need to register for the Secretarial Election.

The Secretarial Election is an election that is supervised by

the Bureau of Indian Affairs and is conducted using proce-

dures contained in the Code of Federal Regulations. Those

regulations require eligible individuals to register to vote in

the Secretarial Election.

•Is the Secretarial Election the same as a Tribal Election?

No, a Secretarial Election is a federal election governed by

federal law and federal procedure. A Tribal Election is gov-

erned by tribal law and tribal procedure.

•How old do I have to be to vote in the Secretarial Elec-

tion?

You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older on the date

of the election.

•I live off the reservation. Will I be allowed to vote in the

Secretarial Election?

Yes, the Bureau of Indian Affairs notified the Community

via letter dated September 22, 2009 that Community mem-

Tribal Constitution Reform ProjectFrequently Asked Questions …. About the Proposed ConstitutionSubmitted by the TCRP Task Force

Continued on Page 9

November 2009 GRIN

Elder recieves home after 30 years

SACATON-Ernestine R. Blackwater, D3, was extremely grateful for her new home dur-ing a recent open house event. Blackwater had moved into the Sacaton Elderly Complexin 1979 after her original home was condemned. The 85 year old elder was approvedfor a replacement home by Council in 1983. “It’s working together making sure every-one does their part,” said Lt. Governor Joseph Manuel.

Fera Wapaha, Blackwater’s granddaughter, worked tirelessly to ensure hergrandmother would have her house replaced after 30 years. Wapaha finally took thematter to Governor William R. Rhodes. “He was really disturbed,” said Wapaha of Gov-ernor’s reaction to Blackwater’s circumstances. “He was going to make sure her housewas going to be built.”

After a prayer Blackwater expressed her gratitude. “I waited so long…bless allof the houses.” She also added, “Thank you with all my heart.”

The event was also attended by D3 Councilman Myron Schurz, and membersof the Department of Community Housing.

bers who are qualified to vote and who reg-

ister to vote in the Secretarial Election will

be allowed to vote, regardless of residence.

•The TCRP Task Force submitted the

Final Draft Constitution to the Commu-

nity Council. Will there be changes made

and who will make these changes?

The Legislative Standing Committee and

the Government & Management Standing

Committee voted to send the Final Draft for

Law Office review. Once that review is

complete, the document could be sent onto

the Council and the Community Council or

the Legislative Standing Committee or

Government & Management Standing

Committee could ultimately decide whether

they want additional changes to the docu-

ment, if and when they will submit a request

to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for a Secre-

tarial Election.

•What happens after the Proposed Re-

vised Constitution is submitted to the Bu-

reau of Indian Affairs?

Once submitted to the Bureau of Indian Af-

fairs, along with a resolution from the Com-

munity Council requesting a Secretarial

Election, they will begin a legal and techni-

cal review of the document. There will be

on-going communication between the Bu-

reau and the Tribe on this review in an effort

to finalize the document to the satisfaction

of both parties.

•Article XVII of the Community’s Con-

stitution states that the Secretary of Inte-

rior shall be responsible “to call an

election on any proposed amendment at

the request of the Council or upon receipt

of a petition signed by five hundred (500)

eligible voters, members of the Commu-

nity.” What does this mean?

This section means that the Community

Council may ask for a Secretarial Election

or at least 500 Community members who

meet voter eligibility requirements may ask

the Secretary for a Secretarial Election to

amend the Community’s Constitution. Very

much like the provisions relating to Initia-

tive and Referendum, this language is a

reservation of powers to the people.

•The Community’s Constitution states

that the Community’s Constitution may

be amended “by a majority vote of qual-

ified voters … voting in a [ ] [Secretarial]

election …., provided at least thirty (30)

percent of those entitled to vote shall vote

…” What does this mean?

This section spells out how many people

must participate in the election in order for

a change to be made. Remember, one must

meet certain eligibility requirements to be

able to register to vote in a Secretarial Elec-

tion and then must actually register. Those

that do are the “qualified voters”. Of the

total number of qualified (registered) vot-

ers, at least 30% must participate in the

election by voting. If that 30% threshold is

met, and a majority votes in support of the

proposed amendments, it will pass for fur-

ther review by the Bureau. If less than 30%

participate, the measure will fail, even if

more people vote to support the amend-

ments. For example, if only 100 Commu-

nity members register to vote, 30 of those

registered voters must actually vote in the

Secretarial Election in order for the results

to count.

•What happens if the Proposed Revised

Constitution does not pass?

In 1990, there was a Secretarial Election.

Although a majority of those voting voted

to support the amendments, 30% of those

who registered to vote did not actually vote,

so the attempt failed. It will ultimately be

the decision of the Community Council

whether additional attempts by the govern-

ment are made to revise the constitution.

•If the Proposed Revised Constitution

passes, when will it go into effect?

If the Proposed Revised Constitution is

passed, the document must still be approved

by the Secretary of Interior. Once ap-

proved, the effective date will be deter-

mined. The Proposed Revisions are not in

effect right now.

•Can I vote with an absentee ballot?

Absentee voting is allowed, provided that

you meet the criteria outlined in Part 81 of

the Code of Federal Regulations. The Bu-

reau of Indian Affairs will send notification

of how to request an absentee ballot.

TCRP FAQs

Intensive lifestyle changes aimed at

modest weight loss reduced the rate of de-

veloping type 2 diabetes by 34 percent com-

pared with placebo in people at high risk for

the disease, researchers conclude based on

10 years of data.

Participants randomly assigned to

make lifestyle changes also had more favor-

able cardiovascular risk factors, including

lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels,

despite taking fewer drugs to control their

heart disease risk, according to the study.

Treatment with the oral diabetes

drug metformin reduced the rate of develop-

ing diabetes by 18 percent after 10 years

compared with placebo. Results of the Dia-

betes Prevention Program Outcomes Study

(DPPOS), which examines the persistence

of the interventions tested in the Diabetes

Prevention Program (DPP), appear online in

The Lancet on Oct. 29, 2009.

In the United States, about 11 per-

cent of adults—24 million people—have di-

abetes, and up to 95 percent of them have

type 2 diabetes. An additional 57 million

overweight adults have glucose levels that

are higher than normal but not yet in the di-

abetic range, a condition that substantially

raises the risk of a heart attack or stroke and

of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 10

years.

The DPPOS is a continuation of the

DPP, a large, randomized trial in 3,234 over-

weight or obese adults with elevated blood

glucose levels. Researchers announced the

initial findings of the DPP in 2001, a year

earlier than scheduled because results were

so clear: after three years, intensive lifestyle

changes reduced the development of type 2

diabetes by 58 percent compared with

placebo. Metformin (850 milligrams twice

a day) reduced it by 31 percent compared

with placebo.

Intensive lifestyle changes con-

sisted of lowering fat and calories in the diet

and increasing regular physical activity to

150 minutes per week. Participants received

training in diet, exercise (most chose walk-

ing), and behavior modification skills. In the

first year of the DPP, this group lost 15 lbs.

on average but regained all but about 5

pounds over 10 years. The metformin group

has maintained a loss of about 5 pounds, and

the placebo group lost less than 2 pounds

over the decade.

About 5 to 6 percent of those in the

lifestyle intervention group developed type 2

diabetes annually, an incidence rate that re-

mained steady throughout the DPPOS.

When the DPP ended in 2001, the metformin

and placebo groups were developing dia-

betes at the rate of 8 and 11 percent a year,

respectively. In 10 years, however, the

yearly diabetes incidence rates for the drug

and placebo groups had also fallen to about

5 to 6 percent, and the lifestyle intervention

group’s rate remained at this lower level.

“Sustaining even modest weight

loss with lifestyle changes is highly chal-

lenging, but it produced major long-term

health rewards by lowering the risk of type

2 diabetes and reducing other cardiovascu-

lar risk factors in people at high risk of de-

veloping diabetes,” said lead author and a

principal investigator for the study, William

Knowler, M.D., Dr.P.H., of the NIDDK in

Phoenix. “Once we learned how dramati-

cally this intervention reduced diabetes onset

in the DPP, we offered modified training in

lifestyle changes to all participants, which

probably contributed to the falling diabetes

rates in the placebo and metformin groups.”

NIDDK, part of the NIH, conducts

and supports basic and clinical research and

research training on some of the most com-

mon, severe and disabling conditions affect-

ing Americans. The Institute’s research

interests include diabetes and other en-

docrine and metabolic diseases; digestive

diseases, nutrition, and obesity; and kidney,

urologic and hematologic diseases. For more

information, visit www.niddk.nih.gov.

The National Institutes of Health

(NIH) — The Nation’s Medical ResearchAgency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers

and is a component of the U.S. Department

of Health and Human Services. It is the pri-

mary federal agency for conducting and sup-

porting basic, clinical and translational

medical research, and it investigates the

causes, treatments, and cures for both com-

mon and rare diseases. For more information

about NIH and its programs, visit

www.nih.gov.

Contact:

Joan Chamberlain

Mary Harris 301-496-3583 NIDDKMe-

[email protected]

A Decade Later, Lifestyle Changes or Metformin Still Lower Type 2 Diabetes RiskStudy reports on persistence of benefits seen in the Diabetes Prevention Program

Ernestine Blackwater during her open house. (GRIN Photo - Roberto A. Jackson)

GRIN November 2009

SRPMIC-Once again Gila River IndianCommunity has brought home their 8thAward for the Most Participation Travel-ing Team.

Congratulations to all who tookpart in the 5k, 2 mile, 1 mile and kids 50yard DASH. You make a difference in ourcommunity through health and fitness.Stay active!

Winners who receive awards in theirage category:Wally Kyyitan, Gary Johnson Sr., ChrisLoma, Chris Allen, Clyde Antone, RodMarrietta, Eugene Allison, Rita SueYsaguirre, Mavin Klain, Sky Reed DawnThank you Gila River families for yourparticipation.

Native American RecognitionRun Against Diabetes ‘09

Governor’s Employee of the Month

for Oct. ’09 – Ramona Tecumseh

Ramona Tecumseh has been the

Ira Hayes Memorial Librarian for over 3

years. Ramona is from the Nebraska Win-

nebago and Meskwaki Nation. She received

a Bachelor of Arts in English Education at

the University of New Mexico. Ramona

later received a Master’s degree in Educa-

tional Administration and Supervision with

some doctoral work later at Arizona State

University.

Ramona’s exemplary day-to-day

work activities include improvements on

the library seeking out regional and national

programs and grants; updating current read-

ing lists, information and references; cata-

loging, as well as all the public relations

activities to ensure that there is a positive

outlook for the continued growth and use of

the library.

These areas are the basic qualify-

ing elements for considering a Governor’s

Employee of the Month candidate. How-

ever, Ramona’s outstanding achievements

in the voluntary arena, above and beyond

her normal work duties and responsibilities,

distinguished her to become October’s 2009

Governor’s Employee of the Month. These

activities include a vibrant, enthusiastic and

leadership filled resume of community serv-

ices that include the following:

• Ramona unequivocally demonstrates

her genuine interest in this community’s ed-

ucation and literacy through personal in-

vestments in the library building and book

collection. She has also collaborated with

educational and reading programs to in-

clude bringing the PBS Kids Raising Read-

ers Library Corner summer reading

program to this community. The program

involved parents and kids participating in

numerous educational and reading pro-

grams and exercises — all aimed at form-

ing a lasting relationship with the

community’s young readers.

• Ramona is Co-chair of the Arizona

Tribal Libraries organization which com-

prises 23 tribal libraries in this state. She is

to date a participating planner and organizer

for the upcoming 7th Annual Gathering of

Arizona Tribal Libraries to be held at the

Ak-Chin Indian Community commencing

this Friday November 6.

• Ramona continues to exemplify com-

munity service qualities as an avid member

of the Museum and Cultural Advisory Coun-

cil for the City of Mesa from July 2003 to

June of this year. Her services were so ad-

mired that she received an award from Scott

Smith, the Mayor of Mesa and the Mesa

City Council.

• More recently, Ramona was asked to

serve as a task force member for the Inter-

national Federation of Library Association.

She will be part of a Special Interest Group

(SIG) on Indigenous Matters within Library

Services (IFLA SIG) addressing a Multicul-

tural Populations Sections forum to gather

in Goteberg, Sweden in 2010.

• Ramona has accepted the position of Li-

brarian with vigor and enthusiasm as seen in

the current library improvements, updated

reading selections and national programs she

has brought to our Ira Hayes Memorial Li-

brary. She has moreover dedicated time to

local, state and international library and lit-

eracy programs as an officer, member or

task force affiliate.

• For her enduring commitment to vol-

unteer unselfishly, for her vibrant enthusi-

asm in service to this community’s

educational and literacy integrity, and for

demonstrating consistent leadership quali-

ties in all aspects of these services: we are

honored to award this plaque and a $200.00

value gift of her choice to RAMONA

TECUMSEH, EDUCATION DEPART-

MENT EMPLOYEE and GOVERNOR’S

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH for OCTO-

BER 2009.

Governor Rhodes congratulates Ramona Tecumseh with a special plaque be-

fore Council. (GRIN Photo - Roberto A. Jackson)

November 2009 GRIN

GRIN November 2009

November 2009 GRIN

Gila River Business Directory

ADVERTISING, MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Letha Lamb (480) 820-2464 Marketing Factory, Inc.

CLOTHING & TEXTILES

Dawn Evers (520) 705-3402 Sa’alik Creations

Earlton Lewis (520) 562-3393 Rare Breed

(T-Shirts & Upholstery)

Pat Smith (520) 430-4277 Thunder Woman Creations

Sandy Nasewytewa (520) 430-3453 Coyote Kids

[email protected]

Sara Bird-in-Ground (520) 560-2940 Native American Designs

[email protected]

Yolanda Elias (520) 430-3002

DRAWING & PAINTING

Amil Pedro (520) 315-4012 Amil Pedro Traditional Art

[email protected]

Antonelli Anton (520) 562-3618 Au’thum Painting

Mike Zillioux (520) 430-2096

Olen Perkins (520) 705-3987 Southwest Painter

www.southwestpainter.com

Russell Blackwater (520) 562-4003 Tribal Images

Shane Lynch (602) 803-6399

ENTERTAINMENT & DANCE GROUPS

Bob Villa (602) 705-2320 Desert Man Music

[email protected]

Clifton Pablo (602) 796-3495 Chuck’s Trail Riding Adventures

Jacob Antone (520) 562-3044 First Class Native

[email protected]

Russell Blackwater (520) 562-4003 DJ Blackwater

Yolanda Elias (520) 430-3002 Traditional Dancers

Yolanda Hart-Stevens (602) 826-2280 Traditional Dancers

[email protected]

FOOD & CATERING

Anna Miguel (602) 432-4362 Anna’s Catering

Beatrice Benitez (480) 593-0267 Pastries & More by Bea

[email protected]

Danelle Spring (602) 616-6832 The Rez Stop

Eugina Apkaw (520) 418-3236 Apkaw Family Catering

Francine Sieweyumptewa (520) 562-3686 Smohon Gev, Shaved Ice

Jose Gonzales (520) 550-0052 Big Joe’s Catering

Sharon Miguel (520) 418-2142 Sharon’s Catering

Sherry Mark (520) 796-3313 Coyote Kettle Corn & Food Sales

Suzanne (Julie) Acuna (520) 518-2402 4 Sisters

Valerie Manuel (520) 315-1360 J.B.’s Ice Cream Truck

Weldon Salkey (520) 418-3007 Pima Indian Fry Bread

GRAPHIC DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY

B. Elaine Blackwater (480) 768-7714 Blue Star Images

Joseph Williams (480) 329-4571 Dekalkomania

[email protected]

Kenneth Manuel (480) 895-3298 Ken’s Art Work

[email protected]

Suzanne (Julie) Acuna (520) 518-2402 4 Sisters Graphic Design

Terrance Booth, Jr. (602) 358-3764 Eagleboy Designs

JEWELRY

Aaron Sabori (602) 300-6626 Red Hide Enterprises

[email protected]

Antonelli Anton (520) 562-3618 Anton Silversmith

Kelvin (Casey) Bilagody (520) 251-1695 Silversmith

Lisa & Nathaniel Percharo (520) 550-2884 Percharo’s Jewelry

Pamela Pratt (480) 390-8597 Premier Designs Jewelry

[email protected]

Tim Terry, Jr. (480) 734-4191 Shell Jewelry, Arts & Crafts

[email protected]

OTHER ART

David Johnson (520) 418-3454 Pima Boy Furniture

Earlton Lewis (520) 562-3393 Rare Breed

(Home Décor & Glass Etching)

Sheila Rhodes (520) 562-2935 Yarn Baskets

SALES & SERVICE

Cameron Rivers (520) 450-0158 Cameron Rivers Construction

Carlos Lucero (520) 251-0374 O’otham Transportation & Pure

Rain Water

David Lucero (520) 796-1260 or (602) 750-0916 Lucero’s Automotive

[email protected]

Deborah Griffin (602) 717-5410 Mary Kay Products

Delbert Johnson (520) 610-8091 D & J Hay Sales

John Antone (520) 610-0776 Hemajkam Productions

(Sound Systems)

Joseph Robles (520) 315-2122 Stohaj Hohhi Construction

[email protected]

Linda Stone (480) 217-5117 Gila Graphics

Matt Kisto (602) 380-7957 VMK Enterprises, Inc.

(Janitorial supplies & Moving services) vmkenterprises.com

Misha Gonzales (520) 562-9287 MTO Smoke Shop & Gifts

Reyna Byler (520) 796-2063 Red Horse Barber & Beauty

Salon

[email protected]

Ruben Ringlero (602) 621-1946 Edit2Video

[email protected]

Sharon Newkirk (602) 510-8703 Scents Lingerie n Products

Shawn Ruiz (520) 285-6936 Shure Hot Salsa

TRAINING & CONSULTING SERVICES

Amil Pedro (520) 315-4012 [email protected]

Tim Terry Jr. (480) 734-4191 Seminar & Workshop Facilitator

[email protected]

Yolanda Hart Stevens (602) 826-2280 PeePosh Project

[email protected]

Yvonne Garcia (480) 374-0762 Creative Native Consulting

(Web Design & Network Consulting)

[email protected]

TRADITIONAL BEADWORK, POTTERY, GOURDS, BASKETS, ETC.

Amil Pedro (520) 315-4012 Amil Pedro Traditional Art

[email protected]

Kermit Bread (520) 550-1240 Traditional Pottery

Philbert Soroquisara (520) 430-3050 Pipai-Kavay Arts & Crafts Gourd

[email protected]

Phillip C. Robles (520) 483-5108 Gifted-Gifts Woodwork, Etc.

Rikki Se:va:lek Francisco Msg: (520) 562-6120 Akimul Awawtham Baskets

by Se:va:lek

Yolanda Hart-Stevens (602) 826-2280 Traditional Beadwork

[email protected]

NOTE: Every effort is made to have contact information updated,

however if you are unable to reach any of the business owners,

please contact:

Economic Development Department

Entrepreneurship Program

P.O. Box 97

315 W. Casa Blanca Rd.

Sacaton, Arizona 95247

Phone (520) 562-6120

Fax (520) 562-6125

GRIN November 2009

500 4th Street, N.W.Suite 400Albuquerque, NM 87102

80 E. Rio Salado Pkwy.Suite 305Tempe, AZ 85281

1215 Paseo de PeraltaP.O. Box 8180Santa Fe, NM 87504

congratulates our former partner

Michael C. Shiel

on his appointment as

General Counsel

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

Can diabetes be prevented? YES, it can!

We know that genetics plays a role in a per-

son’s risk of developing diabetes. But did

you know that a person’s lifestyle also has a

huge impact on their risk of developing dia-

betes? By making small lifestyle changes to

the foods you eat and the amount of physi-

cal activity you get, you can greatly reduce

your risk of getting diabetes.

The Diabetes Prevention Program

(DPP) is committed to helping you prevent

diabetes, because diabetes doesn’t have to

be your future. The DPP offers education

and support to help you make small changes

that will have a big impact on your risk of

getting diabetes. The DPP is always look-

ing for community members who have pre-

diabetes and want to do something about it.

We are now enrolling for our next set of

classes.

People with pre-diabetes have

higher than normal blood sugar levels, but

not high enough to be considered diabetes.

Most people do not know if they have pre-

diabetes. Persons may be at risk for pre-di-

abetes if they are overweight, have a family

history of diabetes, or had gestational dia-

betes when pregnant.

Can diabetes be prevented? Yes it can! Don’t know if you have pre-dia-

betes? Then come see us! Or make an ap-

pointment with your doctor and ask for a

diabetes screening. The Diabetes Preven-

tion Program is located at Hu Hu Kam Me-

morial Hospital and at the Komatke Health

Center, with office hours from 8am-5pm,

Monday-Friday. The DPP Team can be

reached at 520-562-3321 ext. 1242 or 520-

562-7940.

Together We CAN Prevent Dia-

betes!

November 2009 GRIN

Halloween Spirit Creeps Across the Community/Photos by Jeri Thomas

GRIN November 2009

SACATON-VHM Alumni Association Pres-

ident, Moranda Morago, was happy with the

results of her first Alumni Association event.

Morago, a freshman at Central Arizona Col-

lege and the daughter of District Four com-

munity member Rondell Norris, said the

event she helped to organize, raised almost

three hundred dollars for the school.

“I was really happy that our event

could help to raise money for the students,”

Morago stated. The car wash money will be

used to support transportation (gas for

busses) and for healthy breakfast and after-

noon snacks for the students.

The Vechij Himdag Alternative

School board came out to support the alumni

with a snack and soft drink sale during the

carwash. “The fresh fruit and healthy snacks

really keep the kids going – they have a very

long day 8:00Am to 4:30PM.” Angie Wilt-

shire informed the parents and community

members who came out to support the

school.

“We really want to thank everyone

who came out to get their car washed and

supported the students at VHM.” Morago

says other Alumni Association events are

being planned to help the school. Look for

flyers!

Sparkle and Shine at the VHMAlumni Association Car Wash By Lillian Kim Franklin

Vechij Himdag MashchamakuD

Alumni Association President MorandaMorago, Alumni Association SecretaryJordan Morago and School Board Secre-tary Angie Wiltshire encourage everyoneto come to the carwash.

Students CeCe Enos and Amy Rhodesand Alumni Jordan Morago and MorandaMorago wash up cars from all over GilaRiver Indian Community.

Alumni Association president MorandaMorago and student Amy Rhodes put thefinishing touches on cars at the VHM Car-wash. The carwash raised almost threehundred dollars for the school.

The staff at Vechij Himdag

MashchamakuD would like to congratulate

the following 33 students who had 90% at-

tendance or better last month: Tia Benally,

Chastity Bread, Dallas Brown, Daniel Cas-

tro, Gabriel Castro, Maria Echeverria, Ce-

celia Enos, Patrice Gage, Alicia Gonzalez,

Angelicia Gonzalez, Kara Jones, Amberis

Jose, Hannah Kisto, Heidi Kisto, Kassandra

Koory, Nischelle Lewis, Santiago Lopez,

Isiah Manuel, Sydney Mendivil, Ricardo

O’Dell, Joshua Pablo, Joshua Paul, Millicent

Pratt, Miguel Ramirez, Amy Rhodes, Mal-

colm Santos, Warren Santos, Bronco Somer-

ton, Joe-Michael Somerton, Juan Thomas,

Shereen Townsend, Micco Sabori, and An-

jelica Saiza.

Thanks to a generous donation

from Councilman Myron G. Schurz and

Mrs. Schurz and an anonymous donation

from a VHM supporter, VHM took the 33

students on a lunch trip to Native New

Yorker to celebrate their great attendance.

VHM would like to send out our apprecia-

tion and thanks to Councilman Myron G.

Schurz and Mrs. Schurz for helping out and

sponsoring part of our lunch costs support-

ing VHM’s commitment to excellent atten-

dance for all students. And a big thank you

to our VHM families for supporting their

students in their goal to graduate.

Congratulations VHM AlternativeSchool Students!

November 2009 GRIN

The first of the Gila

River Junior Rodeo Series began

on a September 19, 2009 at the

D>J Arena in Blackwater-District

One. It was a good turnout with

70+ contestants entered not only

from Gila River but also from the

surrounding tribes with the ages

of the competitors ranging from 0-

5, 6-11, 12-13, and 14-17 ages.

There were several

events which varied from Stick

Horse barrel racing, Dummy Rop-

ing, and Stick Horse race for the

younger crowd (0-5) to ribbon

and team roping, barrel racing,

calf and steer riding to breakaway

roping and Bull Riding (14-17).

The crowd was great

with plenty of action for everyone

and although it was a little warm,

no one seemed to be bothered by

it. Even the cattle, horses and

bulls seemed to enjoy the day and

cooperated with their respective

owners.

The series will continue

from Blackwater-District One, to

District Four-Stotonic, October

31, 2009 at Mix Arena, then to

District Five-Casa Blanca,

Loper’s Arena on November 28,

2009 (With a post Thanksgiving

BBQ Dinner for everyone!) and

the last one in District Six on De-

cember 12, 2009 with the Finals

to be announced at a later date.

I would like to thank all

that came out, contestants and

parents for their support and their

participation to make this, the first

of five rodeos a successful event.

A big thank you for all the com-

mittee members whom are all vol-

unteering not only their time but

also their expertise in rodeo and

with the support of Gila River

Tribal Recreation to make this not

only a social event for the com-

munity but a successful Junior

Rodeo.

We are also looking for

sponsors for help in the awards. If

you are interested in providing a

donation please call Delbert John-

son Sr @ 520.610.8091, Penny

Mix @ 520.610.0558, or David

Yesk @ 520.709.0123.

The following are the

schedule event stops and the cur-

rent standings from Blackwater-

District One.

Thank you.

Gila River Junior Rodeo Series

Committee

Gila River Jr. Rodeo Series Gila River Jr. Rodeo Series Standings

GRIN November 2009

PHOENIX, AZ- (September 2009) One of the nation’s most

highly lauded restaurants, Kai at the Sheraton Wild Horse

Pass Resort & Spa, is one of only fourteen U.S. restaurants

and the first ever Native American restaurant to garner both

the AAA Five-Diamond Award and Mobil Travel Guide’s

Five-Star Award.

It is with accolades like these, by exhibiting an ap-

preciation for a culinary sense of place and through an un-

wavering devotion to Five-Star/Five-Diamond service

standards that the Kai team has brought an ancient cuisine to

the forefront of epicurean dialogue with passion and has

earned the attention of the culinary world.

Now, with the release of The New Native American

Cuisine, Kai’s top chefs along with prominent food writer

Marian Betancourt bring more than fifty time-honored and

unique Five-Star quality recipes to your table.

Specialties include grilled tenderloin of buffalo

with smoked corn puree, sweet corn panna cotta with pick-

led local squash, wood-grilled butternut squash puree with

Pima cotton candy, and butter-basted lobster tail on fry bread

with avocado mousse. The recipes vary in complexity, but

each will be sure to open an inspiring new arena of culinary

adventures. The book contains a glossary of essential Na-

tive American foods and a shopping guide. Most of the in-

gredients required are available everywhere, and others can

be easily acquired from specialty producers or online.

Not only does this magnificent book present un-

forgettable recipes, it acts as a passport into the great ex-

panse of the Sonoran desert. It gives readers the opportunity

to experience true appreciation for Native American Cuisine

and the rich history, culture, and agricultural traditions of

the Gila River Indian People and their land that cultivated

these flavorful combinations.

The resort’s Michelin trained, Executive Chef,

Michael O’Dowd considers it his privilege to be a thought-

ful caretaker of the Gila River Indian Community’s culinary

story. Working diligently to learn traditional recipes and

present them in a new setting is O’Dowd’s way of paying

homage to the past while weaving a new culinary future for

Native American inspired cuisine.

The hardcover copy of the book was released on

September 1, is $24.95 and is available for purchase at the

resort, on www.amazon.com and in most major bookstores.

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa, lo-

cated on the Gila River Indian Community, is a total desti-

nation resort showcasing the heritage, culture, art and

legends of the Pima and Maricopa Tribes. The resort offer-

ings include: 500 culturally themed rooms, Mobil Five-

Star/AAA Five-Diamond Dining at Kai, the Mobil Four-Star

Native American Aji Spa; 36-holes of Troon-managed golf

at Whirlwind Golf Club; the 1,000-acre Koli Equestrian

Center, and a boat cruise to the Wild Horse Pass Casino and

Rawhide Western Theme Town. For more information

please visit: www.wildhorsepassresort.com.

About the Authors

Michael O’Dowd, the award-winning Executive Chef of

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, approaches his position

with visionary zeal and coined the term “Native American

Cuisine with Global Accents.” He has worked at positions at

notable five-star, five-diamond hotels and in New York

City’s finest restaurants. He has been showered with na-

tional food and beverage media. He lives in Phoenix, Ari-

zona.

Jack Strong, was the Chef de Cuisine at Kai for three years

and became an essential ingredient in the restaurant’s recipe

for success. Prior to his role in Kai he was the Sous Chef at

The Phoenician’s Windows on the Green restaurant in

Scottsdale. In April 2009, Strong returned to his native Pa-

cific Northwest to head up the kitchen of the Salish Lodge

in Snoqualmie, Washington, where he now lives.

Marian Betancourt is the author or coauthor of more than a

dozen books, including The Texas Hill Country Cookbook:

A Taste of Provence (Globe Pequot). Her writing about food

and travel has appeared in numerous newspapers and mag-

azines, including American Heritage for which she wrote

about the Mashantucket Pequots of Connecticut. She lives in

New York City.

New Native American CuisineRecipes from Arizona’s only Five-Star and Five-Diamond Kai Restaurant

PHOENIX, AZ (November 10, 2009) –

Forbes Travel Guide (formerly Mobil Travel

Guide), yesterday announced their list of

2010 award winners. Kai restaurant at the

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa was

awarded Forbes Travel Guide’s highest rat-

ing with the Five-Star Award. Kai now

stands alone as one of only 17 Five-Star

restaurants in all of North America and the

sole restaurant in Arizona to receive this

prestigious commendation.

In addition, AAA last week an-

nounced their list of 2010 Five-Diamond

Award winners and Kai was the only restau-

rant in Arizona to be named to this vener-

ated list. These recent announcements mark

Kai’s second Five-Star rating and fourth

Five-Diamond designation. This dual

recognition solidifies Kai’s position as the

most celebrated and acclaimed dining expe-

rience in Arizona.

Kai, the Pima word for seed, opened with

the resort in October of 2002 with unique

cuisine, coined “Native American with

Global Accents” by the resort’s Michelin

trained, Executive Chef, Michael O’Dowd,

who considers it his privilege to be a

thoughtful caretaker of the Gila River Indian

Community’s culinary story. Working dili-

gently to learn traditional recipes and pres-

ent them in a new setting is O’Dowd’s way

of paying homage to the past while weaving

a new culinary future for Native American

inspired cuisine. In so doing, Kai has won

the hearts of Resort guests, local and na-

tional epicureans alike.

“It is truly humbling and a distinct honor to

again be deemed one of the finest dining es-

tablishments in the world,” said Bunty

Ahamed, General Manager. “It is a tribute

to the passionate and talented Kai team

whose daily aspirations to deliver world-

class experiences clearly do not go unno-

ticed.”

It is with accolades like these and by

exhibiting an appreciation for a culinary

sense of place that the Kai team has brought

an ancient cuisine to the forefront of epi-

curean dialogue with passion and has earned

the attention of the culinary world.

With the recent release of a new cook-

book, The New Native American Cuisine,

Kai’s top chefs along with prominent food

writer Marian Betancourt bring more than

fifty time-honored and unique Five-

Star/Five-Diamond quality recipes to your

table. Not only does this magnificent book

present unforgettable recipes, it acts as a

passport into the great expanse of the Sono-

ran desert. It gives readers the opportunity

to experience true appreciation for Native

American Cuisine and the rich history, cul-

ture, and agricultural traditions of the Gila

River Indian People and their land that cul-

tivated these flavorful combinations.

2010 RANKINGS POSITION KAI ASARIZONA’S ONLY FIVE-STAR/FIVE-DIAMOND RESTAURANT

November 2009 GRIN

D6-No longer will it be necessary for the

kids and staff to endure sweltering heat due

to ineffective swamp coolers. The brand

new Boys and Girls Clubs is a point of pride

in Komatke. The 32,000 square foot facil-

ity is located at 51st Avenue and Pecos Road.

Since 1995, the Komatke Branch

was located at the cafeteria and gymnasium

of the former St. John’s Indian Mission

School. The structure was built in the early

1960s. According to Father Dale, Phoenix

Catholic Diocese, the high school closed in

1975 and the elementary school closed in

1990 due to lack of financing and limited

enrollment.

Benny Dixson, Tribal Projects

Manager, believes that the facility is dilap-

idated beyond repair. “The building lived

out its life. The exterior structural walls are

cracking, the sewer system is cast iron

pipes, and the electrical wiring is unsafe.

Mouse droppings are everywhere.”

The price tag was close $5 million

dollars. “It took a few budget mods [2001,

2002, and 2006] by the Council,” Dixson

said, but the project had the support of the

Community and was totally funded with

tribal dollars, he added.

To help kick-off the fun at the new

Club, WH Pacific recently donated 10 bas-

ketballs for the kids to enjoy. Local children

accepted the gifts from Carl Jordan and

Gene Valentine, representatives from WH

Pacific, project architects. The leather bas-

ketballs, customized with GRIC and BGC

logos, are inscribed with, “Thank you from

your friends at WH Pacific.”

According to Jason Jones, Club

Director and 13-year BGC employee, the

new Club opened in August.

Jones said activities are in full

swing. “The flag football season recently

ended with a banquet for the kids and par-

ents. Red Arrow Homes donated the food

and each kid went home with a medal to

commemorate the season.”

The major features of the Club are

the two gymnasiums, computer learning

center, and a full-service commercial

kitchen. The auxiliary gym features an ele-

vated performance stage complete with a

wheelchair lift.

The outdoor play area includes a

lighted football field that doubles as a soc-

cer field, and a 50-foot fire pit, thanks to

Councilman Terrance Evans, D6, who

posed the idea to the architects, said Jordan

of WH Pacific.

Dixson said the facility incorpo-

rates several green architectural features. A

reverse osmosis water filtration system, car-

bon dioxide sensors, and natural lighting

will add to the quality of playtime experi-

ences and make visits to the Club memo-

rable ones.

Jones said the Komatke Branch

serves 92 kids daily, with 342 enrollees.

Hours of operation are Monday through

Thursday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays 1

p.m. to 7 p.m.

The GRIC funded two Clubs for

the past 14 years. The Sacaton Branch

opened its doors to a brand new facility in

1996. The Sacaton Branch serves 75 kids on

a daily basis with 386 enrollees. The Club is

open for limited hours on Saturdays.

According to Jones, open gym at

Komatke is Monday and Wednesday 6:30

p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Parents and kids travel

from all areas throughout the Community to

enjoy the beautiful amenities.

The BGC of the East Valley will

soon hold its two annual fundraisers. The

13th Annual Boys and Girls Club of the East

Valley Golf Tournament will be held on

Nov. 20 at the Whirlwind Golf Club and the

Bids for Kids Silent Auction and Dinner,

Nov. 21, at the Sheraton at Wild Horse Pass

Resort and Spa.

Look for a Komatke Branch grand

opening date tentatively set for December.

By Jeri Thomas

According to Benny Dixson, Tribal Projects Manager, the old Boys and Girls Club fa-

cility (above) was dilapidated beyond repair. (GRIN Photo - Jeri Thomas)

The new Boys and Girls Clubs features two gymnasiums, a computer learning cen-

ter, and a full-service commercial kitchen. The auxiliary gym features an elevated per-

formance stage complete with a wheelchair lift. (GRIN Photo - Jeri Thomas)

Children from the Boys and Girls Club stand with new basketballs donated by rep-

resentatives from WH Pacific. (GRIN Photo - Jeri Thomas)

New Boys and Girls Club in D6 is a state of the art facility

GRIN November 2009

GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY –Eddie Knox has long been the owner of a “Prob-

lem Child.’ He’ll soon be bringing that sassy youngster to Arizona for the 2009 IHBA

NAPA Auto Parts World Finals, scheduled for Nov. 20-22 upon Firebird Lake at Firebird In-

ternational Raceway.

But don’t feel too bad for Knox. Because of that uppity youngster, he can now say

his ‘Problem Child’ is the world’s fastest prop driven boat after tearing up waters off San

Diego with an elapsed time of 4.56 seconds at a speed of 265.52 miles-per-hour – the fastest

speed in drag boat racing history.

One might think Knox, driver Daryl Ehrlich and the team at Eddie Knox Racing

would be satisfied following their amazing time registered last month during the San Diego

Bay Fair.

Well guess what! Knox thinks ‘Problem Child’ can go faster! He believes the pris-

tine conditions of Firebird Lake – known across the International Hot Boat Association

(IHBA) as the world’s fastest quarter mile on the water – could allow the team to reach the

270 mile-per-hour plateau!

“Firebird Lake has an awful lot of bite to it,” Knox said. “It’s a very fast track! We

think there’s a very good chance we can go 270 miles-per-hour at Firebird.”

That would make ‘Problem Child’ quite the problem indeed for competitors in the

IHBA Lucas Oil Top Fuel Hydro category. While winning the World Finals wouldn’t be

enough to propel ‘Problem Child’ to a season points title, Knox said capturing the most

prestigious event in drag boat racing while setting a new world speed record would be a

great way to close out 2009.

“This event is the Grand Daddy of drag boat racing,” Knox explained. “It’s been

a long time since I’ve won there, and I would love to do it this year.”

While Knox, Ehrlich and ‘Problem Child’ are gunning for a record and a World Fi-

nals win, two other Top Fuel teams will be gunning for the season points’ title during the

2009 IHBA NAPA Auto Parts World Finals. Defending World Champion Speed Sports Spe-

cial, owned by Lou Osman and driven by John Haas, and challenger Spirit of Texas (David

Kirkland/driver Scott Lumbert) are in neck-and-neck duel for the 2009 world title heading

into the season’s final event at Firebird.

Similarly tight points races exist in several different categories of racing, ensuring

a breathtaking weekend of drag boat racing for fans attending this year’s IHBA NAPA Auto

Parts World Finals.

The 2009 IHBA NAPA Auto Parts World Finals is scheduled from Nov. 20-22 on

Firebird Lake at Firebird International Raceway. A Test & Tune is scheduled from 10 am

to 4 pm on Thursday Nov. 19. During the actual event, racing will begin each day at 7:30

am. Tickets prices are as follows:

Test & Tune; Thursday, Nov. 19: $10; kids 12 and under free to general admission areas

with a paying adult.

Friday, Nov. 20: tickets range from $25 to $55; kids 12 and under free to general admission

areas with a paying adult.

Saturday, Nov. 21: tickets range from $34 to $65; kids 12 and under free to general admis-

sion areas with a paying adult.

Sunday, Nov. 22: tickets range from $38 to $75; kids 12 and under free to general admis-

sion areas with a paying adult.

Ticket combos for multiple days are also available, ranging from $65 to $88. General park-

ing begins at $10, with lakeside RV parking available for $750.

About Firebird International Raceway

Since it’s inception in 1983, Firebird International Raceway has grown into one of the most

versatile and diversified motor sport venues in the world. A staple of Metropolitan Phoenix’s

sports and entertainment scene, Firebird’s annual attendance regularly eclipses the 600,000

mark. The track is home to four road courses, three skid pads, the 120-acre Firebird Lake

and its famous quarter-mile drag strip.

The Gila River Indian Community-based facility features a prominent calendar of champi-

onship-series events including annual stops by National Hot Rod Association Full Throttle

Drag Racing Series and the International Hot Boat Association as well as its popular Mon-

ster Truck Nationals event. Firebird also hosts dozens of smaller public and private events

each year, as well as professional race team testing, ride-and-drives for major automobile

manufacturers, concerts, and corporate meetings. To learn more about Firebird Interna-

tional Raceway, please visit www.firebirdraceway.com.

‘Problem Child’ Gunning for NewSpeed Record during 2009 IHBANAPA Auto Parts World FinalsTop Fuel Hydro Boat Looks to Re-write Drag Boat RacingRecord Book and Finish 2009 Strong upon the Speedy Watersof Firebird Lake

November 2009 GRIN

ACTION SHEETCommunity CouncilPO Box 2138Sacaton, Arizona 85147Phone: (520) 562-9720Fax: (520) 562-9729The first regular monthly meeting of the Community Councilwas held Wednesday, October 07, 2009, 9am, in the Com-munity Council Chambers at the Governance Center inSacaton, Arizona.CALL TO ORDERPresiding Chairman Governor William R. Rhodes called themeeting to order at 9:00 AM with a quorum of 13 CouncilMembers present.INVOCATIONDistrict 5 Councilman Delane Enos provided the invocation(District 6 Councilman Anthony Villareal, Sr. arrived duringinvocation; quorum equals 14)ROLL CALLRoll Call was taken via circulating Sign-In sheet.Executive Officers Present at Roll Call:Governor William R. RhodesLt. Governor Joseph ManuelCouncil Members Present at Roll Call:D1—Augustine Enas, Arzie Hogg; D2—Jewel Whitman;

D3—Myron Schurz, Rodney Jackson; D4—Darrell Ger-laugh, Barney Enos, Jr., John Antone, Rebecca Rowe; D5—Delane Enos; Franklin Pablo, Sr., Brian Davis; D6—AnthonyVillareal, Sr.; D7—Devin RedbirdCouncil Members Present after Roll Call:D5—Brenda Robertson (9:05); D6—Albert Pablo (9:05), Ter-rance B. Evans (9:13)APPROVAL OF AGENDAAPPROVED WITH AMENDMENTS: TABLE RPTS #3 & #5;ADD GILA CROSSING MIDDLE SCHOOL WRITTEN PLAN,& PRESENTATION #2 FASTEST DRUMMER CHAMPION PRESENTATIONS1. 2010 US Census—VideoPresenter: Jane Johnson-Woody2. Fastest Drummer Champion—Basha High SchoolPresenter: Joseph Manuel, Jr.MINUTES – NoneREPORTS*1. Akimel O’odham/Pee-Posh Youth Council ReportPresenter: Michael PrestonREPORT HEARD*2. Blackwater Community School Annual Report 2008-2009Presenter: Jacquelyn PowerREPORT HEARD*3. Sacaton Elementary School 3rd Quarter Progress ReportPresenter: Carol VirklerTABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA4. Joint Control Board – Progress ReportPresenter: Harlan Bohnee & Gary ParkerREPORT HEARD5. Bahidaj Harvest 2009Presenter: Robert JohnsonTABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA6. GRHC FY ’09 3rd Quarter Report For Community FundedProgramsPresenter: Richard Narcia & GRHC RepresentativesREPORT HEARD7. Office of Planning & Evaluation Annual Report – FY 2009Presenter: Hank CannonREPORT HEARDMotion to break for lunch until 1:30; motion carriedPresiding Chairman Governor Rhodes reconvened themeeting at 1:30; quorum of 13[Councilman Rodney Jackson departed meeting; submittedAbsence memo to Secretary; quorum equals 16]8. Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Inc. (Executive Session)Presenter: Harold Baugus & Board of DirectorsMOTION WAS MADE TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SES-SION; MOTION CARRIEDREPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION9. Gila River Gaming Commission General Report – August2009 (Executive Session)Presenters: Courtney Moyah & Scott SandersonREPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION10. Osborn Maledon Report Summarizing 2009 Work (Exec-utive Session)Presenter: David RosenbaumREPORT HEARD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION—COUNCILAND ATTORNEYS ONLYMOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO EXIT EXECU-TIVE SESSION; MOTION CARRIED VIA UNANIMOUSVOICE VOTERESOLUTIONS*1. A Resolution Authorizing and Approving a Land UseAgreement between the Gila River Indian Community andthe Gila Crossing Community School for 10.6060 Acres ofCommunity Trust Land Located in District Six of the GilaRiver Indian Reservation for the Operation and Maintenanceof the Gila Crossing Community School (NRSC & ESC For-ward to Council with recommendation for approval)Presenters: Joshua Mike and Kimberly DutcherAPPROVED2. A Resolution Approving the Community Research ReviewCommittee’s Policies and Procedures and Forms (H&SSCForwards to Council with recommendation for approval)Presenter: Law OfficeAPPROVED3. A Resolution Approving the Guidelines for Minors’ andLegal Incompetents’ Gaming Revenue Per Capita Trusts(HSSC & G&MSC Forward to Council with recommendationfor Approval)Presenter: Law OfficeAPPROVED4. A Resolution Approving and Designating 35.44 Acres ofCommunity Land in District Six of the Gila River IndianCommunity for the Purpose of Development and Construc-tion of a Tribal Subdivision Shown in Drawing No. 30508-0401A (NRSC Forwards to Council with recommendation for

approval)Presenter: Dante NashAPPROVED5. A Resolution Approving and Designating 18.1 Acres ofCommunity Land in District Six of the Gila River IndianCommunity for the Purpose of Development and Construc-tion of a Tribal Subdivision as Shown in Drawing No 20606-0392DI1 (NRSC Forwards to Council with recommendationfor approval)Presenter: Dante NashAPPROVED6. A Resolution Approving the Acquisition for Rights-of-Wayfor a Grant of Easement across Allotted Land Parcels for thePurpose of Constructing, Operating, Managing, Maintaininga Roadway and Utilities by the Gila River Indian Commu-nity’s Department of Transportation (NRSC Forwards toCouncil with recommendation for approval)Presenter: Antonelli Anton and Calvin TouchinAPPROVED7. A Resolution Approving a Fifty (50) Year Homesite As-signment Agreement for B. Elaine Blackwater, District Oneof the Gila River Indian Community and Designated asDrawing No. 20106-2434 (NRSC Forwards to Council withrecommendation for approval)Presenter: Pamela PasqualAPPROVED8. A Resolution Requesting the Secretary of Interior to takeAllotments 3850, 3851, 3852, 3853, 3932, and Portions ofAllotments 3576 and 3577 into Trust on Behalf of the GilaRiver Indian Community under Section 210 of the ArizonaWater Settlements Act, Public Law 108-451 (NRSC &G&MSC Forward to Council with recommendation for ap-proval)Presenter: Kimberly DutcherAPPROVED9. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Adkins Re-search Associates for Fiscal Year 2010 (NRSC Forwards toCouncil with recommendation for approval with added ver-biage that the money will be coming out of the Water Settle-ment Fund) (G&MSC Forwards to Council withRecommendation for Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED10. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Hardee Con-sulting, Inc., for Fiscal Year 2010 (NRSC Forwards to Coun-cil with recommendation for approval with added verbiagethat the money will be coming out of the Water SettlementFund) (G&MSC Forwards to Council with Recommendationfor Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED11. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Gookin Hy-drology, LLC for Fiscal Year 2010 (NRSC Forwards to Coun-cil with recommendation for approval with added verbiagethat the money will be coming out of the Water SettlementFund) (G&MSC Forwards to Council with Recommendationfor Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED12. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Franzoy Con-sulting, Inc. for Fiscal Year 2010 (NRSC Forwards to Coun-cil with recommendation for approval with added verbiagethat the money will be coming out of the Water SettlementFund) (G&MSC Forwards to Council with Recommendationfor Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED13. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Peter A.Mock Groundwater Consulting, Inc. for Fiscal Year 2010(NRSC Forwards to Council with recommendation for ap-proval with added verbiage that the money will be comingout of the Water Settlement Fund) (G&MSC Forwards toCouncil with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED14. A Resolution Approving the Extension of the Term of theAppointment of the Chairman of the Gila River Indian Irriga-tion and Drainage District to the Joint Control Board from aOne-Year Term to a Term of Three Years (NRSC Forwardsto Council, with recommendation for approval)Presenter: Gary ParkerAPPROVED15. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing a Lease Agree-ment between the Gila River Indian Community and NativeAmerican Connections, Inc. for the Lease of Commercial Of-fice Space for the Gila River Indian Community’s UrbanMembers Service Center (G&MSC Forwards to Council withRecommendation to DENY and give a 30-day notice to Na-tive American Connections)Presenter: Jose SolarezDENIED/GIVE 30-DAY NOTICE TO NAC16. A Resolution Approving Amendment #1 to the October 1,2008 Agreement between the Gila River Indian Communityand Pietzsch, Bonnett and Womack, P.A. (G&MSC For-wards to Council with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Lisa GuzmanAPPROVED17. A Resolution Rescinding Resolution GR-78-07 which Au-thorized the Immediate Removal of Cecelia Martinez as theSuperintendent of Pima Agency of the Bureau of Indian Af-fairs (G&MSC Forwards to Council with Recommendationfor Approval)Presenter: Anthony Villareal, Sr.DEFEATED18. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and ElizabethRosenbaum to Provide Legal Representation during FiscalYear 2010 for an ICWA Matter in Iowa (G&MSC Forwards to

Council with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED19. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Rothstein,Donatelli, Hughes, Dahlstrom & Schoenburg, LLP for FiscalYear 2010 (G&MSC Forwards to Council with Recommen-dation for Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED20. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Dorsey &Whitney, LLP for Fiscal Year 2010 (G&MSC Forwards toCouncil with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED21. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Fadell, Ch-eney & Burt, P.L.L.C. for Fiscal Year 2010 (G&MSC For-wards to Council with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED22. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Public PolicyPartners for Fiscal Year 2010 (G&MSC Forwards to Councilwith Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED23. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Polese, Piet-zsch, Williams & Nolan, P.A. to Provide Legal Services forFiscal Year 2010 (G&MSC Forwards to Council with Recom-mendation for Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED24. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Rosette &Associates, P.C., to Provide Legal Services during FiscalYear 2010 for the Gila River Indian Community ConstitutionReform Project (G&MSC and LSC Forward to Council withRecommendation for Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED25. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Osborn Male-don, P.A. For Fiscal Year 2010 (G&MSC Forwards to Coun-cil with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED26. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Andrea J.Curry, Esq. for Fiscal Year 2010 (G&MSC Forwards toCouncil with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED27. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Agreementbetween the Gila River Indian Community and Akin GumpStrauss Hauer & Feld, L.L.P., For Fiscal Year 2010 (G&MSCand NRSC Forwards to Council with Recommendation forApproval)Presenter: Jennifer GiffAPPROVED28. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto Pinal County for the Anti-Meth Coalition (G&MSC For-wards to Council with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED29. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto Pinal County for the Medical Examiner’s Office Equip-ment (G&MSC Forwards to Council with Recommendationfor Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED30. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto Maricopa County for the Phoenix Zoo, Edventures Educa-tional Program (G&MSC Forwards to Council with Recom-mendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED31. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto the City of Tucson for the Planned Parenthood Arizona,Generation See Program (G&MSC Forwards to Council withRecommendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED32. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto City Of Phoenix for the Valley of the Sun School, ValleyTransportation (G&MSC Forwards to Council with Recom-mendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED33. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto the City of Tempe for the Tempe High School InternationalBaccalaureate Program (G&MSC Forwards to Council withRecommendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED34. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto the City of Phoenix for the Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Adelante Jovencitas Program (G&MSC For-wards to Council with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED35. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto the City of Maricopa for the Maricopa Redevelopment

District Community Cleanup Program (G&MSC Forwards toCouncil with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED36. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto the City of Casa Grande for Cesar E. Chavez CollegeScholarships (G&MSC Forwards to Council with Recom-mendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED37. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto the City of Mesa for the Banner Health, Through the Eyesof a Child Capital Campaign (G&MSC Forwards to Councilwith Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED38. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto the City of Goodyear for the Homeward Bound, Helpingthe Working Poor Program (G&MSC Forwards to Councilwith Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED39. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto the City of Chandler for the Seton Catholic PreparatoryHigh School Master Plan (G&MSC Forwards to Council withRecommendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED40. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto the City of Mesa for the Foundation for Burns andTrauma, Inc., Forever Courage House (G&MSC Forwards toCouncil with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED41. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto the City of Phoenix for the Phoenix Rescue Mission,Changing Lives Center for Women and Children (G&MSCForwards to Council with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED42. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto the City of Mesa for the Gene Lewis Boxing Club(G&MSC Forwards to Council with Recommendation for Ap-proval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED43. A Resolution Authorizing a Grant Award from the GilaRiver Indian Community’s State-Shared Gaming Revenuesto the City of Casa Grande for the Natural Education CenterFarm Filled Ag-Ventures (G&MSC Forwards to Council withRecommendation for Approval)Presenter: Cheryl PabloAPPROVED44. A Resolution Approving the Location Transfer of the GilaRiver Casinos-Wild Horse Pass Liquor License(s) from itsCurrent Location of 5550 W Wild Horse Pass Road, Chan-dler, Arizona 85226 to the New Wild Horse Pass Casinobeing Constructed by the Casino Expansion Owners Teamat 5040 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, Arizona 85226(G&MSC Forwards to Council with Recommendation for Ap-proval)Presenter: Harold Baugus and Kenneth ManuelAPPROVED45. A Resolution Approving the Enrollment of Aaron AngelMolina into the Gila River Indian Community (LSC Forwardsto Council with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Francisco OsifeAPPROVEDORDINANCES:1. The Gila River Indian Community Council HerebyAmends Title 13 of the Gila River Indian Community Lawand Order Code (LSC, G&MSC and H&SSC Forward toCouncil with Recommendation for Approval)Presenter: Jennifer Giff and Arthur FelderAPPROVED2. The Gila River Indian Community Council Hereby Re-scinds Ordinance GR-05-01, Communicable Disease Ordi-nance, and Enacts the Communicable Disease Ordinanceto be codified at Title 17, Chapter 9, Communicable DiseaseOrdinance, of the Gila River Indian Community Law andOrder Code (LSC and H&SSC Forward to Council with Rec-ommendation for Approval)Presenter: Rebecca Hall and Dr. GriggsAPPROVED3. Enacting the 2009 Gila River Indian Community Code,Providing for the Repeal of Certain Ordinances and Resolu-tions, and Providing for the Manner of Amending the Code(LSC Forwards to Council with Recommendation for Ap-proval)Presenters: Tom Murphy and Sheila Riley-WhiteAPPROVEDUNFINISHED BUSINESS:*1. Department Of Community Housing Monthly Report -August 2009 (GMSC Forwards to Council under UnfinishedBusiness)Presenter: Nellie GilmoreREPORT HEARD2. Two (2) Appointments to Gila River Gaming Commis-sion—Board of CommissionersPresenter: Community CouncilVotes were as follows: Marla M Lemos—12; Serena M

Community Council Action Sheets for Oct. 7 and Oct 21 meetings

CCSO Action Sheetscontinued on Page 22

GRIN November 2009

Joaquin—4; Dallas DeLowe—1; Jeri Thomas—3; DonnaRhodes—0; Ampara Chee—11; Penny K. Hayes—1; VOTES FOR MARLA LEMOS (3yr term) & AMPARA CHEE(6mo term) CERTIFIEDNEW BUSINESS:1. Request for the Gila River Indian Community RegionalPartnership Council to Remain a Separate Region (ESCand H&SSC forward to Council with recommendation tosupport the request to remain a separate region)Presenter: Cathy ThorntonAPPROVED2. Gila Crossing Community & Middle Schools Written Plan2009-2010 (ESC forwards to Council with recommendationto approve the Elementary Campus and Middle School Writ-ten Plan only)Presenter: Ames SingleyAPPROVED3. Declaration of Vacancy (1) for Gila River Indian Commu-nity Utility Authority (GRICUA) Board of Directors (NRSCforwards to Council with recommendation to declare a va-cancy with recommended deadline date of October 29,2009, at 12 Noon and Appointment at the November 4,2009, Council Meeting)Presenter: William PezallaVACANCY DECLARED4. Declaration of Vacancies (2) by Gila River Indian GamingEnterprises, Inc. (GRGE) Board of Directors (G&MSC for-wards to Council with recommendation to declare two (2)vacancies and for letters and resumes be submitted by No-vember 12, 2009, by 12 Noon and for the Appointments tobe made at the regular Council Meeting of November 18,2009)Presenter: Board of DirectorsVACANCIES DECLARED5. Housing Advisory Committee Nominee—District Two andDistrict Seven (G&MSC Forwards to Council with Recom-mendation for Approval)Presenter: Nellie GilmoreAPPROVED6. Transfer of Surveillance Department from GRGE to GRIC(With the GRIC FY 2010 Budget underway and an approvalof a continuous Budget for FY 2009, recognizing a concur-rence memo dated September 30, 2009, motion to forwardto the Community Council a recommendation of Approval, aMemorandum of Understanding with GRGE, GRIC, & TGO)Presenter: Arthur FelderAPPROVEDANNOUNCEMENTS:-Funeral services for former Council member Philbert Soro-quisara on Friday-Add travel to NCAI for delegate from District 1 to tomor-row’s agenda-Request for donation for flowers for Mr. Soroquisara

-Request for donations for back work room supplies-GRIC football team playing in TO-District 1 Veterans DayADJOURNMENT:MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO ADJOURN;MOTION CARRIED VIA UNANIMOUS SHOW OF HANDSMEETING ADJOURNED AT 5:19* Denotes TABLED from previous meeting(s)

ACTION SHEETCommunity CouncilPO Box 2138Sacaton, Arizona 85147Phone: (520) 562-9720Fax: (520) 562-9729The second regular monthly meeting of the CommunityCouncil was held Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 9am, inthe Community Council Chambers at the Governance Cen-ter in Sacaton, Arizona.CALL TO ORDERGovernor Rhodes called the meeting to order at 9:02 with aquorum of 13 members presentINVOCATIONDistrict 5 Councilwoman Brenda Robertson provided the in-vocation.ROLL CALLRoll Call was taken via circulating sign-in sheet.Executive Members Present at Roll Call:Governor William R. RhodesLt. Governor Joseph ManuelCouncil Member Present at Roll Call”D1—Augustine Enas, Arzie Hogg; D2—Jewel Whitman;D3—Myron Schurz, Rodney Jackson; D4—Barney Enos,Jr., Rebecca Rowe; D5—Delane Enos, Franklin Pablo, Sr.,Brenda Robertson, Brian Davis, D6—Anthony Villareal, Sr.,Albert Pablo, D7—Devin RedbirdCouncil Member Present after Roll Call:D4—Darrell Gerlaugh (9:14); D6—Terrance B. Evans (9:11)APPROVAL OF AGENDAAdd Lt. Governor Report on Litigation as #9 in ExecutiveSession; Table NB #1; Table Rpt #5 and Resolution #2 & #3,Dispense Resolution #4, Table Resolution #5; APPROVEDAS AMENDEDPRESENTATION1. Introduction of Miss Indian Arizona 2009-2010 Daryl LynnJay and Crowning of New Miss Gila River Kristen DoselaHelena Rock, Chair of the Ms. Gila River Pageant Commit-tee presented Ms. Jay to Council. Ms. Jay addressedCouncil and thanked the Community for their support. Con-gratulatory receiving line followed address.Ms. Jay crowned Kristen Dosela as the new Miss Gila River.Ms. Dosela introduced herself to Council.[20-minute break was for brief reception held in Council

wing lobby]Presiding Chairman Governor Rhodes reconvened themeeting with quorum of 12 members presentMINUTES 1. June 17, 2009 (Regular)MOTION TO TABLE MINUTES #1, #2, #3, & #42. August 5, 2009 (Regular)TABLED3. September 29, 2009 (Special)TABLED4. October 8, 2009 (Special)TABLEDREPORTS*1. Sacaton Elementary School 3rd Quarter Progress ReportPresenter: Carol VirklerDISPENSED*2. Bahidaj Harvest 2009Presenter: Robert JohnsonREPORT HEARD (PowerPoint viewed)3. Maricopa Village Christian School 3rd Quarter ReportPresenter: Jessica FrameREPORT HEARD4. Maricopa Village Christian School Annual Report 2008-2009Presenter: Jessica FrameREPORT HEARD5. Annual Report from Legal Council Roger K. FerlandPresenter: Margaret CookTABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA6. DEQ 2009 Third Quarter ReportPresenter: Margaret CookREPORT HEARD7. Objections to Application to Sever and Transfer (PowerPoint Presentation)Presenter: Jennifer GiffREPORT HEARD8. Capital Projects Green Initiative (Power Point Presenta-tion)Presenter: Wilfred Brown & Casey TurgeonREPORT HEARD9. Update on Litigation (Executive Session)Presenter: Lt. Governor Joseph ManuelMOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO ENTER EXEC-UTIVE SESSION WITH EXECUTIVE, LAW OFFICE, ANDCOUNCIL; MOTION CARRIEDReport heard in executive sessionMOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO EXIT EXECU-TIVE SESSION; MOTION CARRIEDRESOLUTIONS1. Population Survey in the Sierra Estrellas (Komotke, ViiAlhá) by the Gila River Indian Community Department ofEnvironmental Quality for the Preservation and Conserva-tion of the Desert Bighorn Sheep (NRSC Forwards to Coun-

cil, with recommendation for approval)Presenter: Charles EnosAPPROVED2. A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an Amendment#2 to the Agreement between the Department of Environ-mental Quality of the Gila River Indian Community andRoger K. Ferland, ESQ., Quarles & Brady Streich Lang,L.L.P. (NRSC Forwards to Council, with recommendation forapproval)Presenter: Margaret CookTABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA3. A Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Agreement be-tween the Gila River Indian Community and Joe and MarilynHeal of Coolidge, Arizona, for the Replacement of a CertainIrrigation Ditch within the Newly Acquired Right-of-way alongthe Pima Lateral Canal East of the City of Coolidge (NRSCForwards to Council, with recommendation for approval)Presenter: David DeJongTABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA4. A Resolution Delaying the Enactment of Title 1, Chapter5, Court Of Appeals and Appellate Procedure Ordinancefrom October 1, 2009, Until April 1, 2010 (LSC Forward toCouncil with recommendation for approval)Presenter: Jan MorrisDISPENSED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDA5. A Resolution Approving the Enrollment of Angelina Duarteinto the Gila River Indian Community (LSC Forwards toCouncil with recommendation for approval)Presenter: Enrollment CommitteeTABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDAORDINANCES:UNFINISHED BUSINESS:NEW BUSINESS:1. Gila River Farms Board of Directors Job Description &Plan of Operation (EDSC motioned to Forwards to Councilwith recommendation for approval: (1) Approve salaries of$24,000 for Board Members; (2) Accept the Plan of Opera-tion; (3) Declare (5) Vacancies, and that the letters of inter-est and resumes be submitted by November 24, 2009 bynoon and for the appointments to be made at the regularCouncil meeting of December 07, 2009; GMSC concurs.)(Executive Committee forwards for discussion)Presenter: Anthony Villareal, Sr.TABLED AT APPROVAL OF AGENDAANNOUNCEMENTS:-November 3, 2009, General Counsel going before AZSupreme Court vs. San Carlos Apache Tribe-TO football team cancelled out.ADJOURNMENTMOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO ADJOURN;MOTION CARRIED VIA UNANIMOUS SHOW OF HANDS.MEETING ADJOURNED AT 1:16 PM.* Denotes TABLED from previous meeting(s)

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Gila River Indian Community Department of Environmental Qual-

ity is announcing that the 30-day public comment period for Hanson’s

air quality operating permit officially begins on November 16, 2009.

Hanson is located at 2126 N. Tanner Road, Sacaton, Arizona 85147.

Hanson is being permitted for Particulate Matter less than 10 microns in

diameter (PM10) and Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions.

Public comments will be accepted in writing until December 16, 2009,

after which staff will review and respond to all the comments received.

Any person may submit a written comment or a request to the Depart-

ment to conduct a public hearing for the purpose of receiving oral or

written comments on the proposed air quality operating permit. Such

comments and request shall be received by the Department within 30

days of the date of the first publication notice. A written comment shall

state the name and mailing address of the person, shall be signed by the

person, his agent or his attorney and shall clearly set forth reasons why

the permit should or should not be issued. Grounds for comment are

limited to whether the proposed permit meets the criteria for issuance

prescribed in the Gila River Indian Community Code: Title 17, Chapter

9 of the Air Quality Management Plan. Only persons who submit writ-

ten comments may appeal a permit decision. Copies of the permit appli-

cation, the proposed permit, and relevant background material may be

reviewed during normal business hours at the Department offices. Re-

quests and written comments may be delivered or mailed to:

Gila River Indian Community

Department of Environmental Quality

Attn: Margaret Cook

P.O. Box 97/35 Pima St.

Sacaton, AZ 85147

For further information, please contact Dan Blair or Will Antone III at

(520)562-2234 or visit our offices located at 35 Pima St. Sacaton, AZ

85147. Our office hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00

p.m.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Gila River Indian Community Department of Environmental Qual-

ity is announcing that the 30-day public comment period for Gila River

Sand & Gravel San Tan Plant’s air quality operating permit officially

begins on November 16, 2009. Gila River Sand & Gravel San Tan Plant

is located at 2126 N. Tanner Road, Sacaton, Arizona 85147. Gila River

Sand & Gravel San Tan Plant is being permitted for Particulate Matter

less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) and Volatile Organic Com-

pound (VOC) emissions. Public comments will be accepted in writing

until December 16, 2009, after which staff will review and respond to

all the comments received.

Any person may submit a written comment or a request to the Depart-

ment to conduct a public hearing for the purpose of receiving oral or

written comments on the proposed air quality operating permit. Such

comments and request shall be received by the Department within 30

days of the date of the first publication notice. A written comment shall

state the name and mailing address of the person, shall be signed by the

person, his agent or his attorney and shall clearly set forth reasons why

the permit should or should not be issued. Grounds for comment are

limited to whether the proposed permit meets the criteria for issuance

prescribed in the Gila River Indian Community Code: Title 17, Chapter

9 of the Air Quality Management Plan. Only persons who submit writ-

ten comments may appeal a permit decision. Copies of the permit appli-

cation, the proposed permit, and relevant background material may be

reviewed during normal business hours at the Department offices. Re-

quests and written comments may be delivered or mailed to:

Gila River Indian Community

Department of Environmental Quality

Attn: Margaret Cook

P.O. Box 97/35 Pima St.

Sacaton, AZ 85147

For further information, please contact Dan Blair or Will Antone III at

(520)562-2234 or visit our offices located at 35 Pima St. Sacaton, AZ

85147. Our office hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00

p.m.

CCSO Action Sheets From Page 21

November 2009 GRIN

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