GRIC police chief, Derek Arnson addresses Council after being introduced by Community Manager Alex Yazza.

SACATON-Gila River Indian Community’s (GRIC) new Chief of Police, Derek Arnson was introduced before Community Council during the regularly scheduled meeting on Wed, May 5. Arnson was introduced by GRIC Community Manager, Alex Yazza who oversees the Public Safety Division.

Gila River Prevention Coalition

The Gila River Prevention Coalition’s Family Night, “Understanding State Programs”, sponsored by Lydia Guerra, Administrative Assistant to the Advisory Council on Indian Health Care, was held on April 28th at the District 3 Caring House.

GRIC Chief of Staff, Greg Mendoza presents the Governor’s Employee of the Month plaque to Christine Murphy on behalf of GRIC Governor William R. Rhodes.

Christine Murphy among a select field of nominees was the committee’s choice for April’s Governor’s Employee of the Month. Christine is our esteemed Employee Benefits Administrator at the Insurance Office. Anyone of us who has ever needed information with our insurance benefits has likely been assisted by Ms. Murphy with her ever caring, courteous and thorough manner.

Talia Porter

SACATON-On Apr. 29, it was Christmas at the Residential Programs for Youth.

Members of the Gila River Prevention Coalition, including its chair, Talia Porter, unloaded two vehicles (not sleighs) of goodies for the children at the Residential Youth Home.

Volunteers from across the United States coordinated their efforts with the Event Team Inc. and the Sheraton at Wild Horse Pass to renovate the RPY facility in Sacaton. Above: A ramada is built in the play area of the RYP to provide shade to the residents under the hot, Arizona sun.

SACATON-Having been established more than 20 years back, Gila River Indian Community’s Residential Program for Youth (RPY) facility has aesthetically seen better days. Paint along the exterior baseboards had chipped and blown across the parking lot filled with old railroad ties that were being used as parking curbs.

State Representative for District 16, Cloves Campbell, Jr., called SB1070, “a piece of garbage legislation” while giving further warning that the bill opens the gates to “racial profiling at the state’s worst level”.

PHOENIX-On Apr. 23, Arizona Republican Governor Jan Brewer signed a controversial immigration bill that has the whole country talking. Senate Bill 1070 is also known as “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act.”

Sen. Rebecca Rios, D-Apache Junction expounds on the impact of Prop. 100 on public education during the April Family Meeting at Sacaton Elementary School. Parents, teachers and administrators joined Rios to discuss the temporary sales tax and funding concerns.

SACATON- State Sen. Rebecca Rios, D-Apache Junction, was welcomed on April 22 by Sacaton School District parents, educators and administrators at the monthly April Family Meeting. The meeting was held at Sacaton Elementary School with the focus or theme being “Concerns in Public Education.”

Deacon Arturo Anton observes the criminal damage rendered to the altar of the Historic First Presbyterian. The church has been stricken with incidents involving graffiti, alcohol and arson. Trespassers crept in the building after hours to conduct their transgressions.

SACATON-Vandals struck the old First Presbyterian Church located east of the Ira H. Hayes Memorial Library by painting gang-related messages and contentious slogans on the pews, furniture, walls and altars. Gang markings have also defaced the exterior. Unidentified individuals have been reported to use the historical building for illicit gatherings involving alcohol and arson.

GRIN April 2010

- Historic Presbyterian church vandalized in Sacaton

- GRIC sues to protect aboriginal lands

- Prescription Drug Abuse: Misusing Drugs Originally Meant for Good

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD/READ GILA RIVER INDIAN NEWSPAPER

Tohono O'Odham Nation's Glendale Casino (Special Edition)

April 2010 - Gila River Indian Newspaper

Click here for full article

In late January 2010, the Governor recommended the Tribal Constitution Reform Project (TCRP) proposed constitution be revised to include Executive veto power. Upon direction from the Legislative Standing Committee (LSC) and Government & Management Standing Committee (G&M), the TCRP Task Force went back to the reference library to review the veto power concept, its history, types of veto power and how the veto power would work in the Community’s governmental structure. Concerned with whether the Community membership supports the inclusion of an Executive veto power, the TCRP Task Force also reviewed the Community member comments.

Governor - William R. Rhodes

The bulk of the work propelling the revised tribal constitution is finished and the Tribal Constitution Reform Project (TCRP) task force currently sits in the balance making minor tweaks and awaiting approvals from various GRIC committees and departments.

Newly crowned Miss Gila River, Tia Benally, along side Miss Indian Arizona, Daryl Lynn Jay, stand together for a photo at the Five Tribes Peace Treaty Celebration.

MARICOPA COLONY-This year marks the 147th anniversary of the Five Tribes Peace Treaty which was signed in 1863 and brought peace between the Maricopa, Pima, Yuma, Hualapai and Chemehuevi tribes of Arizona.

Pictured from left to right, Derek Miller, District 4, Ira H Hayes High School, Sienna Whittington, District 5, Chandler Hamilton High School, Vanessa Coronado, District 3, VHM High School and Tia Benally, District 4 , VHM High School.

MESA-Nine Gila River Indian Community students entered the 2010, Ira Hayes, Post 84, American Legion, Iwo Jima Flag Raising Commemoration Essay Contest. The students demonstrated patriotism and writing skills. Four were selected for presenting the top essays.

Flavi

Flaviano Guzman, age 4, is from Vah-Ki. His parents are Bernella Lewis and Rosemberg Guzman. “Flavi” is the youngest among the Pascola Dancers. The Pascola Dance is passed down through generations.He performed on Sunday at the Mul-Chu-Tha Cultural Center. It was his first time dancing and picking up money in front of his family and a crowd, he amazed us all! Flavi comes from a generation of Pascola dancers and musicians.