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.

Hello and Good morning,

I just wanted to first say thank you to you and all of your staff who contribute to GRIN. I was active duty in the Marine Corps for eight years and was stationed in various places in the U.S. and abroad. My last duty station was here in Hawaii at the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base. Since my end of active service I decided to stay here to complete my psychology and criminal justice bachelors degrees. It is such wonderful feeling to be able to keep up with the news and events back home. Getting the GRIN paper in the mail and reading it online was always a great pleasure and made me feel like I was back home for a few moments.

The Tribal Constitution Reform Project (TCRP) finished its research on executive veto authority and is looking toward the next steps to bring the project to completion. When the draft finally makes its way to the Tribal Council and on to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for a Secretarial Election, the success of the project is dependent on the active participation of the Community Membership.

Gov. congratulates Miss Gila River 2010 Tia Benally after the new royalty was formerly introduced before Tribal Council.

SACATON- The newly crowned Miss Gila River 2010 and her attendants were formally introduced to Tribal Council on Apr. 7, 2010 by members of the royalty committee at the Governance Center.

Brian J. Howard

Brian J. Howard, a recent graduate of the University of New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community has been selected as a 2010 Native American Congressional Intern by the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation.

Presenting plaque to Dr. Pat Foster on behalf of Governor Rhodes is Chief of Staff, Greg Mendoza

Springtime rounds off our sixth Governor’s Employee of the Month recipient with Dr. Patricia “Pat” Foster, Ph.D. the March 2010 recipient. Dr. Foster’s work as Director of the Gila River Indian Community Head Start program

Bigfoot

GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY –April 13, 2010 – When people think of the BIGFOOT team of monster trucks, minds quickly turn to awesome power, insane wheelies, ravaged cars, crazy air and general monster truck mayhem.

The Complete Count Committee made it a point to inform Community members about the census at the Mul Chu Tha parade in Sacaton, AZ.

SACATON- “It’s in our hands,” is the slogan for the 2010 Census, and there is no place more indicative of that slogan than in Native American communities. The 2010 Census is in full operation with enumerators visiting residences throughout the Community. A snapshot of the Gila River Indian Community is taken when census workers visit homes to get accurate data on the population of all seven districts.

Group Gathered at the Phoenix Indian School Memorial Hall to Celebrate Indigenous

Shannon Rivers, D5, emceed to a small crowd which gathered at the Memorial Hall of the Phoenix Indian School to celebrate on Mar. 11, the 7th Annual Indigenous Peoples Day, hosted by the Nahuacalli Embassy of Indigenous Peoples, Phoenix.

mct

SACATON- The rides were spinning and the bulls were bucking at the 48th Annual Mul-Chu-Tha Fair & Rodeo from Mar. 19-21 2010. The event commenced under the theme, “Honoring our Ancestors” and for three days the Community hosted a multitude of activities including a parade, pow-wow, battle of the chicken scratch bands, and sports tournaments.

Shi Yan Quing gives a kung fu demonstration to the students of Blackwater

BLACKWATER-Blackwater School students were treated to a demonstration by Shaolin monks on Mar. 17. Mark Steuver, a former police officer, whose ordained name is Shi Yan Jian pronounced “sur yan ching” teaches martial arts classes in Casa Grande and Yuma.