Manataba Messenger

Page 8 Colorado River Indian Tribes is first Arizona tribe with authority to administer a domestic hemp program COLORADO RIVER INDIAN RESERVATION—- On January 27th, 2020 the USDA gave the tribes the authority to administer their own domestic hemp program in the State of Arizona, the first Native American tribe to do so. Almost one month later the tribes held a public hearing on their hemp code that is right now moving through CRIT Attorney General’s office on the verge of being signed into law on the Colorado River Indian reservation. In attendance at the hearing were representatives from CRIT Farms, University of Arizona Extension Project, Metris Global, CRIT Legal department, concerned elders, and community members. CRIT Tribal Council representatives Johnny Hill Jr. and Robert “Bobby” Page were also in attendance. Attorney General Rebecca Loudbear conducted the hearing of which she started with first giving the tribes’ background with the proposed code. An Assertion of Sovereignty The 2018 USDA Farm Bill made hemp a legal commodity to be grown, but to grow it tribes and states alike needed to come up with their own Hemp plans. These plans needed to be drafted in accordance with the Farm Bill and its regulations. Those regulations did not come out until late October of this past year (2019). PHOTO RIGHT: CRIT Attorney General Rebecca Loudbear/CRIT Hemp Code Hearing CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 Colorado River Indian Tribes Law Enforcement officers Class #42R graduate FISH AND GAME WARDEN PADDOCK EARNS HIGH HONOR YUMA, ARIZONA—— On February 20, 2020, Colorado River Indian Tribes Law Enforcement officers grad- uated from the Arizona Western College Law Enforcement Training Academy. The Commencement Ceremony took place inside the Don Schoening Conference Center to a packed room of a hundred or more family members, friends, Yuma County dignitaries and law enforcement officials. Traveling from across the State of Arizona, the energetic crowd cheered and clapped as they watched the cadets receive their badges to make them law enforcement officers officially. The graduates representing the Colorado River Indian Tribes Fish and Game department were Steven Hooper and Cody Paddock. Representing the Colorado River Indian Police department were Andrew Hernandez and Jacob Quintana. Class #42R First responders was made up of both tribal and non-tribal cadets representing the City of Globe Police Department, Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Department, Colorado River Fish, and Game Department, Kingman Police Department, Quechan Police Department, Somerton Police Department, Yuma County Sheriff’s Office and finally the local Yuma Police Department. Game Warden Cody Paddock received one of only two special achievement awards of the evening. He was honored for achieving the highest average score on the Arizona Post Functional Areas and Comprehensive Final Examinations with perfect scores. The other achievement was a perfect score in the physical fitness segment of training. The Colorado River Indian Tribes graduates were both accompanied by their chiefs. Fish and Game Chief Josephine Tahbo and Chief of Police John Morris were in attendance as well as several fellow game wardens that traveled two hours south to support their fellow war- dens. Photographed at right (left to right) is Game Warden Woodrow Sharp, Game Warden Cody Paddock, Animal Control Officer Nicholas Harper, Chief Game Warden Josephine Tahbo, Game Warden Steven Hooper, and Trainee Recruit Alias Murphy. Photographed at right (left to right) is Chief of Police John Morris, Officer Brandi Bales, Officer Lance Palma, Officer Jacob Quintana, Officer Andrew Hernandez, Officer Chancellor Krager, and Captain of Police Scott Ketcham. More photos taken at the event are on Page 9. Kendal Harper selected as this year’s Indian Country Intelligence Network Community Service Award CAMP VERDE, ARIZONA—- February 24, 2020— The Colorado River Indian Tribes was notified by the Indian Country Intelligence Network (I.C.I.N.) that Investigator Kendal Harper was selected as this year’s I.C.I.N.’s Community Service Award recipient. Nominated by CRIT Police Dept. and chosen by Inter Tribal Council of Arizona. According to the letter written on his behalf by C.R.I.T. Police Chief John Morris, “Mr. Harper’s exceptional dedication and serv- ice to his community, have enriched the lives of countless community members.” Mr. Harper’s involvement with Toys For Tots, Special Olympics-Torch Run, Community Fairs, Local Holiday Programs, and several other significant events, has endured endless hours doing the behind the scenes work with commitment and pride towards the community. Mr. Harper was born on the CRIT reservation, where he was raised in a proud family. Young Kendal grew up and extended that pride to his community when he became an officer for the reservation. While an officer, he received numerous accolades and meri- torious citations for his outstanding service. Mr. Harper has served the community in several different positions, such as Patrol Officer, Sergeant, Criminal Investigator, Background Investigator, Evidence Technician, and other Police Administration posi- tions during his 20+ year career. Mr. Harper has also helped lead and mentor the younger generation coming up behind him. When the C.R.I.T. Police Department had the honor to be associated with the Toys for Tots Program Mr. Harper seized the chance and headed the program. If anyone is famil- iar with the Toys For Tots Program, they know the job is demanding and requires ded- ication, hard work, long hours, and great distance to travel to provide every child a Christmas they deserve. Under Mr. Harper’s direction, the program has grown to include a multitude of different departments/entities on the reservation. Mr. Harper has made the community a better place. The Special Olympics of Arizona (S.O.A.Z.) is another organization that is directed by Mr. Harper. Because of his commitment to the community, the event continues to be a huge success. Because of Mr. Harper’s continued unparalleled outstanding compassion and commitment to the community, we are nominating him and asking that he be select- ed for the Community Service Award. His dedication to the community is unparalleled. Mr. Harper has made this community a much better place. Respectfully, John K. Morris, Chief of Police, C.R.I.T. Police Department The ceremony took place in Camp Verde, Arizona, on February 28, 2020, at the annual Indian Country Intelligence Network Award Ceremony, at Cliff Castle Casino. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona hosted the event. Photo: President and founder Karl Auerbach of the ICIN presenting CRIT PD Investigator Kendal Harper his award.