Manataba Messenger

To: From: Colorado River Indian Tribes Manataba Messenger 26600 Mohave Road, Parker, AZ 85344 www.manatabamessenger@gmail.com M anataba Vol. 6 Issue 38 The Official Publication of the Colorado River Indian Tribes CRIT Nation, Parker, Arizona 85344 ,, ,, ,, AhaMakhav Newewe Sinom ` Dine M essenger FREE OF CHARGE Website: www.crit-nsn.gov Facebook: CRIT Manataba Messenger Chairman Patch attends WRRC Annual Conference 2020, Water at the Crossroads: The Next 40 Years www.wrrc.arizona.edu The Water Resources Research Center’s Annual Conference, Water at the Crossroads: The Next 40 Years, took place virtually on June 18 and 19, 2020. More than 450 people attend- ed, from 51 Arizona communities, 10 states, and 5 other countries. The program consisted of notable speakers, in-depth panel discussions, audience Q & A, and more. Over the two half-day sessions, participants celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Arizona Groundwater Management Act and looked forward to the next 40 years. On June 19th, Chairman Patch, during a segment entitled Reading the Road Maps, was asked to give the 2020 Indigenous Perspective. CHAIRMAN PATCH’S REMARKS Thank you for inviting me to be part of this conference. I have been asked to discuss the Indigenous Perspective about the crossroads at which we are located. I will try to limit my remarks to water-related matters—but we are at major crossroads for Indian nations and their resources. It is time to change the way tribes and our lands and reservations are treated. The years and decades of a lack of funding are killing us now. My perspective is one of fatigue from all the rhetoric I hear about Indian nations regarding land, water, inclusion and regarding funding that never seems to make its way to our Tribes in any meaningful way—I am disturbed about the federal governments lack of progress for Indian nations and Tribes speaking to these same issues, asking for the same assis- tance, of saying the same things, about the same problems. I have spent nearly my entire life trying to do better for my people and the reservation. I am frustrated that change is moving so slowly for all Indian nations. CONTINUED PAGE 2 Coronavirus: California records deadliest day ever; passes 500,000 cases 215 fatalities on Friday surpasses the previous record of 193 deaths set on July 29 By LEONARDO CASTAÑEDA California recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic on Friday, with 215 COVID-19 deaths. Even as epidemiologists say, the state might’ve finally reached a peak in the surge of cases unleashed two months ago when some lockdown restrictions on businesses and gatherings were lifted. On Friday, the 215 fatalities surpass the previous record of 193 deaths set on July 29 and are nearly double the previous day’s seven-day average of 117 deaths. California counties also reported 8,272 new cases Friday, lower than the seven- day average; it started the day with 8,852 daily cases. It’s also lower than the 9,320 cases it recorded a week ago on July 24. The state has a seven-day testing positivity average of 6.5 percent, lower than the 14-day average of 7.2 percent. According to data from the California Department of Public Health, the number of patients in the state hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 declined by 2.4 percent to 7,999 on Thursday. The number of patients in intensive care unit beds with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 fell 2.6 percent to 2,163. Experts said the slow in new cases could mean the state has peaked in the current surge, which started in June and July as businesses reopened. Residents came together for social gath- erings — with and without counties’ approval. That means hospitalization and deaths could begin to slow down later this month, although experts warned the surge in the Central Valley means the state is still in the throes of the pandemic. Los Angeles County, the largest in the state, also recorded the newest cases, 2,609. Kern County followed that with 924 new cases, then San Bernardino County with 542 new cases. That was followed by Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. Although Southern California still leads the state in overall cases, the epicenter of the pandemic has shifted to more rural counties, where case rates are much higher. ——————————————————————————— Note: There are currently 4,548 active Tribal members. The Colorado River Indian Tribes as a sovereign nation extends its authority into three counties: La Paz (AZ), San Bernardino (CA), and Riverside (CA). THE COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES ARE COMMITTED TO COMBATING THE 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) ON THE COLORADO RIVER INDIAN RESERVATION. EXTENSIVE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN AN ATTEMPT TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF THIS RAPIDLY GROWING DISEASE. The Tribal Council has diligently contemplated all enacted actions. It continues to develop a future protocol in an attempt to restrict access to our community from recreational visitors and impose action necessary to keep people in their homes. The Colorado River Indian Tribes is under a Stay At Home Order until August 31, 2020 . Do not come to the Colorado River Indian Reservation to visit your seasonal residence or for recreation while these stay at home orders are in effect. We must all do our part to slow the spread of this rapidly spreading disease. Please wear a face mask in public, wash your hands frequently, and continue to social distance. Thank you, and be safe. See Page 6 for the latest Press Releases.