Manataba Messenger

Page 16 CANDIDATE FOR TRIBAL COUNCIL TOMMY DRENNAN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15: CANDIDATE CHANCE FISHER We must ask ourselves as a people, what are we going to do with our land? We have Natural Resources that no other Tribes have, so why aren't we using it better? Better yet, how can we better use our land? We must use this time to examine what we have as land and resources and consider what the future can bring. With that in mind, we must have a comprehensive plan that identifies the steps we need to take to better use the land and natural resources for our people. And then 2020 happened unexpectedly ... It is important to mention as of 2020, we are all facing an invisible threat, COVID19 (Corona Virus). We must consider all the information and resources that are available on COVID 19. We must examine our very own COVID19 measures, practices, and protocols for our people. For the survival of our people, our youth, our elders, and everyone in between, we must ensure that we are doing everything possible to protect our people and to ensure they are healthy. We must take COVID 19 seriously, and we must have a serious way of addressing it in our personal and professional lives. We need to start looking and planning better for our future, with fresh new minds and a profound collective vision for our 4 Tribes. There comes a time that our words must turn into positive action to safeguard our people, our reservation, and our way of life. Now is that time. We must remember as a people that our ancestors afforded us this moment; they endured and sacrificed, so we must use our time well here and do everything within our power to create a successful path and journey for our people and future generations. As a Representative for you 1) Create more Jobs 2) Invest in Business and Departments 3) Housing for Tribal Members 4) Improve education for our Children on and off the reservation 5) Better management of our Land and Water Resources 6) Health and Fitness 7) Preserving our 4 Tribes Language's and Cultures I am asking for your heartfelt consideration and VOTE to represent you on the COLORADO INDIAN RIVER TRIBAL COUNCIL. I welcome discussions, thoughts, ideas, issues, and concerns."We must be the action that honors our ancestors and protects the future generations." Thank You s/ Chance Little Cloud Fisher Candidate for Colorado River Indian Tribal Council My name is Tommy L, Drennan, a Mohave, a member of this great Tribe and I am pursuing a 4-year term on the Tribal Council. First and foremost, thank you; thank you for your support and allowing me to represent you for the past 2 and ½ years. This job has been one of the most challenging positions I have ever fulfilled and is the one that I revere the most. During the past 2 years I have been able to peer into the world and see great opportunity for our Tribe and identify the different paths to make sure we get there. I have spent much time analyzing the foundations of our Tribal government, identifying areas that have been long neglected and began pushing those areas towards the surface and toward reform. I have been working to prepare and enhance our ability to move on the many opportunities that have presented themselves and revisit the many other opportunities that other council administrations led us to believe have passed us by. The Drought Contingency Plan, the "water deal", the Water Ordinance, the referendum, these are all tools to get our tribal nation closer to full authority over its natu- ral and renewable resources. The Hemp Code; another large leap for the Tribe, another tool toward success. The redefinition of marriage, another step toward inclu- sion, another tool toward a brighter future. The purchases of fee lots and the expansion of our tribal presence in our communities on the Arizona and California por- tions of the reservation, it is vital progress for the reorganization of the Colorado River Indian Tribes; another tool for consistent growth and success. I have been able to work and facilitate progress in all areas on a local, state and federal level; making sure I am well engaged and able to articulate and lobby the interest of our tribal nation and its membership. I have been able to accomplish several goals I had set out to complete in my half term and it is my intention and desire to continue that work and make certain that the membership's interest and future are better served. Unfortunately, during the pandemic my work on other projects stopped and I assembled myself as part of the Tribes' response teams. During this time I made efforts to assist the various teams and agencies in their active response to mitigate the spread of Covid-19, assisted in contact tracing, advocated for services and assistance to the membership and worked directly with the mem- bership to provide care and promote safety. I continue this work on our response to the pandemic, however, it is time to get back to the legislative work for the expansion of the Tribes' authority and rights over its natural resources. In summary, I am seeking your vote to continue my work as a member of the Council. We have spent to many years in delay and found ourselves with far to many missed opportunities. ff s time we assemble a council to work on the big picture. It is time we assemble a council to do the work you need done. We currently find ourselves in a very uncertain place in time and our revival out of this is dependent on a strong team and the changes we can accomplish. There will be no easy way out. We must be the resistance our ancestors fought for and the force that makes certain we prosper. I've worked with my colleagues to make the Tribes' voice strong at all tables. Let me continue being your strong voice at our own table. Stay safe and much love. Respectfully, Tommy L. Drennan Councilman Colorado River Indian Tribes!