Manataba Messenger

Page 17 CANDIDATE FOR TRIBAL COUNCIL VALERIE WELSH-TAHBO Greetings Fellow Members of CRIT: I’ve always felt blessed to have been born to the Mohave and Apache people and raised by the parents I’ve been graced to have had. My folks nurtured I and my siblings with the encouragement and support for whatever our personal passions were. They led by example, we watched and listened, because there was always a lesson. We may have not have realized it at the time, but there was a reason why something was the way it was, it was our job to find the relevance and meaningful purposes. In as part of my upbringing, I began volunteering in my early teens. This is where many valuable lessons were learned, like a sense for community. I learned early on how to communicate and share information so that an event objective was met. One of the most important lessons learned while volunteering was learning how to listen. Listening to ideas that may not be quite what I had in mind, but finding the patience to respectfully disagree, to compromise, or make concessions to further dis- cuss. I share this with you because these are the benchmarks that forged my willingness to serve and vie for a seat on the Tribal Council over the years and to this day. Win or lose, it is important to me to always give it a fair go in all that I choose to do! It’s just the way I was raised, with lasting parental examples and sound base, and cultural and traditional exposures, to be constructively chastised and, most importantly, given a faith in God has truly sustained me in my lowest of lows and to appre- ciate the smallest blessings. Without my faith, I would not have the ability to find positivity in the most negative situations. I am asking for your consideration on December 5, 2020, based on my vast experience in our tribal executive and administrative structure and operations. I have the ability to discern financial information, profits and losses, audits, budgets, expenses, grants, and their obligations, etc. I am attuned to many of the Plans and Operations that govern our enterprises, the need to get qualified members employed without delay or because of arbitrary hiring processes. I’ve established a keen sense of our Senior Water Rights that must be protected, especially in these unpredictable times. I am familiar with the Tribal Codes that impact our lives in the realm of health, land, water, environment, legal/court, children, education, jurisdiction, and others, all the while maintaining our sovereignty. Our Codes are ever-evolving, however, not in a time frame that meets current issues and need. The membership of the Colorado River Indian Tribes are the most valuable resource who’s young will inherit this great nation. As for the pandemic, my deepest sympathies are with the families who’ve tragically lost loved ones due to the COVID-19, continued prayers are said for those daily for those battling with it now and for our entire community for protection. I’d like to be a part of stringent efforts to keep the virus cases at bay and posture for first in line of safe vaccinations when available for our members. To launch timely communication efforts with anticipated plans and encouragement to our departments, enter- prises, and membership. To hold accountable those entities who are responsible for producing meaningful tracking data of our demographics affected so that spreads can be identified for the execution of proper care, follow-up, and to stymie the spread. Issuing advance notices of any relief efforts that may take place so our membership can prepare and partake of these efforts by those on and off the reservation. I come with a higher education application experience and often share with continuing education students the process- es. Assisting with the guidelines as to filing for financial aid, college acceptance, and tribal awards. I have a Headstart background, as a former Health Coordinator, bringing the program into compliance during my tenure. I come with tes- timonial experience speaking of behalf of the Tribes in 2007, U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs regarding Class III Gaming and in 2008 testifying before Committee on Natural Resources HR-5680 regarding the Tribal Energy Act of 2005. Yes, we can develop our own energy company, solar, hydro, etc. I am passionately knowledgeable of the tribal customs of ALL four tribes, of the ancestral lands, the crafts, and the contemporary art and mediums of our Tribes as a whole. I recognize that our tribal electoral process whom our Veterans fought for even before Native America became citizens of the United States and past Chiefs and Members who historically put in place for us this process as an inalienable right to choose who would protect and keep our people safe and prosperous. I am driven to continue to be the best, learn the most, and decide with respect for you, The Colorado River Indian Tribes’ membership. I appreciate your consideration on December 5, 2K20, or when you Vote early as an Absentee Voter at the Tribal Complex or as a Mail-In (Absentee) Voter. Feel free to reach out to me on my Face Book page, which has state- ments that are still relevant today, search “Elect Valerie Welsh-Tahbo.” Thank you for your time, stay masked, and stay SAFE! Have a wonderful Holiday; I can’t wait until we can all gather once again. Respectfully, Valerie Welsh-Tahbo 04nov2020