Manataba Messenger

Page 3 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 Chairwoman Amelia Flores gives a powerful speech to AZ Lawmakers re: CRIT We do not have federal schools, charter schools or private schools. Our students are being left behind by the funding cuts for public schools. I serve on our local school board and know that without quality public schools we will never fully realize a community free of poverty or achieve economic inde- pendence for our people. We call on you to not just maintain, but increase funding for small, rural schools. Our children deserve better and this is critical to realize the full potential of the contributions our youth can make to our communities and this state. Conclusion As the year 2022 begins, the CRIT, as a tribal community and a sovereign government, is not where we wanted to be. The state government is likely feeling a bit the same. COVID remains with us and we must continue to protect against it while not losing our history of being resilient people. And, the natural world around us is forcing us to adapt to a hotter and drier future. COVID, drought and education are just a few examples of problems that neither tribes nor the state can solve in isola- tion. I am here today, on behalf of my people, to convey that we are committed to moving forward as partners with the State. We must move forward together. We must protect each other and work to build a stronger future for ALL of the people who live within the State of Arizona. Kora 'iyem Thank you. CRIT Recognition Day 2022 Statement issued by CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores via social media March 3, 2022: On behalf of the Colorado River Indian Tribes and Members of Tribal Council, we join with all tribal members to celebrate the 157th year of the founding of our reser- vation. Established officially back in March 1993 as the Colorado River Indian Tribes' Day in Recognition of the Establishment of the Colorado River Indian Reservation--- this day is a perfect time to reflect, acknowledge and honor our tribe's most valuable resource and priority; it's people. So, before I get started, it is with sadness that I ask for this moment of silence for the grieving families and tribal members lost to us as we've battled COVID-19 these past couple of years. Please know that you are not alone. As a community, we all have suf- fered the disconnection that only COVID-19 could inflict, and although this is a small gesture of respect, it is heartfelt. Today, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge, reflect on, and take pride in our accomplishments, our resiliency, and the lasting contributions of past CRIT tribal leaders that made important decisions to fight for and establish the Great Colorado River Indian reservation. One hundred fifty-seven years ago, Irataba had a dream – a dream to keep his people moving forward. He had hope of progress for his people because he knew it would be costly for his people if things stayed the same. The leaders who followed in his footsteps fought to keep his dream of bettering his people's lives. Without these nation-building contributions to safeguard our boundaries during peaceful and unsettled times, we would not be able to celebrate one of our most dynamic strengths: our diversity. We became a community of diverse tribal members, practicing different cultural backgrounds, faith, and languages. As we reflect on CRIT's proud history and promising future, let us remember that it is TOGETHER that has enabled us to prevail. By working TOGETHER , we have overcome all challenges that we've faced in our past, and we will overcome all that comes our way in the future. It is TOGETHER that we have increased our vaccination percentage rates every month, and we are getting stronger every day; we as a people will recover from the trauma and grief of this time, and we will keep moving forward. TOGETHER we have secured a solid voice of strong sovereignty regarding CRIT's water, determined that our voice be heard, determined our senior water rights be respect- ed. TOGETHER we are acknowledging and taking actions to correct our shortcomings made more evident by the pressures brought on by COVID-19. Reservation-wide internet access, new well water access, and Head Start facility are all in progress. I want to recognize and thank our frontline first responders and healthcare workers for leading the way through this pandemic. I would also like to acknowledge and rec- ognize our tribal members that continue the COVID-19 protocols with discipline and stand up every day for their community by wearing their masks, sanitizing themselves and their environments, and social distancing despite the social pressure. You are the real heroes of this pandemic, the silent majority working every day to keep yourself and your families safe. Let CRIT Recognition Day be a solemn reflection of how far we've come TOGETHER and a message of hope of how far we can go TOGETHER. Because we work TOGETHER, we keep CRIT resilient; because we work together, we keep CRIT moving forward and that is the TRUE spirit that has propelled CRIT forward for the past 157 years! Thank you, and God Bless you and our Great Tribal Nation. Front row: CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores, Tribal Councilwoman Jaymee Moore, and Assistant to the Executive Secretary Joanna Laffoon. Backrow: CRIT Vice-Chairman ,Dwight Lomayesva, Clerk to the Tribal Council Sarah Hunter, and CRIT Tribal Council Executive Secretary Tashina Harper. Photo courtesy of C.Burley. CONTINUED FROM COVER STORY: CRIT Fire & Rescue EMS Services expanded with the arrival of new ambulance The total cost of the ambulance was 114k dollars fully equipped, and the fire depart- ment had been waiting for quite a while due to the world shortage of computer chips. The ambulance's interior is fitted with a very costly hydraulic gurney, more significant than the standard industry issued, giving the paramedic, emergency medical responder, or emergency medical technician the power to operate it alone if needed with one-touch activation. Decals are being ordered now, and the ambulance will be outfitted with the four trib- al seals and the CRIT Tribal seal. There are a number of administrative steps that still need to occur before CRIT Fire can operate as an ambulance service. CRIT Fire Chief Kitty Little said, "This means tribal members will be able to get trans- portation to the hospital faster, it's good for our community, and that's what really matters—faster –personalized services. Chairwoman Amelia Flores stated, regarding the new ambulance, "CRIT has shown and continues to show our ongoing commitment and investment in our community and in providing for our own needs in health care. We will continue to stay self- determined to ensure our tribal members get what they deserve."