Colorado River Indian Tribes

The Colorado River Indian Tribes (Mohave: Aha Havasuu, Navajo: Tó Ntsʼósíkooh Bibąąhgi Bitsįʼ Yishtłizhii Bináhásdzo) is a federally recognized tribe made up of four different groups: the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, and Navajo. These groups live together on the Colorado River Indian Reservation.

There are about 4,277 people who are members of the tribe. Many more people, around 9,485, live on the reservation. The tribe works to keep its traditions alive while also dealing with modern challenges. The Colorado River Indian Tribes have a rich history and culture that continues to grow today.

Reservation

The Colorado River Indian Reservation is a special area for Native American people in the southwest part of the United States. Most of the land is in western La Paz County, Arizona, with some parts in southeastern San Bernardino and northeastern Riverside counties, California. The reservation covers an area of 1,119.4445 km² (432.22 sq mi). Its main town is Parker, Arizona.

Government

The Colorado River Indian Tribes have a group of nine elected leaders. They also have a chairwoman, a vice chairman, a secretary, and a treasurer. These leaders help make big decisions for the tribe.

Each of the four groups in the tribe keeps its own special traditions, beliefs, and identity.

The current leaders include:

• Chairwoman: Amelia Flores
• Vice Chairman: Dwight Lomayesva
• Tribal Secretary: Josephine Tahbo
• Tribal Treasurer: Anisa Patch
• Council Members: William “Billy” Beeson, Thomas "Tommy" Drennan, Raeanne Patch, Tracey Quillen, and Vanessa Welch

History

The Colorado River Indian Reservation was created on March 3, 1865, for tribes living along the Colorado River and its smaller rivers. It started with the Mohave and Chemehuevi tribes, and later included the Hopi and Navajo tribes in 1945. During World War II, part of the reservation was used for a camp to hold Japanese-American families. The camp closed in 1945, and the land was given back to the tribes. In 1966, the tribal seal was designed with four feathers to stand for the four tribes, and a flag was created and officially adopted in 1979.

Economic development

The Colorado River Indian Tribes have jobs in light industry, government work, recreation, and farming. They grow crops like alfalfa, cotton, lettuce, and sorghum. The tribe uses water from the Colorado River, which is important for Arizona.

The tribe runs BlueWater Resort and Casino, two miles from downtown Parker. It opened in 1999 and has a big casino, a hotel, a bingo hall, an indoor water park, a movie theater, and other fun places. The tribe also has a museum and gift shop in Parker, Arizona, with artworks made by tribal members.

Communities

The Colorado River Indian Tribes live in several places. These include Bluewater, Arizona, Bluewater, California, and Poston, Arizona. Their main office is in Parker, Arizona.

Notable tribal citizens

Some well-known members of the Colorado River Indian Tribes are Jacoby Ellsbury, who played baseball for teams like the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. Another is Veronica Murdock, who was the first woman president of the National Congress of American Indians.