Arizona Tribes Gather for Legislative Day to Discuss Key Issues

Catena Foundation supports tribal natural resources coverage.

In a vibrant display of unity and tradition, Arizona’s Capitol was the meeting ground for numerous tribal leaders and community members during the annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day. This event, orchestrated by the Governor’s Office on Tribal Relations, celebrates the enduring relationships between the state’s 22 federally recognized tribes and Arizona, a custom that dates back to 1995.

Prominent figures such as Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation President Andrea Pattea, Colorado River Indian Tribes Chairwoman Amelia Flores, and Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis were invited to share their perspectives on the Senate floor by Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro.

Governor Lewis, reflecting on the event’s significance, emphasized future aspirations by stating, “With all of our Native youth here, maybe someone in this hallowed chamber will be the first, the first tribal member to be governor. This is a future we can all strive for.”

Key legislative concerns highlighted by the tribes included the need to address abuses in sober living homes, solve the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples, and ensure the conservation of the Colorado River.

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