Colorado River Indian Tribes facts for kids
| 'Aha Havasuu (Mohave) Tó Ntsʼósíkooh Bibąąhgi Bitsįʼ Yishtłizhii Bináhásdzo (Navajo) |
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|---|---|
Tribal flag
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| Total population | |
| 4,277 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States(  Arizona,  California) |
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| Languages | |
| Colorado River Numic language, Mojave, Navajo, Hopi, English | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, and Navajo people |
The Colorado River Indian Tribes (also known as Mohave: Aha Havasuu or Navajo: Tó Ntsʼósíkooh Bibąąhgi Bitsįʼ Yishtłizhii Bináhásdzo) is an officially recognized group of Native American people. This group includes four different tribes: the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi, and Navajo. These tribes live together on the Colorado River Indian Reservation. About 4,277 people are officially members of the tribe. According to information from 2012-2016, about 9,485 people live on the reservation.
Contents
Exploring the Colorado River Indian Reservation
The Colorado River Indian Reservation is a special area of land set aside for Native American tribes. It is located in the southwestern part of the United States. Most of this land is in western La Paz County, Arizona. Smaller parts are in San Bernardino and Riverside counties in California.
The reservation covers about 1,119 square kilometers (432 square miles). Much of this land is in a place called Parker Valley. The reservation also shares a border with the Palo Verde Valley. The main offices for the tribes are in Parker.
Many tribal members live in and around Parker, which is the biggest town. They also live in Poston. In the year 2000, about 9,201 people lived on the reservation.
How the Tribes are Governed
The Colorado River Indian Tribes and their reservation are led by a special council. This council has nine members who are chosen by the people in elections. The council also has a chairman, a secretary, and a treasurer. These leaders are chosen by the council members themselves.
The four tribes on the reservation work hard to keep their traditions alive. They also practice their own religions and celebrate their unique cultures.
The leaders of the tribe today are:
- Chairwoman: Amelia Flores
- Vice Chairman: Dwight Lomayesva
- Tribal Secretary: Josephine Tahbo
- Tribal Treasurer: Anisa Patch
- Council Member: William “Billy” Beeson
- Council Member: Thomas "Tommy" Drennan
- Council Member: Raeanne Patch
- Council Member: Tracey Quillen
- Council Member: Vanessa Welch
A Look at Tribal History
The Colorado River Indian Reservation was created on March 3, 1865. It was first meant for the Mohave and Chemehuevi people. Later, in 1945, Hopi and Navajo people also moved to the reservation.
During World War II, a part of the reservation was used for a special center. This was called the Poston War Relocation Center. It was a place where Japanese-American families were moved during the war. The tribal council did not want this to happen. Officials thought it would bring new buildings and roads to the reservation. The center closed in 1945. After that, the land and buildings were given back to the tribes.
The tribes have their own special symbols. John Scott created the tribal seal in 1966. It has four feathers, one for each of the four tribes. Margie McCabe designed the tribal flag. The tribes officially started using this flag in 1979.
How the Tribes Earn a Living
The tribes have several ways to support themselves. They work in small industries and government jobs. They also focus on fun activities for visitors and farming. Important crops they grow include alfalfa, cotton, lettuce, and sorghum.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) have special rights to use water from the Colorado River. They can use a large amount of water, about 719,248 acre-feet. This is almost one-third of all the water Arizona can use from the river.
The tribes also run the BlueWater Resort and Casino. This resort is a popular place for tourists. It is located about 2 miles from Parker, right on the Colorado River. The resort first opened in June 1999.
The casino part of the resort is about 30,000 square feet. It has over 500 slot machines. The resort also has a hotel with 200 rooms. There is a large bingo hall, an indoor water park, and a movie theater. Visitors can also enjoy a video arcade, a marina for boats, and places for concerts.
In Parker, Arizona, you can visit the Colorado River Indian Tribe Museum and Gift Shop. This museum shows amazing historical and modern art. Many of these artworks, especially pottery, are made by tribal members.
Towns and Communities
Here are some of the main towns and communities on or near the reservation:
- Bluewater, Arizona
- Bluewater, California
- Parker, Arizona (This is where the tribal government offices are located.)
- Poston, Arizona
Famous People from the Tribes
Many talented people come from the Colorado River Indian Tribes. Here are a few examples:
- Jacoby Ellsbury (born 1983) is a famous baseball player. He played as a center fielder for the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.
- Veronica Murdock (born 1944) was a tribal vice chair. She was also the first woman to be president of the National Congress of American Indians.
See also
In Spanish: Tribus indias del río Colorado para niños
- Indigenous rights to land along rivers
