Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bipartisan bill into law this week, mandating that the Arizona Department of Child Safety make attempts to enter cooperative agreements with each of the Grand Canyon State’s 22 federally recognized tribes.
The statute, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Carine Werner, requires DCS to identify a liaison for each tribe, who is then responsible for providing technical assistance and coordinating communication. The agency will also share best practices, policies, training materials and operational standards.
Murdered San Carlos Apache teen Emily Pike was in the care of DCS when she went missing from a Mesa group home for the last time in early 2025. Her remains were discovered within the Tonto National Forest about 100 miles away.
Her tribe has yet to enter an agreement but is currently in talks.
Dialogues have also already begun with the Gila River Indian Community and Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. Meanwhile, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Hopi Tribe and Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe have pending deals.
To date, only the Navajo Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, White Mountain Apache Tribe and Pascua Yaqui Tribe have established MOUs. A fifth is almost finalized with the Tohono O’odham Nation.
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