Hundreds of tribal leaders and community members from across Arizona visited the state Capitol Wednesday for the annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day.
This gathering, organized by the Governor’s Office on Tribal Relations, among the state’s 22 federally recognized tribes has been a tradition since 1995. Since then, the Grand Canyon State and its tribal neighbors have worked to strengthen their ties.
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation President Andrea Pattea, Chairwoman Amelia Flores of the Colorado River Indian Tribes and Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community were invited by Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro to speak from the state Senate floor.
Lewis reflected on the three-decade milestone by looking ahead to the next generation.
“With all of our Native youth here, maybe someone in this hallowed chamber will be the first, the first tribal member to be governor,” said Lewis. “This is a future we can all strive for.”
Top legislative priorities voiced by tribes include addressing sober living home abuses, tackling the missing and murdered Indigenous peoples problem and conserving the Colorado River.
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