UPDATE: A youth curfew spanning two months across the Gila River Indian Community in an effort to reduce rising violence will continue through the summer.
Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis decided to extend the February curfew a second time after first doing so in March. It was supposed to end on May 1, but now the curfew will remain until June 30.
This sudden spike in violence came to a head last month when hundreds marched through the streets of the tribal capital, Sacaton, after Gila River elder Karen Peter was sexually assaulted and fatally beaten. Two juveniles and an adult were arrested — all of whom are fellow tribal members.
Almost a year ago, Gila River Deputy Joshua Briese and 23-year-old Alicen Apkaw were also killed in another high-profile incident during a disturbance call on the reservation in Santan last June.
“What’s happened since then? They canceled the dances, OK. Then nothing for a while until it got bad again,” said Letha Lamb during the April protest. “We’ve all been going through a lot of turmoil, been dealing with a lot of the violence. I’m very blessed to have not had it hit home yet. And I say yet because I know it can happen to any of us.”
“We have no choice. ... 24/7, we’re here, and some of the people that work for us are only here 8 to 5 and that’s all their commitment is,” added Lynelle Blackwater with the Akimel O’odham Crime Victims and Family Support Group. “So when they leave, they’re not concerned about who's running around after the curfew hours. We are, we have to hear the gunshots. We have to hear the sirens late at night.”
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Beyond the bickering Upper and Lower Basin states, there are 30 federally recognized tribes stuck in the middle of a decades-old debate on how best to divvy the water while keeping the ever-dwindling river flowing. -
Without reliable internet, it’s tough for veterans to apply for and access financial and health benefits, including mental care. But a Phoenix-based company and an Arizona state agency are partnering to help better equip those living on tribal lands. -
The Pentagon pointed KJZZ to Truth Social — adding nothing more at this time — when asked for more information about Trump’s post he made while overseas moments before meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. -
With only a dozen or so stores scattered throughout the Navajo Nation, buying groceries is already a daily struggle. But letting benefits lapse could make their dilemma much worse. -
The 14,000-square-foot supermarket nestled in the heart of Sacaton is much more than a store. It’s a symbol of their sovereignty since few, if any, tribes outright own their own grocers.
