The Colorado River has long been considered a lifeline for the Southwest and an Arizona tribe is now acknowledging that waterway as having the same rights and legal protections as fellow members.
When asked, the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) would not tell KJZZ whether that decision was unanimous, but the nine councilmembers still voted on Nov. 6 to recognize personhood for the namesake river under tribal law.
The official designation comes at a pivotal time when sustained drought threatens this precious natural resource — which CRIT considers “a living entity” — running parallel to the nearly 300,000-acre reservation along the California border.
This measure also tasks tribal councils to take the Colorado River’s needs under consideration amid an uncertain future on two fronts: climate change and ongoing inter-state water negotiations.
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Long before the National Science Foundation ever looked up to the starry sky searching for answers about the mysterious cosmos and universe, O’odhams like Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan stood atop I’oligam Du’ag — or Manzanita Shrub Mountain. -
New research shows the ancient site is much older than previously thought. In fact, it’s now confirmed to be the oldest known scientifically dated geoglyph in the Americas, 2,000 years older than the first Pyramids built in Egypt. -
While the Navajo Nation heavily relies upon coal revenue, activists argue the trade-offs aren’t worth it — namely risks to groundwater and even the uprooting of some long-time Navajo families and burials. -
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a measure out of its upper chamber that would transform the Chiricahua National Monument into the Grand Canyon State’s newest national park. -
Back in March, the U.S. Forest Service transferred ownership of more than 2,400 acres to Resolution Copper — following a 2-1 ruling by a panel of 9th Circuit judges that legally cleared the way for the land exchange to be finalized.
