On Jan. 14, a sitting governor attended and spoke during the annual Inter Tribal Association of Arizona Tribal Leaders Breakfast, marking the first time an Arizona governor has done so. 

3 Takeaways:

• The annual Tribal Leaders Breakfast was held at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. 
• Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs attended and served as the keynote speaker.
• The breakfast was part of the annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs’ track record as a champion of Indian Country continued as she was chosen as the keynote speaker for the annual Inter Tribal Association of Arizona (ITAA) Tribal Leaders Breakfast, held at the Heard Museum on Jan. 15. The keynote by a sitting governor was an Arizona first. 

Every year, ITAA hosts the breakfast for leaders and representatives from the 22 federally recognized tribes in Arizona that allows them to network and share updates on their tribal communities. 

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community President Martin Harvier and SRPMIC Council members Michael Dallas Sr., David Antone, Mikah Carlos and Deanna Scabby were in attendance. The breakfast was held before the start of Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day at the Arizona Capitol. 

SRPMIC Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs staff members Gary Bohnee and Heaven Sepulveda also attended the breakfast.

Together, the SRPMIC representatives shook hands with Hobbs and reported on the status of the Community to fellow tribal leaders. 

Before introducing Hobbs, ITAA Vice-President Shan Lewis, who is also the vice-chairman of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, served as the emcee and greeted the tribal leaders and executives who were in attendance. 

“We have worked tirelessly for our rights in local, state and national policy discussions. Through innovation, resilience and vision, we’ve tried to build businesses, schools, hospitals, colleges, telecommunication centers and countless other ventures. Many of the tribes here today proudly serve as the largest employer in their region,” Lewis said.

He continued, “As we begin the new year, let us commit to making 2026 a historic year for tribal nations in Arizona.”

The Governor’s Speech

Hobbs received a standing ovation as she made her way to the lectern. She had spent the earlier part of the breakfast meeting with tribal officials, learning what steps need to take place in their respective communities. 

“Tribal leaders, honored guests and fellow Arizonans, it is my honor to be here with you today at the start of the 31st annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day to deliver my third Tribal State of the State address, an important tradition that we have started together,” began Hobbs. 

During her speech, she reiterated that tribal and non-tribal Arizonans deserve ample opportunities to succeed. “Last year, I made the Arizona promise that we could be a faction of security, liberty and freedom for anyone who is willing to come here to work hard and build a life for themselves and their families.”

She added, “In the last year, we expanded AHCCCS to [cover] traditional healing so that Indigenous people can receive the healthcare that reflects their cultural needs.”

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is Arizona’s version of Medicaid.

Arizona’s AHCCCS Traditional Healing program launched on Oct. 1 and works with all tribes in Arizona, including three Indian Health Service areas, to ensure Indigenous individuals receive healthcare according to their tribal cultures. 

Hobbs also shared how she has collaborated with tribal veterans to ensure they receive the care and support they need. 

She explained how her office stepped up to work with the SRPMIC to host the Native American convocation ceremony for Indigenous students last May at Salt River Fields, after Maricopa County Community Colleges decided to cancel its Native convocations to comply with orders handed down by the Trump administration.

Hobbs also detailed another time her office stepped in, when the Trump administration called for the removal of the tribal flags from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans’ Administration Medical Center in Phoenix last March. 

“To this day, I am proud to hold the flags of the tribal nations of this state for safekeeping in the governor’s office ninth-floor rotunda,” said Gov. Hobbs. “I look forward to the day when they are returned to their proper place at the Phoenix VA hospital, so every veteran can know we respect their honor and commitment to this country.”

SRPMIC initially accepted the flags and housed them at Two Waters before transferring them to the governor’s office. 

“Together we can lower taxes for Arizona families now,” Hobbs said. “We can make energy more affordable. We can craft water policy that protects our most valuable resource. We can ensure Arizona is blessed with security, opportunity and freedom. Arizonans are counting on us and we will deliver. Now, let’s get to work.”

Hobbs then received a second standing ovation and a special gift from the ITAA team as the breakfast concluded.