Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community leaders traveled to the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix for the 30^th anniversary of a day meant to celebrate the rich cultures and histories of the state’s tribal peoples.

Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day, held this year on January 15, also allows for mutual issues of interest to be addressed, according to the Arizona Governor’s Office on Tribal Relations.

SRPMIC President Martin Harvier and Council members Mikah Carlos and Su:k Chuvak Fulwilder were guests on the Senate floor during the joint protocol session. In reserved seating looking down at the Senate floor were Council members David Antone and Michael Dallas, members of the Salt River Young River People’s Council, and SRPMIC seniors. Also present was SRPMIC Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs representative Gary Bohnee.

Like past years, three leaders were selected to give the Tribal Nations Address: Colorado River Indian Tribes Chairwoman Amelia Flores, Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis and Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation President Sandra Pattea. They discussed issues their respective communities experience.

“The issues that we’re bringing up as tribal leaders today, all of these issues should be nonpartisan and working together in a positive way,” Lewis said during his speech on the Senate floor.

President Harvier said seeing tribal leadership come together brings a sense of solidarity, and it’s important tribes have the opportunity to meet with state representatives. Harvier noted tribal nations aren’t a monolith; different tribes experience different issues.

“… [T]here are issues that we all face, and it was good to hear the comments on their concerns moving forward,” Harvier said. “And the message that I got is that we’ve got to move forward together.”

Council member Carlos agreed.

“It’s a good commitment to show tribes that we have a seat at the table meeting here in the state legislature,” said Carlos.

Of the many issues Carlos prioritizes is the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), which continues to need state support and funding for appropriate training. 

“Ultimately, I’m trying to make sure that the resources that should made available to tribes through the state and those partnerships, continue to happen,” Carlos said.

Of the events many learning opportunities were two breakout sessions. The first detailed collaborations between the Arizona Department of Transportation and tribal nations; participants learned about the 1,200 miles of state highway systems crossing tribal lands. United National Indian Tribal Youth hosted the other session, “Lighting the Fire: Native Youth Navigating Advocacy in the Present and into the Future.”

The event also featured many special performances: SRPMIC group Bird Singing and Dancing by the River shared a traditional song; Pascua Yaqui Veterans Post 124 – Guadalupe – posted the colors; Gila Crossing Community School students sang the Pledge of Allegiance; and Miss Indian Arizona Isabella Newman from the San Carlos Apache Tribe gave the invocation.

Council member Fulwilder said it was a good experience to be at the event and see tribal nations come together.

“I heard [from tribal leaders] about some of the history as far as water rights and things like that. So, I know there is a lot to learn and a lot to be reading up on just to know the history of what our people went through and the fights that we have for our future generations,” said Fulwilder.

“It’s a good feeling to be here among all our other Natives.”