CRIT Manataba Messenger

12/23/2025

In loving memory

12/10/2025

The Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Council has made a historic decision to protect the lifeblood of their Reservation. On November 6, 2025, the Council unanimously approved Resolution No. R-375-25, which proclaims the personhood status of the Colorado River under tribal law.

This resolution acknowledges the Colorado River as a living entity whose health and well-being are intrinsically linked to the well-being of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) members. The Tribes’ deep-rooted connection to the river spans centuries, providing cultural identity, spiritual strength, food systems, and economic stability that continue to shape their community life today.

The resolution emphasizes the central role the river has played in defining the identity of the CRIT. It highlights that CRIT’s ancestors have preserved and protected these lands since before the establishment of the Colorado River Indian Reservation in 1865.

The Council underscores the crucial role the river plays in sustaining traditional practices, wildlife, and agriculture, including the federal irrigation systems authorized as early as 1867. Today, the Colorado River Indian Irrigation Project stands as a cornerstone of the tribal economy.

The resolution underscores significant legal milestones that acknowledged CRIT’s water rights. In the landmark 1964 and 2006 Arizona v. California U.S. Supreme Court decisions, the Tribes secured 719,248 acre-feet of water annually, ensuring their access to the river for generations to come.

By granting personhood to the River, the Tribal Council reaffirmed its sovereign duty to honor and protect it. This status mandates that the River’s well-being must be a priority in governance and decision-making moving forward.

As part of the resolution, the Attorney General and their staff will develop legal safeguards and propose updates to the CRIT Water Code and other relevant regulations. These updates may include the potential designation of the river as a protected cultural landscape.

Council members recognized that protecting the river is not merely a legal obligation but a continuation of cultural beliefs passed down through generations.

Through this declaration, CRIT demonstrates its unwavering commitment to stewardship. The resolution concludes with a resolute message: the Colorado River is, and will always remain, a vital entity deserving of respect, care, and protection for all future generations.

Article Written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero

12/01/2025

Colorado River Talks Stall, Arizona Calls for Federal Action

News Update November 12, 2025

Negotiations over the future of the Colorado River have reached a standstill after all seven basin states failed to meet a key federal deadline. Reports from 12News and 8NewsNow confirm that the states were unable to agree on a new water-sharing plan, leaving the situation unresolved as the river continues to decline.

High Country News explains that the biggest disagreements involve how much each state should give up in the future. The upper Basin states want fewer mandatory reductions, while the Lower Basin states, including Arizona, say they have already taken the deepest cuts and cannot continue to absorb the majority of the impacts.

With no agreement in place, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has asked the Trump administration to intervene. She stated that Arizona has made significant sacrifices and cannot carry the weight of the reductions while other states refuse to commit to measurable cuts. If the states cannot reach a plan soon, the federal government may create one for them.

For the Colorado River Indian Tribes, the outcome of these negotiations has major importance. CRIT holds valuable senior water rights and relies on a stable and fair management plan to ensure long-term security for the community and the region.

For more information, you can read the news articles with the links below.

8NewsNow
https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/colorado-river-negotiations-fail-to-meet-federal-deadline-for-7-state-agreement/

High Country News
https://www.hcn.org/articles/why-colorado-river-negotiations-are-so-difficult/

ABC 15 News
https://www.abc15.com/weather/impact-earth/why-gov-katie-hobbs-wants-trump-administration-to-broker-colorado-river-deal

12 News
https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/wednesday-is-deadline-for-7-states-including-arizona-to-negotiate-the-colorado-river/75-f5b56e69-eb49-4aaa-bbc8-c64ec74e6c09

Article Written by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero

11/26/2025

11/24/2025

🌿📚 Story Time at the CRIT Library! 📚🍁
Special guest Councilwoman Tracey Quillen
For more information on upcoming literacy events, contact our Literacy Coordinator at (928) 669-1339.

11/21/2025

Thank you for those who joined us at Wednesday’s General Information Session that was held at the BlueWater Resort & Casino.

The Tribe invites our Phoenix-area tribal members to join us tomorrow in Guadalupe for Session II. We look forward to seeing you there!

11/19/2025

🎄✨ Christmas Art Mart ✨🎄
Hosted by the Artisans of C.R.I.T.

Get into the holiday spirit and support local artisans at this year’s Christmas Art Mart! Browse handcrafted gifts, artwork, and one-of-a-kind creations—perfect for your holiday shopping. 🎁❤️

📅 December 6 & December 20, 2025
🕙 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Vacant lot between Geronimo & Hopi Street
(Please bring your own vendor setup)

Vendor spots are $50 per day.
Vendors must have a C.I.B. and a business license from Revenue & Finance.
📞 (928) 575-1532 | 📧 [email protected]

For more information, contact any Artisan member or Lynnette Stevens at 928-916-0019.

11/14/2025

🌱 New Date Announced!
The Amat Kuhwely, LLC Farm Tour & Open House has been rescheduled to November 16th due to recent weather impacts.

Come join us for an afternoon of learning, connection, and community! Enjoy a guided farm tour, meet the team, take part in a Q&A session, and enter for fun door prizes. Refreshments will be provided. 🚜

📍 25980 15th Ave, Parker, AZ 85344
🕒 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Have questions?
📞 (928) 662-4331
📧 [email protected]

11/13/2025