# Smallest:

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Ahopi_arizona%3Ab607c398f3715628

## Record

- **Collection:** Tribal code
- **Document type:** Tribal code

## Text

Smallest:

Volume 30

WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER

Number 18
83˚/ 45˚
Sunny

21, 2022
~Est. 1987 • OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE HOPI TRIBE • NEWS SOURCE FOR THE HOPI PEOPLE~

Hopi Department of Natural
Resources
“Tinker Belle”
1 place:
Chelsea from
Holds Service Recognition Owner:
Ceremony
for
Tewa
Past Employees
st

Judge’s Choice:

Rumble
on the
nd
2 place: “TinkerBelle”
Mountain
8...from
Owner: Brandon
Hotevilla

Judge’s Choice:

PG 2

Veterninary
services holds
virtual REZ dog
contest
“Xanado”
Owner: Kylee from
Bacavi

PG 6

“Kiilo”
Page 17
COLUMN
Owner:CORNER
Tobias from
LARRY’S
Shungopavi
See
the problem is...
Read more about it

More on Page 2

Page 5
COMMUNITY
The Hopi Tribe water
resources program...

Photo caption: Pictured are colleagues and family members of Hopi Tribe Department of Natural Resources Employees, who
were recognized at an event held at Twin Arrows Casino on September 9, 2022, for past service and commitment over the years
to the Hopi Tribe DNR. Photo by: Hopi Tutuven Staff

In Arizona, worry
about access to
Colorado River water

HOPI TUTUVENI
PO BOX 123
KYKOTSMOVI, AZ 86039
1110-01600-7460

-More on pg. 14

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

2

Hopi Department of Natural
Resources Holds Service
Recognition Ceremony for Past
Employees
By: Romalita Laban, Managing Editor
Twin Arrows, Ariz. – Friday, September 9, 2022 at an “Invitation Only” special event, in front of approximately 100
attendees, the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) gathered to recognize
employees for their services and who had
recently passed.
The event began with a prayer conducted by LeeWayne Lomayestewa, Hopi Cultural Preservation Office staff prior to Dr.
Carrie Joseph, DNR Director, providing
opening remarks and gratitude to the Dorma Sahneyah for approving the half-day
event, held at the Twin Arrows Casino,
near Twin Arrows, Ariz.
According to Sahneyah’s July 2022
email, Dr. Joseph has been welcomed “as
the new Director for DNR for the Hopi
Tribe. Dr. Joseph is Iswungwa from the
Village of Lower Moencopi. She brings
with her a wealth of knowledge and experience to strengthen and expand the department’s work and services based on the
needs of our people…Dr. Joseph’s office
is located in the Honahni Building.” Dr.
Joseph was hired as the DNR Director,
replacing Clayton Honyumptewa who
served the DNR and Hopi Tribe for over
thirty years, prior to his passing.
Dr. Joseph expressed additional gratitude to those who were in attendance as
well as CKP Insurance for sponsoring

the event, before turning the mic over to
previous Hopi Vice Chairman Clark W.
Tenakhongva, who served as the Master
of Ceremonies during the event.
In usual fashion, Tenakhongva did not
sparse on the Hopi lavayi and humor,
which he has come to be known for. While
serving as the Hopi Vice Chairman, Tenakhongva shared that he had many experiences with the DNR staff, other program
associates and added many comments
about those being recognized throughout
the event.
The employees recognized included
Jarrett Calnimptewa from the Water Resources Program with James Duffield providing recognition statements about Calnimptewa, Maktima Masayesva from the
Office of Hopi Lands Administration was
recognized by Edison Tutsi, John “Terry”
Morgart was recognized by Stewart Koyiyumptewa, Hopi Cultural Preservation
Office and Clayton Honyumptewa from
the Department of Natural Resources was
recognized by Darren Talayumptewa.
Colleagues from the employee’s various
departments and family members were in
attendance during the recognition ceremony.
A follow up article providing more
background on the employees who were
recognized is planned for the October 5,
2022 publication of the Hopi Tutuveni.

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Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

Rumble on the Mountain 8 “Little
Colorado River: Heartbeat of the
Plateau”

3

Hopi Three Mesas, Inc.
Receives $100,000 Grant
to Address Climate
Change on Hopi
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Submitted by: Bonnie Secakuku,
Hopi Three Mesas, Inc. Founder/Board
Member

All photos provided by original sender

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Submitted by: Ed Kabotie
Flagstaff, AZ – September 16, 2022 The
Little Colorado River is vital to both the
physical and cultural existence of Native
American tribes of Northern Arizona. Water rights settlements and ongoing threats
of development to the river are causes of
great distress for traditional people, as are
the positions of local, state, and federal
government in regards to tribal interests.
Rumble on the Mountain 8, “Little Colorado River: Heartbeat of the Plateau” will
take place at the Native American Cultural
Center on the campus of Northern Arizona
University on September 24, 2022, from
2:30 p.m. - 6:30p.m.
Rumble on the Mountain is a live
“edu-tainment” event that features Indige-

nous artists, speakers, and performers who
gather to build solidarity for the protection
of sacred lands and spaces across the Colorado Plateau. Event organizer Ed Kabotie explains, “The Little Colorado River
is the heartbeat of the Plateau. Its health
represents the well-being of the water systems throughout the region.” This year’s
show will feature the voices of Vernon
Masayesva, Ed Kabotie & Tha ‘Yoties,
The Antelope Track Dance Group, and
Ryon Polequaptewa.
Rumble on Mountain 8, is an all-ages
event sponsored by the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society at NAU and the
Climate Education Engagement & Design
(CEED) program.
Contact Ed Kabotie at (505) 274-6822,
edkabotie@gmail.com with any questions
or for further information.

Second Mesa, Ariz. – August 31, 2022
The Hopi Three Mesas, Inc. (H3M), a
501(c) 3 Hopi nonprofit, recently received
a $100,000 grant from the First Nations
Development Institute of Longmont,
Colo. This award will support the efforts
of Youth for the Future: Educating Hopi
4-H Healthy Living Ambassadors for a
Sustainable Future.
The funds will be used to educate ten
(10) Hopi youth about climate change
and the impacts it has on our corn fields
and the Hopi agricultural growing season.
The youth will create a mitigation plan in
hopes of getting all members of Hopi to
follow in doing their small part to sustain
our future of Hopi ways intact by being
able to continue to grow corn. Over time,
Hopi has experienced droughts due to the
lack of rains and snows, our corn fields are
not producing as much corn. “Corn is the
main food source for all Hopi families as
well as for ceremonies…all Hopi families
and farmers are feeling the impact of the
drought and hotter temperatures, and wondering why our weather has changed…our
Hopi youth will help to sustain their future
by learning and addressing climate change
so we can continue to grow our corn, continue our ceremonies and survive to live
for thousands of years.” says Bonnie Secakuku, Board Member and Founder.
In addition to the mitigation plan, the
youth will develop social media messaging to help keep the Hopi people informed
to do their small part as reminders to
help combat climate change. To combat
climate change, it will take everyone on

Hopi, within our State, United States and
the world to do their part. The youth will
work with Hopi advisors who will help
with messaging spoken in Hopi, share our
values and philosophies with the youth,
and continue to keep the Hopi lavayi alive.
The Hopi Healthy Living Ambassadors is
a 4-H program and has been in existence
for two years. The youth that participate in
the 4-H program are Ambassadors to their
peers as well as their peers in other counties and the State of Ariz. to live healthy
vibrant lives. Pima County’s Healthy Living Ambassadors is a strong partner and
the youth have traveled to Tucson, Ariz.
to meet with other youth and also traveled
to Washington, D.C. to attend the national
Healthy Living Conference to find common ground in issues that impact all youth
and what they need to do to support one
another to live healthy lives.
H3M is a Hopi nonprofit, as a 501(c)
3. H3M was established in 2014 and has
just begun to develop programming under
the nonprofit. The mission is to strengthen and revitalize Hopi culture, language,
and life. H3M will dedicate its resources
to improving the general welfare, health,
safety, and social and economic stability
of Hopi villages, the Hopi Tribe, and its
members, wherever they reside.
Recently, H3M added a youth component, the Hopi Youth Club, to focus on
getting youth involved so they can help be
a part of sustaining their future. For more
information on H3M or joining the Hopi
Healthy Living Ambassadors program
for Hopi youth, and to donate to the work
the youth will be doing, you may contact
Bonnie Secakuku, Founder and Board
Member at bjsecakuku@yahoo.com or by
cell number at 928-255-2572.

Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

4

New App for 2022 Flagstaff
Festival of Science Makes It
Fun and Easy to Map Out the
’10 Best Days of the Year”!
PRESS RELEASE
Submitted by: Elizabeth Vogler, Festival Director
September 6, 2022 - FLAGSTAFF,
Ariz. The Flagstaff Festival of Science
Board of Directors just launched a new
app designed to give festival-goers a fun
and convenient way to discover all the
wonders of science that are in store for
them at this year’s Festival, Sept. 23-Oct.
2, 2022.
Brandon Lurie, who leads the Festival’s Program Committee, spearheaded
creation of the app, working with developers Grandstand in Lincoln, Neb. “The
Festival offers more than 100 events this
year, including early childhood activities,
webinars, lectures, panels, guided hikes,
networking events, workshops and more.
This can be very exciting but also daunting
to a Festival attendee,” he said. “The app
enables participants to tailor their Festival
experiences to their interests. It’s easy for
them to add events to their personal calendars and access all the great online content
we’ve generated since 2015.”
App expands Festival’s reach, increases
accessibility
“The launch of our new app is a giant
leap forward for us strategically,” said
Virginia Watahomigie, Festival Board
President. “It expands our reach across
the community and increases accessibility to Festival events for everyone, which
is at the heart of our mission. A special
thank you to our donors for the funding
that made it possible for us to develop and
launch the app.”
Explained Lurie, “We also wanted to
make this fun and engaging. Participants
can use the photo filter to create mementos, and the scavenger hunt is a great way
for users to show off their Festival of
Science fandom. The app also links to a
survey that participants can use to provide feedback on the events—which will
give us insight on what they would like
to see in the future. We are really looking

forward to getting that feedback from our
users this year.”
The app offers many other features, including the ability to filter by event type,
create a favorites list, register for online-only webinars or reserve a spot for
in-person events. Participants will also be
able to stream content from previous Festivals, including SCI Talks and keynote
presentations. The new app incorporates
the Festival’s new brand look, featuring a
fresh new logo, color palette and accompanying text elements.
The public is invited to download the
app from the iPhone App Store (for Apple
phones) or from Google play (for Android
phones). They can also visit the Festival
website at scifest.org to learn more about
the 2022 Festival of Science, which will
feature more than 100 free events from
Sept. 23-Oct. 2.
ABOUT THE FLAGSTAFF FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE
The Flagstaff Festival of Science serves
to connect and inspire the citizens of
northern Arizona, particularly youth, with
the wonders of science and the joy of scientific discovery. A free, annual 10-day
event, the Festival is wholly designed to
promote awareness and enthusiasm for
science in and about northern Arizona and
is fondly known as the ‘10 best days of the
year.’ Established in 1990, it is the longest
running, entirely free public science festival in the U.S. The Festival is made possible through the generous support of businesses, organizations, foundations and
individuals. Major sponsors include W. L.
Gore & Associates, the City of Flagstaff/
BBB Revenues, Creative Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University, SuddenLink, the
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Blue Cross
Blue Shield of Arizona, the Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff and Peaks
Audio Productions.
Contact Elizabeth Vogler, Festival Director with any questions at: elizabeth.
vogler@scifest.org

Hopi Behavioral Health Hosts 2022
Hopi Recovery Celebration
Press Release
Submitted by: Kayla Namoki, TORCase Manager - Hopi Behavioral Health
Services
Kykotsmovi, Ariz. - September 14,
2022 Hopi Behavioral Health will be hosting a Hopi Recovery Celebration event on
Tuesday, September 27, 2022 from 12:00
p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The event will be held
outside the Kykotsmovi Community Center, next to the small park area.
September is National Recovery Month
as well as Suicide Prevention/Awareness
month. The goal of the event is to bring
our Hopi community together to show
support, compassion and provide resourc-

es to our families who have been struggling with mental health and substance
use issues.
Speakers will offer messages of hope
that recovery is possible. This year’s National Theme is “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every
Community Opens a new Window.” Everyone’s journey to recovery is unique and
different, but no one should take this journey alone. Ovi itam yaapiy namitunatyaltotini. Sino hapi a’nave hiikyayta.
Contact Kayla Namoki or Andrea Joshevama at 928-737-6300 or at ajoshevama@hopi.nsn.us or kanamoki@hopi.nsn.
us. All Hopi COVID-19 protocols will be
followed.

LEGALS

Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

The Hopi Tribe Water
Resources Program
Conducts September
2022 Public Hearings
Press Release
Submitted by: Berlene Lamson, Acting
Program Manager, Water Resources
Program
Kykotsmovi, Ariz. – September 16,
2022 In accordance with the Clean Water
Act (CWA) §303©(1), EPA’s implementation guidance at 40 CFR 131.20, and
§1.104 of the Water Quality Standards
(WQS) of the Hopi Tribe, the Water Resources Program held public hearing
meetings in September 2022 at the following locations:
1. Moenkopi - Senior Center 10:00 a.m.
on September 14, 2022
2. Kykotsmovi – Hopi Veterans Center
10:00 a.m. on September 15, 2022
3. Polacca - FMCV Community Building 10:00 a.m. on September 16, 2022
The hearing meetings were conducted
as part of the Hopi WQS; and was seeking input from individuals, Hopi Villages,
Tribal program staff, and federal agencies
involved in the use of, and protection or
preservation of the Hopi water resources
and quality. The Hopi Tribe established
water quality standards (WQS) in 2011.
Federal regulations require the Tribe
to review them every three years. If appropriate, the Tribe may be retaining the
standards or modify them based on EPA
review and approval. The Triennial Review is a process leading to these potential
outcomes.
Information from the meetings will enable an understanding of the WQS program and WRP’s role and responsibility
in the implementation of the standards.

A slide presentation, picture boards, and
handouts were provided to attendees to
understand water quality programs.
Questions regarding the Hopi WQS, the
monitoring of surface water and groundwater, the protection of and mitigation of
springs and other water quality problems
were addressed. Also, the role and responsibility of the WRP about Tribal water resources was reviewed at the hearing
meetings.
The Hopi public was invited, via Press
Release in the August 3, 2022 Volume 30,
Number 15 of the Hopi Tutuveni, to attend any one of the meetings. The Hopi
public is also invited to provide written
comments, ask questions, and express any
concerns relating to the quality of the water in their perspective villages.
The input will be considered in the
drafting of the Triennial Review Report
with its submission date, yet to be determined, to Hopi Tribal Council for review
and adoption of EPA Water Quality Criteria. Once reviewed and adopted by Hopi
Tribal Council the process of submission
to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 9, in compliance with the
Water Quality Standards review will be
conducted.
Written public comments are due October 28, 2022 to the Hopi Tribe Water Resources Program. For more information
about this release, please contact: The
Hopi Tribe, Water Resources Program at
P.O. Box 123 Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039 and
by phone at (928) 734-3712 or (928) 7343713.

5

Department of Health &
Human Services Welcomed
Community to Open House
Hopi programs offer many services
via new location

Submitted by:
Armando Saldivar,
Communication Specialist Hopi Tribe
Kykotsmovi, AZ – September 16, 2022
The Hopi Department of Health & Human
Services (HDHHS), Hopi Social Services,
Hopi Solid Waste Management Program,
and the Department of Public Safety and
Emergency Services extended an invitation to all members of the Hopi community to visit their new location at the Turquoise Well Complex.
All HDHHS programs such as Great
Beginnings for Healthy Native Smiles,
Public Health Compliance Program, the
Small Animal Control Program and other
HDHHS programs not housed at the Complex such as; Women, Infant & Children
(WIC) Program, Community Health Representatives, Cancer Support Services,
Hopi Medical Transportation, Office of
Aging & Adult Services, and the Hopi
Wellness Center provided information
during the event.
The Open House took place on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. to
2:00 p.m.
Turquoise Well Complex.

Other programs scheduled to participate
and provide information included: Social
Services, Hopi Solid Waste Management
Program, and the Department of Public
Safety and Emergency Services.
“We’re excited to welcome our community to our new home, and want to
make sure everyone knows who we are
and where we are located”, said Royce
Jenkins, DHHS Director/Public Health
Authority. “Bringing all these programs
together for our open house is a great way
to showcase the services and shows our
solidarity and cooperation between programs which has been critical especially
over the past couple of years.”
The event took place north of the Hopi
Cultural Center on Indian Route 4 (Turquoise Trail) and going north approximately 16 miles to N8031 by the Hard
Rock community. The Turquoise Well
Complex is located on the right side approximately 1/4 mile from the turn-off.
On-site parking was made available and
there was designated parking at the Hopi
Cultural Center with limited shuttle service to the event.

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Hopi Tutuveni?

Are you confused on how to advertise in the local
newspaper? The Hopi Tutuveni can help you. With
our friendly staff to help you with your advertisement, advertising is now made Easy!
Call or email today.

Call 928-734-3281

Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

6

Hopi Veterinary Service Holds Virtual Rez Dog Contest
in August 2022
Submitted by: Pam Lalo, Director –
Hopi Veterinary Service
Keams Canyon, Ariz. – September 15,
2022 The Hopi Veterinary Service had
been trying to think of ways to encourage
pet owner’s to show they are responsible
pet owners. We had thought of a “Doggie Field Day” and had the ball rolling;
the event was to be held on August 10th
Pueblo Revolt Day. Everything was set;
all the games were ready to go however
we were informed the event could not be
held on the recognized holiday. Since we
were unable to hold the event we decided
to do a virtual “Rez Dog Contest” in August 2022.
We had 5 categories which were:
“Smallest” “Biggest” “Cutest” “Ugliest”
and the “Rezziest” (if there’s such a thing
as “Rezziest”)
Pictures had to be current and they were

either emailed to clinic staff or posted
on staff Facebook profile pages with the
name of pet, name of owner, village and
category they wanted the dog to be entered into. There were 90 dogs that were
entered in the contest so it was very hard
to pick from all the dogs.
Below are the winners from the various categories, along with all the pictured
submissions from the various categories.
The Hopi Veterinary Service’s First Virtual Rez Dog Contest was a success and we
hope to hold another Halloween themed
event during the month of October 2022
and look forward to many more submissions and fun to be had.
We thank all the pet owners and pets
that participated in the August 2022 Virtual event and encourage the pet owners to
continue caring for your pets and having
fun with them, as well.
Category winners are as follow:

Cutest:

1st place: “Roxie”
Owner: Eva from
Hotevilla

2nd place: “Warwick”
Owner: Erin & Joe from
Bacavi

2nd place: “TinkerBelle”
Owner: Brandon from
Hotevilla

3rd place: PHX”
Owner: Micah from
Mishongnovi

3rd place: “Penelope”
Owner: Sherry and Ian
from Shungopavi

Ugliest:

1st place: “Sybil”
Owner: Renee from Walpi

2nd place: “Fancy”
Owner: Marcella from
Steamboat

Rezziest:

Smallest:

1st place: “Tinker Belle”
Owner: Chelsea from
Tewa

Category Winners:

1st place: “Frankie”
Owner: Marcella from
Steamboat

2nd place: “Rucco”
Owner: Raquelle from
Shipaulovi

3rd place: “Oso”
Owner: Antonio from
Polacca

3rd place: “Bear”
Owner: Tonia from Tewa

Biggest:
Judge’s Choice:

“Xanado”
Owner: Kylee from
Bacavi

Judge’s Choice:

“Kiilo”
Owner: Tobias from
Shungopavi

Judges’s Choice

“Mia”
Owner: Jerene from Walpi

1st place: “Xanadu”
Owner: Kylee from Bacavi

2nd place: “Hongvi”
Owner: Sherry & Ian from
Shungopavi

3rd place: “Tanka”
Owner: VA & Cecelia
from Walpi

Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

Rep. Mary Peltola sworn into Congress

7

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola with Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the ceremonial swearing-in ceremony held in the Rayburn Room of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on September 13, 2022.

Pauly Denetclaw
ICT
In the calm before the storm, U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola,
Yup’ik, embraced her colleague U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, Ho-Chunk, on the House floor. Peltola was wearing
her white mukluks with deep brown fur for her swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday night.
Last month, on her 49th birthday, Peltola, a Democrat,
won the special election to finish out the late Don Young's
term, which ends in January. Her victory meant Peltola bested a field of candidates that included Republican
Sarah Palin, who was seeking a political comeback in the
state where she once served as governor.
Peltola looked up to find her family and friends in the
gallery. She gestured toward them and both lawmakers
waved. A dozen or so people waved back at Peltola and
Davids. Her husband, seven children and a few of her
grandchildren were in attendance.
“I’m starting to cry," said Naomi Miguel, staff director
for the House subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of
the United States. "When I started here in Congress there
was no one that looked like us and it was so nice to see
Deb and Sharice break those barriers for us and then to
see this today for Alaska Native women. It’s been such an
honor and I’m so happy to enjoy it with my staff who are
also Native women from throughout the country. I’m just
so excited to know that we’re breaking these barriers.”
Soon the House was in session and Peltola took a seat
at the front of the chamber. She placed both hands on her
lap and smiled as staff announced that it was certified that
she was elected to represent the Alaska-At-Large seat in
the House of Representatives.
The official swearing in ceremony was the first order of
business. Peltola stood in the middle between Reps. Pat

Ryan and Joe Sempolinski of New York, who were also
sworn-in. She raised her right hand and stood tall with
a slight smile and stared back at Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Pelosi asked the three new representatives: “Do you
solemnly swear or affirm that you will support or defend
the Constitution of the United States against all enemies
foreign and domestic. That you will bear true faith and
allegiance to the same. That you take this oath, this obligation, freely without any mental reservation or purpose
of evasion and that you will faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are bound to enter, so help
you God?”
With a simple, “I do” Peltola joined the 117th Congress. The crowd erupted in applause and the entire gallery stood.
Not only is Peltola the first Alaska Native elected to
Congress but the first woman to represent the state of
Alaska in the House. She previously was a state lawmaker for 10 years representing the rural hub community of
Bethel, Alaska.
“I intend to work my very hardest to walk in Don’s
footsteps and carry on his legacy to the best of my ability,
to work for all Alaskans and I just really appreciate this
opportunity,” Peltola said during the ceremonial swearing-in. “Thank you for sharing this moment with me.”
Young held his seat for nearly five decades. He was the
longest serving representative.
Peltola hugged her children and kissed her husband before she was whisked away from the ceremonial swearing-in held in the Rayburn Room in the U.S. Capitol to
cast her first vote.
“She can’t miss the vote,” staffers said repeatedly.
Peltola's campaign has emphasized her dedication to
"fish, family and freedom." Fish are a staple in Alaskan
life, and salmon holds particular cultural significance to

Alaska Natives. A subsistence lifestyle — relying on fish,
wildlife and berries — is essential in rural Alaska, including in many Native communities, where goods must be
flown or barged in and costs for basic necessities can be
exorbitant.
“Fish are life,” Peltola said in her first speech as a
member of Congress.
Peltola said she sees her few weeks in office as an
homage to Young's service as a more moderate force in
an increasingly polarized Congress. Like the often gruff
Young, Peltola said she is bringing a sense of humor to
the job, along with a history of being a consensus-builder
with even the most conservative of colleagues.
Peltola repeatedly mentioned that she would work with
people from both sides to do what is best for Alaskans.
But staying above the fray could prove difficult. Peltola
is on the ballot in November to serve a full two-year term,
facing off against Palin again as well as Republican Nick
Begich and Libertarian Chris Bye, all of whom advanced
from August’s open primary.
That's partly why Peltola said she doesn't plan to get
too comfortable in her new office, which Young, a Republican, adorned with the heads of bucks and bears and
large rifles in a nod to his love of hunting. Now those
walls are bare.
"It didn't make sense to really become too entrenched,
or decorate, or set up shop," Peltola said. "I really just
feel like I'm camping here until the term is over. And then
being open and seeing what happens next."
“It has taken 233 years for the U.S. Congress to be
fully represented by this country’s indigenous peoples.
Tonight, a Native American, a Native Alaskan & a Native Hawaiian are sitting members of the people’s House.
Welcome U.S. Representative Peltola to the 117th Congress!” Rep. Kaiali‘i Kahele, Native Hawaiian, said.

8

HOPI H.E.O.C UPDATES

Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

Hopi Tribe Department of Health and Human Services Covid-19 Emergency
Response August 26, 2022 Report (REPUBLISH)
Due to transitions occurring in DHHS the latest COVID 19 report was the one published on
August 26
KYKOTSMOVI, AZ – July20, 2022
This data is updated on the Hopi Tribe’s website “COVID-19 Response and Resources” page.
Hopi Health Care Center – Community COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination Information
COVID-19 vaccines are available in the afternoons on Mondays and Wednesdays for the
month of July for those 6 months and older. To schedule an appointment call (928) 737-6148 or
737-6081.
Appointments are required. For questions about COVID-19 vaccines please call (928) 7376198 or 737-6197.
COVID-19 Testing Drive-up Testing schedule: Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30 AM – 9:00
AM. Enter at the west entrance & drive around back. Mask must be worn by everyone in your
vehicle. Please stay in your vehicle at all times. To schedule for testing or for more information
please call (928) 737- 6187 or 6233.
A COVID-19 Hotline has been created by the Hopi Health Care Center to assist with all
COVID-19 related questions and service requests. The hotline is open Monday–Friday from 8
AM – 5 PM. To contact the COVID-19 hotline please call (928) 737-6187.
WHEN USING AN AT-HOME TEST IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU REPORT
YOUR RESULTS TO THE
COVID-19 HOTLINE AT HOPI HEALTH CARE CENTER OR TUBA CITY REGIONAL
HEALTH CARE CORPORATION SO THAT ACCURATE DATA IS PROVIDED TO THE
COMMUNITY.
VACCINE UPDATE:
On June 17, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized emergency use of
the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention
of COVID-19 to include use in children down to 6 months of age. For more detailed information
please visit www.cdc.gov
TUBA CITY REGIONAL HEALTH CARE CORPORATION (TCRHCC) COVID-19 TESTING & VACCINATION INFORMATION:
Testing, and now vaccinations, at TCRHCC are being held at the outdoor tent Monday – Friday
from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Daylight Savings Time. Rapid and CEPHEID tests can take approximately 3 hours. Send out tests can take 2-3 days. The address for Tuba City Regional Health Care
Corporation is 167 N. Main Street, Tuba City, AZ. For more information regarding Tuba City
Regional Health Care Corporation’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic and testing, please call 1-866976-5941. TCRHCC has at-home COVID-19 test kits available for the community. To request a
test kit please go through the drive up tent from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Daylight Savings Time or go
to the pharmacy drive up window after hours.
FREE AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS:
You can now order free at-home COVID-19 tests from the U.S. government at covidtests.gov
by calling 1-800-232- 0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Only 4 tests come in an order and only two
orders per household. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Please do not wait to order your tests
when you have been exposed or become symptomatic as the tests will not arrive in enough time
for you to be tested. So please order them now so that you and your loved ones can be prepared.
Households that did not place their first two orders of test kits, can now place their first, second,
AND third order. They must complete the ordering process above three (3) times to place both a
first, second, and third order (for a total of 16 test kits; 4 kits for first order, 4 kits for second order,
8 kits for third order).
FREE N-95 MASKS:
The CDC now has a resource on their website where you can see a list of local pharmacies that
have free N-95 masks by using your zip code. Click here or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888720-7489).
QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION CALCULATOR:
The CDC now has a Quarantine and Isolation calculator that helps determine how long you
need to isolate or quarantine.
SYMPTOMS, QUARANTINE, AND ISOLATION:
Watch for Symptoms - people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported –
ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to
the virus and can range from mild to severe. The following are COVID-19 symptoms that people
may experience:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
•New loss of taste or smell
•Sore throat
•Congestion or runny nose
•Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we
learn more about COVID-19. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious
complications from COVID-19 illness.”
Currently, the local health department and HHCC are implement the previously recommended
CDC guidelines which is a 10 day isolation for those who test positive and a 14 day quarantine
for those exposed to an infected individual.
(GLOSSARY ON PG. 5)
Be aware that when someone tests positive they became contagious 2 days before they developed symptoms, or if they are not experiencing symptoms 2 days before they tested positive not
the day they received their results. If someone was less than 6 feet away from a potential positive
case for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period they would be considered
a close contact regardless of whether or not both parties were wearing masks. For example, Molly
was within 6 feet of Craig on Thursday night for 10 minutes and on Friday morning for 5 minutes.
Craig developed symptoms Saturday evening, was tested for COVID on Monday, and received
their results on Wednesday. Because Molly was within 6 feet of Craig for a total of 15 minutes
over a 24 hour period within the 2 day timeframe she is now considered to be a close contact. If
you have been identified as a close contact you may or may not need to quarantine depending on
your vaccination status.
If an unvaccinated individual that is not positive is having to take care of someone that is infected, they will need to quarantine for 14 days beginning on the infected person’s 10th day of
isolation, with that day being Day 0 and the following day being Day 1. That means the caregiver
could potentially be out of work for 24 days. If a vaccinated person that is not positive is having
to take care of someone that is infected, they will not have to quarantine but will need to get
tested 5 days from the 10th day of the infected person’s isolation. If a vaccinated person develops
symptoms while caring for an infected person they will need to get tested as soon as possible and
remain at home until they receive their results.
Re-testing of COVID-19 Positive Employees. Per guidance and alignment with HHCC, CDC,
state and local health departments, and OSHA workplace guidance for COVID-19 re-testing of
positive or suspected COVID-19 employees before they return to work, nor providing letters to
go back to work is not recommended.
The recommended reason for not re-testing is an individual may continue to test positive on
a viral test long after they are recovered from COVID-19. These dead viral particles will turn
viral tests positive even though they cannot cause disease in others. The Hopi Health Care Center
strongly encourages employers to use the CDC’s symptom and criteria below even if they continue to test positive. Once they meet the three criteria, they are no longer considered infectious
to others. However, if the employee was severely ill (hospitalized) or in immunocompromised,
plead advise them to visit their primary care provide before returning to work.
The “checklist” below has been updated as of the most recent COVID-19 guidelines from the
CDC and will be used by employers to determine when an employee with confirmed COVID-19
may return to work safely. For additional questions, please call the Hopi Health Care Center
COVID-19 hotline (928) 737-6188.
□ It’s been at last ten days since I first had symptoms or received my positive diagnosis if I’ve
not had symptoms (please note date of first symptoms: (________)
□ Overall my symptoms have improved and I am feeling better.
□ It’s been at least 72 hours since I last had a fever without using fever-reducing medicine.
If you checked all three boxes, you are no longer a considered at risk to infect others and can
go back to work!

Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

HOPI H.E.O.C UPDATES

Hopi Tribe Department of Health and Human Services Covid-19 Emergency Response, Cont. (REPUBLISH)

9

Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

10

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

The Hopi Utilities Corporation

Hopi Telecommunications, Inc. (HTI) in Keams
Canyon, Arizona is currently seeking energetic and
highly motivated individuals to join the HTI team.
CURRENT OPENINGS
• Key System/Central Office Tech (Full-time)
CLOSING DATE: September 2, 2022
Requirements: Experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Possess
a valid Arizona Driver License and pass a background check.
*Must complete and submit an HTI Employment
Application and resume. Application can be obtained at the Keams Canyon Office. Or through the
HTI Website.
To view job description please visit the HTI website
at: www.hopitelecom.com
For more information, please call the Keams
Canyon Office at (928) 738-4674 or Flagstaff Office
(928) 522-8428 or email info@hopitelecom.com

IS HIRING!
4Senior
Water Operator
4Water Operator

To learn more, request an application, or apply:

careers.hrpatrons@gmail.com
or visit www.facebook.com/hrpatrons

Hopi Tutuveni wants to
know how we are doing.

Call or email us to tell us if we are doing a
good job. We need your feedback

928-734-3283

BIRTHDAY/CONGRATS!

HAPPY_________DAY...
We offer space for your congratulation!
Call or email TODAY to learn more
Call:
928-734-3283

The Hopi Tribe P.O. Box 123 Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039
Ph: (928) 734-3281 • Ph: (928) 734-3283
Editorial Board of the Hopi Tutuveni
Wilma Dengavi , Gary LaRance, George Mase
Hopi Tutuveni Staff
Managing Editor - Romalita Laban
RLaban@hopi.nsn.us
Assistant Editor - Carl Onsae
Consae@hopi.nsn.us
ARTICLES:
The Hopi Tutuveni welcomes
original articles reporting on
local, state and national news
items on issues related to Hopi
or of interest to Tutuveni readers.
We are especially interested
in articles reporting on issues
impacting the Hopi community or on events and activities
involving members of the Hopi
Tribe. Articles should not exceed
750 words and should follow
Associated Press (AP) style and
formatting. The Managing Editor
reserves the right to edit articles
for style, length and clarity. If
significant editing is required, the
Managing Editor will communicate with the author prior to
publication.
PRESS RELEASES:
Press releases must be submitted
on official letterhead and include
the name of the organization,
contact person, telephone
number and email address. Press
releases should not exceed 500
words and submissions may be
edited for length and clarity at
the discretion of the Managing
Editor.
LETTERS TO THE
EDITOR:
Letters should not exceed 250
words and must include the
name of the author and complete
contact information (address,
phone number or email address)

CIRCULATION

PH: (928) 289 0974

porturica@gmail.com

and the headline and date of
the article on which you are
commenting. Anonymous letters
and letters written under pseudonyms will not be published.
The Tutuveni Editorial Board
reviews all submissions and
reserves the right not to publish
letters it considers to be highly
sensitive or potentially offensive
to readers, or that may be libelous
or slanderous in nature.
OPINION EDITORIALS:
Submissions must be exclusive
to Hopi Tutuveni and should not
exceed 1,000 words. Include with
your submission your name and
complete contact information,
along with a short 2-3-sentence
bio.
SUBMISSION
INSTRUCTIONS:
All press releases, articles, letters
to the editor and Opinion Editorials electronically as a Word
document or as plain text in the
body of an email to the Managing Editor, Romalita Laban. Articles, press releases and editorials
that include photographs must
be in high resolution, 300dpi
or more and must be your own.
All photographs must include
photo credit and a caption for
each photo listing the names of
all persons included in the photo
and description of what the photo is about. (call 928-734-3283
for deadline schedule).

The Hopi Tutuveni is published twice a month, with a circulation
of 2,500 copies throughout the entire Hopi Reservation. The paper
is delivered on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month to the
following locations: Moenkopi Travel Center, Moenkopi Legacy
Inn, Hotevilla Store, Kykotsmovi Village Store, Tribal Government
Complex, Hopi Cultural Center, Hopi Health Care Center, Polacca
Circle M, Keams Canyon Store.

Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

We would like to hear
about your thoughts and
opinions, email your letter
to the editor at
rlaban@hopi.nsn.us
or
Call 928-734-3283
LEGALS

Would you like to put your
legals into the Newspaper?
For a single price you can
put your legals into the
Hopi
Tutuveni
Call 928-734-3283

Announce Here...
We offer available space for any kind
of announcements, call for pricing and
availability call or email today
Call:
928-734-3283or email:
ads@hopi.nsn.us

BIRTHDAY/CONGRATS!

HAPPY BELATED
BIRTHDAY!!

Want to
Advertise
with the
Hopi
Tutuveni?
YOUR
BUSINESS
NAME HERE
Are you confused on how to
advertise in the local newspaper?
The Hopi Tutuveni can help you.
With our friendly staff to help
you with your
advertisement,
advertising is now made Easy!
Call or email today.
Call: 928-734-3283
Email: consae@hopi.nsn.us

11
Hopi Tribal Council
Timothy L. Nuvangyaoma,
Chairman
Craig Andrews
Vice Chairman
Judith Youvella
Tribal Secretary
Nada Talayumptewa,
Tribal Treasurer
Alfonso Sakeva,
Sergeant-At-Arms
Village of Upper
Moenkopi
William Charley
Danny Humetewa Sr.
Leroy Sumatzkuku
Michael Elmer
Village of Bakabi
Marilyn Fredericks
Clifford Qotsaquahu
Velma Kalyesvah
Village of Kyakotsmovi
David Talayumptewa
Phillip Quochytewa, Sr.
Danny Honanie
Herman G. Honanie
Village of Sipaulavi
Rosa Honanie
Anita Bahnimptewa
Raymond Namoki
Village of Mishongnovi
Pansy Edmo
Delores Coochyumptewa
Mervin Yoyetewa
First Mesa Consolidated
Villages
Albert T. Sinquah
Dale Sinquah
Wallace Youvella, Jr.
Vacant

Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

12

Hopilavit - Conversation words
K
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Are you into drawing

COMICS?

Submit your comics to
consae@hopi.nsn.us
Or
Call 928-734-3283
To find out more

Drawing comics is a great way to show your
drawing skills and your side of Hopi Humor.
If you have the skill and the humor to draw comics
for the Hopi Tutuveni
DISCLAIMER: Comics submitted will become property of Hopi
Tutuveni. Name of artist will be
displayed and not edited when submitted. Hopi Tutuveni has
the right to publish submitted comics.

W
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HOPI WORDS

Tunatya - Intention

Hiisa - Many

Kwisto - Get

Itsivu - Intolerant

Paati - Melt

Yup’a - Go ahead

Tuwat - In turn

Qa’ãntipu - Mistake

Nima - Go home

Qanaani - Jealous (feel)

Qaavo - Next day

Nakwhana - Grant per-

Tumala - Job

Aa’awna - Notify

mission

Henanata - Jog

Ephaqam - Now & then

Tutskwa - Ground

Suumi - Join

Himu’yva - Obtain

Naasami - Half-dollar

Hintaqa - Kind (what)

Paypi - Oh Well!

Hiñti - Happen (what)

Tuwi’yta - Know

Namora - Option (choice)

Hãalayi - Happy

Ngasta - Lacking

Angqw - Out of origin

Kyaktayti’i - Hurry

Lavayi - Language

Tuqayvasta - Pay Atten-

Wuuni - Idea (thought)

Qa iits - Late

tion

Pashimu - Important

Tayati - Laugh

Qe’ti - Quit

Sonkya - Improbable

Ya’makma - Leave (exit)

Yõoyoki - Rain

Songyawnen - In effect

Awtuuqayta -Listen

Tutuwna - Instruct

Tunatyawta - Look after

TICK-TACK-TOE

Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

13

Larry’s Corner

See the problem is...

Growing up on the reservation taught me that everything out here is tough to accomplish. I mean, living on
the reservation…life is hard. You would have to work for
everything from food to education and everything in between.
But when I was growing up, I don’t think I ever paid attention to how life was for me then. When you’re a mush
head kitten, it seems you ignore the bad things in your
childhood. Of course, we all have scars, but look at us
now; we’re entirely “NORMAL.”
When you’re a mush head kitten, you don’t think about
the bad things in the “now” REZ life, like drugs and alcohol. Back then, energy, as a simple force, was accessible.
All you had to do was wait till your parents called you
into the house. Or, you could eat at someone’s house, and
they would take you home afterward, right?
As kittens, we knew that there were drugs and alcohol
in the village, but it was never a bother because it was
frowned upon. We would make fun of the village drunks,
and they would cower in shame for what they did. But
nowadays, the entire village seems to be one big drunk
person. And it’s easy to be one big intoxicated person because you can buy alcohol and drugs on the reservation.
All you must do is go next door and ask. Even the “grandma” next door will say, “$20 for a bottle”… it’s that easy.
It’s strange because, in a short amount of time, drugs
and alcohol have shaped and impacted the Hopi community drastically. The drunks we use to make fun of that
cowered in shame seem to have no shame at all. When
did that change? Now we don’t make fun of them anymore. We say, “Daha is drunk again,”…and we go back
to our daily business.
Younger kids already know what a drunken person
looks like even before their first birthday. It’s like we
have engrained drugs and alcohol into our Hopi culture
now, and we accept that it’s part of our everyday tradition.
With drugs and alcohol now seeming to be part of our
culture, killing and stealing acts are followed closely.

See, when I was growing up, I thought that killing and
stealing were only on TV or in the big city. I would have
never thought that those types of words would ever be
used on the Hopi reservation because it was never part of
our vocabulary when I was growing up. But now we hear
that every day in the community and on Facebook. Of
course, we have a legal system that tries to improve our
“problem” but even that is broken and when you have an
entire reservation full of drugs and alcohol, the problem
seems to be growing from generation to generation.
So how can we solve this reservation-wide problem?
That is one question I don’t have a solution for. It’s like
trying to solve a division problem that we haven’t seen in
over 20 years. We cannot solve it, but that doesn’t mean
there isn’t a solution. It just means that this problem is
something that the entire reservation must come up with
and not just a single person or group.
Of course, in schools, we teach our children about
the dangers of drugs and alcohol by showing them what
could happen to them if they do “go down that path.” And
it seems somewhere down the road, they will eventually try drugs and alcohol, and some will become addicted
and others will not, but I guess it’s how we are all raised.
Do we accept that drugs and alcohol are part of the Hopi
culture now? Or do we put a barrier between us to not see
the absolute truth?
When I think of the word “STEAL,” it seems that it
is always used on Facebook. Every time I read it, it will
say something like, “Someone stole my Hopi belt” or
“Someone stole my grandma’s walker.” We are getting
to the point where “BIG CITY” problems are becoming
our problems. Why don’t we do anything about it? Well,
I say it’s because we know that person’s grandmother,
grandfather or relative and they are good people. We are
all scared to accuse someone of stealing because of the
thought of what might happen if we accuse someone for
stealing.
I’m pretty sure that a long time ago, when a Hopi per-

Want to send Larry something? Send to: PO BOX 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039
Want to send Larry email? Send to: meowatlarry@gmail.com

son was caught stealing, it was dealt with in a village
setting where the person who stole something would do
something to work off their debt to the community. Or
that person would be shamed into not stealing anymore
by having their behavior corrected by the village and not
just an individual. But it’s not like that anymore; we are
a close community, yet we are miles apart because we
don’t know who our neighbors are anymore.
Of course, we have several groups who educate the
community about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and
I applaud them for that. At least they are trying to make
a change for our Hopi people. But, when you have just a
simple group trying to make a change, it is not enough
to make a dent, but they try, and they will continue to
educate the Hopi community about the dangers of drugs
and alcohol. Every Hopi family here on the Hopi reservation has a person who drinks those lives with them, and it
seems that we are forced to accept them as they are.
So, let me ask, is it ok to do that? Is it ok to treat them
like this is part of our culture now? So, what can we do?
I guess that’s something we must “individually” come
up with as a solution. Sometimes we will try to come up
with answers like rehab centers or more PSA’s about the
“DANGERS OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL,”… but are
they working? How can we keep the dangers of drugs and
alcohol away from kids?
I advise you that drugs and alcohol are touchy subjects
on the Hopi reservation. Some will not want to look at the
truth of this epidemic, and some will try to improve the
problem. Educating our younger generation about these
problems is one thing. Eventually, they will not be mush
heads anymore, so they will have to be the ones to come
up with their solution to this problem. All we can do is
try to make sure we are all adults and show our younger
generation that there is still hope in this Hopi world of
ours and one without so much of an impact from drugs
and alcohol if we could just choose not to use either one,
even for one day at a time.

Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

14

In Arizona, worry about access to Colorado
River water
In this July 31, 2021 photo, a boat cruises along Lake Powell near Page, Ariz. The elevation of Lake Powell fell below 3,525 feet (1,075 meters), a record low that surpasses a critical threshold at
which officials have long warned signals their ability to general hydropower is in jeopardy. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Tony Davis
Arizona Daily Star/Associated Press
TUCSON, Ariz. — Robbie Woodhouse’s grandfather
began nearly a century of family farming along the Gila
River near Yuma in the middle 1920s when he dug up a
bunch of mesquite stumps on his land to make way for
his barley, wheat, Bermuda seed, cotton and melon fields.
Farming never really took off at the Woodhouse homestead until 1954, when the federal government finished
a 75-mile-long concrete canal to bring Colorado River
water to what’s now known as the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District, which covers about 58,500
acres along the Gila River east of the Colorado.
Today, Woodhouse presides over the governing board
of a district with more than 120 individual growers,
partnerships, trusts and other operating entities growing
about 100 different crops, including seed crops as well
as staples like wheat, cotton, lettuce and other produce.
Wellton-Mohawk is one of six agricultural districts in the
Yuma area that together grow 90 percent of the cauliflower, lettuce, broccoli and other winter vegetables sold in
the U.S.
But now, the future of this district, of farming in the
Yuma area in general and of Arizona’s second largest
drinking water supply for urban residents are all mired in
a sea of uncertainty. Due to a logjam in interstate negotiations for massive cuts in Colorado River water deliveries,
farmers and urban users have no idea how much water
use they’ll be ordered to cut, possibly starting next year.
All the Yuma area irrigation districts depend entirely
on Colorado River water to nourish their crops. While
groundwater does lie beneath many of the farm fields, its
quality is uncertain or poor in many places.
“Obviously we’re very, very concerned,” said Woodhouse, whose 1,250 acres grow mostly produce, such as
cauliflower, broccoli and lettuce. “Without the water, we
don’t grow anything. But I wouldn’t say we are scared.
We do feel an obligation to do our part.”
Water officials of Arizona cities of Tucson, Goodyear
and Scottsdale are also concerned and a little on edge al-

though they’re not panicking. They are the most dependent of Arizona cities on river water delivered through
the Central Arizona Project, a $4 billion, 336-mile-long
canal system running from the river to the Phoenix and
Tucson areas.
While all these cities have backup supplies, led by
groundwater, to cushion them in the short- to medium-term in the event of river water cuts, their long-term
picture is more uncertain because the CAP was extended
into Arizona nearly 40 years ago precisely to get them off
groundwater.
Arizona got about 36 percent of its total water supply
from the river as recently as 2020. That share of river water feeding farms and cities has declined some since then,
with the advent of a federally approved Drought Contingency Plan that will cut the state’s river water use by 21%
starting in 2023. It’s expected to drop even further in the
coming years but nobody knows how much right now.
The uncertainty was triggered first in June, when Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton testified at a
U.S. Senate Committee hearing that to stabilize the river’s declining reservoirs Lakes Mead and Powell, the basin states need to cut their water use by roughly up to 30%
starting in 2023, and come up with a plan to do that by
mid-August. If a plan doesn’t appear by then, she warned
the federal government would impose its own, to “protect
the system.”
But mid-August came and went with no agreement and
no plan or timetable for a plan from the bureau. The bureau did say at an Aug. 16 news conference, however,
that it was going to look closely at several measures such
as modifying the Hoover and Glen Canyon dams so they
can keep delivering water at lower elevations and counting evaporation of water from Lake Mead and the river
against the Lower Basin’s total water supply, thereby reducing that supply by hundreds of thousands of acre-feet
a year.
So now, Wellton Mohawk and the other irrigation districts are pushing a plan to cut one acre-foot of water used
per acre annually, on 925,000 acres along the Lower Colorado River in Arizona and California. In return, they’re

seeking $1,500 an acre-foot in compensation, or a total of
$1.387 billion annually.
With that money, they’ll invest in water-efficient farming tools like drip irrigation, gradually switch to less
thirsty crops from water-slurping alfalfa and weather economic losses from reduced water use, Woodhouse said.
“What we want to have happen is for each individual farmer to operate their farms in the matter that they
want to operate and plant the crops that they feel they can
maintain the fertility of their soils,” he said. “I’m sure it’s
going to greatly change crop rotations and also change
management practices of individual farmers, to exist on
less water. It’s real important that those decisions be left
to each individual farm.”
This proposal has been roundly criticized by urban water leaders, however. While saying farms must take the
biggest water use curbs because they use 72 percent of
Arizona’s water and close to 80 percent basin-wide, Central Arizona Project officials say the farmers’ price tag
is unrealistically high and that whatever money is paid
should be used strictly to modernize irrigation practices
for the long term.
“Anytime anyone wants to sit down with us and talk
about it, we’re more than willing to do so. But no one
has been willing to discuss it,” countered Wade Noble, an
attorney representing the Yuma-area irrigation districts.
“Until we get to that point, our voluntary forbearance of a
significant amount of the water we control will remain on
the terms we put on the table. We’re not going to negotiate with ourselves.”
Where both Arizona farms and cities agree is that the
other river basin states and the federal government haven’t moved fast enough to reduce water use.
“Reclamation has got to show some leadership and say
this has got to be done and give us a guide map as to how
the system is protected as the commissioner promised
what it would be,” Noble said.
The CAP’s board president Terry Goddard and its previous president Lisa Atkins wrote a letter on Aug. 19 to
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland that made essentially the
same point. To date, no written
CONT. ON PG 15

Hopi Tutuveni September 21, 2022

15

In Arizona, worry about access to Colorado River water, CONT.
response from Interior has been forthcoming.
With no action forthcoming on a deal, some Arizona water users have pulled back on past commitments
to leave water in Lake Mead to prop it up. The Tucson
City Council, for instance, had pledged earlier this year
to leave 30,000 acre-feet in the lake in 2022 and 2023 but
has since backed off that pledge and voted to order its
full allocation of 144,191 acre-feet for 2023 pending the
negotiations’ outcome. The Gila River Indian Community withdrew an even larger commitment, to leave nearly
130,000 acre-feet in Mead next year. The CAP is holding onto 35,000 acre-feet it was going to leave in Mead
and announced plans to remove another 18,000 acre-feet
from the lake next year.
“Unfortunately, the community has been shocked and
disappointed to see the complete lack of progress in
reaching the kind of cooperative basin-wide plan necessary to save the Colorado River system,” said Gila River
Indian Community Chairman Stephen Roe Lewis.
Until now, it’s left almost 600,000 other acre-feet of
its CAP supply in Mead since 2016. In 2022 alone, CAP
users and other Arizona Colorado River users left nearly 800,000 acre-feet in Mead, led by 512,000 acre-feet
it legally had to leave there under the terms of the 2019
Drought Contingency Plan due to the lake’s falling levels.
Arizona and California left another 268,000 acre-feet in
the lake this year from what’s called the “500 Plus Plan,”
which had sought a half-million acre-feet in voluntary
contributions to the lake, but projections for next year
show more water will be removed from the lake under
that plan than will be left in it.
Many Arizona cities using river water are preparing
for the inevitability they’ll have to use less. In Goodyear,
in the Phoenix area’s West Valley, whose population is
about 101,000, the city has recharged about half of its
annual CAP supplies into the ground for several years.
It’s also been recharging treated sewage effluent into the
ground, and has stored a total of seven years' supply of
both sources. It anticipates no short-term problems in delivering water to customers, said Ray Diaz, Goodyear’s

water resources and sustainability manager.
Colorado River shortfalls aren’t going to affect what
the city does now but could in the future.
“What would happen if we were shorted and had to
continue our approved development?" said Diaz. "It’s
something we would have to look into and really assess
what we could afford for the future — how much water
we can provide.”
In Scottsdale in the Phoenix area’s East Valley, CAP
supplies about 70% of the water for its 250,000 residents.
Most is delivered directly to homes and businesses rather
than recharged. If the city had to sustain a large cut in
CAP supplies, it would have to rely much more heavily
on groundwater, said Gretchen Baumgardner, the city’s
water policy manager.
It has stored about 230,000 acre-feet of CAP water
and treated sewage effluent in the ground — about 2.5
years worth of its current supply — but town officials
don’t want to use it all at once, Baumgardner said. It also
gets about 15% of its supply from Salt and Verde River
surface supplies, delivered by the quasi-public utility the
Salt River Project.
“There will be a larger portion of groundwater” used
in the future, said Baumgardner, adding that city officials
won’t know how much until they learn how drastic the
cuts in CAP deliveries will be.
The city is also looking to extend its supply further.
Its wastewater treatment plant in North Scottsdale operates a pilot project to treat a small amount of effluent to
exceed state drinking water standards, a process called
“direct potable reuse.” The city is working with the State
Department of Environmental Quality to help set up new
state regulations that would allow the plant to reuse its
wastewater for drinking on a larger scale.
But when asked if a “Day Zero” could ever arrive in
which Scottsdale failed to meet all residents’ demands for
water, Baumgardner replied, “It’s just one of those uncertainties right now. That will really be hard to answer,”
in part because of a pending effort by federal officials to
overhaul its guidelines for operating its reservoirs — an

effort that won’t be finished until 2026.
In Tucson, officials of the Tucson Water utility are
more optimistic about their ability to survive major CAP
cuts. The utility about 40 years ago signed up to take almost a third more CAP water than it needs today to serve
the 735,610 customers living inside and outside city limits. That’s allowed it to store nearly five and a half years
worth of CAP in large, recharge basins — water that can
be pumped when needed during CAP shortages later.
The utility also has access to a huge aquifer lying under
a large expanse of former farmland northwest of the city
that it bought and retired in the 1970s. It also is regularly recharging and storing underground large amounts
of partially treated effluent that can be pumped later for
drinking.
But there is one cautionary note. A recent Bureau of
Reclamation study found that as the Southwest’s climate
warms up, runoff of melting snows into rivers and washes
surrounding the city is likely to decline, meaning less water will be replenishing its aquifer than in the past. That
would increase the possibility that groundwater pumping
in place of CAP water use could put increased pressure
on the aquifer, triggering higher pumping costs and more
likelihood of subsidence in which the ground collapses,
possibly triggering fissures.
Ultimately, the story of CAP water in Arizona is a story
about groundwater, added Kathryn Sorensen, a researcher for Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water
Policy. When there’s less Colorado River water delivered
to Arizona, the cities, farms and other users fall back on
groundwater, she said.
“We are very blessed to have plentiful aquifers in central Arizona we can fall back on,” Sorensen said while
noting they are fossil aquifers, meaning water entered
them thousands of years ago and they are not easily replaced.
"If we pump them and are unable to replenish the
pumping, the aquifers will pay the price,” she said.

Hopi Tutuveni August 17, 2022

16

Weatherization
Assistance program
No-cost, energy-efficient
home improvements

APS customers who own a home on Navajo or Hopi tribal land may be eligible for no-cost,
energy-efficient home improvements that could help lower your energy bill, including:
• Air sealing
• Improved insulation
• Heating, cooling and air quality
The energy-efficient improvements are made through Red Feather Development Group.
To learn more and see if you qualify, call Red Feather at 928-440-5119.

More ways to save on your energy bill
Our Energy Support program offers qualified customers a 25%
discount on their energy bill every month. To see if you qualify
and find other assistance resources, visit aps.com/assistance.

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Ahopi_arizona%3Ab607c398f3715628. Public record. Not legal advice.