Monday is Indigenous Peoples Day. According to Running Strong for American Indian Youth, the day is "a time to recognize and honor the histories, cultures and continued presence of Native communities across the Americas... Indigenous Peoples’ Day continues to grow in recognition as more communities seek meaningful ways to acknowledge Native voices, resilience and sovereignty.
The KAWC Newsroom is dedicating this week's Arizona Edition to the tribal nations in Yuma and La Paz Counties- the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, the Colorado River Indian Tribes in Parker and the Cocopah Indian Tribe in Somerton.
Members of the three tribal groups have invited us in recently to visit their sacred rituals, a Native film festival and a history museum. Here are some of their stories, including some told in their own languages.
First, Hualapai activists are walking 1,200 miles across Arizona to oppose a proposed lithium mine near the tribe’s sacred Ha'Kamwe' hot spring. They were in Yuma on Monday where they met with leaders and members of the Quechan. KAWC civic engagement reporter Carmen Márquez takes us there.
Then, the KAWC News team was in Parker recently for the NatiVisions Film Festival. KAWC reporter Victor Calderón spoke with CRIT councilmember Tommy Drennan about current tribal issues and the importance of Native storytelling through film.
Next, the Cocopah recently held a camp to preserve their language and culture. KAWC's Sisko Stargazer takes us there.
And finally, we revisit an interview with a Miss Cocopah titleholder on what the crown means to her.
Visit kawc.org for more coverage on the Quechan, CRIT and Cocopah tribes.
