THE GRIN VOL. 24, NO. 15 GILA RIVER INDIAN NEWS || www.GRICNEWS.org AUGUST 6, 2021 Dbacks Team-Up with the Gila River Indian Community for Native American Recognition Day Event Christopher Lomahquahu Gila River Indian News The Arizona Diamondbacks and Gila River Hotels & Casinos hosted the 23rd Annual Native American Recognition Day after a year hiatus due to COVID-19. The NARD event was held before the start of the Dbacks’ July 18 game against the Chicago Cubs. The annual NARD event brings out numerous cultural dance groups, tribal royalty and guests from tribal communities to the midsummer affair. This includes two members from an Indian community given the honor L-R, Gov. Lewis, Kenneth Manuel, Gila River Hotels & Casinos CEO, Adrian Michael Preston, AOPPYC Coordinator tosses out the first pitch before the Thomas and Michael Preston represented the Community at the 23rd An- Dbacks game on July 18. Kyle Knox/GRIN of throwing out the first pitch and nual NARD event. Christopher Lomahquahu/GRIN singing the National Anthem. community to have a relationship team, who have been a big part of just started our terms right before against National League West Michael Preston, Akimel with a Major League Baseball maintaining the relationship for COVID-19 hit,” said Jr. Miss Gila division rivals the Los Angeles O’odham Pee-Posh Youth Council organization like the Dbacks,” 23 years. River Sineca Jackson. “It is also Dodgers on July 30. Coordinator, was given the nod to said Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis. Tribal royalty also made good for us to be out here and “I was nervous and excited at throw out the first pitch this year. He lauded the Dbacks’ efforts to an appearance at the game share our platforms with other the same time,” said Jackson, who He was joined by Adrian Thomas sponsor NARD and the team’s past to represent their respective tribal royalty and the Community was happy to be accompanied on from District 5, who was selected sponsorship of the Community’s communities from across the state members in attendance at the the field by her family. “I only had to sing the National Anthem. youth baseball tournament. of Arizona. “I am so excited to be game.” two practice pitches-in before I Additionally, the colors were Gov. Lewis said the standard here. This is one of our first big Jackson again had an got here.” presented by the Ira H. Hayes has been set between the events the Gila River royalty has opportunity to represent the Motivated by her family, American Legion Post 84 from Community’s partnership with attended,” said Miss Gila River Community two weeks later, when Jackson’s ceremonial pitch was a District 3 Sacaton. the Dbacks through the work of Alyse Marrietta. she was chosen to throw out the “We are the only tribal the Gila River Hotels & Casinos “It means a lot, because we first pitch before a Dbacks game More on Page 6 COVID Vaccine Efforts Continue Across GRIC in Push for “Community Immunity” Emma Hughes more than 267,000 COVID tests, Gila River Indian News with a positive rate of 3.3 percent. With COVID-19 cases Nearly 21,000 COVID continuing to be a concern in vaccines have been given thus the state and for GRIC, Gila far, according to the COVID-19 River Health Care continues to report released by the Tribal administer COVID-19 vaccines Health Department on August with daily clinics and Mobile 2. Currently, 43 percent of Vaccination Unit events around individuals 18+ years who live the Community, including the D2 within GRIC’s boundaries have gymnasium on July 27. been fully vaccinated. Zella Jones, District 3, works Jacob Jones, Zella’s son, just in a health care facility and ust received his first vaccination. understands the importance of “I didn’t want it, I didn’t really getting vaccinated. “For people want to come, but I know COVID on the fence, it is really important can be serious, so I thought I might to get vaccinated,” said Jones, as well get the vaccine now,” who brought her two sons to get said Jacob who felt a little more vaccinated. “It helps protect you at ease after receiving the shot before starting his fall semester at Community members came out to the GRIC MVU program event in District 2 on July 27. Christopher Lomahquahu/ and your family by reducing the GRIN chance of getting infected by Imagine Prep in Coolidge. The Delta variant has proven crucial to continue washing your as well,” said Kisto, who shared COVID.” Schools returning to classes, to be more transmissible than other hands, maintain physical distance that she had been hesitant to get As the Delta variant spreads, both virtually and in-person in forms of COVID-19. While fully from others and continue to wear vaccinated. “To be honest I didn’t the U.S. and the state of Arizona some areas, has prompted more vaccinated individuals may still a face mask. want to get it at first. But now, have recently experienced an individuals to get vaccinated. become infected, medical research Cherish Kisto, D2 came out seeing everyone else get it, it has increase in positive test results. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are shows that their symptoms are to the event to get her second put me at ease,” she said. The most recent GRHC statistics currently available, with Pfizer often less severe and the vaccine dose of the vaccine. “I work with With the Community show that the Community has being administered to those 12 drastically reduces the possibility children and it makes sense to continuing to push for “Community had 98 positive tests between years and older. COVID-19 of being hospitalized or dying. get vaccinated, not to mention Immunity,” members can expect July 12 and August 1. In total, vaccines have shown to be highly In addition to the vaccine, it is I have two children of my own the Community has administered effective against the virus and its More on Page 6 variants. Gila River Indian News PRESORTED P.O. Box 459 STANDARD Sacaton, AZ 85147 U.S. Postage Change Service Requested PAID Sacaton, AZ Permit No. 25 GRIC member completes mentorship with the Arizona Coyotes, page 8 Page 2 Gila River Indian News August 6, 2021 July 16, 2021 Gila River Indian News Page 3 Monsoon Season Safety Tips in The Event of a Storm Emma Hughes Dust storms are also Gila River Indian News hazardous and can reduce visibility in a matter of seconds. Monsoon season brings Avoid driving during a dust storm. severe weather conditions If you get caught in a dust storm including thunderstorms, flash while driving, pull off the road as floods, dust storms and extreme far as you can, set your parking heat. Monsoon begins in June and brake and turn off your lights. typically lasts until September. Governor Stay away from downed The season can cause dangerous Stephen Roe Lewis power lines and report them disruptions like flooding and if possible. Rapid winds and Lt. Governor interruptions to electric and utility lightning strikes can hit power Monica Antone service. poles resulting in an electrical Community Council Plan ahead and monitor the outage. If you happen to become weather conditions for the day Monsoon storms that develop later in the evening have the potential to create Representatives trapped under a power line while hazardous conditions across the Community. Christopher Lomahquahu/GRIN District 1 and the week. There are many on the road, remain in your vehicle Arzie Hogg include a first-aid kit, prescription handling dry ice, wearing dry, ways to get information from until help arrives. Joey Whitman medication if needed, and non- heavy gloves to avoid injury. radio, television and even through During a storm, it’s important perishable foods with a long life, Power outages during District 2 applications on your mobile to take precautions and be Carol Schurz such as peanut butter, crackers, monsoon season may take time for device. prepared. Protect your electronics canned meat and vegetables, trail service to be repaired and restored. District 3 During the recent monsoon and appliances by using a power mix, and dried fruit. Flashlights Generators should only be used Avery White storms, GRIC utilized social surge protector to avoid damage Rodney Jackson and radio along with extra outdoors and at least 20 feet away media and a text messaging to your devices in case of a power batteries and back-up power banks from your home to prevent carbon District 4 service for subscribers to receive outage. If you are able, unplug for mobile devices should also be monoxide poisoning. Jennifer Allison information on weather and power sensitive electronic equipment Regina Antone-Smith in your kit. Extreme heat can also occur outages. before a storm arrives. Delmar Jones In the event of a power during the monsoon season, Christopher Mendoza Severe thunderstorms can Have an emergency supply outage, keep your refrigerator and making it important to stay bring winds that reach 100mph kit containing essential items and District 5 freezer doors closed to help keep hydrated to prevent any heat- and cause structural damage. at least three days’ supply of food Marlin Dixon food cold for at least 4 hours. If related illness. Drink plenty of Brian E. Davis, Sr. Flash floods can occur in a matter and water for each person and pet. the outage lasts longer, pack cold fluids, especially water, regardless James De La Rosa of minutes, leaving roadways Water and food should be stored Wahlean J. Riggs and frozen food into coolers.