April 2010 www.gilariver.org/news Vol 13, No. 4 Serving all seven districts of the Gila River Indian Community Change Service Requested Sacaton, AZ 85147 Box 459 P.O. Indian News Gila River Veto power can work to give voice back to Community members By Mihio Manus, GRIN Managing Editor The bulk of the work propelling the re- veto power in the revised constitution before vised tribal constitution is finished and the any final decisions are made. Tribal Constitution Reform Project (TCRP) He said, “I do understand that there are task force currently sits in the balance making attempts at the committee level to derail this minor tweaks and awaiting approvals from idea of legislative authority without really various GRIC committees and departments. knowing the issues of the legislative chair’s However, in the final days leading up to- veto power. They’ve never had it and have ward the approval of the revised constitution, never known it.” GRIC Governor William R. Rhodes has The Governor hopes that Community brought forth the ideal that executive veto members will look further into the issue of power needs to be addressed and included in veto power and not merely toward the admin- the revised constitution. Governor Rhodes be- istration that is recommending it’s inclusion lieves that veto power is an essential measure as this measure will carry on unto all future of check and balance that will keep the administrations that will govern the Commu- branches of government functioning justly nity. STAN- PRESORTED Permit No. 25 while giving a certain semblance of power U.S. Postage Sacaton, AZ DARD back to the people. PAID Governor Rhodes has expressed concern See Governor Rhodes/Veto over why veto power hasn’t been considered Power on Page 4 thus far. He feels the Community should hear his justification behind the move to include Roberto A. Jackson/GRIN Should the Executive Branch have Veto Authority? Submitted by the TCRP Task Force In late January 2010, the Governor recommended the Tribal Constitution Reform Project (TCRP) proposed con- stitution be revised to include Executive veto power. Upon direction from the Legislative Standing Committee (LSC) and Government & Management Standing Committee (G&M), the TCRP Task Force went back to the reference library to review the veto power concept, its history, types of veto power and how the veto power would work in the Community’s governmental structure. Concerned with whether the Community membership supports the inclu- sion of an Executive veto power, the TCRP Task Force also reviewed the Community member comments. Veto basically means the power to prevent something from happening or occurring. In Latin, the word, Veto, means, “I forbid.” When applied to the Executive branch Newly crowned Miss Gila River, Tia Benally, along side Miss Indian Arizona, Daryl Lynn Jay, stand together for a photo at the Five Tribes Peace Treaty Celebration. it means the leader of the Executive branch (Governor) has Mihio Manus/GRIN the power to prevent legislation from becoming law. Five Tribes Peace Treaty Celebration There are different types of veto authority. by mihio manus, grin managing editor Absolute veto authority is the ability of the Executive to MARICOPA COLONY-This year District 7 with festivities that include Having traveled up from Fort Yuma, permanently forbid legislation from becoming law with- marks the 147th anniversary of the traditional singing and dancing by the Quechan Ah-Keel Dance Group out anyone or any other branch having any further input Five Tribes Peace Treaty which was groups from the respective tribes also took the stage to give the crowd in the matter. If an absolute veto is exercised, there is no signed in 1863 and brought peace be- along with other events like softball a taste of their tribe’s particular songs method for anyone to reconsider the proposed law. The tween the Maricopa, Pima, Yuma, tournaments and 5K fun runs. and dances. monarch of England has absolute veto authority. In the Hualapai and Chemehuevi tribes of The theme of this year’s celebra- A traditional meal of red chile early statehood, South Carolina’s Governor had absolute Arizona. tion was “Keeping the Peace Treaty stew, beans, potato salad, corn and veto authority. However, it was revised a mere two years Historically, peace talks took Alive Through Unity” which was fur- chemmath was provided to all in at- later. place between Apr. 7 – 11, 1863 at ther exemplified by the attendance of tendance. With the temperatures Limited Veto Authority Fort Yuma ending in a formal pledge members from each of the tribes rep- starting to warm up, shaved ice was . This is the type of veto author- of agreement among the tribes to up- resented in the treaty. also on hand to cool attendees down ity the President of the United States and the Governor of hold mutual peace and friendship The Pee Posh Veterans posted while whetting their palettes. Arizona may exercise in accordance with a process out- while working to further protect the the colors while Gila River Royalty The festivities ran from 6:30 a.m lined in their respective constitutions. Although the word, local American settlers from other, gave the pledge of allegiance. Huala- until well past 7 p.m with a slew of “veto”, does not appear in the United States Constitution it- non-allied tribes. pai Youth Skywalk Bird Singers and bands taking the stage to perform self, the process described is a limited veto authority. The Every year, near the historical Dancers performed to an audience while various lively events took place authority is limited because it can be overridden by further date of the peace talks, the Five that was captivated by their beautiful throughout the D7 ballpark. action of another branch of government. When Congress passes legislation, it is presented to the President of the Tribes Peace Treaty is celebrated in songs and graceful dance moves. Photos on Page 10 & 11 See Types of Veto Authority on Page 4 Page 2 Gila River Indian News April 2010 April 2010 Gila River Indian News Page 3 Letters GRIC essay winners earn flight on B-17 Gila River Indian News MIHIO MANUS [email protected] GRIN Managing Editor (520)562-9718 JERI THOMAS [email protected] GRIN Office Manager (520)562-9717 Pictured from left to right, Derek Miller, District 4, Ira H Hayes High Good Job Flavi! School, Sienna Whittington, District 5, Chandler Hamilton High School, Vanessa Coronado, District 3, VHM High School and Tia GINA GOODMAN Benally, District 4 , VHM High School. [email protected] Flaviano Guzman, age 4, is from Receptionist Vah-Ki. His parents are Bernella Lewis (520)562-9715 and Rosemberg Guzman. “Flavi” is the Submitted by Ron Enderle youngest among the Pascola Dancers. Ira Hayes American Legion, Post 84 2010 Essay Chairperson ROBERTO A. JACKSON The Pascola Dance is passed down [email protected] through generations.He performed on Reporter Sunday at the Mul-Chu-Tha Cultural MESA-Nine Gila River Indian Com- ney. The presentation outlined the (520)562-9719 Center. It was his first time dancing and munity students entered the 2010, Ira fact that it wasn’t just a plane ride, it picking up money in front of his family Hayes, Post 84, American Legion, was a part of history. and a crowd, he amazed us all! Flavi Iwo Jima Flag Raising Commemora- Over 12,000 B-17 ‘s were built Fax: (520)562-9712 comes from a generation of Pascola tion Essay Contest. The students during WWII and only seven remain Email: [email protected] dancers and musicians. His Great demonstrated patriotism and writing flying. The half hour flight took the www.gilariver.org/index.php/news Grandfather is the late Linus Makil, his skills. Four were selected for pre- students over the mountains north of Gila River News brother is the late Augustine Makil and senting the top essays. Mesa, four peaks and the supersti- sister is the late Madeline Makil Lewis. A The award was a ride on the his- tions mountains special thanks to D5 Council woman, toric B-17 of the Arizona Wing, Com- Ira Hayes American Legion Post Material published in the Gila River memorative Air Force, Falcon Field, 84 is very proud of all the students Indian News may not be reproduced in and Flavi’s aunt, Brenda Robertson and any form without consent from the her daughter Wahlean Riggs for their Mesa Arizona on March 27th. Prior that participated in the 2010 Ameri- Gila River Indian Community. support in getting Flavi ready for this day. to the flight, Students were given the canism essay contest and appreciate Good Job Flavi! history of this B-17 Sentimental Jour- their efforts and commitment. LETTERS POLICY: GRIN welcomes letters and columns from readers. Letters should be limited to 200 words and be in good taste. Material that could be libelous or slanderous is Bernella Lewis not acceptable. All letters or columns should be signed with the writerʼs true name, address and telephone number in the event GRIN may need to contact the writer. Only the name of the writer will be printed in the paper. Letters or Thank you from former Marine stationed in Hawaii columns without a complete signature, name, address or phone number will not be accept- able to GRIN for publication. GRIN reserves the right to edit submitted materials for gram- Hello and Good morning, I came across the article about the CNN or other news sites have. I believe mar, spelling and content. Matthew B. Juan statue being vandal- it will be a good way to give the people a Write to: Editor, GRIN I just wanted to first say thank you to ized.