THE GRIN VOL. 24, NO. 16 GILA RIVER INDIAN NEWS || www.GRICNEWS.org AUGUST 20, 2021 New “State-of-the-Art” Casa Blanca Community School Constructed Utilizing Innovative Leaseback Program Kyle Knox Gila River Indian News On Aug 7, the Community held a virtual opening for the completed Casa Blanca Community School, located in District 5, live on Gila River Broadcasting Corp and streamed Live on Facebook. The program for the opening showcased the new location of the school, state-of- the-art technology improvements, cultural performances, and a blessing by former Lt. Governor Robert Stone. The opening ceremony also featured guest speakers from GRIC Leadership, the Casa Blanca Community School Owners Team and other dignitaries, including U.S. Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly, U.S. Congressmen Ruben Gallego, Greg Stanton, Tom O’Halleran, and U.S. Dept. of Interior Principal Deputy Asst. Bryan Newland, who all shared An aerial view of the new Casa Blanca Community School located in District 5. Photo courtesy of Reuben Ringlero congratulatory remarks. it back to the Department of the where they can thrive.” In addition to its learning In her remarks, she stressed that Planning and construction for Interior. Gov. Lewis stressed his features, the entire school is the former school, built in the this school began approximately The completion of the project pride in the school’s 21st century outfitted with a new air filtration 1960’s, was vastly inadequate 18 months ago and construction represents the accomplishment of features, and especially at how system meant to enhance safety. and outdated. With the opening of was completed in time for the a goal to build three new schools much O’otham art, culture and The system can sanitize classroom the school, Lt. Gov. Antone said 2021-2022 school year. The in the Community. language is on display throughout air at the molecular level to ensure the day was a “historic” occasion construction for this school was “During these times, we have the site, including in murals, staff and students breathe safe, since it was completed in a little completed utilizing the innovative to look forward to the future,” gardens, and in the curriculum. clean air within every classroom over 12 months. Lt Gov. credited leaseback program that was said Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis in The Governor said he looks and building. the success to the collaborative developed by the Community his opening remarks. “There is forward to how future generations “The opening of our new Casa efforts of the Casa Blanca Owners when it constructed the Gila no brighter future than the one we will benefit from the tireless efforts Blanca Community School is a Team, GRIC Community Council, Crossing Community School have for our students, who have a to construct another state-of-the- true investment to our children.”, GRIC legal advisors, parents, and which allows the Community to world-class learning environment art school in the Community. said Lt. Governor Monica Antone. children. construct the school and lease As COVID Infections Rise, Executive Orders Mandate Masks, Encourage Vaccines Christopher Lomahquahu is higher than the previous four learning based on the alarming put back into place some of those testing for Community employees Gila River Indian News months combined,” said Gov. trend of COVID-19 positivity protections that will lessen the who are fully vaccinated. In response to rising Lewis, who added that the Delta rates among GRIC youth under 19 transmission of the virus.” He said the revised executive COVID-19 infections, Gov. variant has been aggressive years old. The Governor encouraged orders also apply to GRIC Stephen Roe Lewis has announced among the unvaccinated. Statistics “I made the decision to move all Community members eligible employees seeking to take revised Executive Orders to urge show that statewide in Arizona, schools to virtual learning starting for vaccines to get one as soon personal trips, which will be Gila River Indian Community unvaccinated people account for Aug. 16,” said Gov. Lewis. He possible. He described the mask reviewed on a case by case basis members to get vaccinated 99.5 percent of COVID-related explained that he will work with mandates as a necessary step that considers the destination and against the coronavirus and its hospitalizations and deaths. schools to meet the new virtual to ensure that all Community the traveler’s vaccination status. Delta variant. In video addresses Executive Order No. 12 learning conditions, including for members are protected against “Community Members, to GRIC members aired Aug. 6 restricts gatherings to no more students with special needs for the virus – especially the please show that love by getting and 13, Gov. Lewis stressed the than 15 people, including funerals. instruction. Lewis said students unvaccinated. Masks have been vaccinated. This is the greatest gift importance of getting vaccinated. It also includes mandatory face who require specialized instruction shown to prevent the spread of the you can provide to your families, “I want to inform you of a masks worn by all persons over the will be able to receive in-person virus to others. our students and teachers, your new executive order that I signed age of two years old while inside lessons, while maintaining safety Gov. Lewis said the children and parents, and the today, the twelfth executive order public buildings in the Community protocols. Community eviction moratorium whole Community. Help us stay of the pandemic. This will address regardless of vaccination status. Gov. Lewis emphasized that has been continued for any Gila River Strong – because each the rising threat of the Delta The mask mandate applies infections rates have surged after a new evictions initiated by the and every one of you has a valuable variant in our community,” Gov. to teachers, staff, students and slowdown throughout the spring. Department of Community place within the Community,” Lewis explained. visitors to any school within the “The rising number of cases and Housing. The executive orders also said Gov. Lewis. “To put this into perspective, Community. In the Aug. 13 video, the fact they’re happening among maintain testing for unvaccinated the number of cases in just July Gov. Lewis said schools within our youth … means we need to GRIC employees and resumes the Community will look to virtual 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 More than 65 years ago, a local Pee-Posh actress made a career in Hollywood pg.3 Page 2 Gila River Indian News August 20, 2021 Alluvion Awarded $14.8M to Construct Fiber Network in Rural AZ Alluvion Communications offers a suite of The funded service area includes 22,645 mission-critical enterprise communications solutions people, 5,547 households, 142 that are always smart, fast, and reliable. Our bespoke businesses, 6 farms, 3 fire stations, a services introduce service provider options to police department, a school, and a markets with our own unique network and local healthcare facility. Our fiber will also network operations center. increase the bandwidth capabilities and fiber networks of tribally-owned Alluvion Communications is a subsidiary of Gila River telecommunications providers in Tribal Telecommunications, Inc. and is 100% GRIC owned. communities, including the Tohono Incorporated in 2006, Alluvion began as an HPBX O’odham Tribe and the Gila River Indian CLEC. Today, Alluvion has grown to become a Alluvion Communications, an enterprise Community. provider of enterprise fiber, data, and voice services. of the Gila River Indian Community, is Our fiber network continues to grow throughout proud to announce that we have been Thank you to the USDA for your Pinal and Maricopa Counties. awarded funding to deploy a continued commitment to deploying fiber-to-the-premises network throughout high-speed internet service to rural Job creation, network expansion, and 24/7 local rural Arizona. The network will extend communities across the United States. support are among the many benefits Alluvion roughly 155 miles and will be strategically provides to the Gila River Indian Community. As our placed to service both near-term and Read the full press release at: network grows, so does our team! We work with future developments in the service area. www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom community entities to recruit local talent and offer training and employment to GRIC members. To learn more, visit www.alluvion.net/blog and follow us on social media. Alluvion Donates Water and Food to GRIC Residents Impacted by Storms We are committed to doing what is www.alluvion.net right by our community. When our people were severely impacted by @alluvioncom recent monsoon storms, our company and staff came together to provide food @alluvioncom and water to residents of Casa Blanca who were without electricity, some for days. @alluvioncom GRHC COVID-19 HOTLINE GRHC.ORG/HUB GRHC.ORG (520) 550-6079 We’re Hiring! Apply today at GRHC.org/careers Gila River Health Care’s Administrative Offices and Outpatient Clinics will be CLOSED LABOR DAY PATIENT ALERT Monday • September 6, 2021 Primary Care clinics will be open Saturday KHC Pharmacy September 4th Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital Pharmacy Hours Saturday, 9/4 ............................... 8:30 am - Midnight DUE TO COVID SAFETY Sunday, 9/5 ....................................... Noon - 10 pm PRECAUTIONS THE INSIDE Monday, 9/6 .................................... C L O S E D PHARMACY WINDOWS CLOSED NATIVE AMERICAN DAY Friday • September 17, 2021 ARE CLOSED. Saturday • September 18, 2021 Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital Pharmacy Hours PLEASE PROCEED TO THE Saturday, 9/17 .............................. C L O S E D Sunday, 9/18 ................................ 8:30 am - Midnight DRIVE-THRU TO PICK UP Monday, 9/19 .................................. Noon - 10:00pm To find out more information on services open during the holiday, YOUR MEDICATIONS.