THE GRIN VOL. 24, NO. 9 GILA RIVER INDIAN NEWS || www.GRICNEWS.org MAY 7, 2021 Arizona Governor Doug Ducey Signs Historic Gaming Compact Roberto A. Jackson Communications & Public Affairs Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis took part in the historic Tribal-State Gaming Compact Amendment signing with Arizona tribal leaders and Gov. Doug Ducey at the Heard Museum in Phoenix on April 15. The amended compacts modernize gaming for the 21st Century and will expand the number of gaming devices and allow for new casinos. Arizona’s Tribal-State Gov. Lewis signs a copy of the amended tribal gaming compact on April 15 GRIC leadership hold a copy of the signed compact during historic signing Gaming Compacts were first at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. Roberto A. Jackson/CPAO event at the Heard Museum on April 15. Roberto A. Jackson/CPAO signed in 1992. The compact was years to negotiate, said Ducey, and commitment the Community’s gratitude and appreciation,” said and all my fellow tribal leaders updated through Proposition 202, calling the signing a “win-win- governor demonstrated during Gov. Lewis in his remarks. here.” which state voters approved in win for the tribes, for the state and negotiations. “You have been Gov. Lewis recalled the early National Indian Gaming 2002. for the taxpayers.” invaluable to the process and negotiation process between the Association (NIGA) Chairman Ducey led off the proceedings Ducey noted that gaming invaluable as a partner,” said state and the tribes and the doubts Ernie Stevens, Jr. was also on hand with opening remarks calling the employs thousands across Arizona Ducey. among stakeholders, which to witness the signing and show event, “truly historic” and noting and generates millions in tax Gov. Lewis called the compact made the signing event more support to the tribes in Arizona. the ties between the state and the revenue while providing funding signing a “momentous occasion,” meaningful. “It’s taken years to “Today, is a good day to move tribes in Arizona. The compact sources for tribal self-sufficiency. and like Ducey said that all the bring full-circle,” said Gov. Lewis Indian Country forward and move amendments and the associated Ducey introduced Gov. Lewis stakeholders will benefit from of the compact amendments. Arizona forward,” said Stevens. legislation took more than five while applauding the hard work the agreement. “I’m filled with “Thank you for your leadership New Mobile Vaccine Units Begin Rolling Out into the Community “We now have a resource that can bring the vaccine to your household and local districts” - Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis Christopher Lomahquahu Gila River Indian News The Gila River Indian Community has unveiled a new way to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to Community members. In a series of opportunities to reach Community members, the GRIC COVID-19 task force held a vaccination clinic at the Rawhide Event Center at Wild Horse Pass on April 26. The event also offered L-R: Bob Pablo, GRHC Board Member, Dr. Ty Reidhead, IHS Phoenix Area Paulo Tulle is administered the Pfizer vaccine at the vaccination clinic on Community members and partners Director, Rep. Tom O’Halleran, Gov. Lewis and Lt. Gov. Antone, unveiled the April 26. Christopher Lomahquahu/GRIN on the COVID-19 vaccine new MVU’s at the vaccination clinic on April 26. Christopher Lomahquahu/GRIN initiatives, an opportunity to see innovative solutions to challenges workers to have a mobile testing entire community has access to logistics to bring [these] MVU’s the unveiling of the new Mobile confronting our community.” and vaccination unit available. the vaccine.” to our community,” said Lt. Gov. Vaccination Unit. Referred to as Larry Borden, the Founder & “Today represents all of According to Gov. Lewis, Monica Antone, who added that an MVU, these vehicles have been CEO of Aardvark Mobile Health, the reasons why we at Aardvark currently 41 percent of the there has been a great deal of outfitted to provide vaccinations attended the unveiling. “It’s truly Mobile Health do what we do,” Community has been vaccinated collaboration toward making the across the Community at various an hour to be here today, as we said Borden. against COVID-19. Community an even safer place as locations. deliver the first mobile vaccination Lewis was joined by “We realized, in order to vaccines become widely available “I am excited to share the unit to your community,” said Congressman Tom O’Halleran, get to the level of ‘Community to GRIC members. Community’s latest resource in Borden. He said the most who has supported the Immunity,’ we need an “There is a lot more work our fight against COVID-19,” rewarding part of his team’s Community’s efforts to combat individualized approach to ahead as we move through said Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis. work is seeing the mobile units the COVID-19 pandemic. bringing the vaccine out to this pandemic, but with many He said the MVUs are part of being utilized to deliver vaccines O’Halleran said during the Community members,” the Lewis individuals working tirelessly the Community’s efforts to get to families in rural areas of the pandemic, he has kept the needs explained. behind the scenes, we have many vaccinations to GRIC members country, such as the Community. of tribal communities as a top The MVU’s can be to thank for getting the vaccines who have not been able to attend Borden said it is the first time priority. “I have been committed customized to the end users’ needs, out to our people,” said Antone. previous vaccination events. Aardvark has worked with a tribal to making sure the Community including being used after the Antone, said it is important “We now have a resource nation. According to Borden, when receives the funding for healthcare, pandemic subsides for everything to get vaccinated for individual that can bring the vaccine to your his company saw the pandemic housing vaccinations, broadband from healthcare tests to delivering protection, for families and the household and local districts,” said impacting communities across the and tribal governmental needs,” medical services. Community in order to reach Lewis. “These MVUs represent U.S., he realized how important said O’Halleran. He added, “I want to thank the “Community Immunity.” Antone our Community, our ability to seek it would be to for healthcare “This is such an important and Community’s COVID-19 task Continued on page 5 innovative way to make sure the force, who worked through the Gila River Indian News PRESORTED Local MMA Fighter P.O. Box 459 STANDARD Finds Success in the Ring. U.S. Postage Sacaton, AZ 85147 PAID Change Service Requested Sacaton, AZ Permit No. 25 More on Page 4 Page 2 Gila River Indian News May 7, 2021 COVID-19 Test Dates, Vaccines & More! COVID+FLU Resource Center Visit GRHC.ORG/HUB GRHC.ORG/HUB COVID-19 VACCINE AVAILABILITY MAY 2021 SCHEDULE DATE: LOCATION: TIME: May 11 D3 Boys & Girls Club 9 am – 4 pm May 12 D3 Boys & Girls Club 9 am – 4 pm May 13 D2 Service Center TBA May 15 Mobile Vaccine Unit TBA May 16 Mobile Vaccine Unit TBA May 17 Rawhide Vaccine Event 12 am – 8 pm May 18 D3 Boys & Girls Club 9 am – 4 pm May 19 D3 Boys & Girls Club 9 am – 4 pm May 20 D4 Service Center 9 am – 3 pm May 21 D6 Service Center 9 am – 3 pm May 22 D7 Service Center 9 am – 3 pm May 24 Mobile VaccineGRHC.ORG Unit TBA CONGRATULATIONS! The Caring House receives a five-star Long Stay Quality Measure rating from CMS. The Caring House underwent a recent audit by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for Quality Control Measures in both long stay (more than 100 days) and short stay (less than 100 days) residencies. In the long-stay category, officials reviewed various data, including the percentage of residents experiencing one more injury falls and the rate of high-risk residents with pressure sores. For the short stay category, officials looked at the percentage of residents with pressure injuries and those who improved during their stay. The Caring House scored five stars in the long-stay category (which includes most residents) and three stars in the short-stay category. The average rating for The Caring House rose from 2020, going from three stars to four. Reminder MEMORIAL DAY Closure Gila River Health Care’s Administrative Offices and Outpatient Clinics will be CLOSED MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 Gila River Indian Community CRISIS HOTLINE: 1-800-259-3449 May 7, 2021 Gila River Indian News Page 3 Phoenix Rising FC Plays First Game in the Community Kyle Knox Gila River Indian News The Phoenix Rising Football Club made their debut at their new stadium at Wild Horse Pass on Friday, April 30. Phoenix Rising officially kicked off their 2021 season with a 4-1 victory against the San Diego Loyal SC Governor to a roaring crowd of fans and Phoenix Rising fans get charged- Gov. Lewis makes the “first goal” before the start of the game on April 30 Stephen Roe Lewis supporters Friday evening. up before the start of their match at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Lt. Governor Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis was agianst San Deigo Loyal SC. Emma Hughes/GRIN Christopher Lomahquahu/GRIN Monica Antone present for the opening ceremony said Phoenix Rising head coach despite the COVID-19 restrictions. before the match began. “Phoenix Post 51 color guard presented the Community Council Rick Schantz in a post-game Season ticket holder Kristy Medina colors for the national anthem. And Representatives Rising, welcome to the Gila River interview.