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Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Raúl Grijalva remembered as champion for tribal communities across Arizona
Rep. Raúl Grijalva talks during the first-ever candidate forum hosted by Indivisible Tohono in Sells, Arizona, on the Tohono O'odham Nation on June 29, 2018. Photo Courtesy of Indivisible Tohono Tribal nations and leaders throughout Arizona honored U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who died Thursday, as a warrior for Indigenous communities and commended his continuous efforts to support Indigenous people's fights to protect the environment, water and natural resources. 'It was well known that Congressman Grijalva was a champion of tribal nations and worked to ensure that tribal communities had a voice in Congress to speak to important policy issues,' Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community President Martin Harvier said in a statement. Harvier said that, as the longest serving member of the Arizona congressional delegation, Grijalva was keenly aware of issues impacting tribal communities within his district and across the state. 'In this time of need, we acknowledge the sacrifice he and his family gave in service to the country and we send our deepest condolences and prayers,' he added. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Grijalva passed away at 77 from complications related to lung cancer treatments, his office announced on Thursday. He revealed his cancer diagnosis last April and expressed his intention to pursue an aggressive treatment regimen. 'I called him Tío Raúl,' Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly said. Although unrelated to the congressmen, she said she used the Spanish term for 'uncle' to show respect and affection for someone she deeply admired. Cázares-Kelly first met Grijalva on the Tohono O'odham Nation during his numerous visits to the Tohono O'odham Community College, where she was employed. 'Despite his powerful title, he was incredibly friendly and intentionally sought out conversations with everyday people,' she said, adding that he made people feel important and inspired them to think bigger. Cázares-Kelly said the congressmen advocated for several important issues dear to her, including tribal colleges, environmental concerns and voting rights. When she was elected Pima County recorder, she said Grijalva continued to encourage her and emphasized the importance of standing her ground, especially in the face of white supremacy. 'I am honored to have personally known him and spent time learning from him,' she added. 'He will be greatly missed.' Grijalva, of Tucson, spent more than 50 years in public service representing the people of southern Arizona, including more than 20 years in Congress. He represented Arizona's 7th District, which includes the Tohono O'odham Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, the Ak-Chin Indian Community, the Gila River Indian Community, the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe and the Cocopah Tribe. Indivisible Tohono co-founder April Ignacio said they are devastated by the loss of Grijalva. She said the group was 'the pebble in his shoe' when they began, but he was always gracious. 'He made space for us,' Ignacio said, even though their organization first met Grijalva when they 'crashed' one of his town hall meetings in Tucson in 2017. She said that Grijalva told the crowd that night that no one gets a pass and they need to hold all elected officials accountable. Ignacio said Indivisible Tohono went to that town hall to hold him accountable and he still took the time to take a picture with them. 'He was tough on us, but we know he believed in the heartwork we found ourselves in,' Ignacio said, adding that the best advice he gave them was to 'stick to your guns.' 'Indivisible Tohono wishes to extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, children and grandchildren, his staff and all those who knew him as we did,' she added. With a passion for his community and the planet, Grijalva served as the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and he was a long-time member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus As a congressman, Grijalva routinely included Indigenous communities in his legislative efforts, from infrastructure developments and road maintenance to environmental protection and health care access. 'We have an atrocious history of injustice towards the Indigenous people of this land that goes against the very values of our country and that we must constantly work to rectify,' his website states. Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez shared a statement on his Facebook page honoring the congressmen, stating that he and his staff were essential partners during his administration. Nez said that Grijalva helped the Navajo Nation secure the funding and resources needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and protect public lands near the Grand Canyon. 'Grijalva was always a strong ally to the Navajo Nation and Indian Country,' Nez said. 'He served as a true public servant for the people of his district and of Arizona.' Nez said that his legacy will live on through the impacts of his public service and the countless people he touched along the way. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren released a statement on his Facebook page in honor of Grijalva, saying that no words can express his deep gratitude for the congressmen's tireless efforts on behalf of the tribal communities across Arizona. 'He was a champion who answered the call of those who had often been overlooked and unheard,' Nygren said. 'In a world where such calls can be easy to ignore, Rep. Grijalva was always there to lift those voices.' Nygren said that Grijalva's work was instrumental in protecting sacred lands, including the Grand Canyon, and his commitment as a co-sponsored for the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, which will secure water for the Navajo Nation. 'My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, and I pray that the holy people provide them with comfort during this difficult time,' he said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tucson approves renaming of local park to honor local Tohono O'odham elder
Tucson's Mayor and Council approved renaming Christopher Columbus Park to Danny Lopez Park Wednesday in honor of the Tohono O'odham educator and elder who dedicated his life to preserving the Tohono O'odham language and culture. In a September 2024 letter to Lara Hamwey, director of Tucson Parks and Recreation, supporters of renaming the park in honor of Lopez stated that the change would be "a step toward reconciliation and healing." The signatures that supported the name change included Lopez's wife and daughter, the Tucson Native Youth Council, and a handful of community members and leaders. The following month, Tucson Parks and Recreation responded to the proposal by announcing a 45-day public comment period, allowing community members to share input on the name change. As of Feb. 19, 2025, the renaming proposal was approved by the city. Danny Lopez was a revered and beloved Tohono O'odham elder and educator in the Tucson community. He was a traditional singer, storyteller, and educator of Tohono O'odham culture. Over his 30-year teaching career, from primary school to college, he taught Himdag to hundreds of Tohono O'odham Nation members. In 2005, he was named the recipient of the Spirit of the Heard award, given by the Heard Museum to southwest tribal members who demonstrate personal excellence and community leadership. Lopez was born in the village of Ge Oidag (Big Field). He graduated from St. John's Indian School and joined the Marine Corps. He worked in mining while attending night classes on his way to becoming a Language and Culture Instructor at Tohono O'odham Community College. Though he died in 2008, his community impact continued. The history of the Tohono O'odham people predates the formation of the United States and the Republic of Mexico. The O'odham inhabited an enormous area of land in the southwest, extending South to Sonora, Mexico, north to Central Arizona (just north of Phoenix, Arizona), west to the Gulf of California, and east to the San Pedro River. The land was called Papagueria and it was home to the O'odham for thousands of years, according to O'odham history. The Gadsen Purchase impacted the Tohono O'odham through the loss of land and an implementation of the U.S.-Mexico border that divided their people. O'odham bands are now broken up into four federally recognized tribes: the Tohono O'odham Nation, the Gila River Indian Community, the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Salt River (Pima Maricopa) Indian community. Originally named Silverbell Park, the site was renamed Christopher Columbus Park in 1990 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the Americas. The Tucson chapter of the Knights of Columbus led the renaming effort, aiming to honor the explorer as part of the international celebration. Azul Navarrete-Valera, former co-president of the Tucson Native Youth Council, expressed that previously named Christopher Columbus Park "glorifies a man whose actions perpetuated the mass genocide, abuse, and oppression of Indigenous peoples." Honoring the shift of perspective on history and cultural representation, the park was renamed again to honor Lopez and his impact on the local community. The name change received strong community backing, including support from Tucson council members Lane Santa Cruz and Kevin Dahl, who are reportedly funding the $10,000 cost to update the park's signage. In the coming months, park signage and other online references will be updated to reflect the new name. Residents can expect more details soon about a formal dedication ceremony to celebrate this milestone, Tucson Parks and Recreation, said. The park's new name, Danny Lopez Park, stands as a testament to the importance of honoring local Indigenous leaders and their contributions to cultural preservation and education, Tucson Parks and Recreation said. Reporter Olivia Rose contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tucson's Christopher Columbus Park is now Danny Lopez Park. Here's why
