Seeing Arizona’s tribes in the limelight at Governor Katie Hobbs’ inauguration feels refreshing for local tribal supporters and confirms Hobbes’ commitment to maintaining ties with tribal nations .

“This is exactly the moment we’ve been waiting for,” said April Ignacio, co-founder of Indivisible Tohono with Hobbs as governor. “It’s not overwhelming. It’s a breath of fresh air that many tribal communities have been waiting for.”

Ignacio attended the inauguration and was thrilled to see indigenous representatives on the front lines of the State Capitol. She was also thrilled to see a tribal leader in attendance just like her.

“The highest positions here in Arizona are fully aware that natives need to be included in all conversations and have already created positions to include natives on staff,” Ignacio said. “That’s what the tribe has wanted for years.”

Hobbes announced his commitment to Arizona’s Indigenous communities before the election and unveiled the Tribal Community Plan as part of the campaign, intended to uplift tribal communities and ensure equitable access to opportunity. .

During the inauguration, she showed Arizona that she was serious by featuring Native Americans throughout, including her speech.

“We must admit that we are here for the first people to call this place home from time immemorial, and the place where we now meet is the Salt River Pima Maricopa I continue to connect with the Oodum of the Indian community,” he said in his inaugural address. “Let us also thank the 22 tribal nations that remain an important part of our great nation and nation today.”

Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Law Lewis delivered the opening prayer, acknowledging the ancestral home of the Oodham and Peeposh peoples who lived and farmed the land long before Europeans colonized what is now Arizona. I paid tribute to

“From the flowing waters of the Keri Akimel, or ancient Gila, their lives still depend on these waters. ‘s Stagi, showing us that our water is the necessary link that unites us all and connects us to the present and the future.

Hobbes invited Indigenous Enterprise, an indigenous dance troupe, to conclude the ceremony.Formed in 2015, the group of champion American and Canadian dancers will tour around the world and celebrate President Joe Biden’s 2021 participated in the “virtual parade” of the inauguration ceremony.

Pasqua-Yaki Attorney General Alfred Urbina attended the inauguration and told the Arizona Miller that it was refreshing to see the tribe shine in the spotlight during the ceremony and in Hobbes’ regime plan.

As part of Hobbes’ plan to promote tribal sovereignty and partnership, she activated the Tribal Relations Office, hired a dedicated Tribal Policy Advisor, and established a group of stakeholders to address pressing issues facing Arizona’s tribes. I plan to bring someone.

Hobbes laid out several ways her administration intends to work with Arizona tribes on her Indigenous community plans. financial security and opportunity. Child Welfare; Next Generation Leaders; voting rights; accountable justice systems; and adequate access to health care and water rights.

“I believe some of these policy and platform issues will become a reality,” Urbina said. When Hobbes met with the tribal leaders, Arbina said it was something they could all talk about to discuss what the problem was and where they stood.

“If the tribe is at the table, you have a say, you’re part of the conversation, and you’re not forgotten,” Urbina said. believe.”

Hobbes has already moved forward with the Indigenous Community Plan and has hired Jason Chavez to head tribal affairs. Chavez is a citizen of the Tohono O’odham Nation, Chukut Kuk district where he hails from the San Miguel community. During Hobbes’ tenure as Secretary of State, he served as his manager of election outreach for the Arizona Secretary of State’s office.

Urbina was also part of Hobbes’ transition team and worked with several other tribal leaders to identify diverse candidates within the Hobbes administration and ensure that candidates reflected the diversity of the states. Did.

He said it’s refreshing to see how the tribe is included in government. And in terms of passage, Urbina said she realized that the Arizona tribes had always been left behind.

He noted that tribes are often included in broader conversations involving water and games, but less so in everyday legislation that affects tribes, such as health care and immigration. said he expected that to change under Hobbes.

Hobbes also met with several Arizona tribal leaders before the inauguration. They met for breakfast to talk about issues affecting their communities and their experiences as tribal leaders.

Arbina said it was a pleasant exchange to see Hobbes host the tribal leaders before taking office.

Hobbes Shared Two pictures on social media Before her inauguration, one was a photo of her standing with several tribal leaders across Arizona, and another was a photo she took with an indigenous female tribal leader.

Navajo community leader Debbie Nez Manuel has lived in Maricopa County for over 30 years. During that time, she has seen regimes come and go, and believes the Hobbes administration is the perfect opportunity for the tribes to have their voices heard.

“As tribal people, we have to prioritize building and connecting this time,” she said. am.”

Nezmanuel attended the inauguration and said he was in complete awe of all the work voters have done in Arizona.

“I can’t help but think how exhausting it must have been on all fronts to elect all these individuals,” she said.

Seeing that beauty before his eyes, Nezmanuel said he took a deep breath and soaked it all up.

Nezmanuel says that Hobbes’s admission in the ancestral homeland speech of the people of Akimel Oodum and Pea Posh shows that she understands Arizona.

“For the tribal leaders, I think they probably took some comfort knowing that the governor understood to recognize the tribe,” said Nezmanuel. “She set the tone for the day.” .”

This story was originally published by Arizona Miller.