The goal of the ad-hoc Committee is to improve communication and collaboration with Arizona’s 22 Tribal communities, governments and stakeholders. The committee will act as a liaison with tribal governments in Arizona, encouraging state-tribal and local government-tribal cooperation. The ad-hoc Committee may consider and review any legislation that might affect state-tribal relations.
The committee consists of a bipartisan group of Senators and one member each from the Gila River Indian Community, Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community, the Tohono O’Odham Nation and the San Carlos Apache Tribe.
“It is an honor to represent the Gila River Indian Community on the newly created ad hoc Committee on Indian Affairs”, said Indian Nations and TribesGovernor Stephen Lewis. “This is an important first step in recognizing the sovereignty of Arizona tribal nations, allowing them to provide meaningful input to state legislative leaders on critical areas such as the state budget, education, health and natural resource issues, including water. I applaud Senator Carlyle Begay and Senate leadership for creating this ad hoc Committee on Indian Affairs and look forward to working together to better the State of Arizona for all Arizonans.”
“The creation of the Arizona Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Indian Affairs ensures that Tribal Nations in Arizona will continue to have a voice,” said Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community President Delbert Ray, Sr.
“I am very honored and humbled to have been considered for such an important position”, said Chairman Terry Rambler of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. “In accepting this position, I will do my best to represent not only the Indian Nations and Tribes but all Tribes in Arizona. I thank the State Senate and Senator Begay for their foresight in taking a positive step forward in closing the bridge between the State of Arizona and Indian Tribes.”