Volume XXX, Issue 2 - Ak

Volume XXX, Issue 2
Maricopa, Arizona
January 15- February 4, 2016
Historic championship game,
Ak-Chin - AOC partnership win
Story and photos
by: Runner Staff
The official 2016 College National Football Championship Statue was showcased inside of the Phoenix Convention Center during Championship Campus Weekend. The
3-day event was sponsored by the Ak-Chin Indian Community which contained food, prizes, free concerts and games for families and fans of all ages.
When the University of Alabama looks
back on their historic 2016 championship
run, they’ll have to extend a percentage of
their appreciation and thanks to the AkChin Indian Community. The Arizona
Organizing Committee (AOC) held a
press conference at the LUSTRE Rooftop
Garden at Hotel Palomar on September 29
to welcome the Ak-Chin Indian Community
as a sponsor of the downtown Phoenix
Championship
Campus
extravaganza.
in addition to the Fan Fest which was
held in the Phoenix Convention Center.
Championship Campus was the elite event
to help welcome not only Phoenix locals
looking to have fun during the college
football championship weekend, but also fans
The 3-day family-friendly event contained
games, food, prizes, and free concerts
of Alabama and Clemson University.
In the weekend leading up to the big Monday
night game on January 11, there were enough
college football Hall of Famers, celebrities,
musicians, fireworks and current NFL
superstars to last four lifetimes.
AKC AOC continues to page 1b
Emily Peters wins
MES Spelling Bee,
moves to MUSD Bee
Ak-Chin’s young ladies welcome 2016
with inaugural “Girls Night Out”
Story by K. Morago, photos by Allen Hall
Twenty seven young ladies ended 2015
ready to welcome 2016, when they
participated in Ak-Chin Health and
Human Services first ever Girls Night
Out on Wednesday, December 30th. The
Ak-Chin Service Center was transformed
into slumber party central welcoming
girls ages 10 to 18 for an overnight stay
filled with a variety of girls night themed
activities.
Emily Peters prepares to spell a word during
the MUSD Spelling Bee on January 12th.
Story by K. Morago, photos by R. Lopez
Back in December, Ak-Chin 4th grade student
Emily Peters won the Maricopa Elementary
School Spelling Bee and represented her school
in the 2016 Maricopa Unified School District
Spelling Bee on Tuesday evening, January 12th at
the MUSD office.
She and the runner-up moved to the district
bee. Emily is a student in Mrs. Alecia Begay’s
class. Contestants from the following schools
participated: Maricopa Elementary, Butterfield
Elementary, Pima Butte Elementary, Saddleback
Elementary, Santa Cruz Elementary, Santa Rosa
Elementary, Desert Wind Middle School and
Maricopa Wells Middle School.
With her parents Brandon and Martina Peters, and
brothers Myles and Aiden Peters in the audience
to cheer her on, “Emily spelled the following
words correctly: burrito, cilantro, panzer and
polder,” said her mother Martina. She misspelled
her fifth round word.
Emily eventually tied for fourth place with two
other contestants. Her placement, along with
The fifteen hour event had the group
participating in DIY facials, nail care and
design, cooking, dancing, and karaoke
that was mixed with discussion groups and
vision board making. The young ladies
also found time to make personalized
tote bags to carry out goodies the next
day. With the vision boards, many of the
girls were able to establish goals.
The initial idea for Girls Night Out was
from Lynnette Houston-Volden, Behavior
Health Therapist at Ak-Chin HHS. “Some
of the most difficult days in my job come
when I sit across from a young girl and
she can’t find anything nice to say about
herself.” Meeting and talking with girls
who feel isolated, “different,” targeted,
bullied, lonely, “ugly” and hopeless that
anything will change.
Lynette contacted other departments to
help plan and organize the event. Those
that assisted were Mary Soliz (Cultural
Resources), Martina Guy Peters (Health
Education), Ak-Chin firefighters and
sisters Jennifer and Renee Boehm,
Library staff Sandiin Mitchell, Cecily
Peters, and Yadhira Osuna. HHS staff
included Houston-Volden, and Audra
Saenz, and Celia Soto. The Education
Department assisted on recruiting and
promoting the event.
Young ladies attending Girls Night Out at the Ak-Chin Service Center make
personal sashes with glitter, glue and ribbon.
learned they would have to give up their
cell phones and interact with each other.
Some were not ready to sing or dance.
Once it was explained why phones had
to be put away and everyone was placed
into groups and with a chaperone, any
apprehensions the girls had went away.
Martina and Mary coordinated the meals
and made it fun, with the girls dining on
breakfast for dinner – pancakes, oatmeal,
scrambled eggs, bacon, turkey sausages,
fruit and toast, and dinner for breakfast
where the girls made homemade pizzas.
The groups assisted in the cooking and
snacks were on hand throughout the
night.
The newly crowned Miss Ak-Chin,
Esperanza Miranda and attendants
Ashley Vincent and Reyna Miguel led
the activity of each girl creating their
own personal sashes.
Bee continues to page 5
As the girls arrived to the activity, they
Inside this Issue
the night progressed. The girls enjoyed
Lynette’s giraffe pajama set. “All the
girls wanted to try it on and dance
around with it,” Mary said. “I really
enjoyed watching the ladies sing and
dance their hearts out during karaoke
and dance time,” Martina said. “Most
girls sang at least one song or danced,”
Mary said.
“I also enjoyed our “goals” segment
where we each shared our goals for
2016 and for the future as we grow up. I
hope to one day see a pediatrician from
Ak-Chin, and also a famous singer and
actress. Thank you to all the girls that
shared your goals with us!” Martina
added.
Chaperones did notice positive change
from the group. “I definitely did see a
change with the girls. Throughout the
night the girls became more open to
talking, they asked questions and they
There were a lot of fun moments as
Girls Night continues to page 10
Page 2 Elder News
Page 8 & 9 Sports
Page 1B AOC continued
Page 3 Little Mr & Miss Ak-Chin Candidates
Page 11
Page 4B Entertainment
Language program
January 15 - February 4, 2016
2
Meet Miss Ak-Chin 2015-2016 Esperanza Miranda
Story by K. Morago,
photos by Runner Staff
At the urging of
her “Lulu” or maternal
grandmother,
Esperanza
Miranda chose to enter the
Miss Ak-Chin pageant. After
waiting nearly an hour for the
tabulation of the results at
the Saturday, December 5th
event held at the Elements
Event Center, it was her
grandmother Arlinda Narcia
she was thinking of as she
heard her name announced
as the new Miss Ak-Chin.
“I hoped my grandmother
was proud of me,” Esperanza
said, reflecting on that day.
To get from entering the
pageant to being crowned
one of Ak-Chin’s newest
ambassadors was a journey
for the seventeen year old.
A senior at Maricopa High
School, Esperanza entered
two weeks prior to the
pageant. But when you learn
more about the choices in her
pageant presentations, and
preparation, it is clear her
journey involved not only her
family but upbringing.
The daughter of Yolanda
Miranda and Sammy Atrawi,
she is actually a twin. Her
brother
Isaac
Miranda,
also a senior at MHS, was
born a minute before her.
replications of the design on a
family basket that goes back
generations. Her traditional
attire also included a shell
necklace, traditional sandals,
and her mother’s feather in
her hair.
For her modern talent,
Esperanza sang “Amazing
Grace,” in part as a tribute
to her mother Yolanda. Her
mother had a picture with
Tohono O’odham elder Joseph Enos escorting
Esperanza Miranda during the Miss Ak-Chin pageant
at the Elements Event Center on December 5th.
Her maternal grandparents
are Arthur Miranda and
Arlinda Narcia. Her paternal
grandparents are Hezzy Idan
and Jovanna Idan.
The road to Miss AkChin began when Esperanza
submitted her application.
It involved writing an essay
based on the Masik Tas theme
– Water. Her essay focus was
on the Community’s water
rights and how today’s elders
helped make that happen and
provided the guidance to
what the Community looks
like now.
Esperanza participated
in several of the pre-pageant
classes to prepare. Learning
introductions in O’odham
and the class on waila were
informative. She also asked
family friend Joseph Enos
to be her escort. “I chose
him because he watched
me grow up,” she said. He
also helped her learn a song
for her traditional talent
presentation. A song that
she’s heard him sing many
times, “The Blessing Song.”
Ak-Chin elder Genevieve
Miguel made her traditional
dress. Esperanza selected
the white dress color and
blue to highlight the water
wave designs. They were
the lyrics and she would
encourage Esperanza to
learn the song growing up.
Wearing her modern attire
of a black evening gown, she
performed the song in front
of her family and audience.
Another part of the
pageant was the interview
with the panel of judges,
held before the pageant, and
the impromptu question held
during the pageant. This
year’s judges were Royce
Manuel, artist from Salt
River Pima-Maricopa Indian
Community, April Crawford,
former Miss Gila River from
Sacaton, and Jewel Honga,
current Miss Hualapai from
Peach Springs, AZ.
The judge’s interview
can be the most challenging
Miss Ak-Chin continues to page 5
Harrah’s Expansion Project Team
meets in St. Louis
This is the Design Build Team for the Harrah’s Expansion Project. The group met in
St. Louis during the week of January 4, to review Conceptual Design Boards and
see how the Expansion/Remodel may look. Thalden, Boyd, Emery is the Architect/
Designer of this project and their office is located in St. Louis.
Ak-Chin welcomes New Year with 5K run
Traditional Story Telling
Ak-Chin royalty with 5K participants. The race was sponsored by the Ak-Chin Recreation
Department on January 1st in the main village.
Need a Jump Start for the New Year?!
Submitted by Marc Matteson, Health Education
Drink too much egg nog or eat too many cookies over the holidays? Need
help getting a jump start in the New Year or the new you?
Here are some ideas that may help you get started and back on track:
Cutting out extra calories: You don’t need to stop having your morning
cup of coffee to wake you up, but do stop with the sugar. The average
iced or hot flavored coffee at Starbucks, McDonalds, or Dunkin Donuts
is between 250-400 calories. Just one of those a day is equal to 26
pounds of calories a year and around $1,000 per year. So save some
pounds and some $ for 2016. However, the antioxidants in Coffee and
tea have plenty of health benefits so no need to stop all together.
Exercise: No time? Not sure what to do? Research is showing that
sitting (yes just sitting) is associated with an 18% higher risk of dying
of cardiovascular disease and a 17% higher increased risk of dying from
cancer. In addition, sitting for too long was tied to a 91% higher risk of
getting diabetes. So in other words get moving any way possible. Even
if you stand more instead of sitting it can make a big difference.
Norm Adson begins
the year with a 5K
run under his belt.
LEFT: Danel
Peters and
Alyssa
Estrada
with their
plaques for
winning.
January 28, 2016
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Art Building
Ho
Hosted
H
by the
A
k
Ak-Chin
Him-Dak Museum
BELOW:
Brandon
Peters and
son Myles
run in.
Community Meeting
Monday, January 25, 2016
Ak-Chin Service Center
6pm - 8pm
If you are looking to make changes in 2016 and need some help we are here.
Our services are available to members and employees of Ak-Chin.
Please contact Ak-Chin Health Education @ 568-1082
Friday January 15
Cabbage stew, carrots
Biscuits, apple cobbler
Monday January 18
TRIBAL HOLIDAY
CENTER CLOSED
Tuesday January 19
Egg salad sandwich
Mixed vegetables,
chips
Apple/orange
Wednesday January 20
Red chili stew, broccoli
Ce:mait, pineapples
Thursday January 21
Salad bar, potato soup
Pudding
Friday January 22
Indian tacos, leƩuce,
tomato, cheese
fruit cocktail
Monday January 25
Chicken-n-Rice,
Steamed cabbage,
ce:mait
peach cobbler
Tuesday January 26
Squash casserole, salad
Crackers, rice pudding
Wednesday January 27
Hot dogs, corn on cob
Chips, grapes
Thursday January 28
Turkey sandwich
Chicken noodle soup
Fresh fruit
Friday January 29
Meatloaf, mashed
potato, green beans,
rolls, cherry cobbler
January 15 - February 4, 2016
New Ak-Chin Police Officers take Oath
Photo and Story By J. Peters
3
Candidates for
Little Mr. and Miss Ak-Chin
Newspaper
of the
Ak-Chin Indian Community
©2016
16600 N. Maricopa Highway
Maricopa, Arizona 85139
OFFICE HOURS
8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
MONDAY - FRIDAY
PHONE: 520•568•1375
FAX: 520•568•1376
E-MAIL: runnernews@ak-chin.nsn.us
Ak-Chin O’odham Runner Staff
Editor: Raychel Peters
Photojournalists: Kristina Morago,
Johnny Ysaguirre, Justine Peters
Richard Lopez and Allen Hall
Graphic Artists:
Diana Carlyle and Shannon Price
News Assistant:
Cesselea Thepkaisone
Ak-Chin Community Council
Chairman: Louis Manuel, Jr.
Vice Chairman: Delia Carlyle
Council Members: Ann Antone,
Gabriel Lopez & Robert Miguel
Regular Contributors:
Ak-Chin: Cultural Resources, Education,
EPD, Health Education, Him-Dak,
Library, Health & Human Services,
Recreation & MUSD.
Xavier Alarcon
Isabella Antone
Christopher
Arredondo
Maquoia Dawes
Carson DePaola
Anaise Valles-Diaz
Alexis Gonzales
Brooke Guarino
Rope Justin
Isaac King
Narin Lopez
Dominic Miguel
Elijah Narcia
Jeaney Narcia
Maite Ortega
Mark Pablo
Serena Pablo
King Peters
Anais Prieto
Gabriella LucasRevera
Mateo Rodriguez
Trak Rope
Terry Santiago
Raequel Semallie
Judge Burke administers the oath of service to John Orozco,
Benjamin Keith, Jeffrey Louden, and Shawn Pietrzak.
The Officers will be attending a seventeen 17 week academy at
Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Center (SALETC)
which begins on January 11, 2016. Their graduation date will be on
the May 5, 2016. The training they will experience will to challenge
the officers mentally, physically, and academically.
2016 WASTE MANAGEMENT
PHOENIX OPEN PRESENTED
BY THE AK-CHIN INDIAN
COMMUNITY
The Ak-Chin O’odham Runner
is published on the first and third
Friday of each month.
The “Runner”
is delivered to all residents and
departments of the Ak-Chin Indian
Community, as well as surrounding
community businesses, interested
groups and subscribers.
All information and original work
contained in this newspaper is
copyright and may not be
reproduced without written
permission from:
The Ak-Chin O’odham Runner
16600 N. Maricopa Highway
Maricopa, Arizona 85139
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announcements and wishes may
be phoned in, faxed or e-mailed.
ARTWORK, LETTERS, STORIES
The Ak-Chin O’odham Runner is
a Community Newspaper and
encourages Community involvement.
If you have artwork, photos, poems
or a great story that you would like
to share, please contact us so we can
include it in “YOUR” newspaper.
Also, if you have suggestions or
comments about “YOUR” newspaper,
let the Runner Staff know that too.
All submitted letters MUST be signed
by the author and are limited to 200
words. Authors must also include their
name, address, and phone number.
Names can be omitted by request.
Anonymous submissions
will not be accepted.
We reserve the right to edit all
submitted material for clarity,
grammar and good taste.
All submissions should be received
as typed or non-cursive writing.
Please do not submit UPPERCASE
or formatted paragraphs.
Submitted pictures need to have a
return address and brief description.
Pictures with no address will remain
on file. Allow 2 weeks for return.
SUBSCRIPTION RATE
2016 Subscription rate is $33.75.
If you would like to receive the
“Runner” by mail, please send a
$33.75 check/money order to:
Ak-Chin O’odham Runner
16600 N. Maricopa Highway
Maricopa, Arizona 85139
Make check/money order payable
to: Ak-Chin Indian Community
DEADLINE
Don’t forget the DEADLINE for the
February 5, 2016
ISSUE is due by
FRIDAY JANUARY 29, 2016
Please submit all announcements,
wishes, etc. no later than
FRIDAY JANUARY 29, 2016
Any material submitted after the
JANUARY 29 DEADLINE
cannot be guaranteed placement.
But, if appropriate and relevant, will
be included in the following issue.
The famous 16th hole at TPC Stadium course has some new
features; including a third deck and 25 more sky boxes, just in
time for the 2016 WM Phoenix Open Presented by The Ak-Chin
Indian Community.
Story and photo by: R. Peters
Opening day is just around the corner
for the 2016 Waste Management
Phoenix Open Presented by The
Ak-Chin Indian Community, as
tournament week begins February
1, and continues to February 7, at
TPC Stadium course in Scottsdale,
Arizona.
Monday and Tuesday practice
rounds are reserved for PGA Tour
pros only. This year’s field will
include; Phil Mickleson, Rickie
Fowler, Bubba Watson and many
others who are still signing up.
Wednesday begins the Annexus
Pro-Am with a Phoenix Suns
Charities Shot at Glory, on the TPC
Scottsdale 16th hole.
The 72-hole PGA TOUR event
actually kicks off Thursday
February 4 – Sunday, February 7.
1st round begins on Thursday, with
the 2nd round on Friday and 3rd
round on Saturday.
Dan Mahoney, 2016 WM Phoenix
Open president was excited to
announce new features for the WM
Phoenix Open, during the Media
Day event on Wednesday January
13, 2016.
“You guys saw the Bay Club on 17;
we’re obviously very excited about
that.” Dan said, further adding, “I
don’t want to forget what really
makes this engine hum… and that’s
the 16th hole. We added that third
deck around the greens, and that’s
25 new sky boxes.”
Scott Bradley, area vice-president
for Waste Management, was also
on hand to tell WM’s story “on how
to lead a little bit more sustainable
life both here on the course and off
the course.” He also talked about
what the tournament and WM has
done since their Title Sponsorship
in 2010.
“This tournament goes way
beyond golf; it goes way beyond
environmental sustainability. It
centers round the huge positive
impact that we have on this
community and the millions of
dollars that this tournament has
raised for deserving local charities…
and that is probably the thing we are
most proudest about.”
On Saturday, the tournament
invites everyone to participate in
the sixth annual GREEN OUT,
where players, caddies and fans
are encouraged to wear green to
showcase their support for the
environment, the community and
all that Waste Management is doing
to solidify the tournaments status
as not only the greenest event on
the PGA TOUR, but also the most
charitable.
Sunday, February 7 will be round 4,
the final round of the WM Phoenix
Open. By then, the 132 player field
will be cut down to just 70, all vying
for the $6,500,000 purse, with the
winner’s share being $1,700,000.
Last year’s winner and defending
champion Brooks Koepka (-15) 269
took home $1,134,000.
Coors
Light
Birds
Nest
entertainment tent opens up with
Rascal Flatts on Wednesday. Dierks
Bentley is the headlining act on
Thursday night. Robin Thicke will
be performing on Friday and Tiesto
will close it out on Saturday.
The Ak-Chin Indian Community
has been honored to participate in
many ventures over the past year,
and being the only local Presenting
Sponsor for the WM Phoenix Open
is a very prestigious opportunity.
Daily general admission is free on
Monday and Tuesday. Tickets for
Wednesday and Thursday are $30.
Friday – Sunday tickets are $40.
Children ages 17 and under are free
when accompanied by an adult.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate
during Tournament week. Advance
daily general admission tickets can
be purchased at all Ticketmaster
locations, by phone at (800) 7453000 and online until Friday,
January 29.
For more information on the WM
Phoenix Open Presented by The
Ak-Chin Indian Community visit:
www.wmphoenixopen.com.
Leah Shill
CO-Ed Volleyball
Tournament
Fundraiser
January
22 & 23, 2016
Ak-Chin
Community
Gymnasium
Entry Fee: $125
(A NonRefundable
Deposit of
$50 is due by
Jan 16th)
Brandon Thomas
First 15 Teams
10 Man Rosters
Shirts awarded
to 1st, 2nd, and
3rd Place
All Proceeds
will go to the
Ak-Chin Child
Development
Graduating Call
End of the
Year Trip
For more info
Call Lisa
(520)840-6127
4
CREATIVE LEARNING
January 15 - February 4, 2016
Happy New Year
Friends and Families
Story and photos submitted by:
Yolanda Miranda, Ak-Chin Education Supervisor
Academic Enrichment has limited
space available for your students in
grades K-6th.
We are providing academic assistance
and enrichment for your student(s).
Please send your Middle School
and High School Students to get
academically enriched too.
Raffle Winners for Perfect Attendance for
Academic Enrichment
If your child is enrolled in a school within the Maricopa
Unified School District they will be provided transportations
to the Academic Enrichment site. Elementary K-6th grade
site is located at the Saddleback Elementary School, Middle
& High School Site is located at the Ak-Chin Education
Building.
If your student attends an Out of District School they are
still welcomed to enroll. We the Education Department will
provide transportation.
Mary Narcia is awarded for
Perfect Attendance
Applications are available at the Education Department or
fill free to contact ymiranda@ak-chin.nsn.us to get your
application.
EES is the acronym for Educate *Empower*Succeed (EES)
they have provided incentives for students who have perfect
attendance.
Please see the attached photos for Winners and Perfect
Attendance in the Ak-Chin After School Academic
Enrichment Program.
K-12th Grade Students & Families,
We have 50 slots open for the Barrett Jackson Event.
If you’re looking for a fun family event
look no further be the first to sign up for a
fantastic day of fun.
Saturday, January 23rd is potentially family
day.
Students with perfect Attendance for Academic Enrichment.
The trip would include the following
things:
-ticket to the show
-VIP tour of the footprint
-Q&A with Barrett-Jackson staff
-lunch and dinner
-access to the stage during live TV
coverage
-students 16 and over get to ride along
with a professional driver
If you’re interested in attending the event
please stop by the Education Office for a
permission slip and more details or call
520.568.1280. You must reside within
the community or be an Ak-Chin Indian
Community Member.
The
Runner will be
taking Valentine
wishes for the next
issue.
Deadline is
January 29th.
So, don’t
forget to wish your
Sweetie a Happy
Valentine’s
Day!
Movie Club joins the Zoppe Italian Circus
Photos by R. Lopez and A.Hall
On December 31st, 2015 the Movie
Club kids spent New Year’s Eve under the Big Top of The Zoppé Family
Circus. The Library wanted to give the
kids a new and exciting experience so
the staff and Movie club kids travel
to the Chandler Center for the Arts
to enjoy this adventurous day full of
incredible tricks and amazing acrobatics. The kids were able to participate
and learn new tricks first hand from
the Zoppé Circus family.
January 15 - February 4, 2016
5
Miss Ak-Chin continued from page 2
Esperanza Miranda modeling
her modern attire during the
Miss Ak-Chin pageant.
as they ask questions to the
girl about current events, tribal
knowledge, and learn about their
leadership and character. Esperanza
found the interview, “fun,” and
“very honest, personal time with
them.” She learned that each judge,
including her, experienced torn
meniscus knee injuries.
While her fellow contestants
selected serious questions from
a basket during the impromptu
portion, Esperanza chose “What
do you think of popovers?” Her
answer delighted the audience as
they found out she likes hers with
honey.
After the tabulation, Master of
Ceremonies, Pete Imus began
announcing the awards up to the
crowning. Esperanza received all
but one of the awards that night. All
contestants Mathilda Reyna Miguel,
Esperanza Miranda, Krislyn Pablo,
and Ashley Vincent were given
participation plaques. Reyna was
awarded Second Attendant, Ashley
was selected First Attendant, and
Esperanza was announced Miss AkChin.
Esperanza’s grandmother and
mother beamed with pride in the
audience as her name was announced.
Her grandmother Arlinda was not
well that day, but managed to stay
and see her granddaughter crowned.
Mom Yolanda was “proud of her,”
because she watched her “work
hard, practicing every day,” for
weeks.
Almost six weeks have passed
since the pageant and Esperanza
is working to maintain a balance
between school and Miss Ak-Chin
duties. With senior year focused
on Government, English and Math
classes, she is also manager of
the Boys’ Soccer team, which her
brother Isaac is a member.
With past titleholders having
platforms, Esperanza has chosen
one that she feels is important.
Meeting one on one with Ak-Chin
elders at the Elder Center as she
prepared for the pageant to learn
about the Community’s history, she
would like to do something with
the youth and elders to bring them
together in similar fashion. She
hopes the opportunity for youth to
sit down with the elders will connect
the Community and develop
understandings that will benefit the
Community in the future.
She has represented Ak-Chin
during Masik Tas and at various
events in the Community and works
“to do the best I can to represent the
Community,” she said. As her year
begins, she also encourages young
ladies to consider participating in
next year’s pageants. “Anything’s
possible, that no matter what,
you’re always going to be looked at
as a role model.”
Prior to the Miss Ak-Chin
pageant, the inaugural Jr. Miss AkChin pageant was held. Crowned Jr.
Miss Ak-Chin was Anyssa Justin
with Heaven Smith as her First
Attendant. Meet Jr. Miss Ak-Chin
in an upcoming Runner issue.
To request an appearance by
Miss Ak-Chin and her attendants
or Jr. Miss Ak-Chin and attendant,
please contact the Miss AkChin Pageant Committee at
42507 W. Peters and Nall Road,
Maricopa, AZ 85139 or at AkChinPageantCommittee@ak-chin.
nsn.us.
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month
New Year’s Resolution: Protect your eyes and keep them healthy
Story by K. Morago
Each New Year begins with
resolutions. Gyms are full with
those wanting to get fit; others
are in grocery stores looking
at ways to eat healthy. With
January as National Glaucoma
Awareness Month, protecting
and keeping your eyes healthy
is a great resolution and way to
begin 2016.
What exactly is Glaucoma?
“Glaucoma is a build-up of fluid
inside the eye. If untreated, it
may damage the optic nerve
and other parts of the eye,
causing painless loss of vision
or even blindness,” according
to information provided by
the Gila River Health Care
Corporation.
To describe it further, the
vision loss occurs when the
optic nerve is damaged. “The
optic nerve is a bundle of about
one million nerve fibers that
works to transmit the visual
signals from the eye to the
brain,” according to GRHCC.
“Glaucoma is called “the
sneak thief of sight” since there
are no symptoms and once
vision is lost, it’s permanent,”
according to the Glaucoma
Research Foundation website.
(GRHCC graphic)
For people with glaucoma, “they may
seem to be looking through a tunnel,”
according to the National Eye Institute
(NEI) website. “Without treatment, people
with glaucoma lose their peripheral (side)
vision. As glaucoma remains
untreated, people may miss
objects to the side and out of
the corner of their eye,” NEI
continued.
“Glaucoma is a major cause
of vision loss in the U.S. While it
currently affects about 3 million
Americans, estimates show 6.3
million could have glaucoma by
2050,” according to a December
2015 NEI press release.
“Glaucoma
cannot
be
prevented, but if caught and
treated early, it often times is
controlled. Eye drops and/or
surgery can slow or prevent
further damage to the optic
nerves,” according to GRHCC.
The Huhukam Memorial
Hospital Optometry department
encourages annual dilated eye
examinations for people at risk for
the development of the disease.
Risk factors include individuals
over the age of 40, race, family
history, thinner corneas, chronic
eye inflammation and using
medications that increase the
pressure in the eyes.
For
more
information,
feel free to contact GRHCC –
Huhukam Memorial Hospital at
(520)562-3321.
Bee continued from front page
the other fourth place finishers has
allowed them to be placed on the alternate
list for the 52nd Annual Pinal County
Spelling Bee in Casa Grande.
“As parents we think she did an
amazing job,” Martina said. “We told
her before the competition that we were
proud of her, that we loved her, and just
to try and do her best. We also just wanted
her to have fun with the experience.”
Emily has been recognized by the
Ak-Chin Education Department and her
school in the past for earning Honor Roll,
Attendance and Character Counts honors.
“Being a first year teacher has made
me realize that my heart is where it is
supposed to be when it comes to students
such as Emily Peters,” Mrs. Begay said.
“Emily has made a huge impact on me
as her teacher and her classmates. She is a
definite leader academically, and socially.
Emily has made honor roll during her
first quarter and received the Principal’s
Award in the second quarter, having all
A’s in all subjects. I am so proud of all her
accomplishments and thankful she is one
of my students.” Mrs. Begay shared.
“Emily is just a wonderful and amazing kid. We love
that she works hard and is passionate about learning and
she tries her best at anything she does. We couldn’t be
more proud of her and her performance at the spelling
bee.” mom Martina added.
Emily’s grandparents are Elmer and Martha Guy
and Henry Garcia Sr. and Marlene Garcia. Her greatgrandmother is Evelina Lopez.
The Peters family from left to right: Myles, Martina,
Emily, Aiden and Brandon after the MUSD Spelling
Bee concluded.
St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Mission
16657 N. Church St. Maricopa, AZ 85139
Ak-Chin Indian Community
January 2016 Schedule
Sunday Mass at 12 noon
January 17 – Fr. Brad LePage
January 24 – Fr. Michael Tinker
January 31 – Fr. Brad LePage
ANNOUNCEMENTS
January 23, 10am
CCOE Meeting – Our Lady of Victory
Sacaton Flats
Baptisms are every 4th Sunday of the month and
baptism classes are every 2nd Saturday of the month.
If you are interested please contact Flower Ruelas at
(520) 568-3700 or (602) 717-3761.
6
January 15 - February 4, 2016
Long-Range Transportation Plan Underway for the
Community
By Sandra Shade
Is there a street or intersection you would like
improved in the Community? Or a pedestrian
path that you would like paved? A school bus
stop area that you would like sheltered? A road
that needs lighting or improvements to reduce
vehicle speeds?
representatives. In April, a public meeting
will be held to present information about
transportation conditions and discover more
about Community transportation needs from
Tribal members. Then in June another public
meeting will be held to present the plan
recommendations.
The Ak-Chin Planning and Development
Department wants to hear about transportation
needs from Community members, and recently
began a Long-Range Transportation Plan
(Plan) for the Community. This Plan will
guide transportation improvements for the
next twenty-years. The transportation plan is
updated every five years to reflect new needs
and developments. Having a transportation
plan is a requirement for many types of
federal and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
The Farrell Road Pedestrian Pathways project was a
transportation program funding.
result of transporta on planning efforts
This Plan development process will:
Evaluate roadways and identify
transportation needs
Identify improvements for 5-, 10-, and
20-year planning horizons
Conduct traffic counts
Identify safety improvements
Conduct a BIA road inventory update
Develop roadway design standards and
an access management policy
Develop a road maintenance plan
Develop cost estimates and identify
funding resources
The new paths and lighting on Farrell Road and
the improvements on Peters and Nall Road are
results of two previous transportation planning
efforts.
For more information about the Plan, please
contact:
Sandra Shade, Senior Planner
Ak-Chin Planning Department
Over the next few months, presentations
Email: Sandra.Shade@ak-chin.nsn.us
about the Plan will be made to the Elders
Group, Youth Council, and other Community Phone: (520) 568-1069
Butterfield partners with CAC
Three years ago Butterfield Elementary
School began a partnership with
Central Arizona College. The goal
of the partnership is to encourage
students to begin thinking about future
college attendance, and to expose them
to science, technology, engineering,
arts and math (STEAM), which is
the academic focus at Butterfield. On
January 13, Butterfield fifth grade
students took a third annual trip to the
CAC Maricopa Campus.
The visit included sessions on: Food
Safety & Donut Cakes, Math Fun with
Magnets & L.E.D.’s and Strawberry
DNA Extraction. Thanks to teacher
Liz Zimpelman for leading this annual
field trip. She summarized the visit by
saying: “We had an amazing time.”
New Sign for Butterfield
During the winter break a new
readerboard sign was installed
at Butterfield Elementary.
The district’s goal is to have a
readerboard at each school to
improve communication with
parents and the community.
Three schools had readerboards
installed when they were built as
part of the original construction
cost - Mariciopa High School,
Pima Butte Elementary, and
Santa Rosa Elementary. During
the 2014-15 school year, new
readerboards were installed at
Maricopa Elementary School
and Saddleback Elementary
School.The cost of each of
these signs was approximately
$6,000. For 2015-16 the district
planned to install new signs
at Butterfield Elementary and
Santa Cruz Elementary. About
four years ago, the Butterfield
Parent Teacher Organization
(PTO) asked for permission to
pay the extra cost of making
the readerboard electronic.
The Community Events team will
be doing ticket raffles for the event.
If you are an Ak-Chin Community
member and would like to attend,
please contact the Community
Events Team at 520-568-1000,
ext. 1067/68.
The Ak-Chin Indian Community is a
sponsor of Barrett-Jackson, The World’s
Greatest Collector Car Auction in
Scottsdale. The auction will be held from
January 23rd through January 31st.
For more information on tickets and how to
become a bidder, visit barrett-jackson.com
or call 480-421-6694.
Butterfield
P
T
O
President
J a i m e
M a s o n ,
and
Vice
President
C h r i s
Eldridge
have
led
fundraising
efforts for the past several
years to make this electronic
readerboard a reality. When the
board was finally completed,
Eldridge stated: “Thank you
to the families, volunteers, and
staff at Butterfield Elementary
for the years of work towards
our goal.”
The PTO supports many other
projects at Butterfield and raises
funds to support these projects,
including: the purchase of
additional math materials for
students, shirts for Butterfield
student teams, lunch for teachers
during student conferences,
gift cards for teachers during
Teacher Appreciation Week,
pencils, water, and mints for
students during state testing,
shirts for staff and faculty each
year, coffee for kindergarten
parents on the first day of
school, etc. In addition, PTO
members volunteer numerous
hours to help staff and faculty
throughout the year.
Thanks to the Butterfield
Elementary PTO for such
excellent support.
January 15 - February 4, 2016
7
The main events will take place
in Casa Grande Feb. 12-21.
This year all the event favorites
will return — roping, barrel
racing, rodeos, parades and
other activities — but some new
features will be added as well,
including a golf tournament set
for Saturday, Feb. 6, at Dave
White Municipal Golf Course.
Last year 2,000 spectators visited
rodeo, roping and other events
throughout the celebration.
Thousands also attended the
annual parade, lining the streets
along Florence Boulevard and
Florence Street. This year, the
parade is set to begin at 10 a.m.
on Saturday, Feb. 13.
“What we really have is several
events rolled into a little over
a week’s worth of family fun,”
Rains said.
Oscar Perez/Casa Grande Dispatch photos (2015)
Quad-Nation roping, open to
members of the four area Native
American communities, takes
place on Friday, Feb. 12.
Thomas Nolcott of Gallup, New Mexico, top, is thrown in the bareback riding of the all-Indian rodeo during
Cowboy Days & O’Odham Tash last February at Ed Hooper Rodeo Park in Casa Grande.
The O’Odham Tash rodeo, with
Casa Grande preparing for annual event
all major rodeo events, will be
held Feb. 13 and 14.
10-day series will kick off with Pony Express ride
BY MELISSA ST. AUDE
Casa Grande Dispatch
CASA GRANDE — With a
Pony Express re-enactment ride
set to begin at Casa Grande City
Hall at 8 a.m. on Friday, Feb.
5, the community will kick off
its 2016 annual Casa Grande
Cowboy Days & O’Odham Tash
events.
On Feb. 15, the Maple Leaf
Classic, a Canadian roping
event, will be held.
Open roping will be on Feb.
17; all amateur team roping is
on Feb. 18; and women’s barrel
racing on Feb. 19.
A carnival will be open during
the events.
The ranch rodeo will be held
Feb. 20-21.
“There is a series of team
ropings that are held during the
weekdays,” Rains said.
“The ranch rodeo is a series of
specific events where working
cowboys off the ranches come
to participate as a team as they
compete for individual and team
prizes.”
Following the Cowboy Days &
O’Odham Tash events, the Mike
Cervi Jr. Memorial Pro Classic,
a professional roping event,
will be held in Casa Grande on
Wednesday, Feb. 24.
“You will find the very best team
ropers from around the nation in
Casa Grande for this memorial
roping, where the proceeds
are used to benefit the Justin
Cowboy Crisis Fund,” Rains
said.
“It’s focused on paying tribute to
the Native American traditions
and heritage as well as personally
thanking our Native American
The Pony Express ride is aimed from the (Casa Grande) mayor neighbors for being a good All events will be held at Ed
at publicizing and formally to several of our neighboring friend and neighbor,” Rains said. Hooper Rodeo Park except
the parade, which is held
inviting Casa Grande’s neighbors communities, including Akto attend the 10-day series that Chin, Gila River, Maricopa, It features Native American arts along Florence Boulevard,
pays tribute to the area’s Native Eloy, Coolidge and Florence,” and crafts, a softball tournament and the golf tournament, held
American and cowboy heritages. said Casa Grande Deputy City and a traditional toka tournament. at the municipal golf course.
Similar to field hockey, toka is a casagrandecowboydays.com or
Manager Larry Rains.
team sport played with sticks that the Facebook page at Casa Grande
The express will carry letters
have been heated and shaped.
Cowboy Days & O’Odham Tash.
Annual Fairgrounds Event Celebrates Red, White and Bluegrass!
CASA GRANDE - Fiddles are
being strung, guitars tuned and
voices harmonized as the Annual
Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival
is just around the corner.
admission includes ALL of the Quilt Show. A huge model train
entertainment.
exhibit with real working trains
will delight onlookers.
Big name bands include Chris
Jones and the Night Riders, The Festival also includes a
Bluegrass Etc, High Plains classic car show on Saturday.
Celebrating Red, White & Tradition, Gold Heart, Scattered Attendees can vote for their
Bluegrass, there will be national Grass, Cisco and The Racecars favorite car. Saturday also
acts, local favorites, quilt show, and more.
features tractor pulls.
giant model train exhibit,
Saturday’s classic car show and Local favorites Hwy 287 will “Campfires, guitar picking and
some surprises too.
be on stage on Saturday! Visit camping out are all part of the
pinalfairgrounds.com for a Bluegrass Culture roots,” says
Two stages packed with complete list of bands and show director Karen Searle.
talented musicians provide schedule.
nonstop toe tapping music. All
“While bluegrass takes us back
the fun happens at the Pinal The festival includes more than to a simpler time when cowboys
Fairgrounds and Event Center on great Bluegrass music. Guests traveled by horse and slept under
January 23rd and 24th. Just $8 are sure to enjoy the Wild West the starry skies, the show has
melded tradition with modern
day convenience. We offer over
150 RV camp sites with limited
power and running water. “There
is plenty of Arizona Desert
available at the show for those
campers looking for a purist
experience,” she continues.
Festival is a rain or shine event.
The main stage is indoors, as is
the quilt show and train display.
The festival is held at the Pinal
Fairgrounds and Event Center
at 512 S. 11 Mile Corner
Road, Casa Grande. Mark your
calendars now for January 23th
- 24th, 2016. Kids 12 and under
Those who choose to camp are free!
at the show will be treated to
exclusive evening campfires and Admission for 13 and over
picking parties. Guests and band is just $8 and includes all of
members alike will join in for the great entertainment and
impromptu unplugged sets that exhibits. Camping is available
will close each night out with on site and includes festival
delightful sounds and glowing admission. For more details
embers.
visits pinalfairgrounds.com or
The Agri-Country Bluegrass call 520-723-7881.
D-BACKS’ SIXTH SPRING TRAINING AT SALT RIVER FIELDS AT
TALKING STICK OPENS ON FEBRUARY 17
Team announces 63 players in camp, including 23 non-roster invitees
PHOENIX — The Arizona
Diamondbacks’ sixth Spring
Training at Salt River Fields at
Talking Stick begins on Feb.
17:
•
•
•
•
Wednesday,
February
17 Pitchers and catchers
report.
Thursday, February 18
First workout for pitchers
and catchers.
Monday, February 22
Position players report.
Tuesday, February 23 First
full-squad workout.
Workouts are open to the
public, and fans may park in
the Desert Lot on the north
side of the complex, which is
best accessed via 90th Street
off Via de Ventura.
The D-backs open their 19th
Spring Training on March
1 at Salt River Fields with
an exhibition game against
the University of Arizona at
3:10 p.m. as part of an annual
Collegiate Series.
In the first year of the
collegiate series in 2015, the
D-backs played Arizona State
University and will continue
to rotate opponents between
Arizona’s three Division I
NCAA baseball programs
- ASU, Arizona and Grand
Canyon University (GCU)
each year for the next five
years.
Base Coach), Matt Williams
(Third Base Coach), Ariel
Prieto (Coach/Interpreter) and
Mike Fetters (Quality Control
Coach).
The club’s 40-man roster is
currently at 40 players:
Catchers (4): Welington Shipley and Tim Stauffer
Castillo, Chris Hermann,
TuffyGosewisch and Oscar Left-handed pitchers (4):
Hernandez.
Daniel Gibson, Adam Loewen,
Scott Rice and Wesley Wright.
Infielders (7): Nick Ahmed, Catchers (2): Brett Hayes and
Brandon
Drury,
Paul Mark Thomas.
Goldschmidt, Phil Gosselin,
Aaron Hill, Jake Lamb and Infielders (4): Joaquin Arias,
Chris Owings.
Kyle Jensen, Jack Reinheimer
and Carlos Rivero.
Outfielders (6): Socrates
Brito, Gabriel Guerrero, David Outfielders
(4):
Zach
Peralta, Peter O’Brien, A.J. Borenstein, Jason Bourgeois,
Pollock and Yasmany Tomás. Todd Glaesmann and Evan
Marzilli.
Disabled List (1): Evan
Marshall.
Right-handed pitchers (16):
Chase Anderson, Jake Barrett,
Silvino
Bracho,
Archie
Bradley, Enrique Burgos, Josh
Collmenter,
Rubby De La Rosa, Randall
Delgado, Zack Godley, Zack
Greinke, Daniel Hudson, Matt
Chip Hale is in his second Koch, Dominic Leone, Shelby
season as Manager. His Miller, Matt Stites and Brad
The club’s 23 non-roster
coaching staff includes Glenn Ziegler.
invitees:
Sherlock (Bench Coach),
Mike
Butcher
(Pitching Left-handed pitchers (6):
pitchers
Coach),
Garvin
Alston Andrew
Chafin,
Patrick Right-handed
(Bullpen
Coach),
Dave Corbin, Keith Hessler, Will (9): Matt Buschmann, Jose
Magadan (Hitting Coach), Locante, Robbie Ray and Matt Cisnero, Miller Diaz, Kyle
Drabek, Kaleb Fleck, Yóan
Mark Grace (Assistant Hitting Reynolds.
Lopez, Adam Miller, Braden
Coach), Dave McKay (First
8
SPORTS & RECREATION
January 15 - February 4, 2016
Artac wins Ak-Chin Southern
Dunes Saguaro Amateur
The clouds were a bit grey and the rain
didn’t cooperate at times, but that did
not put a damper on the 2016 Saguaro
Amateur, held at the Ak-Chin Southern
Dunes Golf course.
The Saguaro Amateur Golf Tournament
is in its third year and has established
itself as one of the top individual
men’s amateur events in the US over
the winter months. It was founded by
University of Colorado Head Men’s
Golf Coach Roy Edwards and the
University of Wyoming Head Men’s
Golf Coach Joe Jensen.
Over 100 golfers from across the
country made their way down to AkChin Southern Dunes to compete in a
3 round tournament from January 4-6,
2016.
Defending champion and Texan
Sean Walsh was in competition, as
was 2014’s champion Taylor Moore.
However, it would be another Texan
who would pull out the victory as
Wes Artac from Kingwood, Texas was
crowned champion with his 3 round
scores being -68, -68 and -71-207 (-9),
Wes Artac winner of the Saguaro
Amateur Golf Tournament
just slightly beating out Nick Hardy from
Illinois whose final results were -73-65-70208.
The 2017 Saguaro Amateur will be back at
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes January 1-4. The
Saguaro Team will take place immediately
before December 28-30. Also look for the
debut of a Women’s Saguaro Amateur.
9-12 Youth Basketball
League 2016 Schedule
TEAMS
1) Thunder Crew
2) Snake Town
3) AKC 1
4) AKC 2
5) San Lucy
6) Copa Crew
7) Beeliners
8) Skittles
9) Copa Hoopsters
SCHEDULE
League Tournament February 7th
Single Elemination
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE A GAME
PLEASE CALL THE AK-CHIN RECREATION DEPT. @ 520-568-1740
OR CONTCT JESUS ESTRADA @ 520-568-1747
OR CONTCT THOMAS CARLYLE @ 520-568-1744
SNOW DAY 2015
On December 29, just a few days after
Santa Claus paid a visit to them, the
kids of AKC hopped in a van and went
up to see the snow in Flagstaff. The trip
was for the first twenty-five kids who
signed up and ages 9-17.
The temperatures were in the low 20’s
but the wind chill made it feel much
colder. All of the kids played in the
snow, made snowmen and had more
than enough snowball fights. The
winter storm that had recently passed
through Flagstaff provided ample
fresh powder for everyone to enjoy.
The field trip was yet another Ak-Chin
Parks and Rec event to help put a cap
on the winter school break as most of
the kids resumed school the following
Monday on January 4.
The AKC Snow Kids who went
to Flagstaff were: Xendryk SilasAntone, Zylan Silas-Antone, Drevyn
Silas-Antone, Juan Lopez, Omarion
Flores, Adam Bowman, Marie Antone,
Mariella Garcia, Devin DeLowe,
Isaiah DeLowe, Alizia White, Angel
Antone, Kevin Villegas, Richard
Villegas, William Martinez, Lucas
Antone, Alexandria Sanchez, Delroy
Clark, Alandra Arellanes, Adrian
Montana,Reggie Delores, Madalena
Delores, Daniel Jimenez, Earl Justin,
Ralston Justin and Kerianna Justin.
January 15 - February 4, 2016
9
MHS Rams
dunk Youngker
High School
Photo by: R. Lopez, story by: Runner Staff
Photo by: R. Lopez, story by: Runner Staff
Each game the Lady
Rams have played
this season has been
a tough one. They’ve
either
dominated
their
opponents
to secure the easy
victory
or
have
been on the losing
side of tough but
hard fought games.
Their 6-0 victory
against
Dobson
on
December
15
is
widely
considered
their
best game all year.
However, their 0-2
loss to Salpointe
Catholic at home is
still a sore spot for
the Lady Rams and
their families.
In their match up
against Queen Creek
on January 5, the
Lady Rams struggled
a bit in the first half.
Perhaps it was the
cold rainy weather or
them being fresh off
of their holiday break.
Amelia Machado secures the ball and keeps it away
from the Queen Creek defenders.
Whatever the case
may have been,
the
Lady
Rams
had a case of the
unfortunate struggles
and it showed.
The rain came down
hard on the field all
game, but that did not
stop play. Technically
speaking,
it
is
Maricopa
high
school’s
policy
to play games as
planned regardless
of
weather.
The only condition in
which a game would
be cancelled would
be if there was a
thunderstorm.
As the Rams sloshed
and splashed their
way on the field, they
let an easy goal get
through the net. This
would be the only
goal scored as the
Rams were handed
another difficult loss
0-1. Their current
record at press time
is 2 wins, 5 losses
and 4 ties.
The Lady Rams
finish their season
with 2 more home
games on January
19 and 21 against
Skyline and Mesa
High. Their final
game of the season
is an away game on
January 27 against
Higley.
Performing his signature sideline move, Isaac Carlyle drives to
the hoop to dish out another dime to his teammate. Isaac’s move
looks almost identical to the NBA logo.
Playoffs could be in the future for
this year’s MHS boys’ basketball
team. The tried and true mentality
of playing every game as though
it’s the championship could very
well pay off for the Rams who
currently boast a record of 13
wins and 6 losses at press time.
Though
they’ve
experienced
key roster movements this
season, this has not deterred the
Rams. In their game against the
Buckeye Youngker Roughriders,
the Rams came out full steam
ahead and never looked back.
Ak-Chin starter Isaac Carlyle
cleaned the glass and was yet again
MHS’ Swiss-army knife, grabbing
rebound after rebound and causing
countless Youngker turnovers.
Defense has been an everimproving asset to this year’s
varsity squad. This was apparent
in the second quarter of the game
when the Rams put a stop to the
Roughriders second quarter by
limiting them to only 4 points in the
quarter. The Rams put the final nail
in Youngker’s coffin by allowing 5
points in the 4th quarter, ending the
game with another Ram-victory
64-40.
With the playoff hopes on the
horizon, each victory the boys
add to the W column becomes
that much more valuable to their
playoff seedings. If they continue
to improve on offense and defense,
their next home game against
Veritas Prep on January 21 will
hopefully improve their rankings
come playoff time.
The final home game will be
Senior Night against Poston Butte
on February 3 at 7pm.
FREE REGISTRATION
PRESENTED BY
MHS Lady Rams lose
tough one to Queen
Creek HS
FEBRUARY 13 - 14, 2016
Ak-Chin is the title sponsor
WE ARE OFFERING FREE REGISTRATION TEAMS MUST
HAVE AT LEAST 2 AK-CIN COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Age Divisions:
Youth (grades: 2-8) Boys/Girls
High School (grades: 9- 12) Male/Female/Co-Ed
Adult ( Ages: 18+) Male/Female/Co-Ed
Wheelchair Special Olympics
DEADLINE: January 30th 2016
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT BRENDA SEGAY @ 520-568-1753 OR
THE RECREATION CENTER @ 520-568-1740
January 15 - February 4, 2016
10
Girls Night continued from front page
shared their personal experiences.
I feel that we all became closer
and I thought the event brought in
the New Year on a positive note,”
Martina said. The night “was very
entertaining and they looked like
they were having a good time,”
Mary added.
“Girls Night Out was the start of
hopefully another opportunity
for the Community to give these
young ladies a voice to share their
thoughts, express their individuality,
recognize their beauty and strength
inside and out,” said Lynnette.
A few wished they had it when they
were younger.
In the two weeks since the event
Lynnette has received positive
feedback from the girls and parents.
Parents shared that they are glad
someone is doing this for the girls.
There are plans to make Girls Night
Out an annual event and even bring
the girls back together in six months
to see how they are progressing in
their goals.
“We hope that the girls got an
opportunity to know that they are
not alone, and that they were able
to find and identify some of their
strengths, some goals and plans for
this year. Make some connections
with new girls, see old friends in a
new way, and also understand that
there are people living and working
in (the) Community that care about
you and are here to help should you
be willing to reach out for the help.”
The inaugural Girls Night Out at the Service Center brought out girls ages 10 - 18 for a night of fun
activities. By the next day the girls had goals, shared personal experiences, and already wanting to
know when the next Girls Night Out would be.
LynneƩe Houston-Volden from the Health and Human Services
Department would like to extend a deep hearƞelt appreciaƟon
to:
Girls Night Out participants take a break from
their group activity.
Singing and dancing was one of the fun
activities during Girls Night Out.
Girls Night Out included DIY manicures.
Chaperone Renee Boehm (center) and Miss Ak-Chin
pose with girls who finished their personal sashes.
Ak-Chin/Maricopa 12 STEP RECOVERY MEETINGS
MONDAY:
TransportaƟon
Alcoholics
provided
Anonymous
Noon
Celebrate Recovery
Mt View Community
6:30PM-9:00PM
Church
Maricopa
50881 W. Papago Rd Community Church
TransportaƟon
44977 W Hathaway
provided
Ave
Dinner Provided
NarcoƟcs
Anonymous
WEDNESDAY:
7:00PM
Alcoholics
Maricopa
Anonymous
7:00PM
Community Church
44977 W Hathaway Mt View Community
Ave
Church
50881 W. Papago Rd
TUESDAY:
Women’s Group
Alcoholics
Anonymous
THURSDAY:
NarcoƟcs
6:30PM
Mt View Community
Anonymous
Church
7:00PM
50881 W. Papago Rd
Ak Chin Social
Services
48227 W Farrell Rd
TransportaƟon
provided
provided
Anonymous
7:00PM
Alcoholics
Ak Chin JusƟce
Anonymous
Center
7:00PM
Spanish Speaking AA Mt View Community Conference Room
45525 W Farrell Rd
7:00PM
Church
Mt View Community 50881 W. Papago Rd
SUNDAY:
Church
NarcoƟcs
50881 W. Papago Rd
Al-Anon
Anonymous
Alcoholics
7:00PM
7:00PM
Anonymous
Calvary Chapel
7:00PM
Our Lady of Grace
Community of Hope 45295 W HoneycuƩ 44301 W Maricopa/
CG Highway
Church
Ave
Suite 105
18700 N Porter Rd
SATURDAY:
AA InformaƟon:
FRIDAY:
Alcoholics
520-426-9318
Alcoholics
Anonymous
Anonymous
7:00AM
NA InformaƟon:
12:00PM
Mt View Community
520-426-0121
Mt View Community
Church
TransportaƟon:
Church
520-568-1093
50881 W. Papago Rd 50881 W. Papago Rd
NarcoƟcs
TransportaƟon
Ak-Chin Health and Human Services
Healthy Parenting Education and
Support Group
The topics covered are:
x
Parenting Styles
x
Genogram: The Family Map
x
Child Development
x
Attachment and Connection
x
Foundations of Healthy Parenting
x
Family Values, Rules, and Consequences
x
Behavior Management
x
Family Violence and the Effect on Children
™ Including some video study of Conscious Discipline© by Becky Baily
The goal of this group is to help establish a support system for Community Families and offer additional
tools and techniques for parenting.* Community members, Residents, and Employees are welcome to
participate!** For more information contact: Lynne Houston-Volden (Child and Family Therapist) at
Health and Human Services. 520-568-1086.
When: Mondays from 5:30-7:00pm (current session ending… New session October 19, 2015)
Where: Ak-Chin Library (46521 W. Farrell Road x Maricopa x AZ)
Contact: Health & Human Services at 520-568-1086 or Main Phone (520) 568-1093)
*A Certificate of Completion is issued when a participant actively participates in and completes the entire series of topics.
**Individuals not employed by the community, not residents or community members may be given special permission, contact Lynne Houston-Volden for details.
Mary Anna Soliz
MarƟna Guy Peters
Renee Boehm
Jennifer Boehm
Audra Saenz
Celia Soto
Cecily Peters
Sandiin Mitchell
Yadhira Osuna
Fredrick Westby
Brian Holiday
Kathleen Cardenas- Ruiz
Flora Howerton
My two hero’s from maintenance “Jake and Jesus” – The
Wonder Twins!
Marc MaƩeson, Diana Carlyle, and Irene Arredondo for helping
us with our projects
Him Dak for lending us not just some supplies but the amazing
talented Waylon that created our logos for the event
The Runner for helping and not losing paƟence with our rush
orders, but producing amazing products for us to use.
The EducaƟon Department for helping recruit and promote the
event
The Director’s in the community that shared their creaƟve and
talented employees with us.
Norma Vincent, Miss Ak-Chin Esperanza Miranda and her
aƩendants Ashley Vincent and Reyna Miguel for sharing the
Ɵme with us, and sharing some of their wisdom with the group.
The parents for trusƟng us with their young ladies.
And of course all the girls who aƩended for their energy, wild
spirits, talent, and opening and sharing their Ɵme and their
hearts with us. See you soon!
11
LANGUAGE
January 15 - February 4, 2016
CAMA visits Him-Dak EcoMuseum
Submitted by Him-Dak EcoMuseum
On Wednesday, January 13, 2016,
the Him-Dak hosted the monthly CAMA
(Central Arizona Museums Association)
luncheon meeting. CAMA is a regional
consortium of museums dedicated to
fostering development and promoting
museums in Gila, Maricopa, Pinal and
Yavapai Counties.
Introductions from guests, as well as
a warm welcome from Elaine F. Peters;
Him Dak Director, began the meeting.
Fifteen members were in attendance and
discussions were brief on matters at hand
on the meeting agenda.
At the conclusion of the meeting the
Him-Dak, Art, Historic Mission School
and BIA House Staff provided tours in
their various locations. All guests were
Wendy Aviles (standing) leads the discussion during the
CAMA visit to Him-Dak EcoMuseum on Wednesday.
eager to hear and learn about
Ak-Chin.
Impressive
comments
were expressed on the great
strides and accomplishments
for the Community and the
Him-Dak Eco Museum and
its programs.
January 15 - February 4, 2016
12
EMPLOYEE UPDATE
ricA
Come
THE TRE
SHOW LINE - UP
KATT WILLIAMS:
CONSPIRACY THEORY
01/30/2016
ADAM SANDLER,DAVID
SPADE, ROB SCHNEIDER &
TIM MEADOWS
02/12/2016
DANCING WITH THE STARS
02/14/2016
PEPPA PIG LIVE
02/18/2016
MEGADETH
02/27/2016
MAGIC MEN LIVE
03/05/2016
LORD OF THE DANCE
03/12/2016
PUSCIFER
03/18/2016
BILL MAHER
04/10/2016
KIRK FRANKLIN
04/14/2016
ELLIE GOULDING
04/16/2016
NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON
05/12/2016
THE PIANO GUYS
08/5/2016
Gabriela Potter
John Orozco
Benjamin Keith
Max Heeres
Senior Accountant
Finance
Police Officer
Law & Order
Police Officer
Law & Order
Project Manager
Capital Projects
The Ak-Chin Indian Community
is now on Facebook!
Make sure to LIKE us to
stay up-to-date on what is
happening in the Community.
facebook
january
wishes
To Gaga, Lulu (Connie Narcia)
“Happy Birthday”
Thank you so much for taking care of
us, loving us, and spoiling us. We know
we can be a handful but we love, we
cherish you, we love you to the moon
and back.
I would like to thank
the Ak-Chin Indian
Community and also
The Runner for being
instrumental in my
Cody’s reign. It was
a memorable year
for our family.
Thank you all,
Carmen Narcia
Gaga have a wonderful day. Love you.
Graham Smith
Link:
https://www.facebook.com/AkChinIndianCommunity
Gaga, Happy Birthday. Love you.
Hannah Smith
Gaga, Love you, have a good one.
Harry Smith
Happy Birthday Ethan Jay,
You are growing so big fast we can’t
keep up with you. You make us proud
of all your good work you do. Wishing
you the best. We love you very much.
Lover your God Momma, God Sister
and Brothers
Lulu, Happy Birthday. Thank you for
teaching me how to make menudo.
Love you.
Haedin DePaola
Happy Birthday Irene and Kimberly
Smith
Uncle Joe
Lulu, Happy Birthday, have a good
day. Thank you for taking care of my
cats. Love you
Carson DePaola
Happy Birthday Saraih Paya (Peters)
Wishing you the best we love you very
much.
Grandma and Kris, Biscuit and
Tommy
Gaga, Happy Birthday, thank you for
taking care of my Dog. Love you.
Eli Narcia
Gaga, Happy Birthday, hugs and
kisses, love you.
Kingston Narcia
Gaga, Happy Birthday, love you.
Kateri Lopez
Happy B-day Adriana Narcia
Hope you have a nice day.
Love G-Rose
Happy Birthday Frasia Mike Love you,
Your sister Debbie B.
Happy Birthday to my granddaughter
Adriana
Love Grandma
Gaga, Happy Birthday, thank you for
loving us too.
Love your grandkids
Mario, Desiree, Nathan
Happy Birthday to my
granddaughters Adriana, Estalynn,
and Saraih and my grandsons Joshua,
Jonathan, and Mateo
Happy Birthday Joshua and Jonathan Love, Grandma
Peters
Happy Birthday Mateo
From Auntie Carmen
Love, Mom, Brother, Grandma, Uncle
and Aunties
JANUARY
EMPLOYEE BIRTHDAYS
SHOW LINE - UP
DISTURBED
03/19/2016
JOURNEY/DOOBIE
BROTHERS
05/14/2016
DIXIE CHICKS
07/16/2016
5 SECONDS OF
SUMMER
09/10/2016
BLACK SABBATH
09/21/2016
Ak-Chin Indian Community
Environmental Protection Department
(Water Operations)
OUTDOOR WASTEWATER/SEWER
EMERGENCIES CALL
520-858-6999
OUTDOOR WATER
EMERGENCIES CALL
520-858-6061
1/30
Thomas Carlyle1/16
Brenda SegayParks and Recreation
Maressa RoblesParks and Recreation
1/28
Law and Order
Diana EstradaFelicia Vincent1/20
Parks and Recreation
CR Language
Elizabeth HaertelCommunications
Victor Perea1/29
1/23
Law and Order
Genevieve MiguelLeonard Allen- EPD
1/31
CR Language
1/26
Wendy AvilesCarlton Carlyle- EPD
Beatrice RomoHim-Dak Museum
Parks and Recreation
**Important Message from the Ak-Chin
Community Events Department**
This past fall, the Outlook system was updated and we lost some of your
(Community Members) emails.
If you would like to be included in any of the Ak-Chin Community Member
Raffles, please contact the Community Events team at
(520) 568-1067/1068, at events@ak-chin.nsn.us or stop by the Tribal
Headquarters Bldg (42507 W. Peters & Nall Rd.).
We will need:
•
Name
•
Valid Email (if applicable)
•
Valid phone number
If you are still receiving our raffle emails, you don’t need to do anything.
Please share this information with any eligible Community Member.
Thank you,
Brittany Allcott & Henry Garcia
Ak-Chin Community Events
Current openings
in the Community:
Communications Officer
*
Detention Officer
*
Deli Clerk part-time
*
Gaming Agent Trainee –
open to everyone from
01/14 to 01/22
*
Case Manager – Adult Services
Check with Human Resources
for the latest job announcements.
Please pick up applications at
the Human Resources Office or
e-mail your resume to
resumes@ak-chin.nsn.us.
Complete your application in
full and be sure to sign your name.
Submit applications before the
closing date as late applications
will not be accepted.
If you are claiming Indian
Preference, proof of tribal
enrollment MUST be submitted
at the time of application.
January 15 - February 4, 2016
1b
ROLL T DE
Photos and story by: Runner Staff
Executive Director of the College Football Playoff Bill Hancock delivers the Dr. Pepper 2016 National Championship Trophy to Head Coach of Alabama Nick Saban.
Ciara performed her hits “Lose Control” and “Goodies” in front of thousands on Saturday night at Championship Campus. The Ak-Chin Council says a few words in the
opening ceremony blessing of downtown Phoenix’s Championship Campus which began on January 8.
The Ak-Chin Indian Community sponsors College
Football’s Championship Campus as Alabama wins the
National Championship Title
AKC AOC continues from front page
On Friday, the Ak-Chin Community
Council was welcomed by Phoenix Mayor
Greg Stanton and members of the AOC
to officially open Championship Campus
in downtown Phoenix. In the opening
ceremony, the Ak-Chin Ba:ban Keina Dance
Group and the San Juan Kwaylia Dancers
performed traditional dancing in front of
the crowd in attendance. Later that night,
country musician David Nail and The Band
Perry performed a free concert for a packed
house.
On Saturday, football fans alike rushed to
experience the Playoff Fan Fest, held inside
of the Phoenix Convention Center. The
festival showcased mini football games,
team memorabilia shops for Clemson and
Alabama, food, prizes and also hosted the
2016 Media Day.
Die-hard Clemson fans packed the indoor
bleachers as they took photos and shouted
the school rally song as the players and
coaches took questions from members of
the media. Following Clemson’s media
day was the Crimson Tide of Alabama.
There were considerably less Alabama fans
in the stands in comparison to Clemson, this
caused for a few commotions between rival
fans. Thankfully the security broke up and
de-escalated any situation that could have
turned sour. Saturday night was capped
off with performances by X Ambassadors
(XA), Walk The Moon and multi-platinum
recording artist Ciara.
Early Sunday morning proved to be all
about business. Deep in the heart of Paradise
Valley at the JW Marriot Hotel, both head
coaches participated in a media-only press
conference. Though they would be bitter
opponents come Monday night’s game, both
head coaches were complimentary of one
another. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney
stated, “Coach Saban and what he’s done, I
mean, he’s one of the greatest coaches that’s
ever coached the game.”
Alabama head coach Saban added, “I’d also
like to congratulate Dabo and his team for
their outstanding season. Going undefeated
is very difficult to do, and we certainly have
a lot of respect for their players and their
accomplishments, their coaching staff, and
the great job that they’ve done all season
long.”
Sunday afternoon and evening proved to be
the jam-packed day full of frenzied football
fanatics as the Championship Campus event
hosted legendary recording artist John
Mellencamp. The singer, writer, painter,
Alabama TE OJ Howard celebrates with his teammate Jamey
Mosley after Howard scored his 2nd touchdown.
actor and artist known for his classic songs
such as “Hurts So Good”, “Pink Houses”
and countless others was the headliner for
Sunday night’s closing concert performance.
The night was capped off perfectly with a
fireworks display that could be seen for
miles as it decorated the Phoenix skyline.
In what was a gridiron battle between the
first and second ranked teams in the nation,
the Clemson Tigers (#1) and Alabama
Crimson Tide (#2) went into battle at
University of Phoenix Stadium on January
11. Alabama’s offense put up 45 points
and 473 yards. The Crimson Tide defense
allowed a staggering 550 yards and 40 points
but showed up when it mattered most thanks
to an interception in the second quarter.
The back and forth game between the
two titans gave the crowd the feeling that
something had to give in order for one of the
teams to be declared the champs. Thanks to
an Alabama special team’s kickoff return for
a touchdown and a recovered onside kick,
the Crimson Tide pulled off the victory and
grabbed their 16th National Championship
trophy. The title is Saban’s 5th overall, one
shy of another Alabama head coach legend
“Bear” Bryant who has 6.
Heisman trophy winner Derrick Henry led
Clemson RB Wayne Gallman
makes a difficult catch.
all rushes with 158 net yards including a
first quarter 50-yard touchdown run that sent
the Crimson crowd into a frenzy. He will
most likely declare pro this off-season and
get drafted by an NFL team in this year’s
upcoming draft.
With the Crimson Tide securing their historic
16th National title, all eyes have been
placed squarely on if the magic can strike
again for Alabama. At press time, the Ohio
State University owns the top recruiting
ranking with Alabama ranked second and
the Clemson Tigers rounding out the top 10.
The great thing with college football is that
every year brings a new beginning for teams.
A new beginning opens doors that may have
been otherwise closed in previous years.
In a way, the Ak-Chin Indian Community’s
sponsorship of the college football
Championship Campus in downtown
Phoenix placed the seal of Ak-Chin firmly in
the heart of Arizona as a way to help showcase
the culture of Ak-Chin and its members.
Sponsoring major significant sporting
events like the Championship Campus and
last year’s SuperBowl has only grown AkChin’s reputation as being one of the leading
supporters of the state of Arizona.
Heisman winner and soon-to-be-NFL-superstar Derrick Harvey
bulldozes his way for a 15 yard gain in the first quarter.
January 15 - February 4, 2016
2b
3b
Photos by: Runner Staff
The Ak-Chin Ba:ban Keina Dance group performed a dance blessing and a social round dance on Friday
January 8 during the opening ceremony of Championship Campus.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney (L) complimented Alabama’s defense at the Coaches Press Conference on
January 10. Archie Manning (middle) also known as Peyton and Eli’s Dad, helped welcome Randall Cunningham (R)
into the College Football Hall of Fame during the Induction Ceremony on January 9.
Every day during Championship Campus weekend, bands and various recording artists performed an eclectic mix of
rap, rock, country, r&b as well as old school hits and dance.
Wherever Vicechairwoman Carlyle goes, as does her ASU Sun Devil Pride. She along with Councilwoman Antone
(middle) and Councilman Miguel (right) had the best seats in the house during the National Championship Game.
Duke, Captain, Mark and Bud also known as the Budweiser
Clydesdales made their way down Phoenix on Saturday.
The Media Day Football statue stayed ready to hike
the ball inside of the Phoenix Convention Center.
The San Juan Kwaylia dancers also performed during the opening ceremony of Championship Campus January
8. Miss Ak-Chin 2nd Attendant Mathilda Reyna Miguel performed as well.
Before the game,
there was a flyover
by the US Air Force.
Clemson DE and soonto-be-NFL player Shaq
Lawson sacks Alabama
QB Jake Coker.
AKC Treasurer Brandon Peters
relaxed in the VIP AOC tent.
The 3-day event concluded with a fireworks
show for all to see.
Clemson RB Wayne Gallman gets tackled by
Alabama DE Eddie Jackson.
Kevin Ray from the band Walk The Moon got the crowd going during Saturday Night’s concert. #AlabamaPam, a one of
a kind life sized gold mosiac figure was on display during the pre-game fun. #AlabamaPam weighs 2,700 pounds.
Sophomore WR Cam Sims warms
up moments before kickoff.
Country music artist David Nail
performed his hits in the streets
of Phoenix during Championship
Campus weekend.
John Mellencamp rocked
the stage during Sunday’s
Championship Campus
Concert series.
Alabama’s cheerleading squad
and band performed at halftime.
Junior QB Deshaun Watson threw
4 TD’s during the game.
Heisman winner and soon-to-be-NFL-player
Derrick Henry runs for a 50-yard touchdown.
Brandon Dean and his niece Star
watched the Alabama band play.
From L to R: Jolie Smith, Daryl Peters, Elijah
Peters, Flora Howerton, Henry Garcia Jr. and
Aaron Peters all attended the game as well.
Ernie Pete and Esther
Alvarez rooted for the
Crimson Tide.
Indie-rock performers X Ambassadors (also known as XA) sang their hits “Unconsolable”, “Renegades” and many more
in front of a packed house.
Football fans alike were treated to some indoor fun inside of the Phoenix Convention Center
during the Fan Fest.
Brittany Allcott
selfies with AKC.
Father-and-son Clemson fans
confess an interesting secret with
their signs.
Alvin Antone and his son Calvin attended the game as
well as rode in on the Ak-Chin Shuttle Bus.
Tracy “OU” Wind and Joyce Kaniatobe enjoyed the
game from the Skybox suite.
In his post-game remarks, Alabama head
coach Nick Saban stated “We didn’t play our
best, but I’m happy we won.”
Alabama TE OJ Howard hoists the
trophy with Eddie Jackson.
During the 4th quarter, the Arizona Organizing Committee took time out to give their special thanks on the jumbotron
to the Ak-Chin Indian Community for sponsoring Championship Campus in Downtown Phoenix.
4b
ENTERTAINMENT
January 15 - February 4, 2016
Now Hiring at UltraStar
Multi-tainment Center
•
•
•
Experienced Line Cook
Experienced Server
Experienced Nightclub/sports
Bar Server
•
•
•
Banquet Bartender
Banquet Server
Dishwasher
Interested candidates may apply at UltrastarAkChin.com or pick up an
application at Ultrastar’s box office.
SHOW TIMES
Starting Friday, January , 15 2016