GRIC employees recognized at Team CSD Day 2017 event

April 21, 2017

Thomas R. Throssell

Gila River Indian News

Community Services Department (CSD) employees were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the Gila River Indian Community at the Team CSD Day 2017 event held at the Rawhide Pavilion on April 13.

Around 350 employees attended the annual event, which was filled to the brim with activities like a pep rally, years of service recognition, steak lunch, and competitive games.

Joanne Miles-Long, CSD Director, said this year’s event theme was “Our Hats Off To You!” because many CSD employees don’t just work an 8 to 5 job and are being recognized for their dedication. She said the department is on call 24 hours, seven days a week because issues in the Community arise at all hours and CSD employees are always there to lend a helping hand.

“[You have] compassion for each other, …respect one another and I appreciate that very much,” said Miles-Long to the crowd of employees. “It speaks very well of each and every one of you. You are all unique, you are all special, you all bring something to the table,” she said.

Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis, who was unable to attend the event because of business in Washington D.C., had a statement read that said, “The Community Service Department is the heart of the Gila River Indian Community. I appreciate your dedication and service and I know the Community at the district level does too. The hard work you do for the Community does not go unnoticed. As we enter this weekend, I extend a peaceful Easter celebration to you and your families. Have a great day with fun filled activities with your coworkers and you all deserve it. Thank you.”

The event concluded with a surprise announcement that all employees were being treated to movie at a Harkins Theatre.

“It is only a small token of our appreciation for what you do for the Community,” said Miles-Long. “We just hope that you enjoy yourself, you enjoy your co-workers, [and] that you know you are apart of a team… you make us who we are.”

The CSD operates the Communities service centers and a variety of programs, including: the Elderly Nutrition Program, Elderly Services Program, Women Infants and Children Program (WIC), Commodity Foods Program, Tribal Recreation/Wellness Center, and the Ira H. Hayes Memorial Library.

Below is the list of CSD employees recognized for their years of service working for the Gila River Indian Community:

Pamela Valdez 10

Daniel Perez 10

Derald Thomas 10

Marcos Martinez 10

John Lynch 10

Michael Stevens 10

Merlena Calabaza 10

Gary F. Juan 10

Carla Lemos 10

Geneva Lyons 10

Jose Terrazas 10

Carol Santos 10

Joanne Brewer 10

Casey McAfee 10

Angie Nava 10

Ina Nahee 10

Theresa Miranda 10

Lawrence BlackElk 10

Cynthia Yazzie 10

Mario Valenzuela 11

Jackie Lewis 11

John Thomas 11

Alma Maira Martinez 11

Cynthia Satala 11

Cruz Lewis 11

Wilbert Flores 12

Cecelia Eddie 12

David Thomas 12

Cliff Boss 12

Emmanuel Antone 12

Peter Sanchez 13

Stanley Ramon 13

Virgil Jordan 13

Vincent Granillo 13

Lee Juan13

Sherwin Whitman 13

Daniel Duran 13

Mary Dixon 14

Colin Francisco 14

Jerome Antone 14

Gordon Santos Jr. 15

Delmer Osife 15

Nancee Calderon 15

Delmer Peters 15

Valerie Johnson-Antone 15

Ricardo Stewart 16

Terry Voltares 16

Brian Harrison 16

Eddie Duarte 16

Donald Osife 17

Harriet Allen 17

Nelson Johnson 17

Garrett Peters 17

Lino Valdez 17

Merlin Blackwater 17

Erma M. Antone 17

Harriet Allen 17

Deborah Morago 18

Greg Lewis 19

Ann Lucas-Stewart 21

Mary Osife 23

Harold Osife 27

Alan Blackwater 34

Melva Charles 36