Tribal Veterans Symposium

Roberto A. Jackson

Communications & Public Affairs Office

Tribal leaders, veterans and veteran groups convened at Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass on Friday, Nov. 15 for the 6th Annual Statewide Tribal Veteran Symposium and was hosted by BlueCross BlueShield Arizona. The two-day event focused on meeting the health and well-being needs of Native American veterans in Arizona. Representatives from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs participated in a panel on enhancing tribal veteran services; and other breakout sessions included information on vocational opportunities, suicide prevention, homelessness initiatives, mental health challenges and other types of support.

Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis was one of the keynote speakers and he highlighted the Gila River Indian Community’s Veteran & Family Services Office.

He said the vision to establish the office was, “guided by our veterans to serve, not only our Community members, but also serve their brothers and sisters off the reservation.”

Gov. Lewis also noted how the Veteran & Family Services Office is the second tribal veteran service organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as an accredited tribal veteran service organization to assist veterans.

“That one of the accomplishments that I am proud of the most,” said Gov. Lewis.

Dr. Anthony Newkirk, U.S. Air Force, spoke as well on the topic of veteran peer support. 

Other speakers included representatives from the Tohono O’odham Nation, White Mountain Apache Tribe as well as other tribal communities and representatives from the VA and other health care systems.