Elders Concerns Group Hosted Meeting at District 3 Service Center

September 26, 2025

Jeston Morris

Community Newperson

Elders Concerns Group Meeting Highlights Water, Land, and Community Care

GU U KI. SACATON, Ariz. — The Elders Concerns Group held its latest meeting Sept. 10 at District 3 Service Center, drawing elders from all seven districts and the Gila River Indian Community Urban Members Association.  The multipurpose gymnasium was filled to capacity.

Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis, Lt. Gov. Regina Atone, and Council Representatives Joseph Manuel, Jr. and Kristina Morago attended the meeting, which was called to order at 9 a.m. by ECG Chairwoman Carol Schurz. Former Gov. Donald Antone Sr. delivered the invocation. 

Presenters included Ken Stock, general manager of the Gila River Indian Community Utility Authority, Gov. Lewis, and Lt. Gov. Antone. Council Representatives Morago and Manuel Jr. provided a Council update.

Stock gave a brief presentation on GRICUA’s partnership with National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

“The Gila River Community Utility Authority (GRICUA) partnered with NRECA to create elder care package.” Stock said. “Volunteers assembled them at the Shelde Building. We look forward to continuing these kinds of projects to give back to the community.” 

Gov. Lewis delivered a two-hour update on the Arizona Water Settlement and answered questions from attendees. He also recognized former Gov. Donald Antone Sr. and Lt. Gov. Cecil Atone both of whom were present.

The Arizona Water Settlement Act of 2004 is the largest Native American water rights settlement in U.S. history. GRIC celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. 

“Water is now more valuable than gold or oil,” Gov. Lewis said. “Our leases are short-term, typically five to 10 years, unlike the 99-year leases of the past. Revenue from these leases helps build up our water funds. Post 2026 guidelines are going to set the rules for the next 20 years regarding cut in water usage in the Colorado River Basin. Any deals regarding water, with surrounding municipalities needs to include Gila River due to it’s substantial water settlement. They must respect the sovereignty of Gila River.”

Former Gov. Antone Sr. raised a concern about local planning.

“Thank you for protecting our water rights at the state and national levels,” he said. “What I’m concern about is the local level. My basic question is: What is our local plan for water?   

Gov. Lewis responded by highlighting land and probate challenges.

“Land is a complicated issue. GRIC ranks among the top five most fractionated tribal reservation in Indian Country which results in a backlog of probate issues,” he said. “We are working to resolve this. The farmers in Pinal County sold their lands to developers years ago,” Gov. Lewis said. That’s why many non-Indian farmers are out of business. They can farm on GRIC lands, but it must be done  respectfully.”