Gila River New Youth Council Sworn In
November 21, 2025
Jeston Morris
Community Newsperson
Gov. Lewis and Tribal Leaders Welcome New Youth Council
CHANDLER, Ariz. — The newly elected youth council and their family members attended the Akimel O’odham-Pee Posh Youth Council (AOPPYC) inauguration at Rawhide Event Center. The 38th AOPPYC president and elected officials were sworn in.
Victoria Quintero, an AOPPYC advisory board member, emceed the event and delivered the welcome remark. Secretary Zyanna Flores gave the invocation, followed by opening remarks from former Gov. Gregory Mendoza, a former District 4 representative and co-founder of AOPPYC. Outgoing President Evelyn Enos offered a farewell address.
Judge Sunshine Manuel of District 3 administered the swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected officials. The 38th president, Landon Martinez, gave an inaugural address. Lt. Gov. Regina Antone gave the benediction. Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis greeted the new officers. Lunch was served following the ceremony, and the youth council posed for a group photo on the Rawhide stage.
According to Mendoza, the Gila River Community has progressed over the years. The youth conference story begins in 1987. The inaugural event was called the Akimel O’otham Youth Conference. Over 300 youth attended the two-day conference. A clear message from the conference was young people need a formal voice to assist in solving problems.
This clear call sparked a movement in the Gila River Community even though, at the time, the Community resources were limited but the spirit of service was strong. This is AOPPYC’s humble beginning during the BC (before casinos) era. AOPPYC’s accomplishments came from the hands and hearts of volunteers. They had popover sales to raise funding to attend the UNITY conference, buy office supplies and polo shirts.
AOPPYC’s teamwork, determination, and perseverance laid the foundation for what became one of the most respected Native youth leadership councils in the country. The AOPPYC leadership is grounded in culture. They can lead, organize, and contribute.
“Former members of the Youth Council have testified before Congress, spoken at national conferences and returned home to serve as leaders. Council Representatives Duane Jackson Jr. (District 1), Joseph Manuel Jr. (District 3) and Terrence B. Evans (District 6) are all former youth council members,” said Mendoza.
District 5 Council Representative Donovan K. Kyyitan gave an impromptu speech, congratulating the newly elected officials and emphasizing the importance of youth leadership. He shook hands and communicated with each of the elected youth officials.
“First, I want to say congratulations to each one of you. You’re all starting a new endeavor with your new role.
“The inauguration is a new beginning,” Kyyitan said.
“The outgoing youth council laid the foundation. The new council will continue to work on the foundation as well as completing the daily agenda items. The youth are important because they are the future, and they play a vital role in our community. Their voice and contribution are crucial. They will eventually become elected officials to lead our community,” he said.
Lt. Gov. Regina Antone gave a speech and a benediction.
“As leaders, you set the example for others to follow,” she said. “Gila River is strong and self-governed. We are striving for higher goals. Our youth are eager to step up and lead. They’ll learn about the intergovernmental branches, such as executive, judicial, and legislative. More importantly, they will become our future leaders in the community,” said Lt. Gov. Antone.
“Our future will be okay. It is in good hands with the new incoming Youth Council.” Amaya Escalante,
Amaya Escalante, Western representative for United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) and a member of Pascua Yaqui, reflected on the inauguration. “It is an honor to be here,” Escalante said. “Hearing from incoming and outgoing leaders gives us hope. Each will grow in their own unique way. Our future is in good hands.”
Laylalanai Gocobachi, UNITY Earth Ambassador and Pascua Yaqui member, added: “The inauguration was wonderful. It was great to see the newly elected council gather with families and friends to celebrate with dignity and pride.”
The newly elected president, Landon Martinez, reflected on his swearing-in ceremony. “I have worked closely with the outgoing President Enos. She set a great example. I look up to her, and she is one of the reasons why I became president of the AOPPYC. Under my leadership, I would like to create a strong bond with our sister tribes’ youth council,” Martinez said. “The AOPPYC president carries Bob, a staff with feathers. We treat him as an elder, he guides us spiritually.”
The outgoing president Enos reflected on her tenure. “I had the honor of serving as the President of AOPPYC, said Enos. “I’m from District 4, Upper Santan. This year has been memorable. I served on the youth council in different capacities for over five years.”
Susanna Osife, former Miss Gila River and AOPPYC board member reflected on the newly elected officials and the inauguration. “This will be a wonderful year for AOPPYC. They all have bright minds and bright futures ahead of them. I am so excited for each one of them. They have a strong heart for their community,” said Osife.
Youth Council Coordinator Joseph Davis expressed his view of the incoming leadership and the inauguration. “It was very special to have UNITY representatives here because the youth council will get to present their report at the UNITY conference. The report addresses youth issues and topics during the conference meetings,” said Davis.
Judge Manuel expresses her view about the swearing-in ceremony. “It was an honor to be invited. I’m proud of each of them. Their leadership reflects our future, and our future is bright.”
Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis closed the ceremony with reflections on the council’s growth.
“The inauguration celebrates both incoming and outgoing leadership,” Gov. Lewis said. “The organization is growing. I spoke with many of the youth council. They are really focused on their projects in their own district as well as bringing back the tradition, culture, and language. They work with youth councils from our sister tribes. One of their highlights is when they go to the annual UNITY conference.”
Newly elected district representatives include:
• District 1: Philbert Jackson, Frank Ayala Jr.
• District 2: Odessa Thomas, Francisco Duran Jr.
• District 3: Virginia Rossel, Blake Morago
• District 4: Aiyana Jackson, Frances Martinez
• District 5: Ino Davis, Violet Ramon
• District 6: Watauna Verlarde-Allison, Devon Juan
• District 7: Vacant
Executive Officers:
President: Landon Martinez Vice President: Shayla Davis Treasurer: Ayana Jackson Secretary: Zyanna Flores
Associate Members:
Destiny VanDusen, Georgia Zamorano, Adriana Conko, Nathaniel Weisman, Soshanna VanHardenburg, Sayuri Jackson, Peyton Charles, Nevaeh Blackwater, Souhalia Lewis Moreno, Azule Wahpeta
Advisory Board:
Randel Curran, Susanna Osife, Kyle Flores, Aylse Marrietta, Hunter Nish