Latest News
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While it is heartbreaking to think about Cathie Soliz leaving us too soon, she left behind a legacy we can celebrate. Cathie was always ready for what the day had in store, she would be the go to person for the staff when it came to supplying us with the tools needed to get our work done. From the cellphones we used for communication to the fleet of cars used for transportation. Even the keys to open the doors to the offices and buildings all we worked in.
Cathie made the office more festive during the Christmas season. From the wreaths on the office doors to the 12 foot tree and the decorations throughout the building that made the Tribal Administration building feel festive.
To many she was more than just a co-worker, she was a friend too that would take the time in her busy day to sit and listen to you when you needed someone to talk to.
Cathie passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Even to this day it is news that is still hard to accept. September of this year would have been her 25th anniversary as an employee of the Quechan Indian Tribe. Cathie was the Heart and Soul of the Property and Supply department. Her time here will always be remembered.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and loved ones. And our thanks for the time she gave us here at work to help and support not just the staff but also the community and membership.
Services will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. Neumann Catholic Church, 11545 E. 40TH Street, Yuma, AZ 85367
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The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will break ground on a US 95 widening project in Yuma on August 23. Crews will reconstruct and widen US 95 from a two lane, undivided highway to five lanes. Once completed, the highway will include two travel lanes in each direction and a center two-way left turn lane that will provide a high level of service to meet the connectivity needs of surrounding urban, agricultural, military, and distant metropolitan areas. ADOT expects the project to be completed in Summer 2023.
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Let’s reach community immunity!
Protect yourself. Protect your family. Protect your elders.
AT HOME VACCINATION AVAILABLE!
Who can get the vaccine: Everyone 12 years of age and older.
For an appointment or information contact: Nancy West, RN at 760-572-4685.
You should not get a COVID-19 vaccine if you:
• Have had a known COVID-19 exposure and are currently quarantined
• Have symptoms of COVID-19, including a cough, fever, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell
• Have a pending COVID-19 test
The Cultural Committee and Historic Preservation Office are looking for individuals interested in becoming Tribal Cultural Monitors. This is an on-call based paid position with mileage reimbursement.
The Tribal Social Service Program and Direct Assistance Program will be closed effective immediately Friday, July 30th, 2021 until further notice.
Program opening date to be announced.
The Quechan Tribal Council was notified that in the early morning hours of July 28, 2021, someone had desecrated a total of 70 grave markers and headstones in our cemetery. The Tribal Council is outraged and shares the feelings of those families that were directly affected.
In Response to New CDC Guidelines, CDPH Recommends Masking for Public Indoor Settings to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 and the Delta Variant
With more than 90% of the state’s population in areas with substantial or high transmission, the California Department of Public Health recommends universal masking in indoor public settings.
The Quechan offices of Pesticides, Animal Control, and Emergency Management, working with the Arizona Department of Health Services, are providing repellent to combat mosquito borne illnesses. The spray will be available for free with any purchase from Pipa Market until supplies run out.
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Quechan Tribal Vice President, Virgil S. Smith, addresses the Tribal Membership in the video regarding the Covid-19 Delta variant.
Covid-19 cases are rising within and around the tribal community. The Tribal Council would like to keep people informed how to stay safe from Covid-19.
Vaccines are highly effective against all known strains of the virus, including the Delta variant. Tribal Council encourages everyone to get vaccinated. The Delta variant is more contagious and spreads faster.
Vaccinations are available for people age 12 and up and you can call the Fort Yuma IHS at (760) 572-4711 to get vaccinated.
Everyone is asked to wear face masks, practice social distancing, good hygiene habits, and stay home if you feel ill.
The Tribal government stands with you during these trying times and asks that you stay safe.
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Quechan Tribal Councilman Faron Owl addresses the Tribal Membership about the mining at Indian Pass in the Youtube video below.
The Goldmine Project is being requested by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
In the video, Councilman Owl, asks for the support of the preservation of Indian Pass. He addresses the cultural importance of Indian Pass and defines the negative impact that mining will cause to the environment.
Protect our Youth - Protect our Culture
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death.
- COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of people spreading the virus that causes COVID-19, including those that are not eligible because of age or cannot receive a vaccine for medical reasons.
- You may have side effects after vaccination. These are normal and should go away in a few days.
- It typically takes 2 weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19. You are not fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after the second dose of a 2-dose vaccine or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine.
Please call Ft. Yuma IHS at (760) 572-4711 to schedule your Covid19 vaccine appointment. All three (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson) are available at the clinic.
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IMPERIAL COUNTY –County of Imperial Health officials are cautioning residents regarding the recent increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the State of California. Over the past week, California has averaged 2,678 new cases and 23 new deaths per day. Due to the statewide increase in COVID-19 cases, the Imperial County Health Officer, as a proactive and precautionary measure, strongly recommends the use of masks/face coverings indoors in Imperial County, regardless of vaccination status. In Imperial County, there has been an increase in cases, primarily in children 17 years and younger. Children 0-17 make up about 28-29% of Imperial County cases in the past two weeks. Variants of concern continue to be followed closely. There was no increase in Beta or Delta variant cases in Imperial County from last week; they remain at 1 and 2 total cases, respectively. There was an increase in Alpha and Gamma cases; current totals are 69 and 100, respectively.
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The #COVID19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on Native communities across #IndianCountry. U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland recently recorded a public service announcement on the importance of getting vaccinated so that we can gather again, get back to practicing our traditions, and enjoy time with those we love: https://youtu.be/KMRRouR9JWk.
Expect wet highways, possible flooding and debris.
With strong monsoon storms forecast in much of Arizona this week, be ready for wet roads, potential flooding and even additional dust storms across parts of the state.
On June 07, 2021 the Quechan Tribal Council issued a statement on our website informing the membership of the first installment of the American Rescue Plan Act funds in the amount of $20,048,575.52. The United States Treasury issued the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) introduction identifying the eligible uses to support the immediate pandemic response and laying the groundwork for a strong and equitable recovery.
The COVID-19 public health emergency has caused a broad range of public health and economic challenges in tribal communities, families, small businesses and tribal enterprises; this funding will provide substantial aid to address the needs of the Quechan Indian Tribe and our families.
The funding installments will be utilized to serve as a catalyst to begin projects to address areas of need for individual households and the Quechan Indian reservation such as referenced in the U.S. Treasury guidelines. (see attached Reference Guide)
The Quechan Tribal Council continues to prioritize the need for assistance and response to the COVID-19 pandemic for the tribal membership and community, as well as developing plans for building our future, strengthening our sustainability and investing in our economic growth in response to all the hardships caused by this global pandemic.
The American Rescue Plan Assistance Program
On July 05, 2021, the Quechan Tribal Council has made the decision to address the economic hardship of the tribal membership by enacting the American Rescue Plan Assistance Program. A total amount of $7.1 million dollars has been allocated to the program to fund a one-time disbursement of $2,500.00. Checks will be automatically generated for all enrolled adult members (18 years & older), and will be mailed to the address on file. (see attached Reference Guide)
If you have turned 18 years of age, after October 30, 2020, and did not receive any of the Assistance Program funding in 2020; you will need to fill out the American Rescue Plan Assistance Program application and return to the Revenue Distribution Department in order to receive your one-time payment. Applications are available online at www.quechantribe.com or at the kiosk located outside of the Tribal Administration Office. The American Rescue Plan Assistance Program will only be accepting applications until August 31, 2021.
In order to expedite the process and release of this payment, please ensure your mailing information is accurate and up to date no later than July 20, 2021.
Please contact Kaylee Alonzo, Assistant Tribal Secretary to update address:
Phone: (760) 919-3600 Ext. 215
Email: assttribalsecretary@quechantribe.com
*ALL CHECKS WILL BE MAILED OUT THROUGH THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE BY JULY 30, 2021.
*Note: If you have not updated your information with the Local Post Office, we urge you to do so. The Quechan Indian Tribe is not responsible for incorrect mailing addresses. Only Checks returned from mail discrepancies can be available for pick up if arranged with the Revenue Distribution Department.
The Quechan Tribal Council and Emergency Management Team are committed to ensure our families, our communities, and that our government service can continue the important work of rebuilding the great Quechan Indian Tribe; and with your help we can become even stronger than we were before.
Please call Indian Health Services at (760) 572-4711 to make an appointment to be vaccinated, or anywhere in your local area that vaccinations are provided, this is imperative to stopping the spread of COVID-19 and could ultimately save your life.
Stay safe and be well,
Quechan Tribal Council
The Quechan Indian Tribe is Seeking Letters of Interest from Enrolled Tribal Members for the following Committees that are still in need of members:
Advisory Committee (Language) - Open
Pageant - (1) Vacant
Impact Aide - Open
Health Committee - (4) Vacant
Events Committee - (3) Vacant
Enrollment Committee - (1) Vacant
OPEN UNTIL FILLED
Please submit letters of interest to: Regina Escalanti, Tribal Council Secretary of the Tribal Administration Office Monday – Friday During the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
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Ft. Yuma Health Center continues to offer Covid-19 vaccines (Pfizer) for those who are 12 years of age or older
Contact IHS today to schedule an appointment (760) 572-4711.
(Parent or Guardian must accompany minors)
Excessive Heat Warning in effect through Sunday for parts of southwest and south-central Arizona and the lower Colorado River Valley (including the Phoenix Metro, Yuma, and El Centro), and through Monday for parts of Imperial County and Joshua Tree National Park.
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As part of the ongoing surveillance for COVID-19 cases local Public Health Departments monitor changes in the virus that could affect the spread of this disease. Like all viruses, SARS-CoV-2 changes constantly through mutation. These mutations add up and create slightly different versions of the virus called “variants.” Sometimes, a mutation will result in the virus spreading more easily, making people sicker or making it resistant to treatment or vaccines. Variants with these types of mutations are called variants of concern.
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On Thursday, July 1, 2021, the new Pipa Market located at 1901 Agnes Road in Winterhaven, California, had its Grand Opening.
