Latest News
The Environmental Protection Office (EPO) will be collecting old appliance and tire roadside pick up, Starting April18, 2022 through the end of May 30, 2022.
In order to get your items picked up, please call and make an appointment with the Quechan Environmental Protection Office at 760-572-2969 or 928-920-3996. Once you’ve made an appointment and on the list, please place old appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators, TV’s) and tires out near road during these dates above. Please have refrigerators and freezers emptied and cleaned prior.
Please make sure to speak to EPO and make an appointment or your items will not be picked up and will be your responsibility!
The Fort Yuma Wellness Center is now open to the public as of Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
The hours of operation are:
- Monday through Thursday 6:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Friday 6:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Saturday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
The Diabetes Walking Park is open 6:00 am to 8:00 pm (no parties allowed at this time).
Be smart, stay safe, protect our community. To protect everyone from Covid-19, safety guidelines must be followed:
- Masks must be worn inside facility
- Social distance of 6 feet or more from others
- Temperature reading upon entry
- Limited capacity inside facility
Please be courteous to others
Beginning April 13, 2022, Vendors Square is reopening, due to the stay-at-home order being
rescinded on April 12, 2022.
On April 21, 2021, The Quechan Indian Tribe re-issued an urgent notice recommending all members to stay at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Tribal Council, Emergency Management team and Indian Health Services have been continuously monitoring the local and surrounding areas, we have noticed the effects of the continued efforts of Tribal members and local communities that have greatly contributed to reducing the spread of COVID-19.
After the review of information provided from the Fort Yuma Indian Health Clinic and the surrounding areas on hospitalizations, new cases, and those in the ICU, the Quechan Tribal Council has made the decision to rescind the Stay at Home Order effective April 13, 2022 due to the declining rate of the positive cases in our area. Although there has been a reduction in positive cases we should remain vigilant by continuing to follow CDC guidelines on how to properly wear face coverings, social distancing, staying home if feeling ill, washing hands frequently, and covering ones nose and mouth when coughing/sneezing to prevent the continued risk of COVID-19 to the greatest extent possible.
At this time, we would like to inform you on the next phase of the reopening of certain Tribal enterprises and programs that a large number of our membership have been inquiring about.
Tribal Operations/Departments/Programs/Administration Building: ALL tribal buildings will continue to follow the mask mandate and social distancing. In effort to reduce face to face contact, some departments will operate by appointment only and follow CDC guidelines on capacity levels within the office.
Parks and Recreation: Open gymnasium hours from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday, See calendar of events posted on the Tribes website available this week.
Wellness Center: The Wellness Center hours are Monday through Thursday 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM TO 2:00 PM. All days will be operating with limited capacity following CDC guidelines. The Diabetes Walking Park hours will be from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day.
Camping/Fishing/Hunting: Outdoor activities maintained by the Quechan Fish and Game Department will continue.
Tribal Vendors: Tribal members with current permits will be allowed to sell using the food vendor's area with a current food handler's certificate. For further information, contact the Economic Development Administration office.
Funeral Services: All funerals will remain at the adjusted times we have been following until further notice. Amenities will be provided at the request of the family.
Tribal Operations: Some Tribal departments will continue to operate with the essential workers currently working until further notice.
Community Events: Attendance is voluntary for all events. Appropriate safety measure for each particular event will be followed.
The Quechan Tribal Council commends and thanks our membership, community and Tribal employees on doing their part in reducing the positive COVID-19 cases to protect our families, elders and children by getting vaccinated, wearing PPE and following all safety protocols issued by the CDC. We continuously commit to work on updating necessary protocol for business in order to maintain in operation as the crisis continues.
The Quechan Indian Tribe continues to highly encourage those who are eligible to get vaccinated and boosted. The COVID-19 vaccines are readily available at the Fort Yuma Indian Health Clinic and you can make an appointment by calling (760) 572-4711. Vaccination is the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
If you require assistance with Covid-19 needs or have requests for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), please contact Emergency Management Director, Jillian Attaway, at emergencyadminassist@quechantribe.com, or (928-587-5524).
BE SMART, STAY SAFE, PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY
Thank you,
Quechan Tribal Council
Emergency Management Team
Although statewide indoor mask mandates have been removed, masks are still:
1) One of the best ways to protect ourselves from the spread of all coronavirus variants;
2) Strongly recommended to be worn in all indoor public settings by the CDC, NMDOH and many tribal governments; and
3) N95, KN95, and surgical masks are preferred.
Many tribal lands and buildings are still enforcing mask mandates and restrictions, please adhere to local rulings.
Masks are still effective in protecting you and others against the spread of COVID-19. Refer to your local officials for guidelines in your area.
In January 2020, the Legislative Committee decided to focus on recommending revisions to the Tribe’s Election Ordinance QT-3-74, intending to present the proposed revisions to the Tribal Council, followed by a period of Tribal community consultation prior to formal action by the Tribal Council. On 09/10/2020, the Legislative Committee shared its recommendations for proposed revisions with the Tribal Council. With the December 2020 Tribal Election less than three months away, the Tribal Council decided to postpone review and discussion of the proposed revisions so close to the election. On 04/01/2021, the Legislative Committee resubmitted its recommendations to the Tribal Council for its review. In May 2021, the Tribal Council expressed its desire that the Legislative Committee meet with the Election Board to obtain the Board’s review of the Committee’s recommendations. On 07/26/2021, the Legislative Committee met with the Election Board and obtained its feedback regarding the Committee’s recommended revisions. The Legislative Committee summarized the feedback it received from the Election Board and shared it with the Election Board Judge for accuracy. On 02/02/2022, the Legislative Committee shared its summary of the Election Board’s review with the Tribal Council and expressed its willingness to meet with the Tribal Council to discuss the recommendations. The Legislative Committee also requested that its recommendations be shared with the Tribal community for an opportunity to share its comments. On 02/18/2022, the Tribal Council expressed its support for posting the recommendations on the Tribe’s website. The Legislative Committee worked with Esteban Gomez, Records Retention/Website Specialist, to prepare the posting.
It's World Health Day - a great time to update your Covid protection with a free vaccine booster.
Everyone 12+ who is vaccinated should get one.
Getting your booster extends your protection and keeps you safer from severe COVID illness.
Make your appointment today by calling Ft. Yuma IHS at 760-572-4711.
Wednesday April 6, 2022 Thursday, April 7, 2022 - Open until 6:00 pm
To schedule an appointment call:760-572-4711or 800-862-4911 (toll-free)
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.
Who can get the SECOND BOOSTER dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine:
Adults 50 years of age and older
12 years and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised
18 years and older who received Janssen as a primary series and 1st booster.
MUST BE AT LEAST 4 MONTHS AFTER FIRST BOOSTER DOSE
Pfizer and Moderna vaccines available.
Fort Yuma Health Center, 401 E. Picacho Road, Winterhaven, CA 92283
Monday - Wednesday and Friday 8:00AM to 5:00PM Thursday 10:00AM to 5:00PM
To schedule an appointment call: 760-572-4711 or 800-862-4911 (toll-free)
Day 5 of Wildfire Awareness Week in the Southwest. One of the leading causes of wildfires in Arizona and California is a vehicle. Doing a walk-around, pre-trip check of your vehicle and keeping it well maintained can keep fires from starting along roadways and extending to the wild lands or adjacent communities. Parking above dry grass and brush, worn brakes sparking, as well as under inflated or flat tires resulting in rims creating sparks against the pavement, are just some of many of the common ways wildfires start along roadways.
Watch this video for more information on how to prevent wildfires.
We are at a very different place than we were a year ago with vaccines, tests, and treatments more available, and with more knowledge about how to keep ourselves and our communities safe.
But the virus is still with us, and there are still people ineligible for vaccination—specifically, children under 5 years old.
It can be a frustrating time for parents of kids in this age group as they wait to find out if COVID-19 vaccines will be made available to them. But, we have tips for how to keep kids happy and healthy in the meantime.
Day 4 and halfway through our Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week! Today’s goal is to make sure we fully extinguish our fire receptacles.
Make it your goal to extinguish hot coals. If your campfire, fire pit, or bbq is too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave. Drown, stir, and repeat until it’s cold.
https://wildlandfire.az.gov/wildfire-prevention
Day 3 of the Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week is all about debris burning-
Don’t start the spark that destroys your home & community. Always check the weather & local restrictions before burning waste & debris on your property. Be prepared and plan ahead. If you light it you must be prepared to extinguish it properly, and you must be present the entire time you are burning. Learn more at https://azdeq.gov/OpenBurn
Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized a second booster dose for those ages 50 and older. They also authorized a second booster for those 12 and older who have weakened immune systems.
Day two of our Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week shows us ways we can reduce fire risk around our homes and property-
Consider the little things that help protect your home from wildfire. Here are 7 ways to reduce your wildfire risk in just one day! Plan a project today. https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Wildfire-safety-tips
Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week kicks off this week. Monday’s Topic is How to Prepare your Home for Wildfire Season.
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2022 at the Paradise Events Center from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Due to the restrictions on the capacity for in-person events, as outlined in the current "Stay At Home" order, the Quechan Membership Meeting has been moved from the Quechan Tribal Chambers to the Paradise Events Center in order to accommodate more of the Quechan membership.
This meeting is only open to enrolled Quechan Tribal members.
All COVJD-19 safety protocols will be enforced. Seating will be limited on a first come, first served basis.
Meeting Topics:
- QUECHAN TRIBAL Financial Update
- CASINO Financial Update
If you are unable to attend, you can pick up a copy of the Financial Update information packets from the Tribal Administration office on Monday, March 28, 2022.
Visiting the desert southwest can be a beautiful and wonderful experience. But some dangers may be lurking. The western diamondback rattlesnake is one of the creatures visitors should be on the lookout for.
"The most important thing to do is to avoid the rattlesnake."
Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines:
- Helps protect you from severe illness and death from all known variants, including Omicron
- Lowers your risk of infection
- Slows the spread of COVID-19
- Helps slow the emergence of new variants
Travel increases the chances of getting and spreading Covid19, so it’s essential to get vaccinated, boosted, and wear a well-fitting mask with good filtration in high-risk settings to protect you and your family
Learn more about how to Travel Covid Safe: https://bit.ly/CDCtravel