VICE PRESIDENT PAUL RUSSELL SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT OF THE ITCA
By Harrison J. Bahe
On January 15th, 2025, tribal dignitaries from 22 federally recognized tribes in Arizona gathered in the Phoenix Ballroom in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Downtown Phoenix for a breakfast banquet to honor Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and induct Paul Russell as President of the ITCA. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona was established in 1952 to provide a united voice for tribal governments located in the State of Arizona to address common issues of concerns. On July 9, 1975, the council established a private, non-profit corporation, Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA), under the laws of the State of Arizona to promote Indian self-reliance through public policy development. ITCA provides an independent capacity to obtain, analyze and disseminate information vital to Indian community self-development.
The swearing in of Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s own Paul Russell as President of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona occurred during the event. The members of ITCA are the highest elected tribal officials: tribal chairpersons, presidents and governors. These representatives are in the best position to have a comprehensive view of the conditions and needs of the Indian communities they represent. As a group, the tribal leaders represent governments that have a shared historical experience. Consequently, the tribes have a common governmental status as well as similar relationships with federal and state governments. Vice President Paul Russell, we wish you well on your journey and may you be a strong and dedicated leader in the years to come.
The breakfast was a prelude to the 30th Annual Indian Nations & Tribes Legislative Day which took place at the State Capitol later that day. Representatives from each tribe festively dined on buffet style offerings which ranged from fruits, yogurt, granola, eggs, potatoes, and bacon. Afterwards, as everyone finished eating, the presentations began as speakers from various tribes gave impassioned speeches about the trials and tribulations of their respective tribal governments and their people. Most in note shared their tribe’s contributions to the expansion of Interstate 10 which was constructed through portions of their own reservations.
Arizona Governor, Katie Hobbs, was the keynote speaker of the event and was met with thunderous applause from those in attendance. Her extended speech went over the importance of maintaining constant and vigilant relations between local and state governments with the federally recognized Tribes of Arizona. Governor Hobbs also revealed multiple pledges of funding to many organizations such as fire and police departments, pledging money to organization Missing Murdered Indigenous Women, and providing funds to colleges located on tribal land. Another topic of discussion was battling the cruel and parasitic actions of fraudulent Sober Living Homes which were recently reported to have scammed many people in recovery. Governor Hobbs also shared a victorious number of removing over 8 million Fentanyl pills off the streets of Arizona, pills that could have reached the hands of young people. She continued to expand on her directives to combat the drug abuse issue which has overtaken Arizona. The finale of her speech was met with uproarious applause and garnered her a standing ovation.
