Chairwoman Amelia Flores: Advancing Irrigation and Infrastructure for the Colorado River Indian Tribes
CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores (left) and Councilmember Bobby Page (right) meet with Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman (center) at the Colorado River Water Users Association’s 2019 conference.
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melia Flores is the newly elected chairwoman of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT), whose reservation stretches along the border of Arizona and California. In this interview, Chairwoman Flores tells us about her responsibilities as chairwoman, CRIT ’s irrigation infrastructure, and its recent proposal for federal legislation to allow it to lease its Colorado River water off its reservation. Irrigation Leader: Please tell us about your background and how you came to be in your current position.
8 | IRRIGATION LEADER | May 2021
Amelia Flores: My responsibility is to oversee all aspects of our tribal government. I chair our council meetings. I am also responsible for addressing issues like health and education. Health, of course, includes issues associated with the pandemic, such as getting vaccines and tests. As for education, I just had a meeting with the University of Arizona and tribal members who need financial help getting their higher education. I shoulder a lot of responsibility, and I couldn’t have gotten here without the support of my family, my supporters, and the tribal membership that voted for me. One of my pledges is to work as a team, and we have been working as a team on water issues. Irrigation Leader: Please tell us about the history of CRIT. Amelia Flores: CRIT was established in 1865, when President Abraham Lincoln set aside our reservation land. irrigationleadermagazine.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CRIT.
Amelia Flores: I served on the CRIT Tribal Council for the past 8 years as a council member and as secretary for three 2‑year terms. I was also our library archivist and director for 29 years. I have a bachelor of science in early education and a master’s degree in linguistics. I have lived on the reservation all my life and have worked in a service capacity to serve my people and community.
Irrigation Leader: What are your responsibilities as chairwoman of CRIT?
