Rep. Raúl Grijalva talks during the first-ever candidate forum hosted by Indivisible Tohono in Sells, Arizona, on the Tohono O’odham Nation on June 29, 2018. Photo Courtesy of Indivisible Tohono
Tribal nations and leaders throughout Arizona honored U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who died Thursday, as a warrior for Indigenous communities and commended his continuous efforts to support Indigenous people’s fights to protect the environment, water and natural resources.
“It was well known that Congressman Grijalva was a champion of tribal nations and worked to ensure that tribal communities had a voice in Congress to speak to important policy issues,” Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community President Martin Harvier said in a statement.
Harvier said that, as the longest serving member of the Arizona congressional delegation, Grijalva was keenly aware of issues impacting tribal communities within his district and across the state.
“In this time of need, we acknowledge the sacrifice he and his family gave in service to the country and we send our deepest condolences and prayers,” he added.
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Grijalva passed away at 77 from complications related to lung cancer treatments, his office announced on Thursday. He revealed his cancer diagnosis last April and expressed his intention to pursue an aggressive treatment regimen.
“I called him Tío Raúl,” Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly said. Although unrelated to the congressmen, she said she used the Spanish term for “uncle” to show respect and affection for someone she deeply admired.
Cázares-Kelly first met Grijalva on the Tohono O’odham Nation during his numerous visits to the Tohono O’odham Community College, where she was employed.
“Despite his powerful title, he was incredibly friendly and intentionally sought out conversations with everyday people,” she said, adding that he made people feel important and inspired them to think bigger.
Cázares-Kelly said the congressmen advocated for several important issues dear to her, including tribal colleges, environmental concerns and voting rights.
When she was elected Pima County recorder, she said Grijalva continued to encourage her and emphasized the importance of standing her ground, especially in the face of white supremacy.
“I am honored to have personally known him and spent time learning from him,” she added. “He will be greatly missed.”
Grijalva, of Tucson, spent more than 50 years in public service representing the people of southern Arizona, including more than 20 years in Congress.
He represented Arizona’s 7th District, which includes the Tohono O’odham Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, the Ak-Chin Indian Community, the Gila River Indian Community, the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe and the Cocopah Tribe.
Indivisible Tohono co-founder April Ignacio said they are devastated by the loss of Grijalva. She said the group was “the pebble in his shoe” when they began, but he was always gracious.
“He made space for us,” Ignacio said, even though their organization first met Grijalva when they “crashed” one of his town hall meetings in Tucson in 2017.
She said that Grijalva told the crowd that night that no one gets a pass and they need to hold all elected officials accountable. Ignacio said Indivisible Tohono went to that town hall to hold him accountable and he still took the time to take a picture with them.
“He was tough on us, but we know he believed in the heartwork we found ourselves in,” Ignacio said, adding that the best advice he gave them was to “stick to your guns.”
“Indivisible Tohono wishes to extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, children and grandchildren, his staff and all those who knew him as we did,” she added.
With a passion for his community and the planet, Grijalva served as the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and he was a long-time member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
As a congressman, Grijalva routinely included Indigenous communities in his legislative efforts, from infrastructure developments and road maintenance to environmental protection and health care access.
“We have an atrocious history of injustice towards the Indigenous people of this land that goes against the very values of our country and that we must constantly work to rectify,” his website states.
Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez shared a statement on his Facebook page honoring the congressmen, stating that he and his staff were essential partners during his administration.
Nez said that Grijalva helped the Navajo Nation secure the funding and resources needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and protect public lands near the Grand Canyon.
“Grijalva was always a strong ally to the Navajo Nation and Indian Country,” Nez said. “He served as a true public servant for the people of his district and of Arizona.”
Nez said that his legacy will live on through the impacts of his public service and the countless people he touched along the way.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren released a statement on his Facebook page in honor of Grijalva, saying that no words can express his deep gratitude for the congressmen’s tireless efforts on behalf of the tribal communities across Arizona.
“He was a champion who answered the call of those who had often been overlooked and unheard,” Nygren said. “In a world where such calls can be easy to ignore, Rep. Grijalva was always there to lift those voices.”
Nygren said that Grijalva’s work was instrumental in protecting sacred lands, including the Grand Canyon, and his commitment as a co-sponsored for the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, which will secure water for the Navajo Nation.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, and I pray that the holy people provide them with comfort during this difficult time,” he said.
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