Alex Cabillo, Hualapai Water Resources Department
I have presented at past Water Resources Research Center Conferences and in retrospect, the past conferences were heavy in western science presenters with a few tribes present and participatory. This year a large majority of the presenters were tribal members or non-Indian employees of tribes. A constant theme resonated from many of the presenters; that emphasized the precious importance of water, with a strong emphasis by many that water was a living entity, that needed respect, and that indigenous people have a personal spiritual relationship with water.
In the audience were many non-Indians representing western science, federal, state, county, and city governments, utilities, environmentalists, community advocacy groups, and private industry. As the conference progressed and presentations were made, I felt that there was a spiritual presence emanating from the non-Indian audience as the indigenous perspectives were shared and expressed regarding their spiritual personal relationship with water.
Reflecting on the conference, I heard from tribes their need for a water right to the Colorado River, that they are entitled to. I heard the audiences acknowledgment of tribes Federal Reserve Rights to water allocations of the Colorado River and the audiences concerns about their rights to access to water. The audience agreed that tribes were not fairly treated, but that was not the audiences fault, but people of the past. Tribes and the audience expressed their interest in looking at water allocations of tribes that are not fully utilized. Tribes and the audience expressed their concerns about Central Arizona Project (CAP) water as paper water, junior in right to main stem allocations, and the lack of infrastructure to utilize CAP water.
My take away message from this tribal members perspective is that I would express to all that the Hualapai Tribe has 108 miles of the Grand Canyon, to the middle of the Colorado River as our northern boundary. I would ask the assistance of all in attendance to assist us in securing a water right to the Colorado River. I would acknowledge the right of all people to have access to safe and clean drinking water and I will manage the surface and ground water resources of the Hualapai Tribe in a manner that is protective of down gradient water users. I see a potential for tribes to work together on ensuring that tribes without water rights could be assisted with tribes having senior main stem Colorado River allocations. Finally, I would ask everyone in attendance to once again have a personal spiritual respectful relationship with all of our water resources.