Maria Dadgar, Executive Director of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA), will visit the University of Arizona on Tuesday, February 6 and will offer her insights about tribal efforts to improve the environment and water resources. She will begin her presentation with an overview of the ITCA, which was established in 1952 and provides a united voice for tribal governments located in the State of Arizona to address common issues of concerns. Arizona tribes take a strong interest in environmental quality and water policy and the ITCA leads numerous projects and provides technical expertise and guidance that build the capacity of tribal environmental programs, protect the environment, and safeguard human health. Ms. Dadgar will highlight ITCA’s projects and community actions addressing water and natural resources concerns. She will also discuss the Tribal Leaders Water Policy Council and how it works to develop collaborative water policy. 

Maria Dadgar is an enrolled member of the Piscataway Tribe of Accokeek, Maryland. She has worked in the fields of Higher Education, Non-Profit Executive Management, and Tribal Economic Development for more than 18 years. Throughout her career, Ms. Dadgar has been involved in advocating for public policies and legislation regarding Economic Development, Health Policy, and American Indian Education on behalf of tribal nations. Currently, Ms. Dadgar holds the position as Executive Director of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona which serves 21 member tribal nations by leveraging state and federal resources on their behalf. 

Photo (cropped): San Carlos Reservoir - Annelise Boyer