GRIN Newsperson signs off

August 4, 2017

Mikhail Sundust

Gila River Indian News

Dear Reader,

Working for the Gila River Indian News has been a blessing and a privilege. In the five years that I have served as a GRIN reporter, I have been fortunate to experience the beauty of our land and cultures, both Akimel O’otham and Pee Posh.

This Community has shaped me and helped me grow into the person I am today. It has shown me who I am and where I come from. There are many interesting aspects to the job we do as reporters, but for me, the most rewarding part has been meeting and building relationships with you, the people. I will miss telling your stories. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.

Many of my favorite memories are tied to this land and the people who have made it vibrant. I look back fondly on annual events like the Mul-Chu-Tha, the Mustering-In Day Celebration, the O’otham New Year, and the Winter Bird Count. I can’t help but smile at the memory of all of the wonderful community events hosted at the Huhugam Heritage Center.

I will miss driving through our beautiful, lush valley, from Blackwater to Maricopa Village. I will miss seeing the river every day as I cross it on the I-10, especially when it is filled with water from a heavy rain.

I leave the GRIN full of pride in my Community and gratitude for the friendships I have gained. From here I will go on to pursue graduate studies at Arizona State University in Downtown Phoenix. I will miss the Community, but I won’t be far and expect to visit regularly.

Working here has shown me the heart of a community, and I always felt welcomed.

Collectively, we share an identity, one inherent in our land, our languages, our water, and the stories of our ancestors. As I say farewell, know that I will take a part of the Community with me in my heart everywhere I go.

Thank you and God bless,

Mikhail Sundust