The Gila River Indian News welcomes new Newsperson

November 17, 2017

Aaron J. Tohtsoni

Gila River Indian News

Dear Reader,

I am happy to introduce myself as the new Community Newsperson for the Gila River Indian News. My name is Aaron Tohtsoni and I am an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. My mother is Cindy Stevens and my grandparents were the late Jess Stevens, Sr. and Evelyn Pike Stevens.

I am extremely excited to be a part of the GRIN staff and learn more about the Akimel O’otham and Pee Posh.

A little about myself, I recently graduated from Arizona State University as an individualized major. I studied science, society and mass communications. I’ve spent the last five years writing for a newspaper in San Carlos called the Apache Messenger. I also have written for other Arizona newspapers including the Eastern Arizona Courier, the Sierra Vista Herald and the Douglas Dispatch. My niche has been covering high school sports in all corners of the state of Arizona. Nothing was more thrilling for myself as a sports reporter then covering the high school state playoffs, whether it was football, volleyball, baseball, softball, track and field or tennis. However, the experience of covering a state basketball championship game featuring a Native American community is nothing short of electrifying.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing tennis and practicing the art of bikram yoga. I also like to get involved with various charity organizations and hope to one day chair an event. My favorite past time is watching college sports and cheering on the goliaths that are the Alabama Crimson Tide football team, the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team and the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team. And if I am ever feeling sad, I will watch any Star Wars episode to cheer myself up. My second home is Las Vegas; quite often throughout the year I make the sojourn and play bingo with my best friend.

I cannot wait to meet Community members and learn more about the traditions and culture this job will allow me to get to know and for that I am extremely grateful and excited to be here. If you ever see me out and about, please say hello.

Sincerely,

Aaron J. Tohtsoni