Community Council Members Sworn Into Office After May 4th Election

Emma Hughes

Gila River Indian News

Newly elected and re-elected Council Representatives from the May 4 Gila River Indian Community Council Election took their oath of office on June 2, 2021. The Council Representatives were accompanied by family members as they were sworn in by Judge Anthony Hill at the Governance Center in Sacaton during a virtual monthly Community Council meeting.

Arzie Hogg of District 1 has been re-elected to serve on Community Council. The Councilman currently sits on the Government and Management, Health and Social, Legislative and Education standing committees and serves on eight additional GRIC boards and committees. 

“My objectives have always been advocating and securing for the needs of our members of the village and the Community as a whole,” Councilman Hogg wrote in the Community Council Election Guide to describe his experience and goals as a member of Council. He added, “I will continue to advocate for the best interest of the members of our village and the Gila River Indian Community to the best of my abilities.”

Newly elected Council Representative Wahlean Riggs of District 5, took the oath of office accompanied by her mother, Brenda Robertson, who herself etched out a career in politics, serving on Community Council for over 20 years. 

Riggs, a mother of three and a grandmother of one, said in the Community Election Guide that she will “be the people’s communication channel to bring their concerns and voice to the table of the Community and to inform my District of the progress or roadblocks to their vision. I am also able to understand the Akimel O’odham Neok language so that every voice is heard. This open and fluid communication is about working with everyone because we all have a stake and responsibility in our Community.” 

Anthony Villareal, Sr., from District 6, also was re-elected to serve another term. In the Community Election Guide, Villareal described his “vision for a better tomorrow for our community.”  He went to say, “This vision comes from talking with our elders, those who have wisdom and can guide us and advise us as we move forward to making our district a better community. The vision comes from talking with fellow members of our community and talking with our youth. Finally, the vision comes from having a genuine care and concern for every tribal member.”

Christopher Mendoza, who previously served on Community Council, will return as a representative for District 4. “I have come to [this] decision to help move our Community forward with innovative ideas and principles learned through my experience in tribal government,” said Mendoza in a letter announcing his candidacy and published in the Community Election Guide. “I welcome the opportunity to continue building a greater tomorrow for the Gila River Indian Community.”