TRW’s Newest Addition to the Team spotlight

Velia Moncada

Gila River Indian News

GRIC member Sonja Luevano, District 1, is the newest addition to Gila River Indian Community’s Tribal Recreation and Wellness (TRW) program, as the Recreation Manager. Luevano was brought onto the team in November 2023, and has been making significant changes to the way wellness is perceived and available to the Community.

“I am incredibly excited to bring my experience with tribal government and recreation services together to build incredible and invaluable programs for the Gila River Indian Community through the Tribal Recreation and Wellness program,” said Luevano in her bio statement for TRW.

Luevano has a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Social Justice and Organization Management. Utilizing her degree in areas of Human Resources for the Community’s Human Resources Department, Benefits Administration, and Prosecutor’s Office concluding a total of 13 years with GRIC.

Luevano’s goal for the Tribal Recreation and Wellness team is to increase Community member engagement with the TRW program. As she recognizes its importance to maintain a healthy lifestyle and allowing for families to build connections around physical fitness. She plans to achieve this goal by creating more tribal youth sports teams throughout the Community. 

Another project she is hoping to include for the TRW staff and Community is creating a Community Activities annual book; Where the book will include information regarding occurring and future events.

“I want Community members to understand that if there is an event happening in District 1, and you’re from District 5 and you want to attend, you can! That activity is not just only reserved to Community Members in District 1, it’s open for all,” said Luevano as she wants to encourage all Community members to participate in any TRW program regardless of what district they come from or reside in.

A fun fact about Ms. Luevano is that she is also the owner of Revolution Sports Center (RSC) in Casa Grande. RSC offers competitive all-star cheer, gymnastics/tumbling classes, toddler classes, mommy and me classes and many more. Her RSC program operates multiple franchise youth sports leagues, including NFL flag football, Jr. NBA Basketball, and Major League Soccer Go (MLS Go).

If you want to get to know Ms. Luevano or have questions regarding TRW programs, please contact wellness.center@gric.nsn.us or call (520) 562-6087.