Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Holds Tribal Leader Roundtable at Gila River Indian Community

Press Release

Communications & Public Affairs Office

Sacaton, Arizona. – On March 5, Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited the Gila River Indian Community to discuss transportation and infrastructure projects with tribal leadership from the Community. The Roundtable was also attended by leadership from the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and the Tohono O’odham Nation.

The event was held at the Huhugam Heritage Center, where Secretary Buttigieg was greeted with a cultural performance by Keli Akimel Hua Modk Cudkdam (Gila River Basket Dancers).

Following the performance, Gov. Lewis and Lt. Gov. Regina Antone provided a brief tour of the cultural items displayed at the Heritage Center and described the importance of the items in reflecting the history and culture of the Community.

Secretary Buttigieg then held a tribal leader roundtable to hear from tribal leaders about the transportation and infrastructure needs within their tribal communities and the need for continued resources and engagement with the federal government.

Gov. Lewis highlighted Secretary Buttigieg’s commitment to visiting and hearing from Indian Country and prioritizing access for tribal governments into programs that were previously difficult for tribes to access.

Gov. Lewis mentioned the recent grant award of $95 million to widen a stretch of the I-10 that is located entirely within the GRIC and stated this project will improve safety conditions, access and reliability of this stretch of the I-10 for Community members and others who travel through the Community.

In addition to Gov. Lewis and Lt. Gov. Regina Antone, members of Community Council also attended the roundtable including Joseph Manuel, Jr. (District 3); Nada Celaya (District 4); Lalena Jackson (District 4).

In keeping with the theme of O’otham Unity announced at the 2024 Inauguration of Gov. Lewis and Lt. Gov. Regina Antone, Chairman Robert Miguel from Ak-Chin Indian Community; Chairman Verlon Jose and Vice-Chairwoman Carla Johnson from the Tohono O’odham Nation; and Councilman Michael Dallas and Jacob Butler from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community joined the roundtable and highlighted the transportation needs within their tribal communities.

In reflecting on the roundtable, Gov. Lewis stated, “It is important that we come together as O’otham and Pee-Posh leaders to discuss our common areas of interest and priorities. While our priorities may differ slightly, what we have in common is a desire to improve the infrastructure on our homelands and to be part of the solution to the complex web of transportation systems that have grown up around, and through our Reservations.”

Following the roundtable, Gov. Lewis commented that in addition to work starting on the Gila River Bridge on April 8th, he looks forward to working with Community Council to identify the next major road improvement projects needed on the Reservation in order to seek state, federal and local funding as set out in the 100-day plan at the start of the Lewis-Antone Administration.