GRIC Leadership and Departments Travel for member Outreach

Emma Hughes

Gila River Indian News

Gila River Indian Community leaders and several departments traveled to the United American Indian Involvement Community Center (UAII), located in Downtown Los Angeles, as part of an outreach for GRIC members living in the area to provide information and services on March 2.

Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis, District 3 Council Representative Joseph Manuel Jr., Chief Judge Anthony Hill, and the GRIC departments—Enrollment, Per Capita Office, Tribal Education, Veteran & Family Services, Land Use Planning & Zoning, Tribal Social Services, and Tribal Elections Office—were present for the event.

“It’s these types of events we want to continue to foster and I hope that you take advantage of all the services here,” said Gov. Lewis.

UAII serves the Native population in the Southern California area, providing quality education, physical and behavioral health, and social services. Most tribal members they serve are from GRIC. 

Gov. Lewis lauded UAII for all its work and relationship with the Community, “Here we are maintaining that connection. They’ve brought their group out during UNITY, they’ve come out to support our inauguration, and this is a new chapter that we want to write here; we want to do it collaboratively, we want to come out again,” said Gov. Lewis.

In January, UAII leadership traveled to the Community to attend the Inauguration of Gov. Lewis and Lt. Gov. Regina Antone.

“I’m very interested and committed in providing the highest quality services we can to your members and so I am a committed partner,” said Charlene Harrison, CEO of UAII.

GRIC member Omerlene Thompson, District 6, has lived in the Los Angeles area for several years and serves as UAII’s Social Services Manager. She’s also played a significant role in fostering the partnership between UAII and the Community.

“She [Thompson] is someone who has a heart for the community, whether it is here or back home in her community,” said Hope Craig, UAII board chairperson.

“I want to thank everyone who came out, especially the departments,” said Thompson. “I’m glad I have this relationship with the governor and lieutenant governor; they support everybody coming out because it’s needed.”

“They’re [GRIC] very concerned for us in the urban communities because sometimes it’s not always easy being out here,” said GRIC member Antonia Osife, who grew up in L.A. County, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach. Her family is from District 5. Osife thanked the Community for all its assistance, especially in education and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The GRIC Enrollment department was able to provide services to 44 members. Those services included on-site tribal ID’s, address updates, new enrollment applications and providing any information needed.

Gov. Lewis thanked the GRIC members who attended the event and UAII for hosting the tribal leaders and departments.