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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Announcements 1-8 San Xavier Co-Op 9-10 San Xavier Mission News 11 Wa:k Spirit 12-17

HIGHLIGHTS Horsehair Basket Weaving Front page In Memory of...Page 4 Tohono O’odham Rodeo Queen Program Page 7 O’odham Farmers Market Page 8 Winter Fun Classes Page 13 After School Program Page 14

December ~ Ge’e S-he:pjig Masad / BIG COLD MOON The month of the big cold.

CURRENT JOB OPENINGS

Director of Economic Development

Grant Writer/Manager

Executive Secretary

Home Health Tech

Cultural Group Facilitator

Ranger

Tradesman Assistant

Transporter

Council Secretary I

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Ranger News

Hello Wa:k Community, Curbside Service:

Do you need trash service?

Tohono O’odham Solid Waste provides curbside service for $18.00 every three months.

If you are interested please contact the Ranger Department. We will provide you with the application.

Please do your part to keep the community clean. Community: The Covid virus continues to spread please do the following in order to be safe:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Maintain at least six feet distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.

• Wear a mask.

• Avoid touching your face.

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

• Stay home if you feel unwell.

• Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.

• Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people. Keep your family safe.

Ground Water: Last month the Rangers received a call of possible groundwater contamination located in the area of Tadai Wo:g at a monitor site. It appeared someone in the area had been dumping dog feces into the area where the ground water is monitored. Here is the definition: Groundwater contamination occurs when man-made products such as gasoline, oil, road salts and chemicals get into the groundwater and cause it to become unsafe and unfit for human use. Materials from the land's surface can move through the soil and end up in the groundwater. There are a lot of things that are dumped on the ground which could possibility contaminate our ground water. Important Telephone numbers: Emergency 911 Tohono O’odham Police 383-3275 or 383-3276 T.O.N Animal Control 383-6482 Ranger Department 807-8499 S X Ranger cellphone 471-8092 Ranger Supervisor 807-8484

Stats for October 2021 Community Assist - 1 Trespassing - 1 Illegal Dumping - 10 Animal Control - 6 Suspicious Activity - 1 Property Damage - 1 Assist Other Agency - 2 Special Detail - 1 Public Assist - 2 REMINDER: Reminder to report any suspicious persons, activity or vehicles to the police department. Thank you for doing your part in keeping our Community safe. The staff sends their prayers and thoughts to all the families who have lost a loved one in the past month, May the Creator be with you during this time.

Greetings Wa:k Community Elders, I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the weather! We are in the winter months, yet we still can enjoy the warm weather. We are still in the Covid-19 Pandemic, so we all need to be vigilant in keeping ourselves safe. Please continue to wear masks and sanitize your hands. The Senior Services Department continues to serve our Elders by providing Meals, Home Health Visits, Medication Pickup/Delivery, and Transportation. If you have a medical appointment that will require transport by Senior Services please schedule those appointments no later than 2:00 p.m.; this gives staff the allotted time to return to the office by 5:00 p.m. Senior Service staff have been transporting clients who are making appointments late afternoons after 2:00pm. Our staff are not making it back to our office on time especially with appointments within the city limits, we are only allowed to work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. so all staff need to clock out at 5 p.m. Senior Services will not transport clients who are experiencing Covid-19 or cold symptoms (runny nose, con-gestion, sore throat, coughing, head ache, diarrhea, or fever) also if you have family members who are experiencing Covid-19 or cold symptoms we cannot provide services. This is a precaution so that our staff do not spread Covid-19, Flu, or colds to other Elders. The holidays are approaching real fast. In January 2022 Senior Services Department will go back to delivering meals to homebound clients only. During the Pandemic we have delivered meals to homebound and congregate clients, we are having meals brought back to our office due to congregate clients out and about and not home while meals are being delivered or no one is answering the door. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at (520) 573-4064 or (520) 585-3241. Be Safe, Marian Joaquin Wa:k Senior Services Director

Wa:k Senior Services

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NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT REPORT The staff sends best wishes for a Blessed St. Francis Xavier Feast Days & a very Merry Christmas! We hope you and your families enjoy the upcoming holidays and have a safe & healthy New Year! GOAL 1 IMPLEMENTATION OF SAWRSA/AWSA: In November we held meetings with the Bureau of Reclamation to hear updates on funding for CAP water deliveries pursuant to these Acts; they also authorize funding from the Lower Colorado River Basin Development Fund for fixed operation & maintenance for CAP orders, and for construction of the Coop Farm extension. This funding comes from Arizona’s repayment of the Central Arizona Project. BOR also reported on the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) which entities including Tribes can create a surplus leaving water in Lake Mead to offset withdrawals which creates lowering of the lakes during these drought years. We also welcome Mr. Gordon Buchanan, Coop Farm Manager and look forward to working with him on the SAWRSA projects. CEMETERY WASH PROJECT: The purpose and need addresses flood prevention and the goal is to identify alternatives to reduce flooding and erosion damages to community homesites, commercial, agricultural areas and roads to protect public health and safety. The consultants JE Fuller have been gathering historic data on the District’s watershed and identifying the main areas of concern. Once this process is complete the next steps will be consultation, coordination, and public participation. This includes mailouts and meetings to gather input as the planning process continues. MONITORS: Monitors were assigned to the following projects: Western Power Administration replaced the cross arms for their “H” frame pole structure. Transcon Environ-mental transplanted 130 cacti for the 4 New Home Site Project on Go:k Ka:wulk Wo:g. The United States Forest Service conducted a vegetation survey on Allotment #81. Tucson Electric Power conducted a topographic survey for Pole #91. El Paso Natural Gas set posts for fencing and made a concrete pad for the Cathodic Protection Station, and JE Fuller collected sediment samples for the Cemetery Wash Project. (continued)

Vulnerability/Resiliency Assessment Climate Adaptation Plan: The San Xavier District in collaboration with the UA will be working with District associations and community members to look at impacts from climate change as it relates to resource management and public health for the Wa:k community. Information on how to be involved in this will be provided in future mail outs and Community meetings. If this is something that interests you, please feel free to contact the Natural Resources office to learn more. Sally Pablo, Director Please call us if you have any questions or would like more information: Sally Pablo-520-573-4052, David Tenario- 520-573-4056, Cie’na Schlaefli-520-573-4054, or Geena Johnson-520-573-4055.

Hello District Community. Happy holiday season. With cooler temperatures in the evenings means that we will be switching from running the AC to the furnace. We still need to change out those air filters frequently. Air filters need to be changed out every 2-4 weeks. Along with keeping your HVAC system working by changing your filter, you also want your plumbing system to operate smoothly. An important thing to remember is that grease and cleaning wipes will cause issues with your plumbing system. These two items are not meant to be discarded through your plumbing system. Grease will get cold as it is making its way through the plumbing ultimately settling and starting to cause a blockage. You want to pour used grease into can that you can throw in the trash can. Keep the plumbing system clean and free of material will go a long way and save you the headache of dealing with a blocked sewer line. As with grease you don’t want to discard wipes into the plumbing system as well. This is regardless of what the packaging says. “Toilet Friendly”, “Disposable” or “Dissolving” wipes will still cause a blockage in the plumbing system. This type of blockage generally requires extensive work to unclog and can be very costly.

As always, please feel free to contact your Housing Department should you have any questions related to concerns you may have with your home. For more information you may call The Housing Department at (520) 573-4044.

Benito Sanchez Housing Manager

Natural Resources

Housing

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Greetings from the COUNCIL DEPARTMENT

Hello Wa:k Community!

It has been a long few years since we have been battling the COVID-19 pandemic and our condolences go out to each and every one of you

and your families. We can and will get through this together! We, as O’odham will continue to

carry the strength for our fellow community members both past and present.

We are now ending another year in hopes everyone continues to keep our grandparents,

parents, children, and grandchildren safe by masking up and practicing social distancing!

The Council department has resumed to

in-person meetings, including all council, community, and committee meetings and staff are back in the office full-time.

Please visit bulletin boards around the

community for upcoming meeting agendas or you may contact Council Secretary, Crystal

Antone by email at cantone@waknet.org or by phone at: (520) 573-4028 for more information.

Committee Vacancies

If you are interested in joining one of the five recommending

committees.

Letters of interests are always welcome.

Current vacancies:

• Finance Committee – 1 • Cultural & Natural

Resources Committee – 1

Financial Assistance Available

Must submit the following

for application process:

Letter of request

Bill / statement or quote

Family tree

Tribal ID

GWL

Financial assistance guidelines

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Kirby A. Martinez Celestine F. Pablo

Yvonne M. Lopez Patricio A. Rios

Ella Begay Thomas L. Begay

Donald Preston Casey C. Lopez

Dennis Ramon Robert D. Maldonado

Loretta Encinas-Ortega Viola Hunter

Leo F. Jose Anthony Big Man Sweezy

Michael B. Ortiz Carmella P. Ignacio

Ivalee Munguia Matthew Garcia

Caroline Ignacio Brian Ortiz

Mark Juan Noriega David M. Pablo

Santos Thomas Aloysius Encinas

Klinith D. Mendoza Hilarion Campus

Daryl Johnson Carolyn M. Lopez

Lenora Antone Delena Encinas-DeLaRosa

Gilbert Vilson Robert Tenario, Jr.

Calvin Thomas Evangeline F. Ramon

Alfred Numkena

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O’odham Ap’edag Ki:/People Wellness House

Happy December Everyone! I hope you are all doing well and looking forward to a safe Christmas celebration with your families. Currently, the PWH is only providing individual sessions and as mentioned in our last Wa:k Newsletter we hope to start the groups sessions soon. We did deliver 40 Halloween bags with assorted candy, Halloween make-up and glow sticks to all our youth groups--grades Kindergarten to high school. I hope they enjoyed their goodies. We, the PWH Staff would like to share some of our Experience, Strength & Hope. I hope you enjoy these articles and if you have any questions about the PWH Program, the articles or would like to share any of your Experience, Strength & Hope, you are more than welcome to call us or stop by the People Wellness House. Masks are required. Respectfully, Marcine A. Lopez, Program Administrator 520.807.8664/520.850.2194 Lauri Jose, Clinical Therapist 520.807.8661 Jim Funmaker, Cultural Group Facilitator 520.807.8663

Respectfully sharing my Experience, Strength and Hope on “Family Is Sacred”. What do you think “Family is Sacred” means? My first thoughts are, does my family know I love them? Do they know they are my Blessings? Do they know that they make my “Heaven on Earth”? Before I continue, I want to acknowledge that families have disagreements, family members get mad at each other, or families taking sides because of arguments. Sometimes we give these negative behaviors more power than we need to. So, today I give the power to my foundation, my Creator, or what you choose as your Spiritual belief is your foundation to stand strong in your Journey of Life. In our language there is no word for “love”, but when my Hu’uli would look at me, she didn’t have to say anything. I knew she loved me. I realized this as I got older. Another important awareness I learned later in life were the behaviors my Hu’uli expressed to me in her own way, “Family is Sacred”. One of my first memories was of when I went to her house, she would start cooking and warming things up to feed me and then when I was leaving, she would give me more food to take home. I would often go with my Hu’uli to visit other Elders and they would do the same too. I believe that was a way of being Sacred, by taking care of the family. I also remember when she would comb my hair, she was so gentle and when there was a tangle, she would sit there and untangle it one hair at a time, sometimes I would fall asleep because it took a while. My Hu’uli didn’t want to hurt me, this was her love for me, in which she showed “Family is Sacred”. And finally, when I was in the Army, and I was at the airport leaving for Germany. we were saying our goodbyes and of course, we cried. But when my Hu’uli came up to hug me to say her goodbyes she started crying. I will never forget that moment, it was like there was a pause with the family and then everyone started crying, cause to see my Hu’uli sad broke all our hearts. This I believe is the Sacredness, the Spiritual connection with my family and to my Hu’uli. In sharing these precious moments, my Hu’uli showed me respect, honor, blessings, her love, her heart. I hope you will see how my Hu’uli’s behaviors expressed “Family is Sacred”. What moments in your life make your “Family Sacred? And most importantly, maybe share them with your family at Christmas time. I tell my grandkids stories about my Hu’uli and they love it. I believe there comes a time when Creator walks with us in our Journey, there are moments we see, and most important-ly, we FEEL how our “Family is Sacred”. Blessings, Marcine A. Lopez

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The Holidays and Your Family

During the Holidays many people speak about “spending time with Family”, but for some of us we don’t have a family. Some of us may not associate with our family due to unhealthy behaviors that we choose not to be around. Others may not have family due to death or illness. But there are other ways to define family. The people we are biologically related to are also known as our Family of Origin and can be made up in different ways. In today’s world we live in different times than in the past. No longer do we consider a family only made up of a stay at-home mother, a father and children. Today there are many types of families that are made up of parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and children. We are biologically made from a male and a female, sometimes were lucky enough to call these people mom and dad, or what is called a Nuclear Family. Some of us were raised in a different kind of family, maybe due to death, divorce or separation and were raised by one parent or in a Single Parent Family. Still some of us were raised in a Step or Blended Family when one of our parents remarried another person who did or did not have their own children. Others of us were raised by our grandparents or in a Grandparent Family or Grandfamily. Another family we could have been raised in is an Extended Family this is where we’re raised by two or more adults who are related either by marriage or blood and together they share household and childcare duties. Extended families can be made up of aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and siblings. All of the above family systems can be referred to as our Family of Origin. We have very little control over who is in our Family of Origin, but as family we have expecta-tions that we owe each other loyalty, protection and support, especially where children are concerned. This expectation is not always met and people may neglect or abuse those to whom they are related by birth, including their own children. In some instances this leads us to be raised in an Adopted Family with non-relatives, where we may have little or no contact with other relatives. Whichever family you were raised in you learned many behaviors from them. You learned how to get along with the cool aunt or uncle and you also learned how to stay out of the way of the mean and bossy grandparent. Our family taught us skills on how to deal with life. As we grow older we learn first through friends and then through partners there are other skills for living that other families use. Some of these skills may be different or the same. Some may work better than the skills you’ve learned. At some point in all our lives we may make a decision to change or modify some of our old skills. We may take on new skills that work better for us and we may have to let go of skills that no longer work for us. We must also consider letting go of skills that hurt us or keep us stuck. As adults we have the opportunity to choose or create another type of family. We can create a Family of Choice. This happens when we associate ourselves with people we have things in common with like school, work, church, or sports. These families usually bring joy, encouragement and support. A sense of community. If the Family of Choice no longer meets our needs or becomes unhealthy or hurtful we can leave and create a new one. We can participate in both our Family of Origin and our Family of Choice, taking in the good and letting go of the bad. During the Holidays it is a time to notice those around us and redefine what family is made of. STAY SAFE & GET VACCINATED

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San Xavier Co-op Farm would like to extend our gratitude to Sells District and their employees who partnered with us for this Community Squash Giveaway. It was a great impact, and we are very happy with the outcome of participations who to take part :

San Xavier District, San Xavier Senior Services, Pasqua Yaqui Senior Services and Educational Center, Tucson Indian Center and Sells District Community and Districts.

San Xavier Co-op Farm

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San Xavier Mission Nov. 28: Advent begins. Let us prepare our hearts as we prepare our homes for the Celebration of the Nativity of Christ! Dec. 3: Happy St. Francis Xavier Feast day! Dec. 7: Baptism Class Dec. 11: Baptisms Next openings in February. Plan ahead. 294-4639

We wish you all a very healthy and

happy Christmas!

Funny People

People are funny. We pray for rain and for a good monsoon season and, wow! God heard and answered in a big way. But some people complain, “oh the mosquitoes.” I say don’t complain. Be thankful for the beautiful rain and growth. Things are happening as Fall gives way to Winter. More visitors are coming to the Church and positive Covid case rates still threaten. We may be safe enough to use our Church for more than daily Masses, but I am still being cautious. The Mass for the Feast of San Xavier is planned for the front of the church. We will see about Christmas and I will keep everyone posted. We are looking for someone to help with our webpage and the filming of the Sunday Mass (usually filmed on Thursday). I am hoping a community member with internet and some social media skills can join our staff in a part-time capacity. Call the office if you are interested or if you know of someone who might need an invitation! For those who have internet access and are interested in seeing a video produced by the Knights of Columbus, check out their website under “Enduring Faith.” It is an hour-long treatment of Catholic Evangelization of Native People and touches on some important topics such as boarding schools and the Doctrine of Discovery. Some tribal members from San Xavier are featured. (See “kofc.org” then type “Enduring Faith” in the search box in the upper right area of the home page and you’ll find it in the results.) Lastly, Pope Francis and Rome is asking for parishes, religious orders and all interested people to engage in action-plans to bring balance back to our planet. Specifi-cally, the document “Laudato Si” is the basis for activities and a shift in consciousness that awaken us to the needs of our environment. Laudato Si is a letter written by Pope Francis in 2015. In section 146 he states, “…it is essential to show special care for indigenous communities and their cultural traditions…For them, land is not a commodity but rather a gift from God and from their ancestors who rest there.” The document is seen as Pope Francis’ most important letter to date. It is my hope to follow the example of the SXM District administration and bring solar energy to the parish. Don’t worry, no panels will be visible from the front but we will be using ‘planet friendly energy’ and not relying on coal or other carbon based fuel. More infor-mation about a “Laudato Si Action Plan” will be forthcom-ing! Yes, people are funny, but they are also fun. Life is better than Universal Studios or Disney’s Magic Kingdom. We are all truly Blessed. It is up to us to believe it!

Stay safe and faith-filled, Fr. Bill

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S-keg Tas Wa:k Community and friends far and near. It is good to be writing to you again. It has been a long two months since I wrote anything to you. We were on phase 0 from August to October which meant we had to work from home and then we went to phase 2 which meant we could go back to work in the buildings. But in between those months I was out on sick leave, and I just now came back to work full time on Monday 11/15. It has been a great challenge for me, but with my prayers and prayers from others I’m doing okay. I’m not out of the woods yet, but I’m working on it. Well enough of me, we have a few things we would like to share with everyone. First, we hired a new Community Liaison, her name is Anna Butler. Anna is from the community of Wa:k. Since we have been back to work in the building we are in the process of having a few programs during Christmas break for 6 days. We are also in the process of having our afterschool program (K-6 graders) and our VOY program (6-12 graders). These programs will start in January 2022. Be on the lookout for the flyers and submit your application as soon as possible. We might have limited space for students due the pandemic but we are not sure at this time, we will keep you informed or you can call the Education Center for information. It has been a very long two years since we had students in the building except for our middle school program, but we were only allowed a few students. I really enjoyed working with those students back in July. Plus I miss the after school students as well. I know some of the students are now older and in different grades so I wish them good luck. For the ones still in grades K-6 we welcome you guys back to the education center. Please wear your mask, wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, and if you are feeling sick please stay home and take care of yourself. Before I end I would like to say a prayer for everyone. “Creator today I ask you to watch over my community, my relatives near and far, my friends near and far and my family that we may all have a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year.” Sapa Gloria Rios Community liaison

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GREETINGS FROM THE LIBRARY The library continues to take appointments for computer use. Call Gertie or Aliza at 807-8621. We continue to follow all safety guidelines and require masking up. HOLIDAY BLESSINGS, Gertrude Lopez – Learning Center Coordinator Aliza Osegueda – Learning Center Aide

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San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation 2018 W. San Xavier Road Tucson, AZ 85746 Phone: (520) 573-4000 Fax: (520) 573-4089

Wa:k Community, 2021 has come and gone in a blink of an eye. In the past two years, we have learned to adapt to the new way of living, due to the pandemic. Reading lips and seeing expressions are no longer valid while our faces are covered with masks. Shaking hands and giving hugs is deemed as dangerous. Having family over for meals and celebrations is no longer safe. We have learned to see each other virtually or not at all. COVID-19 has changed our lives, but one thing remains, our common goals: family, love, health, and peace. Please check on your loved ones and reach out to San Xavier District to see how we can help, if needed. May your holidays be filled with love and joy. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful and healthy 2022. Blessings to All, From The San Xavier Administration and Staff