March 2016 Volume 25 issue 3 ce:dagi masad Green month
Announcements
Pages 1-4
Council
Pages 5-6
San Xavier Mission
Page 7
Wa:k Spirit
Pages 8-12
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Wa:k Pow Wow
Front Cover
Ranger News
Page 2
Traditional Staff
Renewal Ceremony
Page 3
Roadside Cleanup
Page 4
White Goods
Page 4
College Career Fair
Page 12
The deadline for April issue of the Wa:k Newsletter is Friday, March 11, 2016. Please submit your article to newsletter @waknet.org

Hello Wa:k Community!
Environmental:
The Ranger Department will be having a roadside cleanup on March 4 th . 2016 at 8 am to 12:00 pm. If you are interested in helping please meet at the community building prior to 8 am. Lunch will be provided.
Have you noticed the piles of trash in and around the cemetery? The dumpster that was there was removed in order to make room. Please after you have cleaned your loved one (s) grave take the trash with you and dispose of it properly. There have been efforts to get the area cleaned but people continue leave their trash behind.
Stats for the month of January 2016
Community Assist – 3, Public Assist – 3, Animal Control – 9,
Environmental – 3, Property Damage – 8, Suspicious activity/person/vehicle – 10.
Important Telephone numbers:
Emergency 911
Tohono O’Odham Police 622-1587, 879-8900
Ranger Department 807-8499
Ranger Supervisor 807-8484
Ranger cellphone 471-8092
Ranger Supervisor cell 349-1359
Up dating home address:
The Ranger Department is in the process of updating home address and who lives at the home. The information obtained will be strictly confidential and used only for official public safety matters and projects i.e. (community safety alert, emergency medical transport dispatch, health/safety check, dispatch communicator, allotments, etc.)
It is important to have a physical address posted on your house in case of an emergency and in order to get prompt services to you, should there ever be a call for assistance.
Geena Johnson with the Natural Resources will be the contact person, she can be reached at (520) 807-4055 or you may contact us at (520) 807-8499 please contact her or us. Thank you for your assistance.
Animal Control:
The Ranger Department will once again start setting up traps to trap any dog that are running at large, the dogs will be transported to Pima Animal Care Center. It will be your responsibility for any cost in order to get your dog returned.
“At large” means an animal is not physically restrained by a leash, within the owner’s residence, or enclosed in a humane manner temporarily within a vehicle, or in a cage or similar enclosure, or by a fence that guarantees the animal cannot escape.
Section 7302 Animals Not Permitted at Large. shall be permitted at large at any time. permit such an animal to be at large in
(A) No female dog during her breeding or mating season
(B) No owner or person in charge of a dog or cat shall
(1) any area of a village where a feast or other communal activity is taking place,
(2) in or near a feast house or communal kitchen or area where food for human consumption is prepared or served, (3) in a public park, playground, public shopping area, government building or adjoining grounds, or upon any school or business property.
Please do your part in keeping your dog from running lose in the community. There has been several dog bite in the community.
The Ranger 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.
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THE PROBATE STAFF ARE AT SAN XAVIER
DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF
EACH MONTH FROM 9:00AM TO 3:00 PM.
THE STAFF ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER
QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING PROBATE
MATTERS.
IF YOU HAD A RECENT DEATH IN YOUR FAMILY,
PLEASE STOP BY AND FIND OUT IF A PROBATE IS
NEEDED FOR THE DECEDENT.
IF THE DECEDENT NEEDS TO BE PROBATED, THE
FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR
DECEDENT AND HIS FAMILY:
1. ORIGINAL DEATH CERTIFICATE
2. BIRTH/BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATES FOR ALL
3. TRIBAL ENROLLMENT DOCUMENTS FOR ALL
Hello WA:K community, hope everyone is doing fine.
Happy Easter! Hope you gave up something for Lent and remember no meat on Friday’s until Easter. We have been busy with activities and presentation at the congregate.
Client and Department activities:
 February 1, 2016, - Hilarion Campus was at the congregate to do a presentation on Will Writing, which was informative for the elders.
 February 4, 2016- Lester Lewis did an update on the church renovations.
 February 8, 2016 – Mass at the congregate and elder
Valentine’s Party in the center. Elderly Advisory Council Meeting in Pisinemo District, Chairman Manuel and
Vice Chairman Jose were there to do a brief update to the EAC, they will be doing an update on the Nation at the April 11, 2016 EAC meeting in San Lucy.
 February 11, 2016 Elders attended the Nation Elder
Valentine’s Party in Sells.
 February 18, 2016 – Our two chair-volleyball teams; the Humming Birds and White Doves will have a playoff game at the recreation center, the winner will advance to the Nations Chair-Volleyball tournament in
Sells on February 25, 2016. The two top winners of the
Nations tournament will be playing in the Arizona Indian Council on Aging Tournament at Ft McDowell on
April 12 & 13, 2016. We wish both teams luck in the tournaments, but all are winners.
 February 25, 2016 -Tucson Rodeo Parade, and Lunch.
 February 26, 2016 - Chair-Volleyball tournament in
Salt River for both teams.
 February 29, 2016 - Movie in the Council Chambers
In last month’s issue of the newsletter; we were scheduled to do our department presentation on February 13, 2016, we have postponed it to the March 19, 2016 community meeting so hope to see you there.
We are still recruiting for community members that are 55 years of age or older and “special needs” individual (s) to join our program. So if you know of anybody let them know. Please feel free to call our office at 520-578-4067 or stop by for more information.
Dennis Ramon
WA:K Senior Services Director.
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4

San Xavier District Council
March 1, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. – District
Council Chambers
AGENDA – Tentative
February 23, 2016 is the deadline date to submit items to the agenda by 5:00 p.m.
1. Welcome and Opening Remarks:
2. Invocation:
3. Review and Approval of Agenda:
4. New Business:
Cie’na Schiaedfli, Food Production
Manager, San Xavier Cooperative Association – To present the Wild Foods
Community Harvest Program.
5. Chairman Activity report:
6. Vice Chairman Activity Report:
7. Minutes:
8. Announcements:
► Annual Wa:k Pow Wow is scheduled on March 12 & 13, 2016.
► District Council meeting is scheduled on March 15, 2016 at 7 p.m.
► District Community meeting is scheduled on March 19, 2016 at 9 a.m.
All meetings will be held in the Council
Chambers
Adjournment
San Xavier District Council
March 15, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. – District
Council Chambers
AGENDA – Tentative
March 8, 2016 is the deadline date to submit items to the agenda by 5:00 p.m.
1. Welcome and Opening Remarks:
2. Invocation:
3. Review and Approval of Agenda:
4. New Business:
District Administration – To present the
Districts monthly finances report in closed session.
5. Chairman Activity report:
6. Vice Chairman Activity Report:
7. Minutes:
8. Announcements:
► District Community meeting is scheduled on March 19, 2016 at 9 a.m.
► District Council meeting is scheduled on April 5, 2016 at 7 p.m.
► District Community meeting is scheduled on April 9, 2016 at 9 a.m.
► District Council meeting is scheduled on April 19, 2016 at 7 p.m.
All meetings will be held in the Council
Chambers
Adjournment:
San Xavier District Community
Meeting of March 19, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. –
District Council Chambers
AGENDA – Tentative
March 11, 2016 is the deadline date to submit items to the agenda by 5:00 p.m.
1. Welcome and Opening Remarks:
2. Invocation:
3. Call to the Audience:
4. Sgt. Martin Robledo, TOPD San Xavier
Sub-Station – Present the Districts monthly statistics report.
5. Dennis Ramon, Manager, Wa:k Senior
Services Department – To present the Wa:k Senior Services Department power point presentation.
6. TOLC Reports:
7. SXDC Reports:
Announcements:
► District Council meeting is scheduled on April 5, 2016 at 7 p.m.
► District Community meeting is scheduled on April 9, 2016 at 9 a.m.
► District Council meeting is scheduled on April 19, 2016 at 7 p.m.
All meetings will be held in the Council
Chambers
Adjournment:
Copies of resolutions and related information can be obtained at the San Xavier District Council office, upon proper request

Dat e
02/0
2/16
02/0
2/16
02/0
2/16
Res.
No.
02-
16-01
02-
16-02
02-
16-03
Title
“Recognizing Angelique Jose as Alternate to the Tohono O’odham Youth Council”
Motion made by Brandon Havier and second
Phyllis Valenzuela, tally results; 5 for, 0 against, 0 not voting, 0 absent. Motion carried.
“Authorizing the Submission of the MICA
Grant Phase II Application to Provide
Cultural Activities in the Wa:k Community”
Motion made by Phyllis Valenzuela and second Brandon Havier, tally results; 5 for, 0 against, 0 not voting, 0 absent. Motion carried.
“Approving the San Xavier District Budget
Amendment”
Motion made by Phyllis Valenzuela and second Dennis Ramon, tally results; 4 for, 0 against, 0 not voting 1 absent. Motion carried.
Copies of resolutions and related information can be obtained at the San Xavier District Council office, upon proper request.
Are you a Compulsive Overeater? Now that you have found Overeaters Anonymous, you may want to make sure our program is right for you. Many of us have found it useful to answer the following questions to help determine if we have a problem with compulsive eating.
For additional information, you may contact Marcine Lopez 520 807-8664/850-2194
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San Xavier Mission March News
There will be NO Baptisms in March.
Stations of the Cross: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
Feb. 17: Led by St Cecelia’s Prayer Group
Feb. 24: Led by Teen Confirmandi
Mar. 2: Led by Women’s Group/Elders
Mar. 9 : Volunteer needed: Call 294-4639
Mar. 16: Lenten Penance Service with Confessions
Mar. 23: Led by Mary Narcho’s Choir
Free Concert in the Mission
Silver Lake College of the Holy Family is a
Franciscan Catholic college located in Manitowoc,
Wisconsin sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. Their premier a cappella choir, the Silver
Lake Chorale ( www.facebook.com/SilverLakeChorale ) , will be visiting Tucson and have offered a free concert in our church.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 7:00 PM
All are welcome -- seating is first-come first-serve
*******************************************************************
Holy Thursday, March 24
Mass of the Last Supper 7:00 PM
Good Friday, March 25
Rosary 2:00 PM
Stations of the Cross 3:00 PM
Church bells will ring in memory of death of Jesus
Liturgy of the Passion 7:00 PM
Holy Saturday, March 26
Easter Vigil Service 7:00 PM
Easter Sunday, March 27
Masses Regular Sunday Times
I thought of you today, But that is nothing new
I though about you yesterday, And days before that too
I think of you in silence, I often speak your name
All I have are memories and ,Your picture in a frame
Your memory is a keepsake, From which
I’ll never part
God, Creator has you in his arms
We have you in our heart
20th Year Anniversary for
Albert Cruz Alvarez
Saturday, March 19th, 2016
At the San Xavier Rock House
3:00-6:00
Rosary and Honorable music by Pablo
Band
*Josephine Alvarez, Audrey Alvarez,
Laurence Alvarez, Lisa Alvarez, & Tressa
Alvarez would like to Thank everyone for honoring his memory*
7

I
Anthony Leyvas
8

S -ke:g Tas Wa:k Community,
We are already in the 3 rd month of 2016, which means that there are only 2 more months of school left in the school year. I wish you all well within your studies.
We began the O’odham basket weaving class last month. We received 30 participants within two days, and the first class was a success. Everyone was able to begin their baskets. For many, it is their very first time weaving a basket, for others it is their 2 nd or 3 rd .
Esther Jaimes is leading our class, she is very talented in O’odham basket weaving. In the first class two years ago, all the students were shown how to pick their materials. If you have experienced the process of collecting materials, cleaning them, splitting them, bleaching them, patience is definitely needed! I have a great amount of respect for all basket weavers because of all the hard work that it takes to put into one basket. We all look forward to seeing the completed baskets from each student.
Here’s a little history on ce’mait (O’odham tortillas)—by Camillus Lopez
TORTILLA in the O’odham Language is CEMIT
(CHUH-me eth) Plural: CECEMIT (CHUH-chuhmeeth). Also I hear it pronounced CEMAIT (CHUHmah-eeth) Plural: CECEMAITH (CHUH-chuh-maheeth) in the Pisin Mo’o to Queens Well area dialects It comes from the word “Cemai” (CHUM-ah-ee) which means kinna like, ‘to mix and knead.’
Every culture has some kind of a bread, and although this is not primarily O’odham aboriginal food, it has taken over what was there before. Each person or family has a certain way or brand of ingredients they use to make cemit. But whatever the ingredients are mixed, the cemit maker will get to work with the same motion. WASH HANDS, get the dough-ball, pat, knead out, side-to-side while stretching and pulling, putting on the KOMAL, grabbing the edges, ouch, ouch, ouch(for some), flipping and flipping again until done.
If you grab an O’odham Woman’s upper arm, you can feel the tight muscles there. …that means she makes
CEMIT at least three times a week.
9
It takes a few months to really learn how to make the cemit. Some women start very young to make the cemit, some start later in life. Some have used and discarded rolling pins to get to the ‘professional’ stage, but after one learns how to make them, it is like they were born with a dough-ball.
When I was a young boy, and if there was no cemit in the cemit tu’akud, I would ask my mom to make some cemit, even though she was busy with other things. She made a comment “when you find a woman, you better make sure she knows how to make cemit so she can make cemit for you and you won’t go hungry.” Later years I found that I was not the only boy who heard that comment from his mom.
Men also make Cemit which used to be a smaller thicker type we call WAPKIAL HA-CEMIT (WAHP-
KEE-AHL HA-cemit) or “COWBOY TORTILLAS because the Cowboys who went on roundup it the earlier part of the century and stayed on the range for weeks, and did not have women to cook for them so they made this kind of cemit because they had not the skill to make the larger, thinner cemit. Now a days men do make the larger cemit and wash their hands…JUST KIDDING! grin emoticon
Here is also S-KOWK CEMIT (S-KAW-K CHUHmeeth) “thick tortilla” which is sometimes baked.
(Lots of little chubby O’odham boys have this as their nick-name)
And HIASP (HEE-ASH-P CHUH-meeth) or “buried tortilla” which is buried and cooked with coals and ash.

GREETINGS FROM THE LIBRARY
We wish you all a Blessed Happy Easter!
We have been extremely busy here in the library with another exciting reading program addition. A huge thanks to Tucson’s “Make Way for Books”! We began on
February 4 th and will be having our “Raising A Reader” program for the next 9 Thursdays with the exception of a Tucson Rodeo Weekend, there will be no class on Thursday
February 25, 2016. Make Way for Books is:
Building a Literacy-Rich Environment. Creating Access to Books. Having access to books helps families spend more time together reading and creates a more positive attitude towards reading and academics. When children are read to from a young age they enter school ready to read and succeed. Make Way for Books provides books through all of our literacy programs.
“The library and the books are the heartbeat of our school.
There is no other program like Make Way for Books.”
--G. Williams, Childcare Center Director
Basic Computer Classes w ill began on Thursday, March
3, 2016 from 9am-10am.
And every Thursday in March from
9am-10am. If you are unsure of the computer and or never touched a computer this slow pace class is for you. We will not rush into teaching, we take our time in teaching all the basics of the computer. We will also hook you up with an email address, resume and or whatever you are interested in learning. There are 6 spaces available so please call Gertie or Therese to sign up 520-807-8620.
Reading Can Be Challenging But when you sit for approximately 15 minutes and either read to a child or listen to a child read, YOU can be the BIGGEST impact on your child for the rest of their lives. By Gertie Lopez
Gertrude Lopez – Learning Resource Coordinator glopez@waknet.org
Therese McCarthy – Learning Center Aide
t mccarthy@waknet.org
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S-ke:g tas! My name is Danielle Stephens, I am a community member of the San Xavier District. I am a proud Mom of 3 children Dominique Corella age (10), Nicholas Parra age (2) and Alexander Parra (8mos). It is with great pleasure to be working for my community, I look forward to working with the youth of Wa:k as the new Community Liaison for the Education Department. My goal as the community liaison is working not only with your students but also with you parents to help accommodate your student achievements on his/her goals with their education. Please do not hesitate to call me or visit me at the education center for any educational concerns 520-
807-8624.
**********************************************************
Happy March Wa:k,
I hope you all had a wonderful February and are ready for the warm weather as spring approached. There are only two more months left of school so students, make the best of it.
Parents there are resources available to help keep your children on track for moving to the next grade or promotion.
Please seek out these resources while there is still time for your children to catch up in their school work. Resources include weekend academy and summer school.
In the beginning of April the students will be taking the AZ
Merit so make sure your children are consistently going to school so the can obtain information needed to do well on the standardized test. Also, it is important that children are on time to school so that they receive the instructions they need in reading. There are a large number of kids missing this critical instruction in the morning. In the reading section all students learn strategies to help them retain the information that the read.
Lastly, I would like to remind you about some transportation rules. PARENTS need to call in for the student by 7:30am for missed bus. High School and Middle school students are only allowed two rides per month. Elementary school is allowed three per month. If you are leaving a message for missed bus please include your name, a number, the school name and the home address. Also, if there are any events that you need transportation to like our parent and principle meetings, please let us know in advance so that we can make the proper arrangements. We are always willing to help transport to educational workshops or events.
Have a wonderful Easter,
Stacy Hernandez

Hello Wa:k Community,
I continue to be amazed at how quickly the school year flies by! Thinking about the fact that we have now entered the month of March and there is only three months left of school is unbelievable! With March approaching, our thoughts drift away to spring and saying goodbye to winter.
In February’s Wa:k Newsletter, I mentioned that we were preparing the youth from the Voices of Our Youth program for Seven Falls hike at Sabino Canyon. We took the youth to walk/run the wash of the Santa Cruz River from the San Xavier Road Pedestrian Bridge to Valencia and back. Followed by taking the youth for a walk/run at Pima Community College West Campus cross country trail. Just like our past hikes, both walk/runs were a challenged but we all made it!
The 8-mile hike to Seven Falls at Sabino Canyon took place on Friday, February 12, 2016 26, 2016. NOTE: Details and pictures will appear in the April Wa:k Newsletter.
So
11 what is in store for the month of March for Voices of
Our Youth?
On March 6 th , 2016 from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in front of the San Xavier Mission Church, the Voices of Our Youth will be having a bake sale to raise money for the program.
Please come out and support your San Xavier District youth! In addition to the bake sales, we plan to take the youth to Phoenix for college tours to ASU and Grand Canyon University during their Spring Break..
Thinking about College? Don’t know where to start?
Come by and see us or give us a call, we will be happy to provide you with assistance or guide you in the right direction. There are many scholarships out there to help pay for school, so do not give up hope.
Several entities of the Tohono O’odham Nation ( Tohono
O’odham nation’s One Stop Division, San Xavier District
Education Department, Scholarship and High Education
Services and the Tohono O’odham Community College ) are pleased to announce this great recruitment opportunity for education institutions and employers. This event will take place on Thursday, March 3, 2016. Stu-

March 3 rd : 11 th Annual Tohono O’odham College & Career
Fair (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. @ SX Rec
Center
March 4 th : DEADLINE for Tuition and Book Grant Application
March 8 th : Parent/Principal Meeting at Education Center
(Technology & School updates)
March 9 th : SUSD Governing Board Meeting 6:30 p.m.
March 14th , March 25 & March 28th - April 1st :
San Xavier Mission School CLOSED
(Good Friday & Easter vacation)
March 14 th – 25 th : SUSD Offices CLOSED (No school for students – Spring Break)
March 21 st – 25 th : TUSD Offices CLOSED (Spring Break &
Good Friday)
March 28 th : SUSD Offices CLOSED (No school for students
– Cesar Chavez Day)
March 30 th – 31 st : Southgate Academy Offices CLOSED
(Spring Break)
It is TAX Time! We have the Turbo Tax program installed in the computers in the library.
Here are some reminders about some of our programs:



We still have some 3rd-5th grade spaces in our After
School Program. Join us for some fun!
If you child needs help with homework, please send him/her to our HOMEWORK HELP on Thursdays at 3pm.
Every Monday we have Coffee in the Library at 9am! Come and read a magazine or book and enjoy a cup of coffee.



Thursdays we have a literacy program for families with children 0-5 year olds. Please come at 11am and enjoy a free lunch, stories, and leave with a free book!
If you child misses the school bus, please call us before
7:30 am for transportation. An application must be on file.
The 2nd Tuesday of each month, the principals from the surrounding schools come to give the community an update on what’s going on at their schools. This is a time for questions, comments, and concerns. The last meeting we had a Gang Awareness presentation from the TOPD Gang
Unit. It was very informational. The next meeting is on
March 8th at 10am. Please join us!
Please stop by the Education Center!
We will be opening on Saturdays soon!
2016 College/Career Fair Thursday, March 3, 2016 Time 10am-2:00pm
San Xavier Recreation Center
The 2016 College/Career Fair offers colleges, universities, local and rural businesses, armed services, and more and opportunity to maximize interaction with students and job seekers, to showcase information, and meet one on one with candidates.
For more information on the event or for booth space, please contact: Carmen Martinez, Administrative Assistant,
San Xavier Education Center cmartinez@waknet.org 520 807-8681

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
FOR ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY OR EMERGENCY CALLS
CONTACT TOHONO O’ODHAM POLICE AT 622-1587 OR 911
WINTERIZING YOUR PLUMBING
The East Coast has been under severe snow and freezing weather the last few days. This should serve as a reminder to those of us in warmer weather climates that we are in the middle of winter and therefore winter storms are always possible. Wisdom would say that we should be ready for it. There are always things that we can do to protect our homes.
Focusing our attention specifically on the plumbing in your home, I want to consider a number of areas of concern, all of them capable of saving you the agony of a broken pipe.
1. PIPE WRAP
Any water pipe on the outside of your home needs to be wrapped and protected from the weather. This not only applies to winter protection but also to the hot summer sun. The exposed area of your main water supply line and any pressurized water line outside must be wrapped with insulation first and then with plastic and finally with some type of weatherproof tape. Most people find gray duct tape works quite well. This applies to your main water line, your main shut-off valve and any hose bibs you may have around your house. Our freeze line is considered to be 4” below ground level. Make sure your water lines are wrapped at least to that depth. Remember that any tape you use will only last for about one year or so and then you’ll need to do it again.
2. INTERIOR LINES
Some homes have interior water lines in areas that are not covered with drywall. Usually this occurs in storage rooms or laundry rooms. If you have exposed water lines in these areas, treat those water lines like they were outside the house. Since they are in rooms that are not climate controlled and don’t have insulation or drywall over them, they get just as cold as if outside the house. These areas must be covered with house insulation, at least 3 ½” R-13, and ½” drywall. You can also find prefabricated foam insulation to place around your copper pipes in these areas.
3. FROZEN PIPES
If in spite of all your efforts your water still freezes, you have few options left. One option is to use a hot air blow dryer and heat the main line as it enters your house. This may help. Don’t, under any circumstances, use any flames or high heat on your pipes. That is a dangerous practice and can cause greater damages. Your only other option is to simply wait for the weather to warm up.
In any case, if you have experienced frozen pipes and water damages, please don’t hesitate in calling Housing at 573-4044 or 573-4042 anytime between 8-5 Monday thru Friday.
Housing Staff