Daniel Herrera Carbajal
ICT
TUCSON, Ariz. – People laughed and shared stories inside the El Casino Ballroom on March 26. It wasn’t a wake with inside voices and a melancholic tone. This was a celebration of life for Arizona Democratic Congressman Raúl Grijalva, who died March 13 from cancer treatment complications at the age of 77.
Hundreds of people, from tribal leaders to Grijalva’s constituents, packed the ballroom to celebrate his accomplishments.
People danced under a discoball, shaking the floor, to Grijalva’s favorite songs while a slideshow played in the background, showcasing moments of his life as a husband, grandfather and advocate for society’s most downtrodden.
Pascua Yaqui Tribe Chairman Julian Hernandez said Grijalva’s work for the “little people” inspired him to pursue politics.
“The empowerment and advocacy that he had for them and their voice gave me the strive to go into politics,” said Hernandez. “He spoke for the workers, for the people that needed a voice.”
During his time in Congress, Grijalva became one of the most vocal defenders of Native American issues in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Grijalva served Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, which spans from Tucson to the edges of Phoenix.
His funeral was held prior to his celebration of life at St. Augustine Cathedral in downtown Tucson. Hundreds of mourners, including congressional and tribal leaders, packed the church. Former Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland recalled his dedication to tribal nations.
“He was unwavering to protect our air, land and water and a powerful advocate for our tribal communities everywhere,” she said.
Later at the celebration of life, Pascua Yaqui Vice Chairman Peter Yucupicio spoke about Grijalva’s work advocating not only for his tribe but for all people.
“When he walked, he walked for all of us. When he fought, he fought for all of us … to preserve our language, to preserve these other lands and the written ways of belief,” Yucupicio said. “You know, every tribe has a uniqueness about themselves and must be respected not only for their sovereignty, but the way they celebrate life itself. Today, we are here to celebrate his life because it was truly a life that included Latinos, African Americans, Europeans, and tribal members like me.”
Pascua Yaqui and American Legion Post 125 honored Grijalva and his family with a banner for everyone to sign.
Pascua Yaqui Councilwoman Herminia Frias cited the Old Pascua Community Land Acquisition Act, which Grijalva introduced into Congress in 2021.
“People kept telling us it’s not going to happen,” said Frias. “But having someone like Raul in D.C. that made it happen for us just speaks to the volume of his work, what he did and how he got things done.”
The act solidified an agreement – the 2021 Pascua Yaqui Tribe-State of Arizona Amended and Restated Gaming Compact – that allowed lands to be taken into federal trust on behalf of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.
Grijalva championed a multitude of Indigenous issues, introducing the Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act to require federal consultation with tribal governments on matters impacting their communities. He introduced the Save Oak Flat from Foreign Mining Act as part of his efforts to safeguard lands for future generations by opposing the proposed Resolution Copper mine at Oak Flat.
“Turning Oak Flat into a political bargaining chip was an assault against tribal sovereignty that never should have happened,” said Grijalva. “Doing it on behalf of a foreign-owned mining conglomerate with a documented record of destroying Indigenous sacred sites and human rights violations makes it just that much more unconscionable. I urge my colleagues to do right by the San Carlos Apache Tribe and all of our tribal communities by moving quickly to pass this bill before it’s too late.”
His work impacted Indigenous communities so much it left Yucupicio wondering who would pick up where he left off.
“Who’s going to fight like he did? Who’s going to be there for the people? The people’s champ,” said Yucupicio. “Hopefully, somebody will step up and do the same thing that he was doing.
“In Yaqui we say ‘enchi mampo taawak.’ It’s now in your hands.”
Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT’s free newsletter.