We mourn the passing of Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva. This loss is a profound loss for our country, particularly for Indigenous Peoples to whom he dedicated much of his life's work. Throughout his tenure, Congressman Grijalva was a steadfast advocate for the rights, sovereignty, and cultural preservation of Native American Tribes, supporting our Peoples in countless ways.
We honor his memory and carry forward his deep commitment to justice and tireless efforts in public service to work towards a different world.
Representing Arizona's 7th Congressional District, which encompasses several Tribes, Grijalva championed policies that honored Tribal Sovereignty and promoted a government-to-government relationship between Tribal Nations and the United States. He believed in empowering Tribal Nations to manage their lands and protect their sacred and cultural sites. His leadership extended to environmental conservation, where he emphasized the importance of including Indigenous perspectives in public land management. His efforts were seen and appreciated not only by the Water Protector Legal Collective, but felt throughout Indian Country, and we appreciate Rep. Grijalva for honoring the Tribes who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial. Some notable examples of this commitment include:
Representative Grijalva worked to protect Oak Flat—a sacred to Western Apache Nations—for decades against proposed copper mining. On April 5, 2023, he sent a letter to President Biden urging the administration to Save Oak Flat. He has supported Apache Stronghold’s fight that is currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 2010, he introduced the RESPECT Act, aiming to require federal consultation with Tribal governments before initiating activities impacting Tribal communities, underscoring his commitment to ensuring Indigenous voices were heard in federal decision-making.
On November 21, 2016, after the November 20 incident during the #NoDAPL resistance at Standing Rock, Congressman Grijalva released a statement in response to reports that tear gas, freezing water and rubber bullets were used against a crowd of approximately 400 Water Protectors and demonstrators at the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Rep. Grijalva was a part of the House Natural Resources Committee. On May 12, 2022, under the leadership of then-Chair Grijalva, the Natural Resources Committee led the first-ever congressional hearing on the Indian boarding school era.
On May 5, 2023, Representatives Raúl M. Grijalva and Dan Newhouse led their House colleagues in introducing H. Res. 353, a resolution to designate May 5 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
On the first day of Native American Heritage Month 2023, House Raúl M. Grijalva and Sen. Martin Heinrich introduced two House and Senate companion bills to advance Tribal management of public lands and to improve the protection of sacred and cultural sites: The Advancing Tribal Parity on Public Land Act and the Tribal Cultural Areas Protection Act.
Understanding that all our relatives are connected, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva long stood against SB 1070 and submitted an amicus brief in the Supreme Court’s Arizona v. United States case, regarding the constitutionality of Arizona’s infamous SB 1070 law. SB 1070 is a racial profiling law aimed to prevent illegal immigration by allowing law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws and requiring them to determine the immigration status of those they stop or detain.
Additionally, Representative Grijalva was a long time supporter of Indigenous Political Prisoner Leonard Peltier and celebrated his return home at the beginning of this year.
On occasions such as Indigenous Peoples' Day, Grijalva reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for Indigenous rights and safeguarding their sacred lands for future generations. Congressman Grijalva's unwavering dedication to Indigenous Peoples has left an indelible mark on our nation's policies and consciousness. His legacy serves as a guiding light for continued advocacy and partnership with our Peoples, ensuring their rights and cultures are respected and preserved. He will be greatly missed.
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