"Tribal elders and leaders of the Gila River Indian Community gathered Saturday in Sacaton for O'Odham Choo-oohth-cum, the Water Settlement Celebration. Dignitaries and lawmakers gave speeches, either in person or by videotape. Grip-and-grin moments abounded as Gov. Richard Narcia thanked the congressmen who helped guide legislation that will bring much-needed water back to the River People.

But the celebration was mostly for the children, for the brighter future they will have.

In a community where almost no one still remembers water flowing in the Gila River, the idea of 653,500 acre-feet of water a year is a bounty none can imagine."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Tribe celebrates water, children (The Arizona Republic 4/28)

Get the Settlement Bill:
S.437

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