Community Spotlight

Karen James

Karen has seen a lot in her 65 years. She has held several jobs, lived in many places and cared for many children.

Karen’s house was always full of step children and grandchildren. She loved being a part of their lives. Through a series of life events, including her son’s stroke eight years ago, Karen took on a more formal caregiver role. She began caring for her eight grandchildren in 2012. For a while, she even cared for her stepson’s children all of whom have come of age, graduated and now have jobs. At one point, there were 12 children in the house. Now there are nine ranging in age 4-19.

But let’s go back to the beginning.

Karen’s parents had been married 10 years before Karen was born. They had moved from Gila River to California as part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) relocation program. It was there that Karen and her sister were born.

When Karen was older, she itched for adventure and wanted to begin working, so like many young people back then, she claimed to be older so she could work. Another program took her to Pennsylvania, where she worked in a hospital and saw snow for the first time. She was 16. She bounced around a bit after that, even trying to return to California.

When her father died in 1973, Karen returned to Arizona, where her family would vacation every summer during her childhood. There she met her husband, a silk screen artist and they opened a silk screening business. Karen continued to operate the business until Covid, even teaching her grandchildren the trade.

Needing a new home, Karen came to Salt River in 1992 with her children and husband. She worked overnight in the community’s youth services group homes. That experience would benefit her greatly.

Today, Karen’s two-story, 4-bedroom house is bustling with activity.

Karen never has a dull moment. She takes the little one to school every day, makes sure the older children have done their homework and chores, she cooks and she does a lot of laundry.

Everyone gathers for the evening meal and attends church every Sunday.

“When I think about it, I wonder, How did I feed them? How did I have clothes for them?, but God provides,” said Karen. “I don’t have much but I make sure they feel valued, especially on their birthdays.”

She recounted a time when one of the girls was turning 11. Karen purchased 11 balloons and tied little goodies on the ribbon of each.

“I put them in her room at night while she was sleeping so she woke up to a nice surprise. It’s now a tradition and I always make their favorite meals for dinner,” said Karen.

Though Karen considers herself somewhat of a home body, she did enjoy going to the senior center and getting to know other seniors and attending the special events activities before Covid. She very much looks forward to coming again when things open.

Karen and her son also enjoy home delivered lunches and she participates in the Senior Services Caregiver Support program, where she enjoys outings and activities that help her recharge.

Living in the community is a blessing to Karen and her large family.

“I know what it’s like being in town. Being on the reservation, it’s so much more peaceful and I know the prices out there,” said Karen. “Being able to be on my own land, in my own home and have programs like SHRRP, makes it easier to take care of myself and family. There are a lot of advantages. I have friends who are native but live outside the community and they are amazed what is available to us.”

May is Foster Care Month. We salute all the grandparents who care, formally and informally, for their grandchildren. To learn about the SRPMIC Foster Licensing Program, please contact 480.362.7342 or katie.avalos@srpmic-nsn.gov .