Department Message
Melvin Deer
Senior Services
Connecting Waters with Jessica Martinez
Employee Spotlight
David Nash
Program Spotlight Support Services
Community Spotlight Wanda White Eyes
Cooking with Celinda & Toby Pumpkin Tostadas & Squash Muffins
Kraft Korner
Let’s Get Krafty
Mind Teasers
Let’s Get Krafty
Community A Look Back
Contact us
Address
10510 E. Osborn Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Phone
480.362.6350
Visit us online
srpmic-nsn.gov/ government/seniors
Follow us on social media
@SaltRiverSeniorServices
Managing Editor Jon Newman
Writer/Editor/Designer
Laura Toussaint
Graphic Designer
Ravenna Curley
Photographer Isaac Torres
Cover Photo
Quail
Kaikachu - O’odham
Xma - Piipaash
We’re at the end of another financial year, and as I reflect on our journey, I am struck by the remarkable growth and learning we’ve experienced together. We’ve all come a long way, and my heart feels good about this.
Looking forward to the upcoming year, I encourage our teams to take pride in their achievements, but not to rest on our laurels. This year, our department leadership is committed to establishing a Culture of Excellence based on three pillars: Innovation, Leadership, and Continuous Improvement, all built on a foundation of Crystal Clear Communication. This will be our new standard for fiscal year 2026.
Join us as we continue to innovate, lead, and improve, always with an eye toward our future together. Your support, feedback, and engagement are invaluable as we forge ahead, dedicated to enhancing the lives of every member of our community. Let’s embrace forwardthinking with optimism and a shared commitment to excellence.
Thank you for your trust and partnership. Here’s to a year filled with achievements, growth, and excellence!
My warmest regards,
Melvin Deer Department Director, Senior Services
Hello all,
with Jessica Martinez
Welcome back to Connecting Waters, or welcome if you are new to this column. My name is Jessica Martinez, I am the Community Liaison for Senior Services. I use this column to answer some FAQs I receive from seniors around the community. Some range from really common questions about our services to wacky questions like: “My dog needs a haircut, can you guys do that for me?” (Yes, I’ve really been asked that question before). I am here to answer them all!
Q: I got all this new paperwork about insurance and changes in my benefits and I don’t understand it. I thought I just updated everything, now I’m not sure what I signed up for. Can you help?
Don’t worry. I know those stuff can be stressful and I think they purposely make it hard to understand to try to trick you into things. Just my personal thought. However, you don’t have to figure that out on your own. We have social workers here at Senior Services who will not only go through all that paperwork and explain it to you but will even go with you to appointments and ask questions for you. Did you also know that you could go to Legal Services and have them look over contracts, leases, car agreements, and other things like that to help you understand? That way you know you or someone you love is not getting taking advantage of. Yes, it’s true. You’re never alone in all that scary paperwork. Just give us a call here at Senior Services or reach out to Legal Services and we will help you in every way we can!
More questions? Contact me at 480.362.7386 or jessica.martinez2@srpmic-nsn.gov
Hello, for those of you who don’t know me, ani an ab ce: gig (my name is) David Nash. My parents are Cecelia and the late Benito Nash ( bot ). My hu’ul (maternal grandmother) and ba;b (maternal grandfather) are the late Pearl and Merlin Schurz ( bot ), and my ka:k (paternal grandmother) is the late Anne Nash ( bot ). I am O’odham and Hopi.
I come from a large family. My hu’ul and ba;b had 12 children, so I have many uncles, aunts, and plenty of cousins. My cousins and I enjoyed playing outside, riding bikes, hunting, going to the river, and visiting the old Friendship Park. We also played at my grandmother’s house on the southwest
corner of Thomas and Longmore Rd.
I officially joined the Senior Services team in December 2018 as a temporary clerk after completing an apprenticeship program the year before. In 2019, I became permanent. I enjoy the people here—the staff and the seniors. Our staff is nice, friendly, and brings a positive culture that is good for our seniors. One thing I really enjoy here at Senior Services is learning the O’odham niok (language) and hearing their stories of the past. I also enjoy helping the seniors with their issues.
When I am not working, I like to hike. I joined the hiking club here in the community. My first hike was one of my favorites and one of the hardest. It was up to the top of Vegi Do’ag (Red Mountain). It was the start of my hiking journey. I’ve done other hikes like Antelope Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Picacho Peak, just to name a few.
But it’s always good to come home. I like that our community is quiet and friendly. You know your neighbors and you’re surrounded by family.
Senior Services provides case management and a variety of enriching and engaging programs to ensure the health, safety and independence of our community’s seniors 55+ and adult community members with physical and adaptive needs.
It all starts with a call to our friendly and knowledgeable Intake Assessment Coordinator Christina Reyna. She will ask you questions about your situation and the type of help you might need. She will also answer any questions you may have.
From there, Christina will determine your eligibility for various services, including home-delivered meals, social worker and caregiver assignment, and home care assistance. Our social workers can also help you by coordinating additional services through referrals with our partnering resources within the community.
“...all of our case workers are very knowledgeable about resources that people may not know are available to them, both inside and outside the community.”
“Case management depends on a client’s eligibility, needs and wants. In some cases, say serious medical issues, our caseworkers may be in touch several times a week and in others, it may be just a once-a-month check-in, but in all cases, our goal is to empower our client to be as independent as possible,” said Debora Hammond, Support Services Manager.
She encourages you to call if you need help or have questions— even if it is not about Senior Services.
“Christina and all of our case workers are very knowledgeable about resources that people may not know are available to them, both inside and outside the community,” said Deborah. “We are here to offer support and connect seniors to the resources they need while empowering them to find their voice and build their own support network.”
If you or someone you know is a community senior 55+ or adult with adaptive needs, contact Christina Reyna for an intake assessment.
christinareyna@srpmic-nsn.gov 480.362.7990.
I was born and raised in Salt River. My parents were Louise and Josiah Easchief but my father died when I was very young. I lived with my mom and four brothers, all older. There were nine of us in total, but the others were at school.
We lived at Alma School and Indian School. We were always climbing trees and building mud houses. We like to play hide-and-seek in the cornfields and the trees. On the weekends, my siblings would come home and we would all go to the river to swim and picnic. We liked to go where the Salt River and Verde River met and swim to the rock in the middle of the river.
volleyball and softball teams. I also did track and field. We didn’t get to travel much—the other schools came to us. I was also in the choir and I did travel a bit with them to other schools and community events. Back then, we had to make our own dresses.
“We were always climbing trees and building mud houses. We liked to play hide-and-seek in the cornfield and the trees.”
The holidays were always big. Everyone would meet at my mom’s house for the holidays, all the cousins, aunties and uncles. We’d draw names for the gifts and we kids had to stay out of kitchen—only the women were cooking and they didn’t want us in the way.
When I was old enough, my mom taught us to make chumuth and tamales. Everything I learned about cooking, I learned from her. My favorites were yeast bread, cake donuts, bread and rice pudding. My brothers taught me to work on cars. We had a few Chevys we would work on. My mom had a nice Impala.
I went to the day school until my junior year, then I went to Carson and Mesa Junior High. In day school, I remember we had to square dance with the whole get-up—those dresses. I was not a fan. In high school, I went to Mesa High, I really liked sports. I was on the tennis,
I left in 1975 to go to a trade school in Albuquerque. I was there until 1978. At first, I took business administration, but it was not for me. A counselor could see that I didn’t really like it and took me to cafeteria where they were cooking in bulk for the students. I liked it a lot. I noticed they had a restaurant on campus for the students and faculty. I asked about working there and became a short-order cook.
In loving memory of my daughter
Shelby Standing Elk
Aug. 8, 1984 - Sept. 2, 2024
Thank you to friends, family and the tribe for your comfort.
I met my husband at the school. After we graduated, we moved to Oklahoma to live with his mom. Then we moved back to New Mexico to live with his sister, but we didn’t like the snow. We moved back to Arizona in 1983, but not here—we couldn’t get housing—though I always came back to vote.
I don’t know if it was the cold or what, but when we came back to Arizona, I was pregnant one after the other. We had six daughters.
My husband died when the girls were young, so I moved to Gila River so my cousin could help me.
“In 2020, I stepped on a mesquite thorn. It had gone deep into my foot. After several months and mistreatments...My foot had become so bad they had to amputate it and part of my leg.”
Over the years, I was head chef at several hospitals and nursing homes. I liked cooking—seeing how the meals came out and how good it feels to see people enjoy it. I liked when they would ask how I made it or what I put in it. My favorite was squash goulash with tortillas.
In 2020, when the pandemic was happening, I stepped on a mesquite thorn. It had gone deep into my foot. I washed it off and it didn’t look bad, but the next morning, it was red and swollen. The hospital in our community was closed, dedicated to treating those with Covid. I had to go to Sacaton and to Laveen and to hospitals in Phoenix, never really getting the care I needed.
After several months and mistreatments, I wound up at Scottsdale Memorial on Osborn. My foot had become so bad they had to amputate it and part of my leg.
I was in a wheelchair for about a year and I noticed that being in the chair made me tired and sad. When things started opening up again after the pandemic, I told my doctor that I wanted a prosthetic. I didn’t want the chair to become a crutch and I wanted to get back to my life—I had always been active running around seeing
friends, playing volleyball, and I did all the walks.
He told me to write a letter saying why I wanted a leg, so I did. He said it was very good and I had leg within a month. When it came, my doctor showed me how to put it on—you have to do it just right to work. My wheelchair was between parallel bars to help me walk, but I just got up and walked straight towards him without the bars. He was amazed! I didn’t even do physical therapy—I just got back into doing the things I enjoyed.
It’s hard sometimes— my leg hurts and I am tired, but I just keep pushing myself because there is so much I want to do. That would be my advice for others who are struggling: Don’t let it change you. Accept what you lost and work with what you have
to return to your life. Get out there with your friends and do what you love, and even learn and do new things. You have to stay strong for yourself and those who care about you.
“That would be my advice for others: Don’t let it change you. Accept what you lost and work with what you have to return to your life... You have to stay strong for yourself and those who care about you.”
I was finally able to get housing and moved back to Salt River in 2020. It’s good. I get to do a lot of stuff now. I go on outings with the other seniors and do activities with Home Care— they are very helpful. I enjoy the walking club on Wednesdays and I recently tried Zumba and liked it.
I am the captain of our chair volleyball team, Salt River S’gevk. I chose the name because, after the pandemic, our community arose Salt River Strong. To other seniors who don’t come here, I say, Come out and chat with other seniors. I know some don’t want to come out because they don’t know anyone, but that’s how you meet people. You’ll see some old friends and meet new ones.
Pumpkins and peppers are loaded with vitamins A and C. Cinnamon and cumin are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Kale and cilantro are rich in fiber, antioxidants and important minerals. Together, this recipe is a bounty of goodness.
Pumpkin Tostadas with Kale Slaw Serves 8
Tostadas
8 large corn tortillas, warmed
2 oz queso fresco, crumbled
1 cup fresh pumpkin, diced and roasted
2 red peppers, chopped
1 Tbs olive oil
¼ tsp brown sugar
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cumin
1/8 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Kale Slaw
½ cup kale crunch salad mix
½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
¼ cup cilantro vinaigrette
1. 1. Heat oil in saute pan over medium heat and sautee peppers, cinnamon and cumin for two minutes.
2. 2. Add roasted pumpkin and other
ingredients and cook 3-5 minutes longer. Set aside.
3. 3. In a bowl, combine kale and cilantro and toss with the vinaigrette.
Whole grains and zero sugar make these gluten-free zucchini muffins a healthier alternative to store-bought muffins and pastries. They are loaded with fiber and are naturally sweet.
Serves 2
3 cups old-fashioned oats, gluten-free
3 ripe bananas
2 small zucchini, grated and squeezed in paper towel to remove excess water
2 eggs
½ cup applesauce, unsweetened
½ cup milk of choice
¼ cup honey
¼ cup walnuts, finely chopped
1 Tbs baking powder
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract, pure
¼ tsp salt
1. Preheat oven to 375. Prepare muffin pan with liners or nonstick spray.
2. Blend oats and salt in a large bowl.
3. In another bowl, mash bananas and blend in all the other ingredients except the oats and salt.
4. Stir the mixture into the oats and salt until well combined.
4. 4. Spoon tortilla with about a ¼ cup of the pumpkin mixture.
5. 5. Top with slaw and sprinkle with queso fresco. Enjoy!
5. Fill each muffin cup nearly to the top.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and inserted toothpick comes out clean.
7. Store in the refrigerator up to a week and freeze up to six months.
To learn more about additional recipes and upcoming cooking demos, contact Celinda & Toby at 480.876.7180
The 1928 Meriam Report, funded by The Rockefeller Foundation, blasted boarding schools for not encouraging or teaching indigenous languages. Indeed, the boarding school experience impacted the use of our language in our community. For some, it strengthened their resolve to use their native tongue; however, many quit using O’odham and Piipaash altogether, including parents who were no longer teaching it to their children.
A 1969 study by Mary R. Miller at the Salt River Day School estimated that half the students surveyed (aged 5-11) spoke their language at home. Unfortunately, later years saw a significant decline in the use of native language with none of our community youth speaking O’odham or Piipaash by 1990.
time there were fewer and fewer families who were speaking O’odham or Piipaash within the home,” said Luis Barragan, manager of Cultural Resource’s O’odham & Piipaash Language Program.
A 1969 study conducted at the day school estimated that half of our youth were speaking their native language at home. By 1990, none were.
Cultural Resources Director Kelly Washington cited economics as a factor as well, “At the time, our community had little opportunities and members had to find work, usually as wage labor. You needed to speak English to get a job. Although it was the intent of day schools to take a gentler approach than boarding schools, native language use was still discouraged. Our people had to make a very conscious effort to keep the languages alive.”
“Families were affected by the negative attitudes against native language that were dominant within mainstream society at the time. Over
That effort was helped in 1990 when the Native American Languages Act was passed to protect the rights of ingenious people to use, practice and develop their language.
Our community’s language program began in the mid-1990s, soon after the passage of that act. Over the years, the program has grown from that first consultant to the creation of fulltime positions dedicated to teaching O’odham and Piipaash. The O’odham Piipaash Language Program was initially under the Education Department but was reorganized under the Cultural Resources Department when it was created in 2005. Today, the Education Department has its own language/ culture staff that provides instruction in the schools, while the Cultural Resources language program focuses on community classes, documenting the languages and developing resource materials. The community language classes, like many other services, were greatly impacted by Covid.
“The pandemic was a challenging time, but it provided an opportunity for our language program to offer other ways of providing language to the Community, including virtual classes and through social media,” said Luis. “One reason why we continue to offer virtual classes is that people are more comfortable participating online, perhaps because they can participate as a family group and feel less pressure online than in person.”
However, the Cultural Resources is returning to in-person classes later this year and is also exploring a hybrid of in-person and virtual classes.
In addition to teaching classes, the program is working to develop standard teaching materials and resources.
“Our language program is currently working on developing a standardized curriculum that can be utilized throughout the Community. These materials could be used by other
departments as well as by individuals who want to self-study on their own,” said Luis. “Ideally what is being taught would be consistent so Community members will learn from materials that reinforce each other, both in the schools, afterschool and other Community programs.”
Cultural Resources is also actively documenting the O’odham and Piipaash languages while native speakers are still available and building an online dictionary in both languages, which would include traditional and new words.
“All languages evolve, even English, and ours must as well. There are new words with new technology that did not exist in the past,” said Luis. “And, in general, all languages are shortening words and phrases.”
Kelly gave an example, “No one says taximeter cabriolet in English anymore; they say taxi or cab and TV rather than television . Our ancestors did the same thing, and also borrowed words from Spanish and other languages to create words. We are doing the same thing today. As other living languages evolve, so will ours. But it’s also very important to preserve ancient and culturally significant words and concepts. Most of our time and efforts are focused on preserving what our elder speakers know and remember.”
increasing the number of teachers who can deliver programs.
“The number of classes we can provide is limited because staff time is limited, but if we could train language learners up to a baseline level of proficiency, then they would be able to teach the next group of incoming learners while still learning. That way, we could teach more people,” said Luis.
The goal is to build a scalable program within the next three to five years with a standardized curriculum and materials to train teachers first and then collaborate with other departments, such as the schools, youth programs, and Senior Services, etc., to deliver the program.
“All languages evolve, even English, and ours must as well. There are new words with new technology that did not exist in the past...and all languages are shortening words and phrases.”
The program is working to increase the visibility and usage of language within the community through its social media and other campaigns, such as billboards and introducing phrases in the workplace. In the future, street names and buildings will be in O’odham and Piipaash. A lot of this effort is already happening now.
Cultural Resources also has a goal of
“There is always pressure to serve the masses, but teaching 20 dedicated learners to the point where they can then teach would be more sustainable and ultimately serve more people,” said Kelly.
In addition, learning would be offered in a variety of ways and the curriculum would be developed through a full spectrum of Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Conversational levels.
“We are fortunate to have leadership in our Tribal Council and in our director who are supportive and committed to the preservation and use of our native languages,” said Luis. “We have a great staff who are passionate and work very hard and we have great connections with the speakers. Working together, we will be able to make a positive change for the Community.
It falls to the Education-Native Language & Culture team to keep O’odham and Piipaash languages alive at Salt River Schools. The team includes O’odham Language & Culture Teacher Ipa Dutchover and Piipaash Language & Culture Specialist Hilary Richards. The program works with students pre-K through sixth grade in both languages at Salt River Elementary School; there are also programs at the Early Childhood Education Center and the Accelerated Learning Academy.
“I want our students to have a sense of identity. Many know they are native, but they may not know they are O’odham or Piipaash specially, I would like all of our students know the basics of the language and culture so they have a better sense of their identity and to open their minds so that they might pursue further cultural learning even after they are done with school,” said Ipa.
Hilary wants to instill confidence in her students, “My goal is to have the students speak with confidence and to feel confident enough to teach others.”
Youth Development Culture Specialist Isaac Lopez works with children of all ages in Youth Services programs.
“I want the kids to learn and use everyday words throughout the day, not just during language time and it’s really been a progression. No one is saying they don’t want to—they are using the language, even to ask to use the bathroom,” said Isaac.
Isaac also works with Youth Development staff to use O’odham and Piipaash when they communicate with the kids.
“I am with the kids only an hour a day, but the staff is with them three or more. It reinforces what the kids are learning in language and culture when our staff can give instructions such as Wash your hands or It’s time for art, in O’odham,” said Isaac.
There are grassroots efforts in the community to keep language alive as well.
In July 2022, Pat King started an informal group to share and use the O’odham language. She came upon the idea a couple of days after the Senior Services dining rooms reopened post Covid.
“I hadn’t seen my friends in a while, and we began greeting each other and speaking in O’odham. Several of the younger seniors mentioned that it was good to hear us speaking because it reminded them of when they would hear their lulu or baba speak it,” said Pat.
The younger seniors also shared reasons why they didn’t speak their native language—they didn’t know it, they were afraid they wouldn’t say things right, they had no one to speak it with. Pat thought about a gathering where people of all ages learn, share and speak O’odham. She started a sign-sheet and received permission to use space at Senior Service. She also sought permission to reprint and use the 2011 Cultural Resources language book.
Pat is very careful not to call it a class or herself a teacher, “I share what I know and they give me what they know, and if they have a questions that I don’t know, I find out.”
The group began by learning to introduce themselves with some family relationships. Two years later, they are going through sections in the Cultural Resources book.
“It’s important to know who your family is,” said Pat. “When we first started, I gave everyone a little form to fill out with their family history—if you are an enrolled community member, with your tribal ID, you can request your family history for free through CDD. They only know your Salt River side though. Some people were surprised at how far they could go back. It’s important for your children and grandchildren to know where they come from and who their family is,” said Pat.
The Hem-a-pik now meets every Thursday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Senior Services North Annex. All community seniors, employees and members are welcome.
Here is a fun and simple craft you can do for your home or as a gift.
Step one: Gather your supplies: oilbased Sharpie, glass bottles or jars.
Step three: Bake at 350 for 20 min. Allow oven to cool before removing.
Step two: Draw your designs. Let paint dry 20-30 min.
Final step: Voila , your creation is done!
Objects to find:
SHRRP provides day-to-day services that seniors and those with adaptive and medical needs may find challenging such as changing air filters, repairing exterior doors that do not close correctly or windows that are not properly sealed.
