Chairman Welcome

Welcome to the Yavapai-Apache Nation (‘Nation’) website.  We invite you to utilize the website to learn more about who we are as a People. 

In 1875, our ancestors were forcefully removed from our ancestral homelands in Central Arizona.  Today, we continue to reclaim those lands and the culture that was taken from us during the removal.

With the opening of our gaming enterprise, Cliff Castle Casino Hotel in 1995, we have been able to improve the lives of our People and continue to expand our enterprise holdings, allowing the Nation to improve not only the lives of its People, but the lives of our friends and neighbors living in the surrounding communities.

We invite you to stop and visit us while visiting Arizona and as always welcome you to contact us at editor@yan-tribe.org for additional information or for questions you may have regarding the Nation.

Sincerely,

Chairman David Kwail

Hydroelectric project gets nod of approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission despite the Nation’s objections

Despite concerns expressed by the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Yavapai-Apache Nation (Nation), Ft. McDowell Yavapai Nation, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Center for Biological Diversity, Merwyn Davis Trust, and SRP the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a preliminary permit Thursday to Longview Energy Exchange LLC to study the feasibility of a pumped storage hydroelectric project, north of Prescott.

The preliminary permit provides Longview Energy Exchange LLC 36 months to study the feasibility of the hydroelectric project, but does not allow construction.

In a letter to FERC, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs requested “denial of the preliminary permit until such time as applicant has demonstrated effectiveness of their proposal and secured and agreement with potentially affected parties, including BIA and the Nation…”

BIA cites concerns that “the projects proposed groundwater usage will potentially affect the Nation’s trust resources.”

The Nation is working to obtain a water rights settlement to provide sufficient water to meet the permanent Tribal homeland needs of the Nation.

“Our biggest concern is that the estimated groundwater use of 17,500 acre-feet per year from the Big Chino Sub-basin may decrease the flow of the Verde River to our Tribal homelands,” says Chairman Kwail. “With increased pumping along the Verde River, we have watched as the river has gone from a healthy free-flowing river to a ribbon of its former self. The Nation will remain vigilant in protecting what is vital to its heritage and culture.”

“We were not at all surprised that the FERC granted Longview Energy’s initial application for a preliminary permit. The permit merely secures Longview’s priority in line with FERC and permits Longview to conduct additional investigations and studies on the feasibility of their proposed project. We were, however, pleased that the FERC made certain to remind Longview that it also has an obligation to consult with affected Indian tribes, including the Nation during the 36 month permit period, and we look forward to reviewing Longview’s study results regarding the potential impact of the project on the water supplies of the Verde River,” states Nation Water Rights Attorney Susan Montgomery.

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