Arizona

The Rural Partners Network in Arizona is partnering with two Tribal Nations, each with its own rich history, culture, language, and land base. Arizona is part of the inaugural cohort of states with RPN and the only state that centered their selection exclusively in Tribal nations. 

The Cocopah Indian Tribe, home to about 900 members, is located approximately 13 miles south of Yuma.   The Tribe, known as the River People, have lived along the lower Colorado River and delta for centuries, maintaining their traditional and cultural beliefs.  Descended from the greater Yuman-speaking people, this Tribe will focus their collaborative work around housing and essential community facility development. 

The San Carlos Apache Tribe spans Gila, Graham and Pinal Counties in southeastern Arizona, and stretches over a landscape that ranges from alpine meadows to desert.  The Tribe is pursuing projects centered on renewable energy generation and planning for wastewater sanitation to name a few.

Our RPN team and Rural Desk Officers, specifically the U.S. Department of Energy, United States Department of Health and Human Services and Environmental Protection Agency are collaborating with Tribal leaders to address these local priorities.