Katie Hobbs Delivers ‘Collaborative Arizona’ Plan Following Meetings With Tribal Leaders

Hobbs pledges to ensure tribal leaders are centered in policymaking, increase access to economic opportunity for tribal communities

PHOENIX – After meeting with tribal leaders during her Solutions Can’t Wait Tour across Arizona, Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for Governor Katie Hobbs unveiled her “Collaborative Arizona” plan to address disparities in indigenous communities and to include tribal leaders in key policymaking discussions surrounding issues affecting their communities and the state.

“For far too long, our elected leaders have failed to prioritize proactively working with tribes to both address the challenges their communities are facing and include them in key discussions impacting the state as a whole,” Hobbs said. “Each tribe is an independent sovereign nation, and they are at the heart of Arizona’s identity and culture. As governor, I will fight to make sure they are a central part in the journey toward a better Arizona that works for us all.”

The release of Hobbs’ tribal equity plan builds off her vision of an Inclusive Arizona and comes on the heels of her multi-day tour across the state, during which she met with leaders of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community to discuss ways Arizona’s next governor could work hand-in-hand with their communities to deliver solutions. The plan is the culmination of this discussion and many more she has had with tribal leaders throughout her campaign and during her efforts as Secretary of State to expand voting rights in indigenous communities.

Hobbs’ Collaborative Arizona plan will:

  • Make sure tribal leaders are centered in any discussion or policymaking.

  • Increase and promote economic security for tribal communities.

  • Prepare to address the overturning of the Indian Child Welfare Act.

  • Ensure that educating and preparing the next generation of leaders fully includes students in tribal communities.

  • Protect and expand the fundamental freedom to vote for everyone.

  • Build a fairer and more accountable justice system to better protect and serve tribal communities.

  • Expand access to health care, especially for children.

  • Protect our water and adapt to a changing climate.

Read the full plan here.