Year in Review: Kelly Delivers for Arizona’s Tribal Communities in 2024

In the past year, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly delivered significant wins for Arizona’s Tribal communities—advancing long-awaited water rights settlements, securing historic investments in housing and clean energy, and championing the preservation of Tribal lands and cultural heritage. From expanding access to safe, reliable water to bringing electricity to underserved homes and protecting sacred sites, Kelly’s efforts emphasized his unwavering commitment to ensuring Arizona’s Tribes thrive for generations to come. 

Delivering Clean, Reliable Water for Tribal Nations 

Kelly led historic efforts to secure water access and infrastructure for Arizona’s Tribal communities. He introduced the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act and the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act, both bipartisan, bicameral efforts aimed at resolving long-standing water disputes, securing Tribal water rights, and building critical infrastructure. Together, these bills would provide over $6 billion to deliver safe, reliable water, fund key projects, and guarantee more than 60,000 acre-feet of water annually for Tribal communities. These efforts also promote water conservation, protect the flow of the Verde River, and enhance community resilience, ensuring a brighter future for Arizona’s Tribes.  

Throughout the year, Kelly worked closely with Tribal leaders, including Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, Hopi Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma, Yavapai Apache Chairwoman Tanya Lewis, and San Juan Southern Paiute Leadership, who traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for these settlements. He ensured their voices were heard, including introducing them in committee hearings.  

Investments in Housing and Infrastructure 

Under Kelly’s leadership on the Inflation Reduction Actand Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, he delivered over $233.7 million in housing grants for 20 Tribal communities across Arizona to expand affordable housing options. This included over $5.2 million for the White Mountain Apache and Cocopah Tribes to rehabilitate housing units for low-income families. Kelly also secured over $27.5 million for the Window Rock and Lupton Traffic Interchange Enhancement project, replacing outdated Interstate 40 bridges near Window Rock—the Navajo Nation’s capital—to improve pedestrian safety, mitigate flooding, and enhance critical interchanges vital to Tribal communities and cargo movement. 

Expanding Energy Access and Climate Resilience 

To address energy access and climate challenges, Kelly secured more than $87.5 million for residential solar projects, bringing electricity to underserved areas like the Hopi Tribe, where 35% of households lack power. He also announced nearly $30 million in climate pollution reduction grants for the Hopi Tribe and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and approximately $107 million for the Gila River Indian Community to fund critical water conservation projects, including upgrades to irrigation systems, canal improvements, and the construction of a regulating reservoir. 

Strengthening Tribal Sovereignty  

Kelly led efforts to transfer 3,060 acres of forest land to the Tonto Apache Tribe, honoring their historical ties to the region and empowering them with greater control over their ancestral lands. In October, Kelly also joined President Biden at the Gila River Indian Community where the president delivered an apology for the Federal Indian Boarding School Era, acknowledging the serious harm caused by these schools and the resilience of Native communities. With 47 federal Indian boarding schools, Arizona had the second highest number in the nation, a legacy that underscores the importance of efforts to preserve Tribal culture and honor their sovereignty.  

 In 2025, Kelly will continue delivering results that strengthen tribal communities.