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The CRIT Museum staff are committed to protecting and safeguarding tribal antique collections either stored or displayed. Educating tribal members, the community and tourists about the Colorado River Indian tribal history and as a resource for departments, CRIT operated enterprises and organizations.
The Museum expansion is now complete. A Grand Opening has been placed on hold until such time restrictions will allow for a celebration. There is an Admission fee of $5.00 + tax for Non-CRIT Tribal Members. Be advised, however, to follow Safety Protocols put in place. See Visits & Appointments.
Our Gift Shop supplies tribal artisans a venue to showcase their wares & crafts for purchase. We also have handmade items to make crafts such as beads, needles, thread, ribbon, lace & fabric. We also carry scarves (sold in sets), jewelry, traditional accessories in addition to books and dvd's. All inventory while supplies last. Come visit.
As of December 27, 2021, the Tribal Council approved to reinstate Phase Two Measures to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 with "Safer At Home" Orders Effective from January 1, 2022 until March 31, 2022.
What this means for the Museum and Gift Shop, is that the department will continue to keep its safety protocols in order that includes temperature checks and mask wearing upon entering, and answering a screening questionnaire. Calling in advance for groups more than four (4) is always helpful. Thank you for your cooperation.
The Museum hosts instruction of a variety of tribal cultural and/or traditional crafts, language, singing and dancing. Space is limited and registrants must be of a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe. Although we do have a list of pending tutorials, we have been placed on pause until the COVID restrictions are lifted.
It is imperative that the cultural intellect must be protected and therefore each session held and the teaching thereof are not to be exploited, but taught for the perpetuation of one's culture and traditions.
'The Colorado River reservation was established on the recommendation of Colonel Charles D. Poston, Superintendent of Indian Affairs of Arizona Territory, who held a council with the Indians at La Paz early in 1864. This council was attended by the principal chiefs and leading men of the Yuma, Mojave, Yavapai and Chemehuevi tribes. Soon after making his report and recommendation concerning this reservation Colonel Poston was selected as the Delegate to Congress from the newly organized Territory of Arizona, and it is largely due to his efforts that Congress approved the establishment of a reservation.' C. Girard Davidson, Assist. Sec. of Interior 1947
1865, On March 3, the Colorado River Reservation is established. 75,000 acres of trust lands are set aside from the public domain. Although established for Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hualapai, Yavapai and Quechan the last three tribes refused to move from their ancestral homelands. --Taken from Chronology of Historical Events. CRIT Museum Files
"Our leader, Irataba (Yaratev), saw for himself the reality of the whites in the east, and quickly protected his people by moving them to the most southern valley of their land far from the whites coveting Mohave valley, which is here. His leadership and forethought protected his people and our covenant in to the present day. His proud and dignified leadership caused President Lincoln to legally set aside territory for the Mohave under the laws of the United States on March 3, 1865. This is the reason we have a reservation that still protects us and the land and water and why we celebrate today." Dr. Michel Tsosie, Late CRIT Member/Historian/Former Museum Director.
Often times the Museum gets visits by persons who have in their possession what they believe to be an artifact/s and want to know more about their "finds" so they bring them in. For example, items found while on a trail, in a wash, left by grandparents who've passed and found in garages/attics, estate sales, etc. We appreciate the interests of wanting to learn more about the origins of the items and the desire to do the right thing and "give them back".
Before you come across and inadvertent discovery while trudging the landscape and considering to pick-up a piece of pottery sherd (not shard), or rock art, matate, mono, etc. know that federal and tribal laws govern that these pieces are to be left "insitu" or in its original place. (After November 16, 1990) Penalties are imposed for defacing petroglyphs or items destroyed.
Why? Because these items could very well be left by our ancestors as funerary objects that are deemed sacred or bear human remains within or about them and are now lawfully protected. There are ancestral corridors that exist today where these objects still remain and are often hiked, disturbed by off road vehicles, or sifted to the surface by the wind and rains.
Should your curiosity motivate you want to know more about what you've come across a picture and known location could be presented to our Tribal Historic Preservation Office, THPO, 928-669-5822. This is the department that is charged with cataloging, mapping through global positioning system (GPS) and Monitoring of cultural sensitive sites on and off our reservation. The department is located on North 1st Avenue, south of the Parker Indian Health Service, Parker, Az.
We love our customers! Do you have a question? Are you looking for something that isn't in our Museum or Store?
Drop us a line anytime, and we will get back to you with answers!
Colorado River Indian Tribes - Museum & Gift Shop
133 Riverside Drive, Parker, AZ 85344
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