FORT MCDOWELL YAVAPAI RESERVATION — We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort’s banquet hall was done up in Valentine’s Day rose red for its council inauguration Feb. 10.
Incumbent President Sandra Pattea and Treasurer Ernestine Kill, as well as incoming council secretary Verlene Baptisto and Council Member Bernadine Burnette sported red, sparkly camp dresses. Paul Russell, who was sworn into a sixth term as vice president, sported a bright red tie, and incumbent Council Member Gerald Doka donned a red-and-white sports jacket for the occasion.
The three incoming leaders were sworn into office in front of an estimated 300 people, including Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, tribal leaders and state and local officials.
The 950-member tribe elects half of its council every two years to ensure governmental continuity.
Pattea congratulated the incoming council members, all of whom were either reelected or returned to the council, and said she was ready to continue leading the community and working with the council.
Mayes congratulated her longtime friend Russell on retaining his longtime office.
«A few of you know that I had the pure joy of growing up with Paul Russell in Prescott, Arizona, where we attended Prescott High School,» she said.
Mayes, a former reporter for The Arizona Republic before leaving to attend law school, revealed something new about her old high school buddy: «We worked together on the Badger newspaper,» Prescott High’s student publication. Russell was at one time Mayes’ editor.
Mayes also credited Russell with giving her good advice on working with tribes.
Russell said the tribe has made strides over the years. «Decades ago, we started with a simple brand, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club; We-Ko-Pa is the Yavapai word for Four Peaks,» he said.