News

Coconino County approves proclamation ‘Celebrating and Honoring the Life of Dr. Miguel Vasquez.’ Celebration of Life events to be held on Nov. 3

October 23, 2024 C.H.A.C.

Celebration of Life for Professor Emeritus Miguel Vasquez to be held on Nov. 3 at NAU

By AmigosNAZ.com

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors officially approved a proclamation on Oct. 15, 2024 “Celebrating and Honoring the Life of Dr. Miguel Vasquez,” who passed away on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Photo by Frank X. Moraga / www.AmigosNAZ.com

“WHEREAS, Coconino County and the communities within lost a cultural leader, mentor, and teacher on October 6, 2024 with the passing of Dr. Miguel Vasquez …” according to the opening of the proclamation read by the brother of Miguel Vasquez, David Vasquez.

According to a biography on the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) website…

Vasquez Ph.D, Professor of Anthropology (Emeritus) Northern Arizona, was a founding member of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC).

A native of San Francisco, he recently retired as an applied anthropologist who worked with Latino, Mayan, Native American, African American, and disabled adult communities for almost 50 years. He was recognized as an NAU President’s Distinguished Teaching Fellow. In his 32 years at NAU, he taught nearly 12,000 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, according to his biography on the county’s CHAC website.

With extensive experience working with farmworkers in California, the Hopi Tribe here in Arizona, in Mayan communities in Guatemala and Mexico, and as consultant with the U.S. Department of Health &Human Services, he provided valuable cultural insights and technical assistance in community engagement, asset based community development, and program assessment.

He was a contributor to the World Health Organization Spanish-Language Manual on Disabilities, a past Board Member of the Society for Applied Anthropology, the Flagstaff Unified School District and the Museum of Northern Arizona.

He was married for more than 45 years to Marina Vasquez, a Mayan elder (now retired) with the NAU Native American Cultural Center. They have 2 sons, (District 2 Supervisor) Jeronimo and Francisco Vasquez, and 7 wonderful grandchildren.

SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW

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Celebration of Life for Professor Emeritus Miguel Vasquez to be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at the duBois Center, Aspen Rooms A-B-C, Northern Arizona University.

There will be music, food, and dancing to celebrate Dr. Vasquez’s legacy.

A GoFundMe account has been created to establish a memorial scholarship at NAU.

Please visit: https://gofund.me/0afc7f2f

David Vasquez, above and below, reads the proclamation. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / http://www.AmigosNAZ.com ©2024

Current CHAC Chair Patty Garcia, left, looks on as former CHAC Chair Ruth Eaton talks about the contributions of Miguel Vasquez to the organization and the community. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / http://www.AmigosNAZ.com ©2024

Killip Principal Joe Gutierrez wishes his condolences to the family of Miguel Vastest and talks about his educational contributions to the school and the local community. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / http://www.AmigosNAZ.com ©2024

District 2 Supervisor talks about his father Dr. Miguel Vasquez and thanks community members and the Board of Supervisors for their support. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / http://www.AmigosNAZ.com ©2024

Family, friends and community leaders gather for a group photo following the approval of the proclamation. Photo courtesy Coconino County.

Event, News

Coconino County Board of Supervisors to read proclamation at 6 p.m. Oct. 15 honoring life of CHAC founding member Miguel Vasquez

October 15, 2024 C.H.A.C.

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors will read a proclamation at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024 honoring life of Miguel Vasquez, who passed away on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Vasquez Ph.D, Professor of Anthropology (Emeritus) Northern Arizona, was a founding member of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC).

***

Also see community comments about Miguel Vasquez here at the Mayan Winds Flagstaff Coffee Shop Facebook page.

Photo courtesy Robert Neustadt, Professor of Spanish (On sabbatical, 2023-2024) Dept. of Global Languages and Cultures, Northern Arizona University.

Miguel Vasquez, center, celebrates the 2023 Flagstaff 4th of July Parade. Photo by http://www.AmigosNAZ.com

Miguel Vasquez, top left, at the January 2023 CHAC retreat. Photo by http://www.AmigosNAZ.com

Miguel Vasquez with Jeronimo Vasquez at the Grand Canyon in November 2022. Photo courtesy office of District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez.

Miguel Vasquez and family at the October 2022 Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Photo courtesy office of District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez.

Miguel Vasquez, speaks about the steps in creating a healthier community during the Hermosa Vida program held May 12, 2010 in Flagstaff. Photo by http://www.AmigosNAZ.com

Featured, News

Tri-Diversity Councils visit County’s Election Center in Flagstaff to learn about voting security, procedures

September 19, 2024 C.H.A.C.

Members and representatives from the Tri-Diversity Council listen to a Coconino County Election official discuss the multiple layers of security to ensure that every vote is counted during the upcoming Nov. 5, 2024 General Election. Photos by Frank X. Moraga ©2024

FLAGSTAFF — Members of the Tri-Diversity Councils, which included the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council, visited the Coconino County Election Center in Flagstaff to gain information on ballot security for the Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 General Election.

A team of election officials answered a wide variety of election-related questions during the nearly two-hour tour.

Participants were able test the system using KNOWiNK PollPads for registration validation and then submit via traditional ink-marked paper ballot or ExpressVote Marking Devices to submit sample votes. None of the electronic equipment is connected to the internet.

Members then visited a large warehouse storage room which contained all the sets of voting equipment that will be securely sent to 30 polling centers and 15 voting centers throughout the county. More than 400 poll workers have been hired by the county, with each center having between 5 and 15 workers depending on the size of the area served by the center.

Submitted votes are then escorted by county law enforcement officials from each voting location back to Flagstaff, where every vote is tabulated and counted used the Elections Systems and Software (ES&S) closed network system.

On election night, observers appointed by their political party can view from a corridor the tubulation of ballots from behind a large glass window. Early, Provisional and Conditional ballots are also counted on election night, with all signatures verified.

A Frequently Ask Question (FAQ) on the County’s election process can be found at https://www.coconino.az.gov/3098/Elections-FAQ

Coconino County has two separate departments that work together to administer elections. The County Recorder and the Elections Department are each responsible for overseeing specific areas of the election process. For more information, visit https://www.coconino.az.gov/195/Elections

*Election workers tests ballots using the* Elections Systems and Software (ES&S) *DS950 Ballot Tabulator.*

Election workers tests ballots using the Elections Systems and Software (ES&S) DS450 Ballot Tabulator.

Election officials describe the variety of equipment in the Elections Center Warehouse that will be sent out to 30 polling centers and 15 election centers throughout Coconino County.

Visitors to the Ballot counting observation corridor art first created with a large mural showing voting history in the United States, Arizona and Coconino County, above and below.

Elections workers are still being sought by Coconino County. Click here or on image above for more information.

Featured, News

Coconino County Board of Supervisors officially proclaimed Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Coconino County!

September 19, 2024 C.H.A.C.

Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) Chair Patricia Garcia, center left, receives the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation from District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez. Courtesy photo.

COCONINO COUNTY — At their most recent meeting, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors officially proclaimed Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month in Coconino County!

In recognition of the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” the County acknowledges how Latinos and Latinas are pioneers of change who are shaping the future, with the spirit of innovation, resilience, and unity that defines the Hispanic experience.

You can read the full proclamation here or click on image below : https://www.coconino.az.gov/…/2024-Coconino-County…