Tag Archives: Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC)

Coconino County officials and members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces gathered during the regular meeting of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors to celebrate the approval of the official proclamation celebrating Sept. 15-Oct. 15, 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month. © AmigosNAZ 2026.

By AmigosNAZ.com

COCONINO COUNTY — Members of the Hispanic community gathered on Sept. 15 to celebrate the approval by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors of the official proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15).

Members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) took turns reading the official proclamation.

The proclamation was read by members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) including Chair Patricia Garcia and Vice Chair Frank Moraga.

The proclamation includes:

… WHEREAS, the month encourages people to explore the incredible impact Latinas and Latinos have had on the United States, Arizona and Coconino County for generations; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of the 2026 theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” Coconino County acknowledges the transformative role of Hispanic Americans in driving progress, innovation and social change across fields such as science, art, politics, education and community activism; and

WHEREAS, we will continue to advocate for Hispanics/Latinos as representation matters. Latinos and Latinas continue to shape our nation as business owners, activists, artists, public servants and more. From serving in the US military to being champions in the fight for civil rights, Latinas and Latinos remain strong leaders and changemakers. …

The ceremony can be viewed on the County’s Youtube site at http://youtube.com/coconinocnty at the 26:30 mark

***

AmigosNAZ will continue to compile a listing of upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month-related events. Send any update to fmoraga@amigosnaz.com

Other local events include:

At the same time the county was honoring Hispanic Heritage Month, students, faculty and staff at Northern Arizona University and members of the local community took part in the annual Celebración de NAU at the DUBOIS Ballroom.

The event was presented by the Community, Leadership, Alliances and Belonging (CoLAB) Center and will feature games and activities, connection with a variety of NAU and local organizations.

Community representatives included members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC), who shared information on upcoming programs and also helped NAU students create paper flowers.

Members of Flagstaff Nuestra Raíces, above and below, help students create traditional paper flowers.

Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) members Patricia Garcia and Joseph Ruiz take part in Celebración de NAU.

The event also shared upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month events at the campus including Loteria Night on Sept. 24, the next meeting of the Hispanic/Latine Leadership Program on Oct. 9 and the annual Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month Tailgate and Football Game on Oct. 10.

Click here or on images below for details.

Other upcoming events:

Coconino County will present a series of Zoom presentations in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from noon to 1 p.m. on Sept. 18, 24, Oct. 6, Oct. 15.

***

While not a part of the official Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, the local community has already begun preparations for upcoming Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Celebrations.

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, in partnership with the Museum of Northern Arizona, will present its 23rd annual Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct. 24-25 at the Museum.

See more details here and here

Event, Featured, News

Coconino County, Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) honor longtime community supporter Ruth Eaton

September 16, 2026 C.H.A.C.

Ruth Eaton receives a token of appreciation from District 2 Supervisor and Vice Chair Jeronimo Vasquez. Photos by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2026. **SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW**

**FLAGSTAFF —** On the same evening the Coconino County Board of Supervisors was recognizing Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month, it seemed only fitting that the county also recognized and honored a local community leader who has worked hard to ensure that the contributions of the local Hispanic community are also remembered.

The Board of Supervisors honored Ruth Eaton, former chair and member of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) during a ceremony held at the board’s meeting room on Sept. 15, 2026.

**James Orloski,** Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Coconino County Manager’s Office, read the following letter about her contributions to CHAC and the local community, with members of the board and CHAC also expressing their gratitude for her years of service. Ruth Eaton then thanked the board and the community for the recognition. The remarks can be seen on the county’s YouTube site at the 3:20 mark.

**Letter entered into the County record:**

***Recognition of Ruth Eaton’s Volunteer Service and Dedication to Coconino County***
*Coconino County proudly recognizes Ruth Eaton for more than 11 years of dedicated volunteer service, leadership and commitment to Coconino County and the community she has called home for many years.*

Ruth’s involvement with the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) began in 2014, when she began volunteering her time to assist CHAC. In January 2015, she was formally appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve as a member. For more than a decade, Ruth was a dedicated and engaged member of CHAC, serving until April 2026. During her tenure, she took on several leadership roles, including Chair and Vice Chair, providing thoughtful guidance and helping strengthen connections between the County and the diverse communities it serves.

From the beginning, Ruth demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to CHAC and its mission. Fellow CHAC members describe her as a “vital and dedicated addition” to the organization, noting that she was involved even before her formal appointment. Once she became a member, Ruth consistently brought her energy, creativity and willingness to help to virtually every aspect of CHAC’s work.

Ruth became one of CHAC’s unofficial historians and documentarians, working alongside her husband, Richard, to preserve CHAC’s history through photographs, video photo loops and photo displays. She painstakingly created large photo boards and display posters highlighting CHAC’s activities and community engagement, many of which became part of CHAC’s annual breakfast celebrations. Through this work, Ruth helped ensure that the stories, accomplishments and relationships built through CHAC’s service would be remembered and celebrated.

Her commitment was equally evident in CHAC’s community outreach. Ruth could always be counted on to lend a hand at events ranging from Armed Forces Day and Fourth of July parades to food drives, the Coconino County Fair and numerous other outreach activities. She also played an important role in updating CHAC’s marketing materials and bringing issues of community concern to the attention of CHAC members and County officials. Her fellow members have described her as an outstanding ambassador for CHAC – someone whose enthusiasm, reliability and genuine care for the community strengthened CHAC.

Ruth also helped lead CHAC’s student awards efforts, demonstrating her particular passion for recognizing and encouraging young people. Ruth also represented CHAC on the inaugural art selection panel for the Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta County Park multicultural art installation, contributing her perspective to a project that celebrates community, culture and public art.

Ruth’s commitment to Coconino County extends beyond CHAC. Since 2020, she has served on the Employee Appeals Board, contributing her time, experience and perspective to support the county and its employees.

As a longtime resident of Coconino County, Ruth has also demonstrated a deep and enduring commitment to giving back to her local community. Her many other contributions include volunteering with Northern Arizona University’s Hispanic Convocation Committee and participating in the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) and the Hispanic Leadership Institute West.

Ruth’s dedication to service has been a hallmark of her professional and personal life. During her career with Catholic Charities in Maricopa County, she served in numerous community service and leadership roles, including on Catholic Charities’ Ethics Committee and the 2003 Education Subcommittee of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Child Protective Services Reform. She was also a founding board member of the Arizona Fathers and Families Coalition.

Ruth’s career encompassed college instruction, administration, management and consulting experience, and she retired after a long career with Catholic Charities. At the heart of Ruth’s approach to service has been her belief that Latino leaders have a responsibility to help cultivate the next generation of leaders through mentoring, connecting and volunteering. Throughout her years of service, Ruth has lived that philosophy by generously sharing her time, knowledge and experience with others.

*Coconino County is grateful for Ruth’s years of leadership and service to CHAC and celebrates the lasting impact she has made on the community.*

Ruth and Richard Eaton await the opening of the ceremony.

Ruth and Richard Eaton joined by CHAC Chair Patricia Garcia. and Vice Chair Frank Moraga.

James Orloski reads the letter of recognition for Ruth Eaton.

Patricia Garcia expresses her gratitude for the contrition to the organization by Ruth Eaton.

County Supervisors Lena Fowler, Jeronmo Vasquez, Tammy Ontiveros, above and below, and Judy Begay (via remote) thanked Ruth Eaton for her years of community service.

Ruth Eaton thanks the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, CHAC and the community for the recognition.

Featured, News

CHAC, county representatives take part in Flagstaff First Friday Open House at Coconino County Courthouse on May 2, 2025

May 8, 2025 C.H.A.C.

FLAGSTAFF — Members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) joined county representatives during the Flagstaff First Friday Open House at the Coconino County Courthouse on May 2, 2025.

Besides CHAC, other departments sharing information during the event included Coconino County Courts, the Coconino County Elections Dept., Emergency Management, Coconino County Flood Control District and Coconino County Human Resources.

Featured, News

Time to be a CHAC member!

March 1, 2025 C.H.A.C.

Membership

The council is composed of volunteer members appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Members must reside in Coconino County, and should have an interest in and knowledge of issues and concerns of importance to the Hispanic Community residing in Coconino County. One does not need to be Hispanic to be a member. For more information about membership appointment and term limits, please read through the council bylaws. The council is currently recruiting interested citizens. Interested citizens are encouraged to submit an electronic application for membership to the council.

Call James Orloski at 928-679-8626 or send an email to jorloski@coconino.az.gov to get an application or more information.

Event, Featured, News

Make reservations now for Cesar E. Chavez Community Recognition Breakfast on March 21, 2025

February 13, 2025 C.H.A.C.

COCONINO COUNTY — The public is invited to attend the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council’s (CHAC) 7th annual César E. Chávez Community Breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2025 at American Legion Post 3, 204 W. Birch Ave., Flagstaff.

Doors open at 6:45 a.m.

Join us in honoring those who supported the Hispanic community this past year.

The celebration includes guest speakers (with presentations on an upcoming Cesar Chavez/UFW-related student mural art project at NAU; update on NAU Hispanic Serving Institution programs, community updates by local elected officials), Cesar Chavez historical video presentations and the return of NAU’s Banda Latino Caribeña de Flagstaff.

Bring your handouts for our Community Information Table!

Contact Areina Contreras at acontreras@coconino.az.gov, call (928) 679-0886 or visit https://coconinochac.org for more information.

Optional breakfast $15 per person

Visit https://square.link/u/z2kNkphe

or scan QR Code below to purchase tickets