FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council joined with the African American Advisory and the Intertribal Advisory councils for the 2018 Vora Financial Holiday Parade of Lights, held Dec. 8 in downtown Flagstaff.

A variety of local businesses, non profit organizations, public safety and other agencies took part in the event.

Lina Wallen, left, and Patty Garcia, wave to the crowd during the 2018 Holiday Parade of Lights.

Ruth and Richard Eaton deck out their vehicle, above and below, for the CHAC entry.

The Intertribal Advisory Council makes its appearance, above and below.

The African American Advisory Council was represented at the parade.

Photos above by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2018

Photos below by Ruth Eaton

Diversity council members get their rides ready for the parade.

Members of the Diversity council get ready for the evening’s festivities.

CHAC supporter Richard Eaton helps prepare activities for children at the celebration. Photo by Ruth Eaton.

FLAGSTAFF — A variety of NAU student clubs held their annual Día de los Muertos Celebration on Nov. 3 at Killip Elementary School.

The event was presented by NAU Hermanas, United for Change and sponsored by WF Killip Elementary School, the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.

The celebration, which has outgrown previous venues at the Murdoch Cultural Center and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Cultural Arts Center, was moved to Killip this year.

The annual event, which honors Day of the Dead, included performances by members of Ballet Folklorico de Colores de Flagstaff, an altar / ofrenda presentation by members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, sugar skull decorating, food and a piñata for children.

CHAC member Barbara Mendez lights candles on her ofrenda.

CHAC Chair Ruth Eaton staffs the CHAC table.

Photos above by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2018

Photos below  by Ruth Eaton.

CHAC and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces member Frank X. Moraga gets ready for the evening’s events.

FLAGSTAFF — In 1968 the United States Congress passed a resolution to celebrate Hispanic heritage at the national level and in 1988, the President of the United States formalized an annual month of Hispanic heritage recognition from September 15 to October 15 of each year.

It is an honor to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of individuals whose ancestors came from Aztec and Mayan Indigenous peoples, Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin American, Central America and South America. Therefore, members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC), along with Human Resources, presented a proclamation to the Board of Supervisors this week celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

Employees of Coconino County took part in a number of programs to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, including workshops on:

• Census 2020 — its impact on Hispanic / Latino individuals and related NALEO Initiatives, presented by Treasurer Sarah Benatar and Special Assistant to the County Manager Kim Musselman.
• Professional Growth and Career Development for Hispanic / Latino Employees, featuring a discussion panel by District 2 Supervisor Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Archuleta; Treasurer Sarah Benatar and Assessor Armando Ruiz.
• Todos Unidos: Flagstaff’s Hispanic Pioneers, featuring a presentation by Sacha Siskonen of the Pioneer Museum & Riordan Mansion.
• Other county events include a weekly book club, “A Small Story about the Sky” by Alberto Rios; DACA Students and Services Provided to address Federal Policy Changes, presented by the Northern Arizona University’s Office of Inclusion; a presentation by Gloria Montaño Greene, Arizona State Director, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Education Fund; a presentation by the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC), a Salsa contest and a screening of the movie, “Coco.”

Matt Ryan, newly installed chair of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, introduces the 2018 Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation. Photo by Theresa Munoz.

CHAC Chair Ruth Eaton, top and left below, reads the 2018 Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation with new CHAC member Norma Gallegos, below. Photos by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2018

CHAC Chair Ruth Eaton staffs the CHAC table.

CHAC Chair Ruth Eaton staffs the CHAC table.

CHAC members enjoy a selfie moment.

FLAGSTAFF — After a while it was hard to tell who was having more fun, the parade goers standing or seated on the downtown Flagstaff sidewalks or Korean War veteran Timoteo Cordova as he waved a flag or gave the thumbs up from the back of the Jeep as part of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) entry in the 2018 Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Parade.

Seated next to Cordova was another Korean War veteran, Paul Lopez, with both men hearing the shouts of “Thank you for your service,” and watching as parade goers stood up in attention and saluted as they passed by.

CHAC Chair Ruth Eaton, accompanied by CHAC Vice Chair Barbara Mendez, drove the white sports car leading the entry, with Richard Eaton piloting the Jeep as their grandchildren rode in the back carrying signs, “Register Now to Vote.”

Photos by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2018