Photos: Losing Ground, Part Five
Day Five of the Arizona Daily Star project on poverty in the Tucson area highlights the extreme issues on Arizona reservations and the programs and young people trying to make a difference.
Losing Ground: Day Five
Nadia Jose, front, 17, a recent graduate of Baboquivari High school enrolled at the University of Arizona, with her boyfriend and family St. Paul Church on the reservation in Sells, From left to right, Nakio Lopez, her boyfriend, Yanya Rios, her mom, Nadia Jose, Manalito Jose, her dad, Marcello Jose, brother 5, Noelle Jose, sister 11, Manalito Jose jr., brother. and Mathew Jose, brother, 13.
Losing Ground: Day Five
Phillip Enos, center, 29, grew up on the Tohono O'odham reservation, but left at age 16 when he began to feel that there was no opportunity on the reservations. He lived in Casa Grande, then in California for eight years and now he's living in Tucson. Here he attends a weekly jobs club meeting at the Tucson Indian Center and talks with Norbet Wilson about a list of job openings.
Losing Ground: Day Five
Yvonne Ventura, 18, right, receives some help from Gina Cestaro. art instructor, with her project in a basic design class at Tohono O'odham Community College in Sells. Ventura said her mother always pushed her to go to college. Ventura, who played volleyball, softball and was a cheerleader in high school, is taking two summer course at the community college this summer to prepare for her start at Northern Arizona University in the Fall.
Losing Ground: Day Five
Crop coordinator Sterling Johnson walks the fields as members of the New Generation of Tohono O'odham Farmers rip and irrigate the fields at Alexander Poncho Memorial Farms on Thursday, June 6, 2013, in Sells. As part of the Tohono O'odham Community Action non-profit, the farm outfit aims to create jobs for young farmers and re-associate tribe members with the nation's farming roots.
Losing Ground: Day Five
Crop coordinator Sterling Johnson, left, and intern Jesse Garcia, prepare to pump some of the few weeks worth of remaining harvested rainwater to irrigate as members of the New Generation of Tohono O'odham Farmers rip and irrigate the fields at Alexander Poncho Memorial Farms in Sells.
Losing Ground: Day Five
Crop coordinator Sterling Johnson, left, and intern Jesse Garcia work to repair a broken pull cord that put their water pump out of commission while just a few weeks worth of harvested rainwater pools behind them as members of the New Generation of Tohono O'odham Farmers rip and irrigate the fields at Alexander Poncho Memorial Farms in Sells, Ariz. As part of the Tohono O'odham Community Action non-profit, the farm outfit aims to create jobs for young farmers and re-associate tribe members with the nation's farming roots.
Losing Ground: Day Five
Graduated intern Vernal Sam rips up ground for new vegetation as members of the New Generation of Tohono O'odham Farmers rip and irrigate the fields at Alexander Poncho Memorial Farms on Thursday, June 6, 2013, in Sells. As part of the Tohono O'odham Community Action non-profit, the farm outfit aims to create jobs for young farmers and re-associate tribe members with the nation's farming roots.
Losing Ground: Day Five
White Green Chile, (White tepary beans, chicken & roasted green chilis flavor this rich stew), at the Desert Rain Cafe in Sells, Ariz. The Desert Rain Cafe features traditional Tohono O' odham foods.
Losing Ground: Day Five
A Cholla bud, Jicama & Citrus salad (Cholla buds, jicama, pineapple and citrus dressing served on a bed of baby spinach) is one of the many dishes at the Desert Rain Cafe which has a traditional Tohono O' odham feel to it,
Growing up on the Tohono O'odham Nation, Phillip Enos loved playing baseball with friends and picking fresh corn and watermelons at a nearby f…