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Press Release: Yavapai-Apache Nation Hosts Congressman Crane and Assistant Secretary Kirkland

November 25, 2025 by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 25, 2025

Yavapai-Apache Nation Hosts Visit from U.S. Representative Eli Crane and Assistant Secretary of the Interior William “Billy” Kirkland

Camp Verde, AZ — U.S. Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) joined Assistant Secretary of the Interior William “Billy” Kirkland on November 24, 2025, for an official visit to the Yavapai-Apache Nation to strengthen government-to-government relations, advance key federal-tribal initiatives, and reaffirm support for the Nation’s ongoing priorities.

The visit featured a guided tour of key areas within the Nation, including parcels of land exchanged with the U.S. Forest Service, the construction site of the new Middle Verde Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the expanding housing development in the Tunlii community. Following the tour, the delegation joined Chairman Buddy Rocha, Jr., Vice Chairman Charlie Baca, IV, Tribal Council members, staff, and community members for remarks and a reception.

Chairman Buddy Rocha, Jr. stated:

“It was an honor to welcome Assistant Secretary Kirkland on his first field visit, and to host Representative Crane in recognition of our shared commitment to our community’s health, infrastructure, and economic future. Together we are building on our Tribe’s heritage and creating opportunities for the next generation.”

Congressman Crane added:

“We appreciate Chairman Buddy Rocha, Jr.’s warm hospitality and look forward to continuing our strong partnership to deliver meaningful results for the Nation.”

Discussions during the visit centered on the pending federal water settlement, major infrastructure projects, ongoing housing development, and recent land acquisitions. Assistant Secretary Kirkland reaffirmed the Department of the Interior’s dedication to supporting the Nation’s priorities and emphasized the importance of Tribal sovereignty and sustainable growth.

The Yavapai-Apache Nation remains committed to ensuring the health, well-being, and prosperity of its members, and deeply values the collaboration of its federal partners.

 

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Media Contact:

Treyson Fullmer, Communications Coordinator

Yavapai-Apache Nation

tfullmer@yan-tribe.org | 928-567-1071

Chairman Rocha points toward the landscape while speaking with Assistant Secretary Billy Kirkland, Congressman Eli Crane, Vice Chairman Charlie Baca, and other Tribal leaders during the tour of the land exchange parcels near Cherry Creek Road.
Chairman Buddy Rocha Jr. briefs Assistant Secretary Billy Kirkland, Congressman Eli Crane, and Yavapai-Apache Nation leadership during the first stop of the tour at the Cherry Creek Road land exchange parcels.
Congressman Crane, Chairman Rocha, Attorney General Scott Canty, and Assistant Secretary Kirkland stand at the Tunlii Community Park overlook reviewing display boards, with the Verde River and the Middle Verde wastewater facility site visible in the background.
Congressman Eli Crane, Chairman Buddy Rocha Jr., YAN Attorney General Scott Canty, and Assistant Secretary Billy Kirkland review project materials from the Tunlii Community Park overlook, with a view of the Verde River and the Middle Verde Wastewater Treatment Facility site.
Assistant Secretary Billy Kirkland, Congressman Eli Crane, and four Yavapai-Apache Nation Royalty stand together inside a stone-walled room at Cloverleaf Ranch following the reception.
Assistant Secretary of the Interior Billy Kirkland and Congressman Eli Crane meet with Yavapai-Apache Nation Royalty — Little Miss, Miss Princess, Tiny Tot, and Miss Teen — during a post-reception gathering at Cloverleaf Ranch.
Tribal Council members, Miss Teen, Little Miss, Assistant Secretary Billy Kirkland, and Congressman Eli Crane pose together outdoors at Cloverleaf Ranch at the end of the reception, with the Verde Valley mountains in the background.
Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Council members, Miss Teen, Little Miss, Assistant Secretary Billy Kirkland, and Congressman Eli Crane gather for a closing photo following the reception at Cloverleaf Ranch.

 

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