SOHA Honors Life and Service of Former Ak-Chin Indian Community Chairman Manuel
SOHA is deeply saddened at the untimely death of former Ak-Chin Indian Community Chairman Louis Manuel, Jr., who passed away at the age of 57 on April 6, 2020. Under Chairman Manuel’s leadership, the Ak-Chin Community has sponsored the Eva Tulene Watt award for Native Americans to attend the SOHA conference for years. Native Americans historically have been oral historians and are a valued part of SOHA.
Chairman Manuel was named chairman of the tribe in 2009 and served until January 2016. During his tenure, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino expanded and the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle was constructed. He helped guide the Community through a period of rapid growth and economic diversification. He was an advocate for Indigenous education, services for elders and accessibility to social and health services for tribal members. The mayor of Maricopa, the adjoining town, Congressman Tom O’Halleran and fellow tribal leaders were among those who praised him.
SOHA will respectfully tell our membership of Honorary Chairman Manuel’s role in the Watt award and have a moment of silence for him at our awards ceremony at our upcoming annual conference.
Southwest Oral History Association 