Quechan Tribe demands action after supervisor's racial stereotype remark

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 03:02 · Archive

Imperial County Supervisor John Hawk's description of meeting Quechan Tribe members as being 'scalped' has prompted calls for action.

The Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe is demanding action after Imperial County Supervisor John Hawk made comments during an April transportation meeting that relied on racial stereotypes, according to tribal leaders. In video from the meeting that recently surfaced, Hawk described accompanying another official to meet with the tribe about the Picacho Road Bridge, saying: 'There were like 75 people there, and they took turns. I mean it was brutal. I mean we felt like we were 'scalped.''

Michael Jack, Quechan Parks and Recreation director, confronted the board about the remarks on Tuesday. He said the original meeting was aimed at securing support to rebuild the bridge. 'I was highly upset,' Jack said. 'It wasn't just what he said; it was that his feelings were more important than the community's needs.'

The Picacho Road Bridge, a critical link between Yuma, Arizona and Imperial County, California, has been closed since March 2025. This forces drivers onto longer detours via the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge and through Yuma traffic. Tribe member Cody Hartt raised safety concerns: 'We're putting our kids in danger crossing railroad tracks, going under underpasses that aren't maintained.' Richard Cordero, superintendent of San Pasqual Valley Unified School District, questioned emergency access, asking what route ambulances would take.

Quechan Tribe demands action after supervisor's racial stereotype remark — Image: KOLD

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How it is being reported

Quechan Tribe demands action on bridge after Imperial County supervisor’s ‘scalped’ remarkTribal leaders say the remarks relied on racial stereotypes and overshadowed serious concerns over the closure of the Picacho Road Bridge.KOLD · 24 Oct, 02:28
Quechan Tribe demands action on bridge after Imperial County supervisor’s ‘scalped’ remarkTribal leaders say the remarks relied on racial stereotypes and overshadowed serious concerns over the closure of the Picacho Road Bridge.Azfamily · 24 Oct, 02:28

In this story: Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe · John Hawk · Imperial County · Picacho Road Bridge · Yuma · Michael Jack

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