CONTACT:ÝÝ Steve Tripp

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 602-307-9504

$125,000 to aid Arizona fire victims & other emergencies

TRIBE TO BRING UNUSED 9/11 RELIEF FUNDS HOME,

LOCAL AND STATEWIDE RED CROSS EFFORTS TO BENEFIT

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (July 1, 2002) ñ With nearly half of the donations to the Red Cross' 9/11 Relief Fund so far unused, the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe has officially instructed that the organization re-direct $125,000 to Arizona emergencies and disaster relief efforts.Ý On September 14, 2001, in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., the tribe became the state's largest contributor to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund with their unprecedented donation of $250,000.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ On Friday, June 28, 2002, tribal President Ernie Jones, Sr., on behalf of the tribe's board of directors:Ý Vice President Calvin Hunter, Jr., Secretary/Treasurer Betty Hunter and board members Floyd James and Lorna Galeano, made the request for the funds to be re-directed to Arizona.Ý He cited the ongoing crisis in the Mogollon Rim-White Mountains area as the reason for the tribe's urgent request.

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ "After learning that nearly half of our donation was not critically needed in New York or Washington, we decided that it was essential that the money be returned to Arizonaóparticularly in light of the recent devastating fires in the northeastern part of the state," said Jones.Ý "It became clear to us that the more immediate needs were right here at home."

ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ The tribe's donation will now be earmarked as follows:Ý $100,000 will assist the Red Cross' ongoing efforts to aid victims of the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, along with relief efforts stemming from the recent Prescott fire, $25,000 will be directed to Yavapai County general emergency services and the remaining $125,000 will stay in the Red Cross Liberty Fund.ÝÝÝÝÝ

The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe is located adjacent to the central Arizona community of Prescott, approximately one hour north of Phoenix.