Phoenix Resident Is 'Committed To The Success Of His Tribal Community'

Phoenix, AZ— Without community leaders, Phoenix wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Michael Kintner, a Phoenix reader who nominated Robert Miguel.

How do you know the community leader?

Robert Miguel is the Chairman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community. Harrah’s Ak-Chin is an enterprise of the Ak-Chin Indian Community. I'm the General Manager at Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino.

What does this community leader do?

Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Chairman Miguel is committed to the success of his tribal community. He is the first tribally elected chairman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community, an office he has held since January 2016.

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

Raised by his paternal grandparents, the late Jonas and Mathilda Miguel, Chairman Miguel learned at an early age the importance of respect, dedication, tradition, culture, diplomacy and leadership.

Before serving on the Tribal Council, Chairman Miguel worked in various capacities within the Ak-Chin Indian Community including working with Ak-Chin Farms, Ak-Chin Parks and Recreation Department and the Ak-Chin O’odham Runner, the official newspaper of the Tribe. He is a strong education advocate and has focused his energies on providing education opportunities for tribal youth, providing access to services for the special needs community, and promoting healthy lifestyles through wellness and recreation programs. Chairman Miguel is a champion of growing and nurturing the Ak-Chin Indian Community’s cultural and traditional practices.

Chairman Miguel has represented the Ak-Chin Indian Community on various committees and boards, including the Ak-Chin Preschool Parent Committee President, Tribal Gaming Commissioner, Industrial Park Board Vice-Chairman, and Recreation Board Vice-President just to name a few.

His board service extends outside of the Ak-Chin Indian Community as well to such organizations as Native American Rights Fund (NARF) Board of Directors, Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) Board of Directors, Arizona Indian Gaming Association Board of Directors and the Arizonans for Tribal Government Gaming (ATGG).

Chairman Miguel is often asked to speak at local, state and national organizations such as the Native Nations Conferences, National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), Global Gaming (G2E), Arizona Indian Gaming Association (AIGA) and Reservation Economic Summit (RES) just to name a few.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

Chairman Miguel and his wife Connie have seven children and like his grandfather before him, he lives by the family motto “How Can I Help You.” And that philosophy impacts his leadership style and decision-making.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Know a community leader who deserves a shout-out?

Nominate them here.