Anselmo Valencia Tori

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Anselmo Valencia Tori-Former Chairman, Pascua Yaqui Association, Former Vice-Chairman, Elder Pascua Yaqui Tribal Council. -Died May 2nd, 1998.

[edit] Accomplishments

World War II veteran. No formal education, however, he became a teacher, tribal historian, and eventually, the political and spiritual leader of the Yaqui peoples. Noted by the Arizona House of Representatives [1] as the driving force behind the Yaqui tribe's efforts to obtain Federal recognition as well as historic tribe designation. Noted as authority on Yaqui culture, he helped establish the Yoemem Tekia Foundation, which is dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of Yaqui culture.

[edit] Tribal Rights

Tori was the political figure of the Yaqui tribe, who strove to gain economic development opportunities as well as social and medical services. He was also known to support tribal efforts in the traditional Pueblos in Rio Yaqui, Sonora, Mexico. Anselmo worked toward the eventual self-determination, tribal sovereignty, and human rights of the Pascua Yaqui.