Safford gifts rare turquoise to tribal neighbors

In early August, Safford Geology team members Michael Tharby, Tesfay Kefle, Jackie Drazan, Ryan Helms, Carolyn Pauly and Louis Shanley delivered several pounds of turquoise-infused rock from the Lone Star pit to the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Tribal representatives accepted the donation during a special Apache ceremony at the San Carlos Apache Cultural Center. Tanayia White, Lead Native American Affairs Specialist-Safford and San Carlos Apache Tribe member, facilitated the donation and noted it as the first time the tribe had received such a gift. Thanks to former Safford Chief Geologist Angela Roach, now at Tyrone, for setting the stage to donate the turquoise, which has special meaning to the Apache and many other indigenous groups throughout the southwestern U.S.