PHOENIX — After the removal of 22 tribal flags from the Carl T. Hayden Phoenix VA Medical Center last week, Governor Katie Hobbs announced she will display the flags in the Arizona Executive Tower rotunda in honor of Native American veterans.
The flags, representing Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes, were taken down by the Trump administration, sparking widespread backlash from tribal leaders and veterans’ advocates.
“These flags are more than fabric — they’re symbols of sovereignty, sacrifice, and service,” Hobbs said. “Displaying them at the Capitol is the least we can do while we fight to return them to their rightful place at the VA.”
The flags were temporarily held by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, who then entrusted them to Hobbs.
Tribal Leaders Respond
Outraged tribal leaders from across Arizona condemned the decision, calling it disrespectful, insulting, and an erasure of Native history and service.
Chairwoman Sherry Cordova, Cocopah Tribe: “The removal of tribal flags sends a message that the sacrifices made are irrelevant.”
Chairman Gabriel Lopez, Ak-Chin Indian Community: “The first step is immediately returning the 22 Tribal flags to their rightful place.”
President Buu Nygren, Navajo Nation: “It is essential that the sovereignty of tribes continues to be represented.”
Chairman Terry Rambler, San Carlos Apache Tribe: “This is our land. And we are not going anywhere.”
Many emphasized that Native Americans serve in the U.S. military at the highest rate per capita, with some families giving multiple generations to national service.
Call for Reversal
The VA’s new policy, which led to the removal of the flags, was criticized for making room for other political sovereign flags — like state and federal banners — while excluding tribal nations.
Tribal leaders and Hobbs are calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to reverse the decision and restore the flags to the Phoenix VA Hospital, where they stood as symbols of pride, recognition, and representation for Native American veterans.
