The Threat on O'odham Lands by Ophelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham

Now being released, "Significant Impact: Contesting Surveillance Infrastructure on Tohono O'odham Je'ved" by Ophelia Rivas, Caitlin Blanchielf, and Nina Kolowratnik.

The Threat on O'odham Lands by Ophelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham

By Ophelia Rivas, Censored News, July 12, 2026

O’odham VOICE Against the WALL

4oodhamrights@gmail.com

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security threatens to construct the Metal Wall on 62 miles of Tohono O’odham Nations lands adjacent the United States and Mexico International border. 

The O’odham Way of Life is dismissed in waiving national protective laws, as was done with the 2006 Secure Fence Act Vehicle Barrier and the 2014 Arizona Border Surveillance Technology Plan.

U.S. Justice Dept Rejects Civil Rights Complaint Filed for Murder of Raymond Mattia by U.S. Border Patrol

 

Raymond Mattia, Tohono O'odham

U.S. Justice Dept Rejects Civil Rights Complaint Filed for Murder of Raymond Mattia by U.S. Border Patrol 

By Ophelia Rivas, O'odham Voice Against the Wall

Censored News, January 6, 2025

The system of justice for the killing of an American Indian is as expected by the people. The numerous federal agents on the Tohono O'odham reservation are justified in killing our people as they will not be held accountable by the system that pays them to be heavily armed and unmonitored on our land.

U.S. Border Patrol Agents Identified that Murdered Raymond Mattia

 

U.S. Border Patrol Agents who Murdered Raymond Mattia, Tohono O'odham, Identified

Tucson Sentinel, reporter Paul Ingram, reports:

"Three Border Patrol agents involved in the fatal shooting of a Tohono O'odham man in front of his home in 2023 were identified in legal filings on Friday.

"Earlier this year, the family of 58-year-old Raymond Mattia filed a lawsuit, accusing Border Patrol of excessive force and demanding the names of the agents who killed him.

"Attorneys Ryan Stitt and Marcus Bourassa filed an amended complaint, and on Friday issued a summons for Border Patrol Agents Scott Whitehouse, Dan Sifuentes, and Ivan Torralva, who they said "shot and killed Raymond for no reason."

U.S. Justice Department Complaint Filed in Homicide of Raymond Mattia by O'odham Voice Against the Wall

Raymond Mattia, Sr., Tohono O'odham, Photo courtesy Ophelia Rivas

U.S. Justice Department Complaint Filed for the Murder of Raymond Mattia, Tohono O'odham, by U.S. Border Patrol and Tribal Police

Civil Rights Complaint filed by Ophelia Rivas, O'odham Voice Against the Wall, and Signees

Ophelia Rivas

4oodhamrights@gmail.com
November 28,2024
Press Release

In honor of all fallen Earth Warriors, Defenders of the Land, Water, Sky and Sacred Fire, from the original O'odham lands.

O'odham VOICE Against the WALL Honors, Raymond Mattia Sr.

A complaint has been filed on November 7, 2024 with the Civil Rights Section of the United States Department of Justice seeking justice for violation of Mr. Raymond Mattia Sr. civil and constitutional rights.

Justice Department Refuses to Prosecute US Border Patrol Agents who Murdered Raymond Mattia

 

Raymond Mattia, Tohono O'odham

Justice Department Refuses to Prosecute US Border Patrol Agents Who Murdered Raymond Mattia

In a devastating cover-up, and denial of justice, the federal prosecutors in Arizona said they will not prosecute the Tohono O'odham police and US Border Patrol agents who murdered Raymond Mattia, Tohono O'odham, on the front steps of his home. Raymond was shot nine times in a hail of bullets. Earlier, Raymond had videotaped the local US Border Patrol agents running drugs through his community. When he submitted the evidence to authorities, the video evidence disappeared. The Intercept reports today on the refusal by the US Attorney's Office in Arizona to carry out justice. -- Censored News.

https://theintercept.com/2023/10/11/border-patrol-raymond-mattia/