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| Raymond Mattia, Tohono O'odham, was murdered by the U.S. Border Patrol at his home in Ali Jegk on May 18, 2023.
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By Ofelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham, Censored News, May 18, 2025
GU-VO District, Tohono O'odham Nation -- Harassment on Ray's birthday and a cultural meeting.
It's continuous intimidation warfare tactics on the community,
Also there is a death in the community.
They told the district officials that there was suspicious activities going on. We are preparing for the cultural meeting, getting firewood.
The family lost a young man in his 30's, we're in sad mourning.
It's continuous intimidation warfare tactics on the community,
Also there is a death in the community.
They told the district officials that there was suspicious activities going on. We are preparing for the cultural meeting, getting firewood.
The family lost a young man in his 30's, we're in sad mourning.
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| U.S. Border Patrol and Tohono O'odham Nation Police during Mourning Ceremony. Photo by Ofelia Rivas. |
Read and listen to more:
Ofelia Rivas describes the murder of her lifelong friend, Raymond Mattia, by the U.S. Border Patrol on Tiokasin Ghosthorse's First Voices Radio.
Ofelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham, speaks with First Voices Radio host Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Lakota. Ofelia describes how the U.S. Border Patrol murdered her friend Raymond Mattia, Tohono O'odham, at his home on the Tohono O'odham Nation.
Ofelia shares how Ray's father was her spiritual mentor and taught her about O'odham ceremonies. "Raymond is my ceremony brother, and I have a lot of respect for him."
Ofelia describes the moments leading up to Ray's murder when about 25 U.S. Border Patrol trucks arrived. After murdering Raymond, Ofelia could hear the U.S. Border Patrol agents laughing about murdering him. The gunfire included two shots from the back, and U.S. Border Patrol agents bashed in Raymond's body after he was shot and dying.
"He died such a painful death," Ofelia said. "He was unarmed."
Ofelia filed a civil rights complaint which was denied by the U.S. Justice Department. A Tohono O'odham Nation police officer, a non-tribal member, who had continually harassed Raymond, led the U.S. Border Patrol to Ray's home that night.
Ofelia said this tribal police officer's actions are a hate crime.
Ofelia Rivas website: O'odham Rights
Copyright Ofelia Rivas. Content may not be used without written permission.
