Photo: (l to r) Kena Adams, Indian Voices Nevada Coordinator; Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman; Author Melissa M. Gonzales; Yvonne Hawk Verjan, Indian Voices
by Melissa M. Gonzales
The Las Vegas team at Indian Voices interviewed Mayor Carolyn Goodman during her final term, which concluded a 13-year tenure. After giving the team a warm welcome, she invited them to take in the beautiful view overlooking the city of Las Vegas. This was bittersweet as the team took in the view Goodman gazed upon countless times while making executive decisions.
Goodman shared her deep thoughts as she fulfilled her commitment to the city. She also discussed her busy personal life. She lives in a home filled with over 40 years of memories. She will someday pass on sentimental, priceless heirlooms that hold deep significance to her kids and grandkids. “I’ll think about it tomorrow,” she said, quoting “Gone with the Wind.”
She reminisced about growing up in New York. She also shared her parents’ amazing story and her journey to Las Vegas. In 1964, she took the train across the country and recalled seeing rolling hills of sage as far as the eye could see. She spoke about the opening of Maryland Parkway, a major street east of the strip. She also shared stories with Kena Adams, a Las Vegas born and raised Native who bared witness to an underdeveloped Las Vegas, during the interview. While hearing her parents’ voices warn her about relocating with Mr. Goodman to Las Vegas, NV, she expressed her tenacity to make a great life. This year, they will be celebrating their 62nd wedding anniversary. They’ve raised their children to be successful in their endeavors due to their passion for education. Goodman shares the same attributes of strengths and tenacity that she described when she spoke of her mother.
While discussing the motivations behind her decisions as mayor, she emphasized the role of education in driving community change. She even briefly mentioned The Meadows, the school she founded.
Goodman expressed hope for Native American-owned casinos on the Strip in the future. She reminisced about the Paiute tribe’s involvement in downtown Las Vegas and Moapa, NV, and briefly discussed grants supporting Native American arts and traditions.
During the interview, elder Cheyenne Yvonne Hawk Verjan, who is a Tribal Coordinator, presented a token of appreciation to Goodman, along with a custom-made necklace. Goodman immediately took off her pearls to accept the gift. Cheyenne Melissa Gonzales placed this on Goodman, and Verjan expressed the symbolic meaning. Goodman was so deeply honored. She happily expressed her gratitude to the team. She also reminisced about her warm encounters with Kena Adams, a journalist in Moapa on the reservation.
The interview concluded with a warm thank you for her service to the City of Las Vegas and pictures with her cherished gift.
