RENO, Nev. – Reno-Sparks Indian Colony’s (RSIC) most renowned Tribal Chairman of 32 years, Arlan D. Melendez; the basketball star who wanted to open a hotdog stand to fundraise for his All ...

Hundreds attend funeral service for former Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Chairman Arlan Melendez at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno on June 26, 2025.

Mourners filled the Grand Sierra Resort theater for the funeral of Arlan Melendez, former chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony who died June 17.

Here’s how the longtime chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Arlan Melendez framed it, before retiring late last year: “We want her to come out here at least to explain to the tribes as ...

ARLAN MELENDEZ: We want her to come out here, at least to explain to the tribes as to what she can do - you know, besides remaining silent on it.

On the C-SPAN Networks: Arlan D. Melendez is a Chair for the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony with seven videos in the C-SPAN Video Library; the first appearance was a 2008 Forum as a Commissioner for ...

Arlan Melendez was not among them. The longtime chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony convened his own meeting 2,500 miles away.

Arlan Melendez, chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, center, speaks as tribal historic preservation officer Michon Ebren, left, and attorney Will Falk listen during a news conference Dec. 5 ...