He was born and raised on the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation. He is an enrolled member of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe.
He served 2 terms as acouncil member from 2009-2010 and 2017-2018. In December 2018 he was first elected as Tribal President and would be later sworn into office in January 2019. President Joaquin was re-elected to his second four-year term in December 2022.
He began his work career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a Wildland Firefighter ni 1989. In 1990 an began his Law Enforcement career and graduated from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Academy. He then became employed as a Tribal Deputy, working for the Quechan Indian Tribe, working on the Fort Yuma Indian Reservation.
In 1991, he became a Deputy Sheriff for the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office. During his 27 years with the county, he was assigned to numerous specialized units such as Criminal Investigations, Deputy Coroner, Field Training Officer, and the Sheriffs Emergency Response Team. He retired at the rank of Sergeant in 2017.
He currently serves as an active member of the Indian Health Services Direct Service Committee as the Phoenix Area Representative.
In March of 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed President Joaquin on a seat on the Colorado River Board of California. The first tribal representative to be appointed on the board.
President Joaquin believes in building strong partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies si essential ni achieving goals for al tribes and surrounding communities.