Veterans oppose changes to trust fund
By Noel Lyn Smith
Navajo Times
WINDOW ROCK, Nov. 28, 2011
The bill would have dropped language specifying that 4 percent of tribal revenues go to the fund and instead allow the Navajo Nation Council to set the percentage each year.
The fund was established in 1998. Its purpose is to provide assistance for veterans programs, projects and services or activities.
The bill's language contains no explanation for the proposed change. Per Navajo law, the bill was posted Nov. 9 on the Council's Web site for a five-day public comment period. There were no comments attached to the bill.
The legislation is set to go before the Health, Education and Human Services Committee today (Nov. 23) but the bill's sponsor, Katherine Benally (Chilchinbeto/Dennehotso/Kayenta), said she plans to withdraw it.
In an interview Tuesday (Nov. 22), Benally said she is dropping the bill due to opposition from the five agency veteran commanders and other veterans groups from the Western Agency.
Benally said her intention was to help the veterans but instead the bill is being "totally misunderstood."
"They complain when they don't have enough money and complain when gaining more than 4 percent," she said. "Get your act together."
In a telephone interview Monday (Nov. 21) evening, Western Agency Commander Rick Gray confirmed that he contacted Benally by text message and expressed the opinion of the five agency commanders.
When asked if there is a formal resolution issued by the five agency commanders stating their opposition, Gray said their service is voluntary, which makes it difficult to meet, and that most correspondence is done by telephone, text messaging or e-mail.
Although the Veterans Trust Fund is not perfect, Gray said, the commanders prefer that it be left alone until the proposed Navajo Nation Veterans Act is approved.
"It's been raising money and doing what it's suppose to do," he said.
Last month the agency veterans' organizations and the Department of Navajo Veterans Affairs cosponsored a series of public hearings on the Veterans Act, which would give veterans greater input into policy and financial issues that affect them.
"She wasn't trying to do any harm, I truly believe that," Gray said. "If she would have involved the five agency commanders when she thought of this legislation ... that is the thing I thought she done wrong."
Leonard Day, commander of the Chi'hootso Veterans Organization, said he is skeptical about Benally's intent to withdraw the bill.
"I want to get it in writing first," he said.
Despite hearing the news that Benally is removing the bill, Day said it would remain an item on the organization's agenda when they meet Nov. 29 at the St. Michaels Chapter House.
"We sacrificed ourselves because we care for our country, our nation and for someone to do this to us is beyond my belief," Day said.
Both Day and Gray said they did not submit comments about the legislation and both men found out about the bill after the public comment period closed.
In Day's case, he said he expressed his disapproval for the bill to his Council delegate, Jonathan Hale (Oak Springs/St. Michaels).
The Tsehootsooi Twin Warrior Society from Fort Defiance also voted against supporting the bill at its Nov. 18 meeting.
On Nov. 20, Fort Defiance Chapter approved a resolution supporting the Tsehootsooi Twin Warrior Society's opposition.
"Let it grow," said Eugene Atcitty, vice commander for Tsehootsooi Twin Warrior Society, referring to the Veterans Trust Fund.