Letters: NHA needs to prioritize family safety

The Navajo Nation Advisory Council Against Domestic Violence and the Navajo Apache Hopi Zuni Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence are writing to speak out against the Navajo Housing Authority’s policies, which allow abused families to be evicted simply because they are abused. Victims of domestic violence should not be made homeless as a result of abuse they cannot control.

We believe that women are sacred and that children are our most precious resources. We believe that the matrilineal and matrilocal traditions in which the Diné are rooted must be practiced and respected. We believe that NHA must adopt housing policies that honor and protect women.

To take a home away from victims of abuse – as a direct result of their victimization – demonstrates a deep misunderstanding of domestic violence, its impact on families, and its impact on Navajo culture.

Violence against women has been used as a tool of oppression, colonization, and war against North American tribes throughout the history of the United States, beginning first with the arrival of Columbus in the western hemisphere. Gender violence was used to humiliate women, degrade deep cultural values, and separate families. This has left us with a grim reality: Native American women continue to face the highest rates of domestic violence in this country,  with studies showing that 43.7 percent experience domestic abuse and 1 in 3 experience rape during their lifetimes.

Instead of acknowledging and alleviating that risk for its tenants, NHA’s current eviction policies make the situation worse. If a tenant reports abuse to police, that report is shared with NHA. NHA can then evict the victim for the criminal activity reported. This silences the crime of domestic violence and abusers are able to continue harming their families, without accountability.

Affordable housing is hard to come by on the Navajo Nation. Because of this, the loss of a family’s NHA unit often means the loss of the Navajo Nation for that family. With no other housing options, women and children are forced to relocate to non-Navajo cities, and consequently away from their social support network, their language, and their culture. Thus, family violence continues to degrade traditional culture. Children are abused, then evicted for being abused, then displaced from the Navajo Nation altogether.

As Naat’áanii, NHA has a responsibility to create housing policies that allow victims to find safety and healing in their homes, rather than policies which allow their eviction during their biggest time of need.

NHA needs to step up as a leader in prioritizing family safety, to serve as a model not only for the Navajo Nation, but also for other tribal housing authorities and governments.

Lorena T. Halwood
Navajo Nation Advisory Council Against Domestic Violence
Chinle, Ariz.

Solutions to provide stronger borders

Sheriff Joseph Dedman states, “Stronger border patrol is needed to keep Navajo Nation safer.”

In the past two years, Dedman’s Special Crime Enforcement Team has made 685 arrests across Apache County. The main problem with this is 470 were drug offenses involving methamphetamine and marijuana. The remaining 215 were gang related charges. Out of all these arrests, 554 were of another race and the remaining 73 were Native American, not including the gang related arrests. A majority of these drug arrests were made on Interstate 40 from Phoenix to Albuquerque. Which brings up the argument of “Is the border safe?”

I agree with what Dedman is saying when he says we need more law enforcement in the Interstate 40 area. These people are bringing drugs and coming from the southern part of Arizona, which is where most drugs come from in our state. The drug trafficking through our land needs to stop because it is starting to affect our youth. Drugs are starting to show up in our communities, schools, and homes. We need to do something and quick. Our people should not be exposed to these types of drugs. This is not who we are.

Dedman needs to push forward on this and really crack down. I’m happy that he and his Special Crime Enforcement Team are working hard to fight this. I’m sure a lot of parents and elders are hoping they really get through on this problem, because they are thinking of their people.

There are not very many solutions to this problem because of the budget our Navajo Nation police gets from the Navajo Nation. With a little increase in their budget, one solution could be to set up more checkpoints along Interstate 40 to slow down the drug trafficking through our Diné land. Slowing down trafficking can reduce its effects on our communities. Another solution could be to strengthen our laws and have more harsh consequences when arrested. This could possibly make these people think twice about bringing drugs into our area. So those are my opinions and thoughts on this topic.

Kevin Yazzie
Tsaile, Ariz.

First come, first serve should be changed to ‘Those who served should come first’

A letter in the Navajo Times titled,” Navajo Veterans Act has a lot of problems” by Milton Bluehouse Jr., of Ganado, Ariz., had made some very interesting points that caught my attention.

As a Diné citizen whose grandfather was a military man, too, but has also seen many Marine/military elders struggle greatly without any help from our so-called “Navajo Nation government” and “U.S. government” for so long. The question so many other families want to know is when are our Navajo veterans who served and defended our country going to get the services that they need provided for their needs?

Milton Bluehouse made some valuable points in his letter concerning the challenging issues that our veterans have been enduring for years due to things that the Navajo Nation deem more important than the quality of our Native veteran people. Ignoring the fact that these brave people among our culture have housing needs, educational needs, training, job replacements, and better health care coordination.

The Navajo Nation government has yet to address where we can start to find funds for the Navajo veterans services. How can we fit the new Navajo Veterans Act that cost $7 million on their agenda?

They want to better the quality of life for the rest of Navajo Nation. What about the veterans who sacrificed their very lives so that the people who sit on the board can make those decisions. They dedicated their lives to protect ours; let’s show them we didn’t forget theirs.

I believe the phrase “first come, first serve” should be changed to “those who served should come first.” There’s a time for everything I think and if everyone took it upon themselves to work hard at getting these veterans what they need we could accomplish it in no time.

A solution could be donations that can be set up to help get everyone started. There are about 173,667 and maybe more people living on the borders of the reservation. If every person donated about $30 or $40 we could accomplish enough money to fund what I know can change many of our veterans’ lives.

Advertising what our veterans go through could also influence the way some people feel. Educating them about what our warriors are suffering through can help the nation better understand the importance of these individuals’ lives.

Kristina Yazzie
Pinon, Ariz.

We must speak up, show people we exist

In the Navajo Times article titled “Judge finds SJC’s new voting districts unconstitutional,” Bill Donovan explains how San Juan County, Utah, has failed to redraw and attend minimal obligations to redistrict their commission and school board seats.

Judge Robert Shelby who is in favor of the Navajo himself writes, “Taking all reasonable inferences in favor of San Juan County, county officials may have ensured that one election district was packed with an overwhelming majority of Native American voters because they mistakenly thought they must.”

I agree that gerrymandering districts to debilitate Navajo voters’ concerns and voice is a point that needs emphasizing since so many people tend to ignore the real issues, but this is not the first shady chicanery San Juan County has pulled on the Navajo Nation. San Juan County tried every trick in the book, from requesting a dismissal of the 2012 Navajo lawsuit from the U.S. federal court judge to overseeing the responsibility to provide language assistance and ballots for Navajo voters.

Leonard Gorman, executive director of the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission, states, “Now it’s important to ensure that the new plan assures that two of the three districts allow Navajos to elect candidates of their choice.”

These findings have important consequences for the broader domain of Native American rights, which we rightfully own according to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. We must learn to speak up, to show others that we are people, we exist, and refuse to die out. In reality the genocide will continue in another shape or form, so we must fight it because we refuse to be dehumanized on land we have rightfully owned from the start.

As a Diné I have learned that we never stop fighting for our rights, but all in all, where do you choose to draw the line?

Zoey D. Yazzie
Chinle, Ariz.

SB1219 a stepping stone

In the Navajo Times article “Legally buns as Arizona legislators address concerns of students” by Christopher S. Pineo and Cindy Yurth the Diné bun discrimination. It has catalyzed the need to propose and pass a bill known as SB1219, which prevents public schools as well as interscholastic athletic associations from prohibiting cultural accessories or religious regalia.

Indirectly, this has brought attention back to another bill, SB1220, which doubles the term of tribal community colleges contract with the state from a 10-year span to a 20-year span. Additionally, amending SB1220 will allow tribes to renew in the fourth year before the expiration.

When it comes to the topic of SB1219 and the hair bun, most of humanity constitute that discrimination from sports for hair accessories is absurd and unethical. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of what current issues need more publicity and support. Although SB1219 has implications of empowering tribes, indirectly, this has addressed SB1220. Whereas some are convinced that SB1219 as a paramount amendment; others maintain that there are more significant issues to address.

Personally, I view the potential of SB1219 as a mere steppingstone for the progression of tribes. Discrimination in sports, in fact any discrimination should be unlawful. The fact this issue was easily supported and resolved is embarrassing. The AIA ended up changing its rules to allow the hairstyle the day after the ruckus. If tribes and supporters are this proactive, then there is no reason indigenous communities should be in turmoil.

As a newspaper of public forum, readers and reporters alike deserve to exploit important issues within indigenous communities. Some headlines in the Navajo Times are eluding and appear to be Facebook gossip. The “Tuba City woman” making continuous headlines is one example of reactive squabble, rather than proactive journalism.

One reason people may avoid reading the Navajo Times may be the fact there are important issues not being addressed. Although there are excellent journalists promoting Navajo Times, maybe there should be integrity and a standard for reporting issues that really matter such as the Gold King Mine Spill.

Colin Lee
Lupton, Ariz.

‘Begaye needs to be more cautious’

In the Navajo Times article titled, “Tuba City woman files lawsuit against blogger for defamation” by Bill Donovan, he reports about the rumors regarding Myra Begay-Draper who is the supposed mistress of Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye. She claims that photos were taken out of context with her and Russell and the only relationship they maintain was for electricity to be provided for her father’s home. Begay-Draper filed a lawsuit against a blogger that called her inappropriate names regarding the situation.

Navajo Nation president argues that he was comforting Begay-Draper when the photo was taken and he works with her on other projects.

President Begaye states, “May more people as her continue to be vocal and passionate in helping their people and not be silenced because of petty gossip.”

I understand that projects are needed for charity, but I’m sure other volunteers would also enjoy the company of the president. President Begaye explains how he worked with her so electricity could reach her residence.

Thirty-three homes were requested in Coalmine Canyon Chapter, but only one was approved, the Begay-Draper home. When it comes to rumors, most of us will readily agree with one side. Although there is a type of favoritism that has taken place, this situation does not give anyone permission of bullying. Whether the rumors are true or untrue, traditionally Navajos were taught to be humble.

I think President Begaye should be more manageable with his time and spend more with his wife, since she was nowhere to be found during his campaign or events during his term. President Begaye should be more aware that he is a leader of a large tribe, so of course people will be watching. He needs to be more cautious about situations that could jeopardize his term and grant all 33 homes with electricity in Coalmine Canyon Chapter to not be accused of favoritism.

Keannah Speen
Pinon, Ariz.

The Navajo bun uproar

The Navajo Times article titled, “Legally buns as Arizona legislators address concerns of students,” by Christopher S. Pineo and Cindy Yurth, they report that some of the girls high school basketball teams are wearing traditional Navajo hair buns (Tseyeel) in basketball tournaments.

It has legislators very concerned that Sen. Carlyle Begay (R-District 7) had passed a law to allow traditional hair buns in tournaments such as basketball. Could any other sport start allowing traditional hair buns into sports such as football, soccer, and hockey, including baseball in tournaments in the near future?

The bill, SB1219, prohibits public schools, including athletic associations from banning certain religious or cultural accessories that many students consider it to be proud of their traditional beliefs.

Arizona State Representative Albert Hale states, “In Navajo, there’s a teaching that says you shouldn’t be a leader for too long, then at some point you begin to act like you’re entitled to it and lose touch with your constituents.”

What Rep. Hale is stating is that Diné teachings still apply today to the people who are proud to be Diné (Navajo). The cultural norms that still apply to those who consider that traditional beliefs should apply in the world of sports, including beyond the boundaries of the reservation.

I responded to how it made a major uproar among the world of sports. I’m glad that they are able to change the rules to wear traditional accessories in the world of sports today. The traditional hair bun identifies the role of women in Navajo society.

The bill that is expected to pass by Sen. Carlyle Begay that prohibits athletic associations from banning the use of traditional accessories the Navajo people are keeping a watchful eye on the state government.

In the long run, I still don’t know why state legislators are so concerned about the situation in the first place. Parents need to know the current situation of the bill that is expected to pass very soon. They need to be more conservative about the safety issues involving traditional hair buns in the future. On the other hand, safety comes first to the students who are involved in sports. They need to know the issues involving the situations regarding tradition accessories in the upcoming future.

Brandon Gorman
Chinle, Ariz.

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