Chapters deal with heavy snow in remote areas

More than a week has passed since governmental agencies declared a state of emergency in northeastern Arizona but the biggest problem for Navajo Nation chapters was access to local residents.

All chapters began to identify people most in need. But help from outside agencies was slow and complicated by a lack of communication between agencies.

And at times, some chapter officials felt they had to take matters into their own hands without waiting for help from outside sources. Meanwhile, other chapters either didn't know about available resources.

People were stranded for days and were still making their way out, but chapter employees dealt with many people who wanted assistance including residents who walked out to ask for help.

The storm that rocked the Navajo Nation last week affected all chapters and more problems are expected.

"The monster isn't here yet," said Mary Ann Begay, community service coordinator for Teesto Chapter. "Wait until the snow melts in the mountains."

High-priority people

John Lee Begay, 58, walked into Dilkon Chapter shortly before 11 a.m. Monday morning. Speaking in Navajo, he explained his situation.

Begay said he doesn't have any groceries, hay or water and wanted to know how the chapter could help him.

"Right now we are only helping high-priority people," said Elizabeth Jackson, clerical aid for the chapter. "I don't know who's on the list."

Begay walked out.

"I walked two and half miles," he said, motioning that the snow was deep in some places.

Jackson said throughout the day most people were seeking some type of assistance and some complained that the chapter wasn't helping people.

Dilkon Chapter's community service coordinator, Carol Davis, said most of the people asking for help Monday lived close to Dilkon and the chapter's priority was people with health issues, the elderly and those unable to leave their homes.

"It's the people who can't make it out. Those are the only one's we're concerned about," she said.

She said one of the difficulties with weather related emergencies is the sense of entitlement some chapter members have, like they are entitled to free food, hay and other services.

"It's sad to see that we've come to that," she said.

In Begay's case, Davis said he lived outside of Dilkon's chapter area and therefore wouldn't receive chapter assistance. Technically Begay lives on the Teesto side. However, Begay said he attends chapter meetings in Dilkon.

Begay lives about five miles north of Dilkon. Driving to his  house took nearly 45 minutes of plowing through snowdrifts.

The five sheep and one goat he tended were nibbling at the last of the hay he had.

"I gave them the last of it this morning," he said using his hands to measure the amount of hay he gave them.

"I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow," he said.

Jeddito takes a hit

Jeddito's situation was becoming more urgent as livestock was reportedly starting to die.

"Some (sheep and cows) are dying out there. I guess the snow is so deep that there's nothing for them to eat," Community Service Coordinator Donna Boyd said.

She said lack of financial resources was only one aspect of the difficulties her chapter is facing. The chapter has only a small farm tractor to help plow roads that have reported snowdrifts of up to four feet, she said.

"Road graders are only on the BIA-numbered roads," she said, adding that Navajo Department of Transportation also only cleared main routes that didn't include roads that lead to homes.

She said an elderly couple was airlifted out on Monday, but even then first responders had to hike a half mile to their residence.

She said working with Window Rock's command post and county officials has been frustrating.

"(Navajo County Sheriff's Department) said they'd be up here with four by four (trucks), but I haven't seen any sheriffs with four by fours," she said. "Its frustrating."

Boyd was optimistic though and hopes to build the chapter's resources to be better prepared.

Establishing a plan

Teesto Chapter met on Tuesday seven days after the emergency declaration.

Mary Ann Begay, community service coordinator, said she wants to establish plans for the next emergency.

Begay started her temporary job recently, saying, "I was thrown into the dark when I started, but now I'm beginning to see the light."

During the meeting, attended by about 22 people, chapter officials discussed food baskets, wood, roads, resources but mostly hay for livestock.

"It's their livelihood," said Jeri Clark, 72 of Teesto. "If you are running out of food, then go out and butcher. That's been our way of life for years. That's in our culture."

Squaw dance specials

The smell of fresh fry bread filled the air Monday at White Cone Chapter. Volunteer cooks prepared a meal of hominy stew and fry bread for volunteers.

Chapter personnel, including officials and volunteers, had been working nearly around the clock to provide help to White Cone residents.

"This is where we haven't reached some of the people," said Sallyann Dick, chapter vice president, pointing at a map.

She was motioning her hand over an area called Na ah Tee Canyon, a remote area  near the borders with Dilkon, Teesto and Indian Wells.

All the chapter's resources were put to use, said Velma Robertson, acting chapter service coordinator, who also doubled as incident commander.

Ray Thomas, grazing committee member, said that as of Monday night, he volunteered more than 40 hours to help residents in outlying areas.

He and Robert Manygoats drove about 10 miles west of the chapter house to deliver two food baskets.

The baskets they provided were a "squaw dance special," he said, and consisted of flour, canned meat, shortening, salt, baking powder and other Navajo staples.

"I got stuck 30 to 35 times this weekend," Thomas said, adding that he hadn't seen his grandchildren since last week because of the long hours he's put in.

"The hardest thing is the mud," said Viadal Nelson, a heavy equipment operator.

He said that now that the snow is beginning to melt, he isn't able to get to some roads that need to be re-graded.

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