Comics by Jack Ahasteen

Posted by Jack Ahasteen | Mar 16, 2023 | Comics |

Council delegates celebrate St. Patrick's day by telling enterprises to raise prices so they can get more money from voters.

Jack Ahasteen’s ‘toon for March 16, 2023.

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Council delegates celebrate St. Patrick's day by telling enterprises to raise prices so they can get more money from voters.

Oree Foster, 1954-2023.

Man shoveling out of snow complains Cant depend on the servants that we hire to help us. Someone buried in snow says we need 2 hours delay. Another says administrative leave for pleasure.

Game time!

Trader or traitor? Gilbert Ortega authentic Indian arts galleries. Sidekicks ask, "Maga or Maggot?"

The Road to the Superbowl. Pickup truck headed over muddy road with Kansas City Chiefs and Philly Eagles logos in back window. Bumper sticker says Nygren for Prez. Sign says leaving Navajo Rez, watch for potholes. Sidekicks say Road to basketball finals.

Truth and reconciliation. Washington DC covered in crosses for unknown soldiers who died in action. Street sign points away to Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Sidekicks refer to residential schools.

Enterprise Monopoly. Our leaders want us to bring more revenues to fill the budget deficit. Consumer responds, that's all I have.

Re-elected council delegates shout from roof of hogan, Haadish Dahoogaaan? Woman peers out from door and calls them crazy and to get off the roof. CDS bit seen at chapter for years, sled down snow on the hogan roof.

Man camp - Navajo Nation Council. Eyes peek out from dark cave and say, "next they will allow young whippersnappers in here." Women council delegates arrive for the 25th Navajo Nation Council.

2023 inauguration ahead. Council delegates ride off in wooden wagon loaded with bags of money, and exclaim, We done our job! Sign on wagon says re-elect Tso and Tso.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Sidekicks sayt, Merry Keshmesh from the Navajo Times staff.

Old Man Winter blows hard, cold wind on basketball and baseball players.

Giant turkey named Inflation chases Navajos, running hard from it.

Navajo Nation Council kicks out the lame duck, hobbling on crutches.

Buu Nygren greets Jonathan Nez and running mate Abeyta. Abeyta reacts, Who said Boo!?" Both run away scared. You're not supposed to scare politicians.

Navajo Nation presidential candidates reflect: There will be time when our Way of Life will be forgotten and revive by the young generations to honor our ancecstors. We are still here! Sidekicks say to vote!

The 11th Hour. Bucking bronco with Nez on rein throws ARPA and Cares Act money off, along with man. Another man riding a donkey says where we are going we don't need rein.

INFR - The cowboy needs more time. Tribal politicians wrestle a bull named inflation.

Fair Time bulldozer wrecking communities by politicians.

Northern Navajo Fair. Family rides in horse-drawn wagon towards Shiprock.

The Shepherd, He says to wolf in sheep's skin, You were the best at the fair. Sheep run away with scared looks on faces.

Evolution of Politics. Care Act, ARPA briefcase being carried off by man wielding sign telling people to vote if they want their money.

2022 Navajo Nation Fair. Dr. Louva Dahozy, mother of the Navajo Nation.

Dead tree labeled Navajo Election Administration, with sign stating Recount, 2022 Primary Election, Do Not Disturb. Crows peck at ballots as they fall to the ground.

666 slot machine. Represents election recount. Sidekicks try to pull level for a fair election. Slot machine represents Navajo Election Administration.

The Great Flood. Nez-Abeyta campaign makes off with ARPA funds, while Nygren-Montoya campaign is off to the side of an ark raising funds. Sidekicks say just get the loophole from past reelection.

Presidential candidates and their vice-presidential picks sit atop car stranged in a flooded river of unemployment, social injustice. poverty, inflation, and more.

Buu Nygram and Jonathan Nez rise up out of the mud. Nygren says the rain was good. Nez says it gets worse from here. Sidekicks say watch out for the shadow government.

2022 Navajo Nation primary election. Faces of all the presidential candidates. Sidekicks say to go out and vote.

Maroon. Houseboat on shores of Lake Powell filled with candidates for reelection. Sidekicks say they can stay here til after the election.

Road close. No money to fix it. Poverty. No small businesses. People jump over flooded area.

Teeh ndeeh. Kcrack Town. We're no longer k-town.

The real dark winds. Corrupt politicians running for office.

Happy Father's Day.

No mask. Big government lawmaker on seesaw thumbs nose at navajo nation candidates on other end, who cannot outweigh him. Candidates promise more money and no masks.

Navajo Utah Water Settlement Act. Navajos walk to dry stream bed. One complains there is no water. Other one says tribe got money. Sidekicks say to drink only a little water.

Portraits of 2022 Navajo Nation presidential candidates.

Arizona Attorney General's hand holds an execution syringe with a prison inmate in it.

Mother's Day. Voters mom to delegates: You made this mess. Now clean it up. They respond: You're not our mom!

Standing on the corner. Nez and other candidates campaign for presidenwhile homeless live in poverty and nation falls apart.

Follow the yellow brick road. Road agencies look dejectedly at road in disrepear.

Winner circle. hat tossed into ring of inflation, no water rights, gas prices, treaty policy, and more.

The Hotspot. Starlink. Navajo Nation Government crashes into a pothole. Driver tries to call on cell for help, but has no connection.

Water shortage on rez. Cars fleeing.

Happy St. Patrick's Day. Nez plays pied piper as Lizer jumps off the cliff of re-election.

Hitchhiker says gas prices have even affected them.

Lizer rides a Republican elephant off the Navajo rez, leaving behind a legacy of no water, no jobs, pandemic destruction, rising gas prices, no economy and more.

Rez Ball. Holbrook and Chinle battle for championship.

Mutton Bowl: Voters pose as football players against election officials on opposing team.

Four baby eagles, labeled Atsa Biyaazh, or February. One cries Suicide or success. Another one says I'm leaving and heads to jump out of nest. Sidekicks say no shadow so six more weeks of hardship.

When the rez's supply-and-demand goes berserk: Mail carrying hardship checks leaving rez, followed by cars. Fuel, lumber, construction crews race onto the rez with increased prices.

Social injustice. Man in truck on rez hopes hardship check is in mail because out of gas. Navajos with Internet and electricity rejoice that their checks are in because they were electronically deposited.

Buy local buy navajo sign. Buzzards on top with bag of ARPA hardship money. Buzzard says birds should have stayed in second world. This is crazy.

The Bandwagon: Politicians ride reelection 2022 wagon tossing ARPA funds money out to everyone.

Merry Christmas from Navajo Times staff.

Santa carries bag of unclaimed CARES Act hardship checks. He says, I'm not going through another hogan chimney to see if these people are listed on the unclaim CARES Act hardship checks. Sidekicks say Merry Christmas.

Wolf or coyote carring bag full of ARPA money worth 1.9 billion dollars. Votgers sputter over rez road. Sidekicks say it is the crossroad. Coyote heads north.

Lady Freedom versus Saanii for Justice.

Navajo Nation government building. People in line for free turkeys. One gives thanks for lots of money that came to tribe and new census numbers that counted more people.

Veterans day. Official tells veters that a cardboard box used to house homeless veterans can be turned towards the east where the sun rises. Kyle Begay's name is written on the inside of the box.

Hayoolka Proclamation; Truck speeding away from Tesla electric chargers with signs advertising gas for 3.45 to 3.80 per gallon. Driver says our cure for the economy climate change and reduction of fossil fuel. Passengers explain we wont get electricity til we get to shiprock.

NNG monster with earing in one ear holds arm around female tribal member and proclaims, CIB and census are my lifeline." Sidekicks shriek blood money and satanic rituals.

President Jonathan Nez, with mask, attempts to shake hands of protesters shocked, masked and holding sign saying Resign Nez Lizer. One protester says errrr, he is going to touch you.

Pearline Kirk as a prisoner of Navajo Nation Judicial system, shackled with a sledgehammer, worries about fingernails.

Blood money: Lez Lizer and another persn leave the rez: Nez-Lizer with bags of money. Unknown guy hitchhiking and saying Get our blood drawn and get some money.

Navajo Nation Outhouse: Someone inside texts that someone wants to use what ARPA funds the tribe has, but we need more ARPA funds to clean this place and get deodorizers.

Fair special: Bottle of elixier labeled ARPA Cure All. Fair all cancelled.

Butchering contest, where tribal officials try to cut up sheep representing ARPA and legislative and exeuctive branch.

Booster shots. Vaccine booster into one arm. Special duty pay into the other arm of hairy, fat, overweight guy who represents Navajo Nation Government. Controller shoots the special duty pay into the other arm. Controller is wbat appears to be female but unshaven on face unmasked.

Navajo Nation Government with club comes hunting for unvaccinated employees. One is hiding under woodpile, while someone peeks out of a hogan and says they haven't seen anybody here.

RIP Kelsey Begaye, 1951-2021.

Homeless person asks Navajo administrators for help, because they are flush with ARPA money. Navajo administrators tell him to get lost.

Bearsun: Raising money for charities. Council delegate: spending money on the rez to get re-elected.

ARPA funds in suitcase carried by cowboy who says that's it horsey. We are almost on the pave road where life becomes easier. Horse is weary.

Navajo Nation OPEN sign by order of rez prez. Tourist crawls on ground and says needs water. NTUA water restrictions in place.

Independence Day: Native person behind bars of United States map.

Navajo Nation vendors and tour operators shouting to outside world WE ARE CLOSED.

Nez tries to hand over load of $1.8 billion in CARES Act cash to chapters, but chapters saying tribe has been doing it all wrong and needs to get rid of all the players. Sidekicks say it will go to reelections and voters.

Domestic Terrorist: I'm not moving till I get my reward -- Navajo Nation Government. Uncle Sam sits on other end of pipeline with American Rescue Plan Act money spilling out and going nowhere. Reflect Tso and Tso sign on broken pipe.

Council delegates chasing off Pauline Kirk and Ryce. Council weirds guns and money flies through the air as Kirk and Ryce flee. The gang that couldn't shoot straight.

Congrats high school graduates, class of 2021. Pandemic. School closings. No jobs. Virtual school. Windstorm. Congrats to Olivia Ahasteen Chambers.

Navajo Nation Controller Pearline Kirk as a gunslinger chases Halona and another council delegate away, who wanted to fire her.

Police officer sitting on chair in front of condemned jail says Wish we had an office over there. Across street is modern hi-rise for uppity class.

Glamping. Resort plans show teepee while campers show up in conestoga wagons drawn by steers.

Planning the ARPA. Group with various needs cannot figure out how to fix patient.

Uncle Sam kicking helping NNG guy. NNG guy is sitting on back of Navajo Voters. Voters say, I need water, housing, roads, jobs, healthcare, veterans assistance.

Shovel ready project. Minors tossing shovels int he dir for unranium and tailings. Sidekicks call it a remnant of the cold war and a disaster.

Navajo guy with broken down truck representing conditions on the rez asks bureaucrats in car loaded with American Rescue Plan money for help. Bureaucrats answer they will send somebody if we can find someone because they are hauling precious cargo.

Dinosaur hatches from egg labeled as all the bad things happening ont he rez: COVID-19, no water, insecure workplace, no money, health issues, no economy, social injustice, and more. Easter is written in the sky.

Coyote Touches a star and declares, M'ii Bizo'. Sidekicks proclaim, The creator of Mars.

Happy St. Patrick's day. American rescue plan. Try your luck at the casino. Tribal program and enterprise. Flat screen TV. We got all the green. Non-Navajo business say it will get to them sooner or later.

American Rescue Plan clown leads Damon and Nez in diapers and says, You guys need me since you cannot do for yourself.

Deb Haaland: Congress has never heard a voice like mine. Native warrior on a horse stands nearby, along with a tribal village in distance, and wind-powered electricity generators.

Lone Star Navajo. Woman wearing mask and basket full of corn, SPAM and Cheese telling Texans, my people have lived through disasters and survived. So will you.

Grandparents look shocked as children try to bring grandchildren over to babysit. Hazardous occupation for grandparents, who are being asked by their kids to babysit grandchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Happy Valentines Day: Cupid's bow and arrow features a COVID vaccine needle. Heart bubbles float through the air.

Portrait of Albert Hale and the Navajo Nation seal, with date of death of Feb. 2, 2021. Sidekicks say RIP.

A maskless Donald Trump, number 45, carries virus ball and proclaims at the 2021 inauguration, I was foul. So I'm taking the ball. Biden, 46, and Harris, 1, look on with big eyes and wearing masks.

Lizer vs. Nez on COVID vaccine: Lizer says, Maybe I'll just hold my breath till I get my vaccine shot. Nez shows Superman T-shirt and gets the shot.

Father Time admonishes 2021 baby to wear a mask and quarantine.

Angry Santa with lockdown orders greets Nez and Lizer hoarding CARES Act bags. Sidekicks say Merry Christmas from Navajo Times staffs.

COVID vaccine going into arm of medical worker, and little viruses running away from it.

Grinch. Coal in Christmas stockings. Nezx handing out coals, while CARS act hardship money flies away. Sidekicks say Happy Holidays!

Chapter CARES Act. Kirk wears bullet vest with bullets labeled as denied. Chapter president has denied on forehead.

Happy Thanksgiving. Sanii and Cheii wave to family wearing masks from inside their home, as the family stands outside due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Set up to fail. Navajo Nation Cares Act fund, 90 million dollars. Baker Tilly drive truck falling apart and losing wheels down rez road. Watch the road! There's no road! Drivers say.

Veterans Day. Thank you vterans. Eagle feather adorns words for Veterans Day.

Arizona champ donkey (Democrats) knocks out the elephant, Trump. Lizer hollers from the boxing ring sidelines, Get up! Nez hollers, Arizona blue!

KKK Klansman with burning cross with bag that says Vote Trump. Priest with bag that says Vote Biden. Good and evil.

Online school rez style: Kids on hill to catch wi-fi with laptops. Someone inside house hollers: Kids are in school and they're watching the sheep. No wifi signal. Sidekicks say no child left behind.

Social inequality. People on rural side of a cliff marvel at te tons of businesses, cars and well-dressed people on the other side. One rez resident tries to climb up the cliff to the other side.

Mule-drawn wagon representing Navajo Nation government with 55-gallon druyms of Navajo Carea Act fund and donations on it. Tribal council driver says, Giddy up. We have a lot of work to do. Sidekicks question hardship for council.

Masked U.S. Census taker tries to collect information on a packed household crammed into tiny hogal. One answers: As of April 2020, everybody came home because of the pandemic and we've been here ever since. Kid chimes in: No wi-fi!

COVID vaccine syringe pointing at bullseye in center of Navajo Nation map and people scattering all directions away from him. Sidekick says stay home.

Stork delivers election ballots since no babies to deliver for U.S. general election.

CARLESS Act, instead of CARES Act. Pot of money sits untouched as Navajos ask how to get the money out of the dark cave. Sidekicks say it is hidden treasure.

Navajo Code Talker Day, Aug. 14, 2020. United States Marine Corps, Navajo Windtalkers. Sidekicks say thanks for your service. Written on the body is a secret code only visible in certain light.

Grandparents yelling at granddaughter to do her homework. Sidekicks say virtual home school an finally grandparents teaching.

Buy Navajo, Buy local. But all the roadside stands are closed while gas, McDonalds and Taco Bell remain open for drive through and takeout.

Truck carries emergencies supplies for COVID relief away from Navajo families, who the families scramble for help. The dust cloud reads Navajo Nation Covid 19 Cares Act.

grim reaper Benally shouting lead us from poverty! At hemp.

Remington riflemen scaring away Lizer to Trump rally and residents fleeing. Sidekicks say Happy Independence Day.

CARES Act. Act of opposition. Damon and Nez playing tug of war with 20-dollar bill. Sidekicks say, Taking care of those who take care of you. Cough!

Herd imunity. Virus riding horses say, We're looking for stragglers. The ones that are not immune and not protected.

Reopening Navajo casinos. Casino clown welcomes all in. Title says Predatory capitalism.

Navajos in truck wearing face mask as they speed past city with water and large lake in front it, and fence blocking them from access: As long as we have water we have some hope the driver says. Sidekicks say control the water and you have everything. Hire good lawyers.

Warriors: On the let is Lock Down Rotact fighter in iron suit and shield. On the right is diaper guy with beverage in one hand, ice chest in the other, with Party Town USA on t-shirt.

Flatten the curve. Graph shows number of pounds of weight finally leveling off, as Navajo man with large belly sips on a Big Gulp drink and eats a sandwich.

Then and now: Then, parents blocking the door to keep kids out. Now: Kids blocking door to keep parents out. Sidekicks say, Be safe!

Navajo version of Rosie the Riveter with facemask on. NN loves the frontline workers. Thank you for protecting us.

FRONTLINE: Nez argues with pastor while everyone flees the church. Sidekicks say Stay Safe.

Self-quarantine. Remove the rez from the map.

Basketball referee: When we say don't touch anything, we don't mean the ball, in response to coronavirus watch.

Jack's Coronavirus: Casino Jackpot with hand sanitizer, alcohol-based. Bingo.

Modern Day Lii neel dozi. USA and RDC cowboys ride in to NPL: lands.

Basketball referee holds back the pack of players and fans for the February frenzy.

Holy Land. Man riding donkey being led to the foreign holy land anway from the Navajo Hopi land dispute area.

Census 2020: Census taker asks mom who's kid is he. Mom says Waylon Jennings, in Navajo.

The legend of the Sun Carrier. I'm tired. I want to be paid to carry the sun. I'm asking for $470 million with full coverage health insurance - Naataani Molina.

cartoon

Hogan under a moonlight night sky.

Fat Santa representing Navajo Nation budget during heydays of coal economy. Skinny Santa shown after coal shut-down.

Santa going down the chimney stack of the San Juan Power Plant. He complains: "This has to stop."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Emergence: Navao Nation Speaker and Naat'aanii Development shooting the New Mexico Medicaid Turkey. We're hungry. Nez runs with axe overhead saying we have no food or money. Molina looks away.

NTEC figure holding dead caged bird representiving sovereignty.

War on Diabetes. Executive branch hands out vegetables and fruit. Legislative branch hands out junk food.

Uranium Testing. USA Missile bears down on Navajo Reservation. Sidekick in cowboy hat, while running, says, Bombs away. Rez dog chases sidekick.

Pinon shortage. Sidekicks say No Pinions. No food. No money! People say it's the drought, it's the bark beetle.

Forward to 2020 Election,

War on Diabetes! Sidekicks say living on junk food tax. No longer a war on drugs. Nez holds evidence bag and cops hat and tells people to drop those dangerous food and raise your hands.

Miss Navajo dominates 2019 Navajo Nation Fair - Honoring Our Dine Way of Life.

Buy Navajo. Buy Local. DED booth. Dineh Chamber of Commerce sits to the side.

Wreck in the Park: LCR Vendors clash with Navajo Nation Parks and Wreck on cliff overlooking river.

Navajo Code Talker smikes with sunglasses on, reflecting World War II. Sidekicks say thanks for your service.

Nez and Lizer on Navajo Nation fair parade truck tossing out corn and other vegetables at crowd running away and covering their heads. Banner says, "Live Healthy without candy"

White van: Suspect human trafficking vehicle seen on rez. Black van: Smuggle corporate executivs to the rez to enhance economic growth and label it as BUY NAVAJO! BUY LOCAL!

Cavemen-like council delegates, and Nez, try to draw on a wall what their energy program looks like. One demands more light or stopping meeting.

Navajo Nation Council depicted as gold digger for gas and oil, coal and uranium while sun rises with water, solar and wind opportunities.

NNPD police chief being beaten on ground by law and order committee.

Young Navajo with American flag in lense of sunglasses and elders in the other lense. Happy Fourth of July, sidekicks say.

Mother Nasture with a storm of tribal problems facing her, all having to do with Council Delegates' use of alcohol on travel.

The straw that broke the camel's back: No money, no jobs, fed dependency, roads, no economy. NGS Closure. Jobs, revenue. Jane holds camel reigns. Damon carries NGS Closure straw and Jobs Revenue.

Happy Father's Day: Baby boomers, Gen X, Millenial, and Gen z.

Navajo Nation government bulldozer pushing vendors over cliff of Little Colorado Overlook.

School graduate gets congratulated by dad, who is shipping him away from home. Dad says, End of the road for youy son. Normally if we had livestock, grazing rights, homesite and a job I would ask you to stay. Times have changed.

Happy Mother's Day - mom holds bouquet of Navajo-grown hemp

THE ROCK. Rock holds Nez and Lizer by their shirt collars. Coming soon to a theater near you. Battling villains that keep 300K people in poverty with no jobs or economic developments. Sidekicks say, Nice photo-op, next to sign that says Welcome to the Rez. Another sidekick smiles.

People leaving rez, saying Bye Navajo, waving to sign that reads Buy Navajo.

Nez and Damon proclaim the sky is not falling after 100 days of cracked egg falls. Sidekicks say Happy Easter!

Lady Justice tries to play slot machines, with label of Twin Arrow Czsino PD on side of it. Justice says, "I hope I win!"

Three horsemen representing uranium, gas and coal storm a Go Green environmentalist riding a donkey. Coal asks, "You the replacement for conquest?"

NTEC and NNC workers careen downhil in NGS coal cart. NNC guy says I thought you knew what you were doing.

Voters as employer kicking out Tso & Tso carrying atwill employees paperwork and money.

A streaker runs away with briefcase full of money into Window Rock. Sidekicks say, We have a sleeper, now a streaker.

Council committee arrows aimed at people's heads. Sidekicks say Happy Valentine Day. That's not cupid arrows.

Shadow government. Politicians saw trump's shadow, so six more months of bad government in Washington.

Truck loaded with Nez and Lizer in front seat and a couple spooked people in back under piles of paperwork labeled tribal programs and layoffs. Sign reads, downsizing the tribal government ahead. Waste management.

Nez and Lizer ganged up against ongoing rez problems.

Government shutdown. Man buried to neck in snow. Snowman holds SOS sign. Sidekicks say, forecasting of conditions of things to come. Cars plod through snow-covered, ungraded road.

Navajo Nation government and lawyer saying we don't want to be responsible for lost jobs and environmental destruction caused by Navajo Generating Station.

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About The Author

Jack Ahasteen