Building a healthy nation based on four pillars

Posted by Navajo Times | Aug 27, 2015 | Guest Essay |

By Russell Begaye
Special to the Times

Russell Begaye

Yá’át’ééh! Congratulations to the Navajo Times in launching the new edition! Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this special day.

We have been honored and blessed to be able to serve the people as the Navajo Nation President and Vice-President. Thank you to the people for this great opportunity!

During our administration, our goal is to build a vibrant healthy Diné Nation. We will continue to focus our efforts on our four pillars: 1) Elders and Youth; 2) Veterans; 3) Infrastructure; and 4) Jobs.

Our elders are the bedrock and foundation of our great Nation.

The youth is our future. We must take care of both and interconnect our elders to teach our youth the Diné traditions, language and culture so as our Navajo way of life will continue for years to come.

Our Navajo veterans fought for the freedoms we enjoy today and it is time we take care of them and honor them.

The biggest barrier in development has always been lack of infrastructure. No longer should our people not have access to basic needs such as drinking water, electricity, and safe roads for access to medical and emergency services.

Our unemployment rate is at 60 percent across the Nation. This must end and by promoting our existing desert economy that has sustained our people for centuries, such as our aloe vera, yucca plants and our agriculture. This will cause manufacturing plants to develop and job creation for our people.

For us to succeed in our four pillars, bringing in the right people is key. This administration searched for the most highly experienced and educated Navajos from across the United States and the world. Our cabinet appointments include the Attorney General a Harvard Law School graduate Ethel Branch; Executive Director for the Navajo Nation Washington Office and a Stanford University and Harvard graduate, Jackson Brossy; Executive Director for the Navajo Hopi Land Commission Office and Harvard Law School graduate Wenona Benally; Executive Director, Division of Natural Resources and University of New Mexico Law School graduate Bidtah Becker; Executive Director, Division of Social Services, University of New Mexico Law School graduate Terrelene Massey; Executive Director, Division of Public Safety, Jesse Delmar with years of experience in the FBI, State law enforcement and other tribal law enforcement; Executive Director for the Navajo Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Donald Benn the first chemist to head our EPA; and Executive Director, Navajo Telecommunications Regulatory Office, Theresa Hopkins, who brings years of experience in telecommunications. This administration is aware that to see the real change for our Nation starts with the people and we believe we have the team to see that change.

August 5 was a sad day for the Navajo Nation when the Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colo. released over 3 million gallons of toxic waste that contaminated the waters of the Navajo Nation. We declared a State of Emergency on August 8 and immediately mobilized the divisions to begin preparing for the toxic plume that entered into the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Emergency Management Department activated Operation Tó łitso to assist the people impacted along the San Juan River. To date, 36 pallets of bottled drinking water, 1,000 bales of hay for livestock and 200,000 gallons of water has been delivered to all those impacted.

We want to praise and thank everyone who is doing what they can to help the Navajo people through this crisis. We have a strong team. In these disasters, the only way to succeed is working together as a team. As a team, we are very powerful and will eliminate any obstacle, as a team we can defeat anything. We will continue to offer prayers daily and encourage all of you to continue to pray for healing and for our people.

(Editor’s note: Russell Begaye is the President of the Navajo Nation.)