Council delegates will once again honor past leaders with horse ride

By LoRenzo Bates
Special to the Times

I would like to begin by inviting all Diné citizens to the upcoming Summer Council Session, beginning July 20 at the Council Chamber in Window Rock.

In keeping with tradition, this year’s session will begin with the annual Summer Horse and Bike Ride to honor our nation’s past leaders. I would like to recognize and thank the many men and women who are currently embarking on the long and difficult journey to Window Rock.

Many of them began their journey more than a week ago in the spirit of honoring our past leaders who would ride to each regular council session on horseback. Along the way, our leaders would stop at homes and communities to listen to the concerns and issues of their respective communities. When they arrived in Window Rock for council sessions, they were well-informed and able to voice the concerns of their people and communities.

It is with that same spirit that my colleagues on the 23rd Navajo Nation Council will assist and participate in the horse ride, which has evolved over time to include a bike ride as well.

Members of the council along with local community leaders bring awareness and promote causes such as healthy living and domestic violence awareness – two very critical issues impacting our communities. I extend my appreciation to my colleagues Norman M. Begay, Tuchoney Slim Jr., Edmund Yazzie, Walter Phelps, Davis Filfred, and Tom T. Chee – who are among the delegates who will participate in this year’s horse ride. On Monday morning, the horse and bike riders will convene outside of the Council Chamber where we will have a few guest speakers to honor and recognize our past leaders.

Following the conclusion of the horse ride, we invite the public to witness a historic signing ceremony prior to the official start of the summer session, in which President Russell Begaye, Acting Chief Justice Eleanor Shirley, and I will sign off on an agreement that establishes nine priorities for the Navajo Nation.

As you may know, the 23rd Navajo Nation Council met with President Begaye, Vice President Jonathan Nez, and Acting Chief Justice Shirley to discuss the many needs of our nation. The discussions resulted in a listing of nine priorities including housing, education, human services, governance, public safety, natural resources and judicial needs, with particular emphasis on water rights/projects, economic development, and infrastructure.

The purpose of aligning the nation’s priorities and to re-establish relations between the tribal branches of government is to advocate and lobby more effectively on behalf of the Navajo people for funding from the county, state and federal levels.

The nine priorities were established based off of the priorities identified at the chapter level, President Begaye’s administration, recommendations from the judicial branch, the council’s standing committees and public comments.
The signing of this agreement will mark the first time that our nation’s three branches of government have signed off on a priority listing that will guide our nation’s leaders for years to come.

In closing, I extend an invitation to all Diné citizens to attend in person or to view the Summer Council Session online on the Council’s designated Ustream channel at ustream.tv and search for “Navajo Nation Council” to view live proceedings beginning Monday. The proposed agenda for the Summer Council Session will be available at NavajoNationCouncil.org no later than Friday, July 17.

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