Guest Column: Happy New Year from OPVP!

Posted by Navajo Times | Dec 30, 2015 | Guest Essay |

Russell Begaye

By Russell Begaye
Navajo Nation President

Yáá’a’t’ééh Shí K’é doo Shí’diné’é,

As we near the end of 2015, both Vice President Jonathan Nez and I would like to send our heartfelt holiday greetings and appreciation to the staff of our administration, the three branches of government, all of the Navajo Nation Employees and the greater Navajo Nation. We thank you, we truly appreciate your assistance to our administration this year and most importantly, we love you.

Since we took office back in May 2015, our commitment toward bettering the lives and communities of the Navajo people has been diligent and consistent. We have traveled across the Navajo Nation visiting chapters and communities while listening to requests for services and infrastructure needs.

We have taken legislation directly to chapters for signing ceremonies because we know how hard the community members, delegates and chapter officials have worked to bring funding to their communities to make positive changes. We feel it’s important to personally acknowledge these endeavors and support them wholeheartedly.

We recognize the needs to renovate chapter houses and community buildings to accommodate larger capacities and bring buildings into safety code and regulations. These buildings often provide safe places for youth activities and elders. Our administration values both youth and elders in providing for our future and preserving our traditional life way

We see our people residing in rural areas that have lived without water or electricity for years. The roads they travel need repair and we hear their calls for road improvement in getting our Navajo children to school safely or our elders to the store for supplies and for emergency services to our people. Yes, these concerns are being addressed.

As we’ve listened and observed, we have also assessed and evaluated. We have brought these concerns back to the Capitol to discuss them with the Executive Branch divisions to develop plans to bring tangible change to these issues.

Our efforts to bring change, development and improvements to the Nation have taken us across the Navajo Nation, every state the Nation encompasses and Washington D.C. to meet with Senators, Governors, Congressmen and even President Barack Obama to advocate on behalf of Navajo issues and rights.

Our interactions with key politicians have been meaningful and opened doors for us to improve programs on the Nation that affect each and every one of our lives. We lobby and advocate for the issues you’ve brought forth and we will keep the intent of our travels to be purposeful and directed.

Our purpose remains to create tangible change for the livelihood of the

Navajo People.

As we look back on this year, we see the many great strides we’ve made which have been the culminated efforts of multiple departments, programs and divisions. This support is critical and appreciated.

Looking forward, we know there is much work still to be done and our efforts will remain diligent, productive and consistent. That is our commitment and responsibility to the Navajo People.

We ask that you please make time before year-end to visit your relatives and elders across the Nation. Check up on your grandparents and elders to make sure they have enough wood for their stoves and water for themselves and their livestock. Take them to the store. Let them know they are loved and not forgotten.

Sometimes all our elders need is a little attention and that carries them a long way.

Also, take some time to bring everyone in the home together around the dinner table to talk about what is happening within each other lives. Put away the cell phones, tablets and gaming devices for one meal to talk and listen to one another.

Winter is our storytelling season, so it is very appropriate to share stories with one another and even have grandma or grandpa hand down some traditional knowledge. Let’s listen to one another and share our love and camaraderie with each other during this season.

Let’s always remember to honor our K’é and live according to Hozhó.

Happy New Year from the Office of the President and Vice President!

Ahéé’hee!