Letters | Beyond campaign promises
Beyond campaign promises
Editor,
As a woman veteran, it is difficult to have my voice heard. Too often, we veterans are overlooked, dismissed, or acknowledged only when it is politically convenient. During campaign season especially, veterans are frequently used as part of each campaign platform and speeches, yet many of our real concerns continue to be ignored afterward.
Women veterans carry the same sacrifices, commitment, and service as anyone else who wore the uniform. Yet speaking up about concerns within our communities, veterans organizations within the five agencies, or leadership structures lead to many of us being silenced, disrespected, or treated as though our experiences do not matter.
Veterans should never be used as campaign talking points while issues such as housing, access to services, fairness, accountability, and safe environments remain unresolved.
True and honest support for veterans requires listening to all veterans, including women veterans, even when the conversations are uncomfortable.
Our Navajo people value respect, community and responsibility. Leadership should reflect those values by creating spaces where veterans are heard without favoritism, politics, or intimidation.
We hear it everywhere – on the radio, in political interviews and in campaign articles. Candidates proudly mention veterans when it benefits their image, yet many have done little or nothing in the past or even now to truly support those who served.
Deandra Robbins
U.S. Navy veteran
Many Farms, Ariz.
Fix the system
Editor,
I recently drove to the Navajo Nation tribal administration office with all required documents for a simple name change on my Certificate of Indian Blood paper document. I was told it may take 30 days or longer. I reminded the staff that years ago, two dedicated ladies handled this same work and customers walked out with their documents the same day. The response: only four workers now handle the workload, and if I answer a phone call from the office worker, I may have the opportunity to pick up the document sooner; however, if I miss a phone call from the office worker, the document will be mailed, taking 30 days or longer.
I asked about the process to obtain a tribal ID card. I was told that office is in a different location. I did not want to chase multiple offices for a tribal ID – something that used to be handled in one location.
After all the hoopla about protecting our people and ensuring tribal members have their CIBs in case ICE stops them, I learned today that this was just another politician’s slogan to sound like they care about our people traveling off the Navajo Nation. This is just one example of a broken system.
I went to pay my electric bill in a new, massive building, but was re-directed across town to a different massive new building. We have grand structures, no wonder our power bills keep climbing.
Tribal offices need to centralize services so that people who travel distances do not have to drive around looking for multiple offices.
Our tribal hay farm grows hay on the northern edge of the Navajo Nation, yet hay farmers from 200-700 miles away descend on our community every week, semi-trucks lining up to fill their pockets with thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, the Navajo Nation has purchased off-Nation lands in Arizona and Colorado, but their purpose remains unclear. How are these acres benefiting our people?
Instead of importing hay from distant farmers, perhaps it’s time to grow hay on those lands and haul it back to the Nation, selling it locally.
We have Navajo enterprises with non-Navajos in key positions earning big paychecks and most of them live thousands of miles from the Nation. Worse, some of these control essential services with no competition, prices and profits are not subject to market forces. There is no transparency about how much money flows into the tribe via these businesses and no idea where the money goes Navajo Nation must follow the Navajo Preference requirement for all goods and services on the reservation-hospitals, tribal enterprises, businesses, schools, construction, housing contracting, utilities, energy (coal and oil) and agriculture. Non-Navajos are reaping in dollars because the Navajo Nation is not enforcing its own preference law. We need a clearinghouse or a website listing all qualified Navajo providers of goods, products, and services, and businesses should be required to procure from qualified Navajos first.
Only when no qualified Navajo provider exists should businesses look elsewhere. Navajo Preference sounds good in theory, but few businesses follow the requirement, and the Navajo Nation does not check to see if the law is being enforced. Navajo Nation needs to grow and manage its own businesses. The little guys are being outbid by big off-reservation companies, even for minor services. We want a strong system in place where Navajos get a fair shot at good jobs and fair pay.
Then there is the question of the millions of dollars gone missing? Leaders don’t care to answer that question. Their lack of response and/or action sends the message that it is OK to steal. Just look at the facts: $40 million disappeared from Kinlichee Chapter under the previous administration and $24 million is missing under the current administration. We need a president who will keep a close eye on the tribal purse and not let anyone get away with stealing – not chapter officials, not contractors, not anyone.
Our tribal elections are approaching with 16 presidential candidates. Five are “recycled” former vice presidents, speaker, and incumbent who have already had their chances. The last three administrations ended in chaos, with presidents and vice presidents turning on each other publicly (Ndiichxo pout), resulting in wrestle mania. As voters, we deserve better. We want leaders who work together, not politicians who campaign hard, win, then spend their term in power struggles.
The remaining 11 candidates include some with real management experience and proven results. As voters, we must look beyond slogans. It will take every chapter community working together to create real change. Which of the 11 can do that? Our people are exhausted.
Marilyn Decker
Nazlini, Ariz.
Restore our land
Editor,
To the New Mexico Environment Department and Public Service Company of New Mexico:
I am writing to ask you for what purpose did you poison my family’s stretch of the Shumway Arroyo and the farm adjacent to it, as well as the farm across the street from our store. Now you want to drive off and put it in a so-called Abatement Plan that states that I can do nothing to you and it protects you and your constituents. We have paid for these properties with our hard work and dedication. You have been poisoning our land, but it was not you that has been paying taxes on them.
With all the salts, sulfates, and heavy metals that permeate the soil, the properties have turned into a waste and fallow ground, unable to grow a proper crop. Apparently, you have no concern for your neighbors or those living downstream.
You have abandoned the pipelines, and they have rusted out in many places. Now you want to add concrete to the pipeline. When you add concrete to the metal pipelines that have rusted out, the lime will feed the rust by lowering the pH making it more alkaline thus making it rust faster. Moisture, temperature fluctuations, pH, and porosity accelerate electrochemical oxidation. It appears that you are trying to destroy evidence while polluting again. The process and secondary effects of rusting – like corroding infrastructure, leaching heavy metals, or contaminating water supplies – can act as significant environmental hazards and physical pollutants. Also, what other chemicals are permeating the pipeline?
We told you in the past that we wanted you to remove the pipeline and bring the farm back to what it was before you stuck your claws into the community. Why do you want to create a toxic environment with your waste dump? Are you trying to teach someone a lesson or make an example out of them? Also, please extend in the Abatement Plan all historic downstream pollution from the San Juan Generating Station?
Please respond within two weeks. We have been waiting an indeterminate amount of time for any proper responses. We are not harassing you. We are concerned citizens seeking answers.
PS, we are not naive children.
R.G. Hunt III
Waterflow, N.M.
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