Letters | ZenniHome claim 

ZenniHome claim

Editor,

In a recent letter to the editor written by Samuel Begay Sr., Mr. Begay claims, “And not long ago, the ZenniHome payout of $74 million again looks like it lined the pockets of certain officials.” This statement is completely false.

To be clear, the Navajo Nation never paid ZenniHome directly. As part of the Nygren Administration’s housing initiative, the Nation awarded a contract to Indigenous Design Studio + Architecture L.L.C. (IDSA), which subcontracted ZenniHome. The contract followed the proper 164 process, and all payments were made to IDSA in accordance with approved procedures, including an upfront payment of approximately $24 million, representing 50% of the contract value.

No Navajo elected officials personally profited from the ZenniHome transaction. Spreading such misinformation is misleading and unfair to the dedicated leaders serving our Nation. In contrast, many leaders work diligently to balance community needs with limited resources, navigating federal regulations, funding restrictions and economic challenges unique to tribal nations.

While concerns about fiscal accountability are important, portraying Navajo officials as consistently corrupt ignores the complexities of tribal governance. Our leaders work hard to balance community needs with limited resources, navigate federal regulations and manage multi-million-dollar programs that benefit the Nation.

Instead of focusing on false accusations, the discussion should center on strengthening oversight, improving transparency, and providing financial management training for officials. Social media, journalism, and modern tools already increase visibility and systemic measures, such as independent audits and clear reporting, ensure accountability without discouraging qualified leadership.

Tribal finances are not secret. Public scrutiny, oversight and proper procedures are in place to protect the Navajo people. Responsible leadership, not unfounded claims, is what best serves our community.

Buu Nygren
President, Navajo Nation
Window Rock, Ariz.

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Hands off Navajo land

Editor,

The issue concerning Chaco Canyon, which resides within Navajo Nation boundaries and contains Navajo allotments, is critical for several fundamental reasons.

Primarily, giving in to external claims or management over this area could establish a dangerous precedent that fundamentally undermines the sovereignty of the Navajo Nation. Such a precedent could encourage other tribes to make similar arguments about Navajo land, potentially justifying external interference or claims of relation to our territory. The Navajo Nation must remain vigilant against allowing this erosion of our territorial integrity and self-determination.

The process undertaken by the Pueblo leadership in attempting to influence the management of the Chaco Canyon area demonstrates a profound lack of respect for the Navajo Nation. Specifically, the following steps were taken without proper government-to-government consultation:

The Pueblo leadership failed to meet face-to-face with Navajo Nation leadership or the Navajo communities directly affected.

The Pueblos first directed their efforts toward then-Secretary Deb Haaland (a member of a Pueblo tribe), followed by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs office, and finally, New Mexico senators and congressional representatives.

Despite the gravity of the matter, the Pueblos never once consulted directly with the Navajo Nation leadership in Window Rock, or with the Navajo people residing around Chaco Canyon. This approach is profoundly disrespectful to the Navajo Nation as a sovereign government. To date, the Pueblos have still not engaged in formal consultation at the Navajo Nation capital or met with people in the affected area.

The Pueblo approach has consistently failed to consider the issue from the Navajo perspective or offer meaningful, comprehensive solutions.

The Pueblos have not provided a plan to offset the significant income loss for the approximately 20,000 Navajo allottees who currently benefit from oil and gas revenue generated on this land, should development be shut down.

No solution has been offered to compensate the Navajo Nation for the substantial lost tax revenue from the energy industry.

The Pueblos overlook the fact that the Navajo people have served as the principal stewards and caretakers of the land surrounding Chaco Canyon since oil and gas operations began in the 1920s.

This current dynamic is a repeat of previous conflicts where the Navajo Nation’s interests were challenged. For example, when the Navajo Nation sought to enter the Indian gaming market, it was the Pueblos who actively worked to obstruct our entry. That opposition was also conducted through external legal and political channels rather than through direct, government-to-government consultation in Window Rock.

Despite external resistance, the Navajo Nation pushed back and pursued a course that was in the best interest of the Navajo people. Today, Navajo gaming successfully employs nearly 1,500 Navajos and provides significant annual contributions to the nation’s coffers.

The Navajo Nation’s official position – no buffer zone around Chaco Canyon, allowing for the continuation of responsible oil and gas development – is correct and necessary to safeguard our future. The nation will not establish a precedent that permits external entities to dictate management decisions concerning land within Navajo boundaries. Our ancestors sacrificed too much to allow Navajo land policy to be dictated by others.

The Navajo Nation must send a clear, unequivocal message to all external tribes and entities: The Navajo Nation will always prioritize and determine what is best for the Navajo people, especially when the issue concerns Navajo land and the future prosperity of our citizens.

Thank you for allowing me to voice my opinion.

Alice Nelson Yazzie
Shiprock, N.M.

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