Aneva J. Yazzie retires from NHA
Navajo Times | Boderra Joe
Aneva J. Yazzie from Bááhaztł’ah is wrapped in a shawl and held a plaque. She was recognized for her retirement from the Navajo Housing Authority during a regular Resources and Development Committee meeting in Chinle on April 10. Yazzie served 13 years with NHA and added years in various positions. She thanks NHA and the Navajo Nation for allowing her to serve the people.
CHINLE – Long-time Navajo Housing Authority deputy chief executive officer Aneva J. Yazzie is retiring.
Yazzie was recognized for her 13 years of sincere dedication, commitment, and advocacy for NHA during a regular Resources and Development Committee meeting Wednesday morning in Chinle.
Council Delegates on the committee expressed their admiration for Yazzie and gifted her a plaque and a shawl.
“I appreciate the recognition,” said Yazzie. “I did not realize that I would be recognized.”
Overjoyed with tears, Yazzie thanks RDC members and attendees for their gesture of appreciation.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Yazzie said, who is Tsi’naajinii and born for Tódích’íi’nii. Her maternal grandfather is Tó’áhání, and her paternal grandfather is Haltsooí Dine’é. Her parents are the late Harry H. Yazzie and the late Marie Yazzie. She is from Bááhazł’ah (Bahastł’ah).
“It’s been a long road…but my heart will still be with affordable housing and provide any technical assistance from afar,” she added.
After working for over 45 years in housing, facilities, and management, Yazzie is moving to Phoenix to be close to her first grandchild.
She said she moved back to the Navajo Nation to care for her parents, and NHA gave her the opportunity to ensure she was able to support herself and her parents.
Yazzie will always be a skip away, and she believes in her staff to keep going. She announced that the Navajo Nation had received the largest allocation of $97 million from the $1.34 billion from the U.S. Congress for the Native American housing program. The funds are part of a six-bill fiscal 2024 package.
Yazzie advises NHA and leaders to spend the funding wisely and hopes the new transition to the management team will continue to fight.
RDC chairperson Brenda Jesus admires the magnitude of knowledge that Yazzie carried during her time with NHA, when she advocated for NAHASDA, the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, and HUD, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, on behalf of the Navajo Nation.
“She’s given her all to try and meet the substandard living condition needs of our people across the Navajo Nation,” Jesus said.
“Happy retirement 2024,” said RCD Vice Chair Casey Allen-Johnson, who thanked Yazzie for the excellent work she brought to NHA.
“Congratulations, Aneva,” said Council Delegate Rickie Nez. “You’ve done an excellent job, and you’re that shining star. I’m sure that you gave the baton to someone that you’ve been training.”
Delegate Otto Tso commends Yazzie’s ability to progress with the federal government, which he admits is complicated, but acknowledges Yazzie’s persistence.
“I just want to say thank you and my utmost respect to you,” Delegate Shawna Ann Claw said to Yazzie, who mentioned NHA’s new housing management office under construction in Chinle. “A lot of that work came from Aneva,” Claw said.
Delegate Danny Simpson admires Yazzie’s accomplishments for NHA with the new 18 homes.
“We really appreciate that,” Simpson said. “Her leadership shows that she cares.” Simpson thanked Yazzie on behalf of Crownpoint for the efforts and support in projects she was involved in with housing.
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