Begaye talks veteran, elderly issues in State of the Nation

Posted by Arlyssa Becenti | Apr 21, 2016 | News |

WINDOW ROCK

Russell Begaye

In their fourth State of the Nation report, Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez addressed a wide variety of issues they are working on.

Navajo veterans, infrastructure, Navajo elders and youth, and employment were among the issues they addressed. Their written report to members of the Navajo Nation Council on the first day of the spring session addressed how their leadership is working toward achieving success in all aspects.

For instance, Begaye signed into law the Navajo Veterans Act on Feb. 13. This act will address three vital veteran needs such as housing, medical benefits and behavioral health. Under the act, an attempt is being made toward developing a veteran’s hospital to be built on Navajo will also be pursued.

“We were the first tribal nation to establish a Veterans Act, it’s never been done before,” said Begaye. “It’s been talked about out there for many years and finally we signed it into law.”

For infrastructure, the report stated the FJUA Homes Project will be repairing 25 Navajo Partitioned Lands relocation homes and 14 Hopi Partitioned Lands homes. Currently, there has been a renovation of nine HPL homes completed. The renovation of four more homes will be completed next quarter.

The construction for the Kayenta Indian Health Center was completed and will be dedicated April 17. Since the U.S. Congress appropriated $105 million for the Indian Health Service – Health Care Facilities Construction line item, that also gave $12 million dollars to go toward the development of utilities, water, and other infrastructure for the new Dilkon Health Center.

When speaking about Navajo elders and the youth, Begaye talked about the future construction of both Crownpoint and Shonto youth complexes. He also stated the pilot project of the National Boys and Girls Club of America, will be built in Many Farms.