Council to open Summer Session with high-stakes agenda

By Krista Allen | Jul 20, 2025 | News |

CANYON POINT, Utah

The Navajo Nation Council’s five-day Summer Session opens Monday, July 21, with major decisions on Executive leadership, education funding, solar energy policy, and government oversight taking center stage.

The session begins with the State of the Navajo Nation address from President Buu Nygren, followed by reports from the interim chief justice, the Council speaker, the controller, and representatives from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service.

At the top of the agenda is the confirmation of Heather L. Clah as the Navajo Nation’s next attorney general. Her nomination was tabled in April after Council delegates raised concerns and requested additional information about her legal views and leadership style.

Education is expected to be a key focus. Lawmakers will consider a bill to allocate $30 million annually, divided equally, among Diné College, Navajo Technical University and the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance. The legislation, introduced by Delegate Andy Nez and co-sponsored by Delegate Carl R. Slater, would strengthen long-term educational support.

Slater said Sunday that the proposal responds to declining federal and external funding for tribal education.

“There has been a … drop in support for Indian higher education and also for renewable development,” Slater said. “If we’re interested in supporting these two priorities that our people have identified – diversifying our economy and revenue (and) support for higher education – we have to take the lead now in providing financial support for those priorities and prerogatives.”

Another bill would establish a tax code for utility-scale solar and energy storage projects. Sponsored by Slater and Speaker Crystalyne Curley, the measure would amend the Nation’s tax laws to encourage renewable energy development and promote large-scale clean energy projects on tribal lands.

The Council will also consider legislation to move the Navajo Nation Youth Advisory Council from the Executive Branch to the Legislative Branch. Supporters say the shift would give youth more visibility and a stronger voice in shaping policy. The bill is sponsored by Delegate Germaine Simonson, with backing from Delegates Andy Nez, Arbin Mitchell, and Cherilyn Yazzie.

Oversight measures are also on the agenda. One bill expresses no confidence in W. Mike Halona, the executive director of the Division of Natural Resources, and recommends his removal. Another, introduced by Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton, calls for the removal of all executive directors who have not yet been confirmed by the Council.

Charles-Newton emphasized Saturday night that the resolution is not about singling out individuals but about restoring integrity and accountability across branches of government. She said holding leaders accountable is not an attack, but a vital step toward rebuilding public trust.

Too often, she said, wrongdoing goes unaddressed because of fear of backlash, eroding confidence in leadership. Elected officials, she argued, must be held to a higher standard, and silence in the face of misconduct, especially by those in power, undermines the credibility of the entire government.

Also up for consideration is a $579,295 appropriation from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance to support the Navajo Nation Washington Office through the end of the fiscal year.

As redistricting continues, Delegate Arbin Mitchell has introduced legislation to temporarily waive legal deadlines under Navajo election law, allowing more time to finalize the Nation’s new apportionment plan.

Several leadership appointments are on the docket for confirmation votes, including Michael Henderson as head of the Division of Public Safety, Sherylene Yazzie as executive director of the Department of Health, and Reycita Toddy as director of the Division of Human Resources. The Council will also vote on appointments to key commissions, including Mae-Gilene Begay to the Diné Uranium Remediation Advisory Commission and Eunice Begay to the Commission on Navajo Government Development.

The session will run July 21–25 at the Navajo Nation Council Chamber in Window Rock. Proceedings will be livestreamed at youtube.com/navajonationcouncil. All agenda items are subject to change and final Council vote.