New council will tackle economics
WINDOW ROCK
For more than five decades, Navajo tribal leaders have been promising to find a solution to the reservation’s economic problems.
Over the years, the tribe has given away millions of dollars to off-reservation companies to come here, only to see the money stolen or companies failing to make any dent in the 40-percent-plus unemployment rate.
But since taking over as president, Russell Begaye has been wondering what would happen if you brought together some of the top economic development experts in Indian Country and told them to create a economic development policy that would provide a viable job market on the reservation and gave them the funds to do it.
That is what is going to happen tomorrow when the Begaye-Nez administration holds the first meeting of the newly created Council of Economic Advisors for the Navajo Nation at the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino and Resort.
“We went out and recruited the best and brightest advisors — including authors of a well-known book on American Indian economic development — who are all at the top of their profession to provide objective, theory-based, analytical advice and help with the president’s annual economic report,” said Begaye.
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Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow