One last address for Shelly

WINDOW ROCK

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly used his last State of the Nation address to urge the Navajo Nation Council to follow through with a referendum on the fluency issue.

In the address on Monday during the first day of the council’s spring session, Shelly reminded the delegates that they had passed a bill allowing them to use $317,000 from the Undesignated, Unreserved Fund balance to “provide Navajo voters with a referendum on the Navajo fluency requirements for the presidential qualifications.”

Shelly said that it’s time for the Navajo people to decide whether or not a president needs to be fluent in Navajo, as is now the case.

Presidential candidate Christopher Clark Deschene, the second-highest vote-getter in the primary election, was disqualified last year after other candidates questioned his fluency in the Navajo language, thrusting the election into on-again, off-again chaos that persisted until the postponed election on Tuesday.

Council Delegate Leonard Tsosie (Pueblo Pintado/Casamero Lake/Whitehorse Lake/Counselor/Ojo Encino/Littlewater/Baca/Prewitt/Torreon) said while referencing the fluency referendum, “I do agree with you, Mr. President, that the law that was passed by the Council and signed by you is law.”

Tsosie added that he didn’t understand how the Navajo Nation Supreme Court could ignore that ruling.

“I don’t know how long we can put up with this disrespect from the third branch,” Tsosie said.

Shelly encouraged the Council delegates to stick with their oaths – to uphold Navajo Nation law during this time of election chaos.

“You are the lawmakers. You make the laws,” he said. “This is where it’s in your hands. Do what you have to do. Don’t forget your oath.”

Shelly began his speech by addressing some of the challenges he has faced as president. Some of those tests included the deaths of police officers, the chaotic election process that forced him to stay in office three-and-half months after he normally would have passed the baton, and budget shortfalls for fiscal year 2015 and 2016.

“In the last four years, I am proud to say my administration has won some battles, made historic progress and delivered on our campaign platform. So when we stand together as Diné we are a strong and an undefeatable nation,” he said.

Shelly addressed jobs on the Navajo Nation and how his administration was able to create over 2,400 jobs. He credited the Navajo casino developments with creating jobs and producing revenue.

He talked about the tribal gaming compact he signed with New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, the Acoma and Jemez Pueblos, the Jicarilla and the Mescalero Apache Tribes.

“This will benefit our economic future for the next 22 years. Which means more jobs and support for infrastructure,” he said.

The compact is presently awaiting the approval of the U.S. Department of Interior.

Shelly also talked about a meeting on energy development with U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other members of Congress, and the economic impact it could have on the Navajo Nation. The idea, he said, is to take back some authority from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

For fiscal year 2015 the Navajo Nation is facing an $18 million shortfall in revenue, Shelly said. In 2016 the shortfall is projected to be at $24 million, according to the Navajo Nation Office of Management and Budget.

The Sihasin Fund, or the Hope Fund, was also signed into law during Shelly’s presidency. He said the fund was created from the trust fund settlement with the federal government that left the Navajo Nation with $554 million.

Shelly hopes the Sihasin Fund will be used for infrastructure projects that bring about economic development — projects like road development, updating sewer lines, water lines and power lines, he said. He also urged Council to focus on more than coal and to consider investing in solar and wind.

U.S. 89 opening

U.S. Highway 89 was closed to traffic after a landslide buckled the road in 2012, Shelly said.

Its reopening a few weeks ago has made travel for those visiting the western Navajo Nation easier, Shelly said. He added that the alternative road, Navajo Route 20, had 27 miles paved in 79 days after the landslide.

The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise reported in February on the success of the Navajo Beef Program and its relationship with Labatt Food Service.

“Since 2011, the Navajo Beef initiative has been growing, offering guests of Navajo casinos the best steaks around,” he said, adding that the traditional knowledge of raising cattle has provided the quality of the beef and helped make it so successful.

Shelly hopes the program expands to schools, health centers and travel centers of the Navajo Nation.

Final approval of the Navajo Nation General Leasing Act of 2013 came from the U.S. Department of Interior last June, Shelly said. This means the Navajo Land Department has authority over leasing on tribal land, rather than the BIA. So far, he said, six communities were able to share success stories during the recent land summit.

Shelly also spoke about the youth in the Shiprock Chapter getting a new $6.6 million multipurpose facility to keep them busy in their free time and away from drugs and alcohol.

“The wealth of our nation is complete: spiritual, physical, mental and environmental, which is part of my platform goals,” he said, adding that partnerships between Navajo health organizations, federal government and traditional healers have addressed health disparities, education, social and economic issues on the Navajo Nation.

Last week, Shelly said the Navajo Nation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services held the 15th Annual Navajo Regional Tribal Consultation Conference.

This conference addressed the completion of the Kayenta Medical Center and the Priority One listing of Dilkon Medical Center, he said. It’s the responsibility of the federal government to push for the construction of the Dilkon Medical Center, Navajo Nation’s former Vice President Rex Lee Jim stated in the State of the Nation address.

“We need to continue to push for the Dilkon health center,” agreed Delegate Walter Phelps (Tolani Lake/ Ts’dii to’ii/Coalmine Canyon/Cameron/Leupp).

Phelps also thanked Shelly for his service and the service of his staff.

Shelly also took a moment to recognize two lawyers that passed away, Samuel Buffone and Elouise Chicharello.

Buffone was a key player during the trust fund settlement case and Chicha-rello “was instrumental in the implementation of the Navajo Department of Justice,” he said.
“I give my sincere condolences to the family,” added Delegate Tsosie.

Navajo veterans

Shelly said that in February, they brought the five Veterans agency commanders together and discussed the Veterans Act with hopes to get the act through the review process and into Council.

“It is our hope to devote a new title in the code to the veterans and the veterans department,” he said.

Council delegate Nelson S. BeGaye (Tsé Ch’izhi/Round Rock/Rock Point/Lukachukai/Tsaile-Wheatfields) said that 75 homes have been built for veterans under a new Veterans Services program.

“But there’s no electricity, there’s no water, there’s no wastewater services,” he said. “A lot of our veterans that came in … they have homesite leases but when they want to redo their house they are asked to redo their whole homesite lease.”

BeGaye questioned how the veterans are supposed to get help with the current regulations. He said he would like to see a legislation that will help veterans get new homes.
Shelly thanked the Council for helping him and Jim honor the fallen police officers and soldiers.

Those lost include: Alex K. Yazzie, Ernest Montoya and Darrell Curley. “Several officers who survived a police shooting are Erwin Toddy and Joseph Gregg. We also lost a Navajo Code Talker Chester Nez and several other Navajo Code Talkers,” he said.

Shelley ended his speech by thanking the Navajo people for letting him and Jim serve the Navajo Nation.

“We must put the election behind us and move forward united, as people, to face the challenges of the future,” Shelly said.

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