PAGE, Ariz. — Members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council attended the quarterly Western Navajo Agency Council meeting June 14 at the Page Middle School gymnasium to provide key legislative updates, reaffirming the 25th Navajo Nation Council’s commitment to defending vital services amid proposed federal budget cuts.
“The 25th Navajo Nation Council is taking a strong stance to advocate to Congress that the Navajo Nation does not support any budget cut bills that affect the Navajo Nation,” Speaker Crystalyne Curley said. “We know that President Trump’s proposed budget will significantly impact Navajo families and communities. The Council is fighting hard to protect programs our people rely on and to remind Washington of its legal obligations to uphold Treaty rights and protect Native communities from injustice.”
She reiterated the Council’s opposition to President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which proposes severe cuts to Medicaid, nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP, and funding for the Bureau of Indian Education and public schools serving Navajo students.
The Speaker She also addressed concerns about Executive Order 14241, which seeks to expand the coal mining industry. She stressed the importance of leadership reflecting the voices of impacted communities and pledged continued advocacy for decisions rooted in community priorities and the long-term interests of the Navajo people.
The Western Navajo Agency Council was further briefed on recent public hearings held by the Budget and Finance Committee and the importance of submitting resolutions and unmet needs to the Office of Legislative Services. BFC Chair Shaandiin Parrish emphasized that submitted documents will be incorporated into the Fiscal Year 2026 Comprehensive Budget legislation as written comments, ensuring that chapter and community voices are included in the legislative process.
“The Budget and Finance Committee is taking a hard stance to hold non-confirmed Division Directors accountable for ensuring services are reaching our communities,” she said. “The Committee is prepared to issue a Condition of Appropriation that freezes travel funds for Directors if services aren’t being delivered to the people. This is one way we can ensure that needs are being addressed.”
Parrish also announced that the Office of the Speaker will soon release a resolution template for chapters and shared plans to introduce procurement reform legislation during the upcoming Summer Session.
Delegate Otto Tso provided updates from the Resources and Development Committee regarding efforts to expand access to homesite leases, resolve grazing permit issues, and strengthen local governance. He underscored the importance of empowering chapters to lead development efforts and improve infrastructure and services at the local level.
