Staff Reports
SANTA FE — Members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council met with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to advocate for the Nation’s priorities, including education, housing, infrastructure, and Capital Outlay issues, Feb. 5.
Speaker Crystalyne Curley was joined at the meeting by Council Delegates Dr. Andy Nez, Nathan Notah, George H. Tolth, and Lester Yazzie. Sen. Shannon D. Pinto, D-McKinley County, also participated in the meeting.
Curley presented Lujan Grisham with the Nation’s priorities for the State of New Mexico, which were unanimously approved by the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee on Jan. 22.
“Education is our top priority,” Curley said. “The Nation seeks meaningful government-to-government coordination with the New Mexico Public Education Department on matters impacting students, families, educators, and schools.”
Nez emphasized that any proposed state funds toward education be strongly considered by population and proportion. This helps define the true status of the Nation when addressing student needs and resources.
“We’ll continue to push for funding formulas that account for our student enrollments and proximity to services,” he said.
Lujan Grisham reported that statewide literacy scores for Native American students have improved.
“The more we do for our Native American students, the better we are as a state,” she said.
Yazzie advocated for funding to improve school bus exit safety at a school in the Rock Springs Chapter and discussed partnerships with military resources for housing construction that were previously implemented in his region.
Delegates also discussed the possible reversion of Navajo Capital Outlay funds and how increased communication and state partnership could strengthen the project vetting process.
“We ask the state to consider establishing a regional district planning office in the Northwest region, based on a council of governments structure, to assist chapters in navigating the Capital Outlay process,” Curley said.
Lujan Grisham agreed the concept was a good idea.
The governor informed delegates that she signed the Immigrant Safety Act into law earlier that day and is acting to protect immigrant communities by refusing complicity with federal mass detention and deportation practices.
“The profiling of sovereign nations is terrible,” she said, noting that the state is working to assist unjustly profiled individuals through the provision of legal services.
The meeting concluded with discussion on the Navajo Nation Code Talker Museum.
Lujan Grisham stated she is committed to completing construction of the museum before the end of her term and noted that funding has been reauthorized and is awaiting designation of a fiscal agent.
“We want to show our appreciation for the patriotism of the Navajo families of Code Talkers,” she said.
Curley thanked the governor for meeting with Council Delegates and highlighted the historical significance of Navajo leaders advocating at the Legislature.
“Many of these bills originated from Navajo thought,” Curley said. “Our ancestors came to Santa Fe and created legislation to benefit their home communities throughout New Mexico.”
