Staff Reports
SANTA FE — Members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council met with New Mexico state legislators and department heads Feb. 5 to advocate for Navajo priorities and address issues affecting Navajo communities during the 57th New Mexico State Legislature.
Council Delegates Amber Kanazbah Crotty, George H. Tolth, Eugenia Charles-Newton, Nathan Notah, Lester Yazzie, and Speaker Crystalyne Curley met with New Mexico Reps. Martha Garcia, Michelle Paulene Abeyta, and Joseph Franklin Hernandez to discuss barriers affecting New Mexico Chapter Capital Outlay projects and the use of state-appropriated funds.
Garcia stated that certain Capital Outlay funding already appropriated for New Mexico chapter projects is at risk of reversion unless reauthorized by the state. She emphasized the need for coordination to ensure funds remain tied to approved projects.
She discussed establishing a regional office, modeled after a council of governments, to assist chapters with Capital Outlay requirements and project advancement.
Abeyta raised concerns about reversions caused by stalled project progress. She stressed the need to improve communication and maintain consistent engagement between state and tribal leadership. She noted that several New Mexico counties are willing to partner with Navajo chapters by serving as fiscal agents for Capital Outlay projects, allowing project costs to move forward and be reimbursed by the state.
With approximately $29 million in Navajo Nation Capital Outlay funding at risk of expiration, Crotty emphasized the need for strengthened coordination between the state and tribe to keep chapters informed about project obstacles, reauthorizations, and potential reversions.
“These dilemmas present an opportunity for the New Mexico Caucus to work directly with the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department to bring about solutions and not reversions,” she said.
Curley agreed that strengthened consultation between the Nation and the state could decrease the likelihood of funding being reverted.
Notah addressed how the lack of established rights-of-way has created liability challenges for infrastructure projects and county partnerships responsible for maintaining Navajo roadways. Charles-Newton added that jurisdictional conflicts have resulted in lost funding for major projects and furthered advocacy for the reauthorization of Navajo Capital Outlay projects.
“Shiprock bridge funding was a mess,” Charles-Newton said. “We lost funding over jurisdictional issues, and in the end, the funding was taken back.”
Hernandez made a recommendation to maintain certain tribal funding appropriations within state departments that could provide proper fiscal oversight.
Delegate Dr. Andy Nez met with New Mexico Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Transportation Ricky Serna to advocate for road projects within his delegate region, including Navajo Route 321 and improvements to New Mexico Route 134 over Narbona Pass.
He requested additional funding to support the survey and design phase for paving Navajo Route 321, a seven and a half-mile road in Crystal, N.M., located in McKinley and San Juan counties. He noted that the road lacks proper compaction and becomes heavily muddied after precipitation.
Nez also advocated for installing traffic and weather cameras along N.M. Route 134 over Narbona Pass to improve road condition reporting and traveler safety.
Serna said that the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation Project Fund has received additional funding that will support additional projects and that chapters may also apply for support through the Local Government Road Fund.
Delegates also met with N.M. Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski to discuss equitable education funding and consultation on the Yazzie-Martinez corrective action plan.
Crotty called for direct consultation between the New Mexico Public Education Department and the Navajo Nation before the Nation considers supporting legislation related to the corrective action plan. She reiterated the need for education funding models that reflect conditions on the Navajo Nation, including large landmass, rural geography, and infrastructure challenges.
Delegates later met with New Mexico Speaker of the House Javier Martinez to reinforce the Nation’s education and public safety priorities. Crotty emphasized the importance of maximizing Capital Outlay and other funding opportunities for Head Start facilities, noting that early childhood infrastructure is critical to long-term educational success.
Tolth raised concerns about the lack of proper commissioning and certification of peace officers operating on Navajo lands and called for improved certification processes to strengthen accountability and respect for tribal sovereignty.
Council Delegates Helena Nez Begay, Rickie Nez, Notah, Charles-Newton, Brenda Jesus, Crotty, Yazzie, Tolth, Nez, and Speaker Curley attended the American Indian Day presentation at the New Mexico State Capitol Rotunda on Feb. 6. The New Mexico House of Representatives marked American Indian Day by recognizing tribal leaders and honoring representatives from tribal communities.
