WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer spoke during the Republican National Convention Aug. 25. He provided a three minute speech that was pre-recorded in Shiprock, N.M. earlier in the week.
“I give this address from the majestic rock spires of Shiprock, Tse Bit’ai or Rock with Wings, as known by our Diné People. It is here that many of our ancestral leaders sought to govern and lead a Nation within a Nation,” he continued. “They sought to lead their people into the promises of a better way of life for their children’s children. It is also here where they have not been as successful as the rest of America.
“Our First Nations’ people are the host people of the land. We are still here. Our Creator placed us here and knew that for such a time as this, we would have an opportunity for an appeal to Heaven.”
Much of Lizer’s speech focused on the pursuit of the “American Dream” and his views about the Trump Administration’s contributions to Indian Country.
“You see our People have never been invited into the American Dream. For years we’ve fought congressional battles with past congressmen and senators that were part of a broken system that ignored us,” he said. “ That is, until President Trump took office. President Trump delivered the largest financial funding package ever to Indian Country.
“The $8 billion in CARES Act funding to Indian County was a great start in alleviating the devastating effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted on our Indian tribes. The Navajo Nation once led the nation in per capita positive cases because of the health disparities that previous administrations failed to improve,” Lizer said.
“Whenever we meet with President Trump, he has always made it a priority to repair the relationship with our federal family. Recently, President Trump signed the first-ever presidential proclamation officially recognizing Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.
“He established a task force called Operation Lady Justice to address the problem. The president also provided $273 million to improve public safety and support victims of crime in the Native American Community. As a result, a cold case office was recently opened on the Gila River Indian Community,” Lizer said.
In his closing comments, Lizer also acknowledged the Trump Administration’s reestablishment of the White House Council on Native American Affairs “to promote economic development and rural prosperity in Indian Country.
“Thank you for the opportunity to be here tonight. I’m excited to endorse President Trump’s reelection. And Mr. President, we look forward to hosting you very soon to come visit our land we call Dine’tah,” he concluded.
