WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The 25th Navajo Nation Council joined Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren on Jan. 31 as he signed Resolution CJA-11-24, appropriating nearly $6 million from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance to help Navajo communities recover from the impacts of recent winter snow and mud conditions.
Legislation 0027-24 appropriates $3.85 million for the 110 chapters and approximately $2.1 million to the Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management. Nygren requested the special council session held on Jan. 31, to consider the emergency legislation along with language to allow $35,000 to be distributed to each of the 110 chapters.
“Thank you, President Nygren, and the 25th Navajo Nation Council for supporting this initiative. It’s not for us. It’s for our people because our elderly need this assistance,” legislation sponsor, Council Delegate George Tolth (Littlewater, Pueblo Pintado, Torreon, Whitehorse Lake, Baca/Prewitt, Casamero Lake, Ojo Encino, Counselor), said.
Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley said the legislation is critical to support the emergency response of the chapters and Navajo Nation government in assisting Navajo communities impacted by adverse winter weather conditions. The funding will also be available to mitigate future adverse weather as well.
“This is one of the few times that Council and the President’s Office are approving and signing a legislation into law on the same day. It’s something historical that we are doing for the Navajo people.” Curley said. “In the last council session, we put in a directive to expedite the process. We need to act quickly as leadership.”
