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Teec Nos Pos Chapter to receive $500k for Chapter House overhaul

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TEEC NOS POS-Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye signed legislation on Friday, Nov. 20, appropriating $500,000 dollars toward renovations to the Teec Nos Pos chapter house.

The signing ceremony was held at the current facility. President Begaye said he wanted to show the chapter that he was personally aware of their need.  Begaye said he had attended a chapter meeting at their former facility.

“We came here to sign the document and make those dollars available to you,” he said. “It’s important that your community have a proper facility to conduct business.”

Currently, the chapter runs all of its administrative services out of a modest hogan while conducting larger chapter meetings in a nearby warehouse. The warehouse has no central heating or stove and no plumbing.

Chapter Vice President Arnold Bitah said the original chapter house building is over 30 years old and suffers from roof damage.  He said the chapter has been trying to have renovations done since 2013.

Thus far the legislation has went through committees to get where it is today: Naabik’iyati’ Committee, the Budget and Finance Committee, the Resource Committee and then through Navajo Nation Council.

“Now the President is here to sign it,” Bitah said.

Before the chapter can start renovations, the building will need to have structural blueprints reprocessed and initial assessments done. From there the determined renovation will undergo a cost analysis.

“Then finally the construction part will begin,” said Steven Benally, Teec Nos Pos community service coordinator. “We’re looking at approximately over a year before it will be open for business.”

Chapter President Alfred Jim said he thinks renovations could take up to two years. In the meanwhile, he said the chapter is looking into leasing mobile units to conduct meetings and administrative services.

He thanked both President Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez for coming to Teec Nos Pos for the signing ceremony.

Benally said he was honored to have both leaders come to Tees Nos Pos to approve the legislation.

“We feel good about knowing there is something good up ahead,” he said. “We thank both President Begaye and Vice President Nez for all their doing to support us.  Thank you”

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