WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — During a two-day Special Session last week, the 24th Navajo Nation Council passed Legislation No. 0066-22, approving $4 million from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance for Summer Youth Employment Programs with 110 Navajo Nation chapters. Sponsored by Council Delegate Eugene Tso, the bill passed by a vote of 20 in favor and one opposed.

A motion by Vice Chairman Carl Slater passed with an amendment to allow funds to be utilized to reimburse chapters for their verified expenditures since May 2022 for summer youth employment expenses.

“Two years of this pandemic has impacted employment opportunities for our students, and this $4 million will put our summer...

CROWNPOINT, N.M. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and First Lady Phefelia Nez had the honor of attending the graduation ceremony to recognize and congratulate the Navajo Nation Police Training Academy Class 57, comprised of 10 Diné men and women who received their Navajo Nation Police badge during the event held at Navajo Technical University on June 18.

“Today is a very special occasion for the 10 men and women who are taking on the tremendous challenge of serving and protecting our people and communities,” Nez said. “They are now our frontline warriors who will take on the risks and sacrifices to lessen the burden on our people. I am very proud of each and every one...

WINDOW ROCK, ARIZ. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer offered their condolences June 28 to the loved ones of Gold Star Mother, Ada Holly, who passed away at the age of 93, in Salt Lake City, Utah, surrounded by family and friends.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the family and friends of Ada Holly. Ada Holly was a tremendous supporter and advocate for all Navajo Veterans. She advocated at the local, state and federal level to help veterans and their family,” Nez said.

He went on to pray for Holly’s family and friends.

“She was a compassionate and determined leader and was a grandmother and mother to many. On behalf of the Navajo people...

Rising construction costs hamper repair projects

Sidewalks, curbs and gutters that are crumbling are the kind of thing that get citizens’ attention, because people encounter and use them every day. Getting them fixed is expensive, and takes longer with a tight budget.

So even though the city council   greenlit about $250,000 that was previously set aside for a design and engineering plan to fix curbs, gutters and sidewalks on five blocks around the city, only one of them will happen in the next year. That’s because each block will cost $400,000 – equal to the entire sidewalk budget for the 2023 fiscal year.

“Construction [costs] of these projects has gone up...