WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Police Training Academy resumed its police training program on June 15. The training academy leadership adjusted the program to protect the expected 25 recruits who will be reporting to the academy located in Chinle, Ariz.

Class 55 police recruits will be the fourth class to be trained under the Navajo Nation’s police academy since its reopening in 2018, and the academy’s first class to undergo a training program while dealing with a global pandemic.

“We are implementing protocols and incorporating preventative measures that have been recommended by our partners with the Centers for Disease Control and Indian Health Services to ensure the health...

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer are urging congressional leaders and the White House to honor Native American people by renaming existing military bases after Native American warriors who sacrificed and contributed to the development and longstanding history of the U. S. through their military service.

Across the country, there is growing debate surrounding the renaming of military bases named after Confederate military figures.

Nez went further than just talking about renaming military bases.

“Not only should the military bases be named in honor of Native Americans, but … all curriculum taught in schools across the...

TSAILE, Ariz. —  Diné College is debuting a new certified medical assistant certificate program— the first of its kind ever offered on the Navajo Nation. A June 30 application deadline is in place.

“Initially, we were planning for 20 students in our first cohort, but due to the coronavirus crises we have reduced that number to half, for our first cohort of the Certified Medical Assistant program starting August 2020,” Diné College microbiology professor Shazia Hakim, Ph.D., said.

“Today, we need these types of courses more than ever to prepare our locally trained workforce, so that they can help us fight COVID-19 using our own resources.”

Hakim oversees the program...

Outside recreation is returning after a spring spent inside. The Bureau of Land Management announced June 10 that El Malpais National Conservation Area is increasing recreational access and services.

The BLM says it will use a phased approach to increase access to recreational areas on a case-by-case basis.  Staff reopened access to the Narrows Picnic Area facilities and the La Ventana vault toilets June 9.

A return to full operations will continue to be phased in and services may be limited.

Details and updates on operations will continue to be posted at:

blm.gov/alert/nm-covid-19-updates and social media channels.  Updates about BLM operations are available on www.blm.gov.