Discovered at auction in Paris, France

The Eve Auction House in Paris, France surrendered the “BOUCLIER DE GUERRE PUEBLO PROBABLEMENT ACOMA OU JEMEZ XIX SIÈCLE OU PLUS ANCIEN CUIR.” (Shield of war pueblo probably Acoma or Jemez XIX century or more old leather), to a Special Agent of the FBI’s Art Crime Team on Nov. 12.

But that all happened after this sacred item with historical, traditional, cultural and ongoing religious importance to the people of the Pueblo of Acoma, was spotted by an expert in American Indian artifacts as part of Lot #68 in the auction house.

In the course of the FBI’s investigation, tribal leaders showed pictures of the Ceremonial Shield that was being...

FARMINGTON - Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez was joined by Navajo Agricultural Products Industry Board of Directors, Nov. 18, as he signed the first-phase master agriculture lease for the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry to continue operations on approximately 72,000 acres of Navajo land located south west of Farmington, N.M. NAPI officials said the Navajo enterprise had worked toward finalizing the lease agreement for several years.

The Navajo Nation created NAPI in 1970 to operate and manage the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project, which authorized the use of over 110,000 acres of land and water resources to be used to grow agricultural products. Since then, the enterprise...

Former Acting Director takes the lead

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer finalized a contract Nov. 18 for James D. Zwierlein, who has served as the acting director of the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration since July. With the new contract, he will serve as the executive director.

“Mr. Zwierlein’s military background and knowledge will be very beneficial for the Nation as we work with federal and state agencies and Navajo veterans organizations to assist and empower our veterans on the Navajo Nation,” Nez said.

Zwierlein has resided in Nahodishgish, N.M. for nearly four years with his wife Marie Zwierlein and their two...

New Community Hospital insurance chairman

Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services CEO David Conejo was named Chairman of HealthSure’s Community Hospital Insurance Coalition Member Relations Committee Nov. 19.

CHIC is one of the many options available through the Rural Hospital Insurance of America program. RHIA empowers rural hospitals with group buying power, reduced risk and shared wisdom.

As chairman, Conejo will educate rural hospital leaders about CHIC membership benefits.

“David will be instrumental to CHIC’s continued growth,” HealthSure CEO Brant Couch said. “His strength as a thought leader, speaker and rural healthcare professional will accelerate...