Bill lauded by health advocates

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Members of the 24th Navajo Nation Council passed Legislation No. 0174-21 by a vote of 20 in favor and 3 opposed, which enacts the Niłch’ éí Bee Ííńá - Air is Life Act of 2021, Oct. 19.

The bill prohibits the use of commercial tobacco products in enclosed, indoor workplaces or public places, and within 25 feet of any indoor area across the Navajo Nation.

“The Air is Life Act is important to the livelihood of our families. Now more than ever, we need to protect the quality of our sacred, life-giving force, our air,” said Delegate Carl Slater (Round Rock, Rock Point, Tséch’izí, Lukachukai, Tsaile-Wheatfields)...

A newly launched initiative seeks to reform wildlife management not only in New Mexico, but across the nation.

Wildlife for All is a campaign from the Southwest Environmental Center, which is based in Las Cruces. The advocates behind the effort say the current system of managing wildlife places too much emphasis on hunting and fishing and not enough emphasis on conserving biodiversity.

While Wildlife for All emphasizes that it is not anti-hunting, it maintains that wildlife is a public trust for everyone, including people who don’t hunt or fish, and that it should be managed as such.

The idea of wildlife management reform is not new. During this year’s legislative session, Sen...

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer urge the U.S. Department of the Treasury to establish an Office of Tribal Affairs with a politically appointed officer at the Assistant Secretary level who advises the Treasury Secretary on issues impacting tribal governments and citizens.

The U.S. Treasury plays an important role in navigating the relationship between the federal government and tribes, and frequently finds itself with vast amounts of delegated authority to determine how funds set aside for tribes by Congress should be distributed and managed, as was the case most recently with the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.

“The creation of an Office...

On Oct. 4, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez issued Executive Order No. 008-2021, establishing the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Office dedicated to overseeing and implementing the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act. The establishment of the office was authorized through Resolution CJY-41-21, which was approved by the 24 Navajo Nation Council and signed into law in August.

On Sept. 23, Nez and Chief of Staff Paulson Chaco presented the plan of operation for the Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Fund Office to the Naabik'íyáti' Committee. Council delegates voted 17-3 to accept the report, allowing the Office of the...