New chair of Indigenous Peoples’ subcommittee

WASHINGTON, D. C. — Congress­woman Teresa Leger Fernández, D-N.M.-3, announced Feb. 17 that she will serve as Chair of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States for the 117th Congress. The Subcommittee works to empower Tribal communities, protect Tribal sovereignty, and enhance Tribal authority over their lands and natural resources.

“In the last year, the pandemic’s disastrous impact on Native American communities made our country aware of something that my district has known for too long - the United States has failed to meet its trust responsibilities to Native Americans, and the consequences are deadly and...

24th Navajo Nation Council committee hears plans

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Resources and Development Committee  of the 24th Navajo Nation Council received reports regarding coronavirus  pandemic impacts on the U.S. National Parks Service’s reopening plans for the Grand Canyon National Park’s  east entrance, the status of Navajo Nation tribal parks, and nearby Navajo-owned hotels during their regular meeting Feb 16.

In the first report, GCNP Superintendent Edward Keable said the NPS currently plans to reopen its eastern park entrance on May 21.

“Keeping safety in mind, we are not committed to this date and want to be good neighbors by incorporating the Navajo Nation’s...

SANTA FE – A transformational long-term investment in New Mexico’s youngest children won House passage Feb. 12, moving the state one step closer to providing permanent and sustainable funds for early childhood programs. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and cabinet secretaries cheered the House action.

House Joint Resolution 1 – sponsored by Reps. Moe Maestas, Javier Martinez, Georgene Louis and Liz Thomson – would put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to earmark an additional small portion of the Land Grant Permanent Fund each year for essential early childhood care and education programs throughout New Mexico.

“Investing in early childhood development is one of the best...

DVS’ first African American agency head

SANTA FE—Sonya L. Smith was unanimously confirmed by the New Mexico Senate Feb. 17 as secretary of the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services.

The vote was 38-0, officially naming her as the fifth DVS secretary—and first African-American to serve as head of the agency. She had been serving on an interim basis since her nomination for the position by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham last October after the retirement of then-Secretary Judy Griego.

Smith comes to DVS from the New Mexico Department of Health, where she served as a special projects coordinator--specifically helping guide the efforts of the agency’s COVID-19 testing team...