TWIN ARROWS, Ariz. — Members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council participated in the Diné Action Plan Advisory Group planning meetings Dec. 6-7, at the Twin Arrows Casino and Resort.
“The Diné Action Plan is a critical resource that incorporates the Diné traditional values and principles of Nitsahakees (thinking), Nahat'a, (planning), Iina (action), and Siihasin (reflection) to address public safety, violence, substance abuse, suicide, and missing and murdered Diné relatives on the Navajo Nation,” Speaker Crystalyne Curley (Tachee/Blue Gap, Many Farms, Nazlini, Tselani/Cottonwood, Low Mountain) said. “We need to use this tool to help navigate solutions to the impact areas, while reflecting on traditional thoughts about how we can maintain balance in our solutions.”
Division of Social Services Director Thomas Cody coordinated the Diné Action Plan Advisory Group quarterly work session.
“With the support of Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley and Navajo Supreme Court Chief Justice JoAnn Jayne, the Diné Action Plan is showing real progress compared to years before,” he said.
The DAP was created to improve the quality of life and advance economic opportunities for the Navajo people by following components of the Tribal Action Plan created in 1987.
The DAP Advisory Group reports on action items from five task groups: violence, substance abuse, suicide, missing or murdered Navajo relatives, and community education with capacity building.
Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations Director Michael Henderson chairs the DAP Advisory Group and Sonlatsa Jim, from the Office of the Speaker, serves as the co-chairperson.
The DAP Advisory Group includes representatives from the following departments of the Navajo Nation government: Office of the President and Vice President, 25th Navajo Nation Council, Office of the Chief Justice, Naa’bik’íyáti’ Committee, Health Education and Human Services Committee, Law and Order Committee, Office of the Public Defender, Navajo Department of Public Safety, Office of the Chief of Police, Office of the Chief Prosecutor, Department of Criminal Investigations, Division of Behavioral Mental Health Services, Division Social Services, Department of Diné Education, Peacemaking Program, Navajo Nation Youth Council, Navajo Nation Women's Commission, Navajo Nation Aging Council, and the Commission on Navajo Government Development.
Delegate Amber Crotty serves as the lead representative from the Naa’bik’íyáti’ Committee and is the Chairperson of the Missing and Murdered Diné Relatives Task Force. Delegate Germaine Simonson serves as the lead representative from the Health Education and Human Services Committee. Delegate Cherilyn Yazzie serves as the lead representative from the Law and Order Committee.
Yazzie said that many tribal members experience social and economic problems. Utilizing the DAP, the advisory group can collectively incorporate a wholistic perspective of the systematic obstacles, which can help bring services to Navajo communities.
“I get many calls from my constituents often telling me their stories about how they or their relatives are experiencing violence, substance abuse, crime or mental illness,” she said. “By being a team member with DAP and working with the Suicide Prevention Task Group, it helps me to see how our Navajo Nation employees, departments and other organizations can work together.”
