WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation Council’s Law and Order Committee finalized significant legislative action during its Dec. 23 meeting, including the approval of over $34.25 million in funding to improve judicial and public safety infrastructure across the Navajo Nation.

Legislation No. 0259-24, sponsored by Council Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton, allocates resources from the Hashkééjí Nahata’á Béeso Bá Hooghan Fund to support six critical projects within the Judicial Branch.

The approved funding will enable the construction of the Aneth Judicial District Court, the establishment of the Administrative Offices of the Courts Warehouse, improvements for the Ramah...

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — During a special session held on Dec. 16, the 25th Navajo Nation Council approved emergency Legislation No. 0263-24 to address anticipated leadership vacancies in several chapters following the January inauguration. This measure temporarily suspends provisions of the Navajo Nation Code to allow the appointment of temporary chapter officials to ensure continuity in governance until special elections are held.

The legislation was introduced in response to candidate disqualifications that stemmed from campaign expense reporting violations during the 2024 elections. These disqualifications created gaps in leadership for positions such as chapter presidents, vice...

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The 25th Navajo Nation Council passed Legislation No. 0264-24, an emergency measure to ensure that Navajo Nation Fiscal Recovery Funds are fully obligated and expended before the U.S. Treasury’s deadlines of Dec. 31, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2026 on Dec. 16.

Speaker Crystalyne Curley, who sponsored the legislation, and Chair Shaandiin Parrish, who co-sponsored, highlighted the Council’s commitment to expending ARPA funding, emphasizing that the 25th Navajo Nation Council worked diligently to address funding oversight.

“We gathered updated information, held work sessions, and reviewed ARPA reports during Naabik'íyáti’ Committee meetings,” Curley said...

APACHE COUNTY, Ariz. — Navajo Nation First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren is making history as the first woman and Indigenous person to hold the Apache County attorney position. Besides being the First Lady of the Navajo Nation, she is also a former state representative.

Apache County Supervisors voted for Blackwater-Nygren with two yes votes and one no. She was officially sworn into the position on Dec. 16.

Blackwater-Nygren’s appointment comes after the Arizona State Board suspended  former Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting’s law license on Nov. 1.

Despite the suspension, Whiting still won reelection during the 2024 General Election on Nov. 5.

Whiting is facing multiple...