SHIPROCK—Famed environmentalist Erin Brockovich visited the Navajo Nation Sept. 8, to see firsthand the damages caused by the Gold King Mine spill on Aug. 5.

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez met with Brockovich in Shiprock, at the hogan of Perry Begaye, to provide a briefing on the water contamination.

Chapter officials, community health representatives, Navajo Abandoned Mine Land staffers and tribal employees were also present for the report.

Brockovich said the plight of water contamination is being played out across the country and commended the efforts of Begaye and Nez to stand up to the US EPA.

“You are standing strong for your land...

Washington, DC – Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Administration Executive Director, Dr. Donald Benn, testified before the United States House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Sept. 9.

Benn’s address was in regards to the Gold King Mine Spill.

Among other issues, he discussed the devastating effects of the chemical spill on the Navajo Nation and called for greater support from the Federal Government to address the crisis.

“The Navajo Nation’s impacts are felt most in the disruption of our cultural principle of hozho, which encompasses beauty, order, and harmony, and expresses the idea of striving to maintain balance in the Navajo universe,” he said. “The...

Santa Fe—The leader of the House of Representatives named 10 members to a panel that will look into the possible impeachment of Secretary of State Dianna Duran.

Speaker of the House Don Tripp, R-Socorro, named five Democrats and five Republicans to the panel tasked with examining evidence against Duran with serious consequences.

Duran is facing possible impeachment, which in turn could lead to removal from office, for allegations that she moved campaign funds into personal accounts. The 64 charges from Attorney General Hector Balderas were filed in late August. The leader of the House of Representatives named ten members to a panel that will look into the possible impeachment of...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that two New Mexico tribes have won AmeriCorps grants to meet critical needs in their communities. The Shiprock Chapter of the Navajo Nation, Navajo AmeriCorps in Nenahnezad and Santo Domingo Pueblo will receive funding totaling $180,387 Sept. 4.

“By both helping New Mexico communities thrive and offering AmeriCorps members an opportunity to gain valuable leadership experience, the AmeriCorps program is truly a win-win,” Udall said. “I’m excited to welcome new AmeriCorps members to Shiprock, Nenahnezad and soon to Santo Domingo Pueblo. Their work will make a lasting difference to our veterans, youth and...