Login

$2 million approved by the Navajo Nation Council for summer youth employment

Print

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The 25th Navajo Nation Council unanimously approved Legislation No. 0050-23, which will appropriate $2 million from the Navajo Nation’s Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance to provide funding for summer youth employment opportunities April 18 during the Spring Council Session. The legislation was sponsored by Council Delegate Seth Damon (Bááháálí, Chichiltah, Manuelito, Tsé Lichíí’, Rock Springs, Tsayatoh) and co-sponsored by Council Delegate Casey Johnson (Cameron, Coalmine Canyon, Leupp, Tolani Lake, Tsidi To ii).

When the funding is signed into law, chapters can begin hiring high school and college students to give them the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and earn income to help cover academic and cost-of-living expenses when they return to school after the summer break," Damon said. "Students can give back to their communities and our constituents benefit from the work they complete. I thank my Council colleagues for unanimously supporting this legislation for our youth.”

In accordance with the legislation, the $2 million will be allocated to the Division of Community Development and distributed to the 110 chapters based on a “50/50 formula,” meaning that $1 million will be distributed evenly among all chapters, and the remaining $1 million will be distributed based on the number of registered voters at each chapter.

“This is a win-win for our communities and young people who are striving to gain employment experience, build their resumes, and give back to the Navajo Nation. The skills that the students learn benefit our communities and allow them to qualify for more jobs in the future. I appreciate the Navajo Nation Council’s support and look forward to the president signing the resolution into law,” Johnson said.

The Council approved the legislation with a vote of 21-0. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren will have 10 calendar days to consider the resolution once it is certified by Speaker Curley and delivered to the Office of the President and Vice President.