HOZHOOJÍ NAHAT’ÁH BAA HANE’ February 2015 Executive branch News A Publication of the Navajo Nation Volume 1, Issue 2 www.navajo-nsn.gov REPATRIATION PRESIDENT SHELLY sayS THANK YOU Navajo delegation successfully return sacred masks from Paris auction house Vice President Rex Lee Jim PARIS—Navajo Nation awareness of how the sacred Vice President Rex Lee Jim and masks belong to the Navajo Navajo Human Rights officials Nation, and the right course purchased seven confirmed of action was to return them. Navajo sacred masks that were The vice president called the up for auction in Paris, France. masks “living and breathing Hundreds of items representing beings,” in Navajo, and as different Indigenous nations sacred to the people used for went on auction on Dec. 15, healing ceremonies during the 2014. winter. It was important that A MAN OF ACTION Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly issued a statement of thanks to the Navajo people for electing him as their leader for the past four The Navajo delegation they were taken home. years. The Shelly-Jim administration has accomplished a lot of tremendous projects on behalf of the Navajo people, he said. The administration will vacate arrived in Paris on Dec. 12 office when a presidential successor has been elected and installed into office. (Photo by RickAbasta) See CEREMONIAL >> Page 2 and accomplished one of its goals by gaining access to the sacred masks at the Drouot auction house on Dec. 13. The ultimate Four years of honorable leadership Vice President Jim offered Navajo prayers to restore legislative fix No lawsuits, administrative leave or investigations launched against harmony from the masks being WINDOW ROCK, removed from the Four Sacred Ariz.—President Shelly said the presidential administration during the four year term of office - Mountains. a “legislative fix” is needed It is also important to note to balance government President Ben Shelly and VP Rex Lee Jim will stand the test of time. that item 77 in the catalog is not responsibility. efore he entered office and became power. of Navajo origin. Eve auction First and foremost, he has Navajo Nation President, Ben Shelly * 163 bills signed Vice President Rex Lee Jim, who house does not know the origin said time and again that a Bignited the general election of 2010 previously served as council delegate for of this item as indicated in the referendum vote must occur and made the comeback of ages to win the into law Rock Point Chapter, joined President Shelly. catalog. that recognizes the Navajo vote of the Navajo people for the highest Jim, an accomplished writer and graduate While in Paris, the news people as the governing body. office of Indian Country. President Shelly of Princeton, was given the responsibility media coverage of the Navajo Each time legislation was took over the reins to the tribal government of managing the divisions of health and mission spread throughout introduced the tribal council and took the oath of office to become the * 29 bills vetoed education. This too, was a progressive action, Europe. Jane Hartley, U.S. voted it down. first N.M. resident and sitting vice president to have the vice president directly involved ambassador to France, made “The power lies with to get elected as president. Conspicuously in shaping the vision of the administration. a public appeal for the sacred the Navajo people, not the absent from the inauguration ceremony was Vice President Jim was also a skilled Navajo masks to be returned to the council,” he said. Joe Shirley, former president. It was the first * 16 executive linguist and a medicine man that advocated respective indigenous tribes, President Shelly also said time the exiting president did not attend the for cultural preservation. including the Navajo Nation. that delegates should not serve inauguration ceremony for the transfer of orders issued See RESTORING >> Page 2 The Navajo delegation raised on boards or commissions because the potential for politics preventing progress is great. 2015 WINTER SESSION President Shelly and Vice President Jim In addition, he said that STATE OF THE NAVAJO NATION the Office of the Auditor take oath of office to extend term General, Navajo Election Administration, Office of Hearings and Appeals, Ethics and Rules, and Government Development need to be repositioned to the Executive Branch. “These need to be separate HISTORIC OATH Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly and Vice President Rex Lee Jim both took the oath of office and independent entities on Jan. 13 for continuity of government. They will meet with the 23rd Navajo Nation Council during the winter session to discuss plans moving forward to June and August presidential elections. (Photo by Rick Abasta) not subject to the will of the council. That is the only way WINDOW ROCK, Ariz.— members of the 23rd Navajo and Vice President. The the Navajo Nation will truly Navajo Nation President Ben Nation Council during the State Room was packed with move forward,” President Shelly and Vice President Rex winter session to discuss the cabinet members, OPVP staff Shelly said. “I am hoping STATE OF THE NATION Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly and Vice Lee Jim took the oath of office best interests of the Nation and members of the media to that the next generation of President Rex Lee Jim reported before 23rd Navajo Nation Council during the at noon today and extended moving forward. witness the event. leadership will see the logic winter session for the State of the Navajo Nation. President Shelly provided their presidency. Until then, President Standing in front of the in this legislative fix. the address in Navajo and provided an update of accomplishments from the “However, it is also important past quarter and a vision for the future. (Photo by Rick Abasta) The decision to extend the Shelly and Vice President mahogany Great Seal of the term of office for President Jim will maintain continuity Navajo Nation, President that we work together with our WINDOW ROCK, Ariz.—President Ben Shelly delivered Shelly came on the heels of a of government until a new Shelly placed his left hand on legislators to get the job done the State of the Navajo Nation on Jan. 25, outlining significant late night negotiation meeting president is elected. the Bible and raised his right for the people,” he added. accomplishments from the past quarter and providing a vision and subsequent letter of Chief Justice Herb Yazzie hand to take his oath of office. The president maintained for the future. agreement between Executive administered the oath of office President Shelly repeated that it is the Navajo people that Flanked by Vice President Rex Lee Jim and Chief of Staff and Legislative Branches of at the Office of the President See EXTENDED >> Page 2 are the governing body. Arbin Mitchell, the president delivered his address in Navajo government. and highlighted the partnership between the Executive and The terms of the agreement Legislative Branches that made the accomplishments possible. state, “In the spirit of K’é He began with lauding the efforts between both branches to and Hózhó the Executive and fund the remediation of Administration Building No. 1, which Legislative leaders have come reopened in early Jan. Funding came from the Unreserved, together to talk things out in Undesignated Fund Balance, indirect costs and carryover funding, resolving a controversy that which totaled more than $5.5 million for construction. would impact the stability of “Several tribal divisions and departments stepped up to the the Navajo Nation.” plate and housed our displaced employees until the building The agreement further could be renovated,” President Shelly said. states that President Shelly He noted that the health and welfare of tribal employees was will maintain all power and the primary concern and that renovations have already begun on duties under the provisions Administrative Building No. 2, which was also shutdown due of the Navajo Nation Code. See STATE OF >> Page 8 The president will meet with Ahe’hee! Page 2 Hózhoojí Nahat’áh Baa Hane’ February 2015 LEGISLATION Extended term of office for President Shelly FTA grant approved From >> PAGE 1 office for the second term by signed his name. return to private business as WINDOW ROCK, Ariz.— Nation Council on Dec. 23. the oath after Chief Justice swearing on his jish (medicine Cabinet members and others an entrepreneur. On Dec. 30, 2014, Navajo Speaker Pro Tem LoRenzo Yazzie: bundle), which was held by his filed through to congratulate the Other options included Nation President Ben Shelly Bates signed the resolution “I, Ben Shelly, do solemnly mother. president and vice president. running for state and national enacted two bills to provide on Dec. 29 before sending it swear to continue to uphold and “I, Rex Lee Jim, do solemnly The event was low key and leadership. funding to the Navajo to the Office of the President abide by the laws of the Navajo swear to uphold and abide by lasted about 15 minutes. A “There’s a lot of work to be Transit System and approval and Vice President. Nation and Treaty of 1868 the laws of the Navajo Nation press conference followed, done, the Navajo people need of purchasing individual Legislation No. CD-67-14 between the Navajo Nation and and Treaty of 1868 between the where President Shelly spoke help,” he said. allotment land. was for approval of purchasing the United States of America, Navajo Nation and the United about conducting “business as At the conclusion of the Legislation No. CD-65- of individual allotment land and will faithfully execute the States of America; and will usual.” ceremony, OPVP staff and 14 was for approval of the for 160 acres located within Office of the Navajo Nation faithfully execute the Office “The standard functions of cabinet members convened $166,000 grant to the Navajo the Ramah Chapter by Roy President, representing the of the Navajo Nation Vice a president’s protocol, we will with the president and vice Transit System from the Chap Martinez.