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Naat’ájí Nahat’á Hane’ Legislative Branch News 23rd Navajo Nation Council Fall Council Session - October 2016 Navajo Nation Council observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month By Crystalyne Curley During the 2016 Fall Council Session, the 23rd and to promote efforts to end violence. Áłchíní Bíghan, Inc.” Navajo Nation Council observed Domestic Violence On the opening day, Council Delegate Amber Applause filled the Council Chambers when Awareness Month by recognizing domestic violence Kanazbah Crotty (Beclabito, Cove, Gadi’i’áhi/To’Koi, the three individuals were recognized for their courage, awareness advocates of “Walking the Healing Path” Red Valley, Tooh Haltsooi, Toadlena/Two Grey Hills, Tsé dedication, and service to provide awareness, preven- and “Amá Dóó Áłchíní Bíghan, Inc.” In observation, the ałnáoz’t’I’í) recognized John L. Tsosie and Ernest Tsosie, tion, and intervention for domestic violence victims and Council members wore purple ribbons, the color of Do- founder and co-founder of “Walking the Healing Path,” survivors. mestic Violence Awareness Month, to raise awareness and Lorena Halwood, executive director of “Amá Dóó “October is an important month to remem- See “DOMESTIC VIOLENCE”, Page 4 Navajo Nation Council recognizes Grandma Thora Yazzie By Jolene Holgate On the second day of the Fall Council Session, but our elders, they’re full of knowledge – they Council Delegate Nathanial Brown invited Grandma are astrologists, medicine women, and medicine Thora Yazzie of Denehotso, to be recognized on behalf men,” said Delegate Brown. of Navajo Nation grandmothers for her service to the He added that Navajo grandparents are Navajo people, by the 23rd Navajo Nation Council. the “silent protectors” that pray for the Nava- Delegate Brown said that every Navajo com- jo people, the land, and over sacred places that munity is “lucky” to have grandmothers like Yazzie, who give strength to Diné Citizens. It is important hold vast amounts of knowledge that is passed down to recognize all Navajo grandmothers, not just from generation to generation. Thora Yazzie, however, she represents them and “She probably has multiple Ph.D.’s. She knows the precious knowledge they hold, and the love how to butcher, is an herbalist, and many multiple they have for the Navajo Nation, said Delegate disciplines of Navajo subjects are in this young lady. Brown. PHOTO: (above) Council Delegate Nathaniel Brown recognizes Grandma Some of us only attain bachelors, masters, or a PH.D., Yazzie, who is originally from Denne- Thora Yazzie from Denehotso for her life-time service and dedication to See “GRANDMA THORA”, Page 2 help the children and people of the Navajo Nation. Office of the Speaker If you would like to receive Like us on Facebook: Post Office Box 3390 press releases, news, and other information Window Rock, Arizona 86515 www.facebook.com/navajonationcouncil via email, please email: Phone (928) 871-7160 Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: [email protected] Fax (928) 871-7255 @23rdNNC www.navajonationcouncil.org 1 GRANDMA THORA / cont. from Page 1 hotso, thanked students from the Naschitti Elementary pass on her traditional knowledge to younger School who performed songs and a puppet show earli- generations. er that morning in the Navajo language, saying that as Delegate Brown presented a plaque an elder she felt it is important for grandparents to ad- from the Council, explaining that her service vocate to younger generations to learn Navajo cultural to the Navajo people will be remembered, and ways and language. that she represents grandmothers of the Nava- “I am very thankful for our youth. They are our jo Nation who work to educate Diné Citizens on future and it makes me happy hearing them speak and the Navajo way of life. living our culture. I am glad they are speaking the lan- “On behalf of the 23rd Navajo Nation guage, because it tells us how we should be living our Council, we extend our gratitude and appreci- Navajo traditions. Many young people do not speak ation to Shimásání, Thora Yazzie, in recognition Navajo, but it is good to hear them talking in the Nava- of your lifetime service as a community advo- jo language,” said Yazzie. cate, an outstanding educator for our Navajo Yazzie stressed the importance of Navajo vet- children, and a loving grandmother for the PHOTO: (above) Council Delegate Nathaniel Brown, Grandma Thora erans, who she said protects the Nation and in history, community of Denehotso and the Navajo Na- Yazzie, and family members during the second day of the 2016 Fall Council utilized the Navajo language to win World War II. She tion. We appreciate your endeavors that ben- Session. thank you for your service,” said Delegate Brown. added that Navajo people should be proud of their efit the people of the Navajo Nation through the count- heritage and language, and that she would continue to less years of your teachings, compassion, and love. We Council recognizes Arizona State University’s American Indian Coun- cil for advocating for Indigenous Peoples Day By Crystalyne Curley During the opening day of the 2016 Fall Coun- when Council Delegate Jonathan Perry (Becenti, ples’,” stated Delegate Perry. cil Session, the 23rd Navajo Nation Council recognized Crownpoint, Huerfano, Lake Valley, Nageezi, Nahod- The American Indian Council is one of the sev- the American Indian Council, a student coalition at ishgish, Tse’ii’ahi, Whiterock) recognized American en minority student coalitions that serves as an umbrel- Arizona State University, for their strong advocacy to Indian Council president/facilitator, Megan Tom, and la group for the American Indian student organizations promote the acknowledgement of Indigenous Peoples vice-president/co-facilitator, Thomasina Denetdale, on and strives to unify American Indian students with the Day throughout Arizona State University and the City of the council floor and awarded the students with recog- vision and mission of developing confident leadership Phoenix. nition plaques. skills and abilities. On Sept. 6, ASU approved an ASU senate bill In 2015, the American Indian Council and the “Declaring Indigenous Peoples’ Day gave ASU to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day on all four ASU American Indian student community took the initiative Native students a platform to address their passion campuses. Oct. 5, the Phoenix City Council unanimous- to lead a petition drive and hosted cultural events to and concerns. The declaration would give us the op- ly approved a resolution to officially declare the second raise awareness. The petition was used to create the portunity to educate non-Natives about our way-of-life, Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day. ASU Undergraduate Student Government bill, which culture, traditions, and philosophies. The declaration The Council Chamber filled with applause was passed on Sept. 6. would also promote efficient tribal consultation with Furthermore, the American Indian Council tes- non-Native leaders. The effort to recognize this decla- tified on behalf of the American Indian community to ration will also allow us to help and support each other the City of Phoenix Council to support the declara- as Native students,” stated Tom. tion of Indigenous Peoples Day. On Oct. 5, the city “American Indian Council has worked hard to of Phoenix became the largest U.S. city to recognize recognize the declaration. This effort was completed by Indigenous Peoples Day when the city council voted determined students and we will continue to work on 9-0 to recognize the day as an annual city commem- future opportunities,” added Denetdale. oration event. Delegate Perry congratulated the American Indian “The passage of Indigenous Peoples Day is a Council on their outstanding achievement. stepping stone that will promote community aware- “This is a great day to celebrate our youths’ ness and it will continue to build a Native network to dreams and goals. Many of our young educated Na- address issues related to culture preservation, land, vajo students are doing great initiatives at universities. water, and environmental concerns throughout Na- On behalf of the 23rd Navajo Nation Council, I want to tive communities. Indigenous Peoples’ Day also pro- thank our brilliant students,” stated Delegate Perry. PHOTO: (above) Council Delegate Jonathan Perry and ASU Ameri- can Indian Council president Megan Tom and vice president Thom- vides the opportunity to reveal historical truths about asina Denetdale during the opening day of the 2016 Fall Council the genocide and oppression of Indigenous peo- Session. 2 Navajo Nation Council Speaker’s Report Yá’át’ééh and welcome to this edition of On September 20th, members of the Navajo “Naat’ájí Nahat’á Hane’ - Legislative Branch News,” Nation Council and Vice President Jonathan Nez, met which provides an overview of events and legislative with Hopi Tribal Chairman Herman G. Honanie and actions that occurred during the 2016 Fall Council Ses- members of the Hopi Tribal Council to further discuss a sion that began on October 17th and concluded on proposed LCR settlement agreement. October 19th. During the meeting, members of both councils As I stated in my report to the Council during stated that they would remain committed to engaging the session, as the traditional Navajo New Year has be- in fur¬ther discussions in order to reach an agreement gun we must remind ourselves that with the renewal that benefits both tribes, and allows the tribes to pres- of the seasons, the presence of change remains con- ent a unified voice when negotiating with non-Indian stant, and no year is identical to any that have come stakeholders at the state level. before. In fact, as change occurs, new challenges arise Officials from both tribes have met on several and we must meet them with clear understanding and occasions to begin developing the framework to guide fortitude. the ne¬gotiations, however, the September 20th meet- With those integral concepts in mind, the Na- ing marked the first time that members of the current vajo Nation will need to conform and begin shaping our Navajo Nation Council met directly with leadership planning based on developing issues that may impact from the Hopi Tribe on the matter.