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100 Parkway Drive, Window Rock AZ 86515 OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT P.O. Box 7440, Window Rock AZ 86515 AND VICE PRESIDENT Phone: (928) 871-7000 Web : http://www.opvp.navajo-nsn.gov AGENCY REPORT MARCH 2, 2019 Prepared for: EASTERN NAVAJO AGENCY COUNCIL FIRSTLY AHEE’HEE’ On behalf of the Administration, we look forward to building a positive and productive working relationship with each of the local governments for the benefi t of our people and the Navajo Nation. Most importanly, we thank our people. Without you, we would not be in the position to lead our Nation and help our people today. We have met many people with unique perspectives who brought a wide variety of matters to our attention and the need for change. Thank you chapter offi cials and staff for taking the challenge of serving our people and your communities. I assure you that the Nez-Lizer Administration will work with you to create a better future fo all of our people. God Bless each of you, and God Bless our great Navajo Nation! JONATHAN NEZ NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT AGENCY REPORT CONTENT DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY 4 2019 NAVAJO NATION INAUGURATION 4 INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT 6 CMS DECISION 6 N.M. SECRETARY OF INDIAN AFFAIRS 6 “BUILDING COMMUNITITES OF HOPE” 7 PROCLAMATION OF LATE NAVAJO CODE TALKER 8 GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN 8 N.M. DEPUTY SECRETARY OF PUBLIC EDUCATION 9 NAVAJO CODE TALKER MUSEUM 9 REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL VISIT 10 AGRICULTURE INSURANCE INVESTMENT 10 ADVOCACY AT THE N.M. CAPITAL 11 IMPACT AID 12 NAVAJO GIRLS SCOUT VISIT 13 CAPITAL OUTLAY 13 NATIVE LANGUAGE REAUTHORIZATION BILL 14 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION 14 CHURCH ROCK MANUFACTURING 15 POLICE ACADEMY GRADUATION 16 Oce of the President and Vice President 3 NAVAJO NATION DECLARES EMERGENCY DUE TO WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS On Feb. 19, President Jonathan Nez and Vice to the winter storms. President Myron Lizer signed a declaration of emergency “This has to be a team effort and we need to issued by the Navajo Nation Commission on Emergency communicate with counties, states, and other entities as Management due to severe winter weather conditions well. Today’s declaration is a step in the right direction in on the Navajo Nation. The declaration allows for local/ being proactive to mobilize resources ahead of time before chapter funding to be used to assist those in need with more storms reach our communities,” added President supplies such as fire wood, food, and other resources in Nez, while calling on the Commission on Emergency anticipation of the Nation receiving as much as 12-inches Management to convene a special meeting to consider an of snow. emergency declaration. “The resources should go to the elderly, The Commission on Emergency Management disabled, and those who are unable to leave their homes met on Tuesday afternoon and passed resolution CEM 19- because of inclement weather and road conditions,” 02-19, which states that the Commission finds it necessary said President Nez. “We encourage chapters to carefully for responsible Navajo Nation entities to immediately assess local needs to ensure the efficient and effective use begin and maintain coordination for use of resources to of emergency funds to help those that are truly in need.” meet the needs of all communities and activate available The 110 chapters are each required to have an emergency resources such as funding to cover personnel, emergency response plan to implement in situations such equipment, and other means as determined fit and feasible as adverse weather conditions. Many chapters also have to restore and sustain vital community infrastructure. Community Emergency Response Teams in place to help The Navajo Nation Division of Transportation local community members. deployed personnel over the weekend to clear snow from roadways and will continue doing so throughout the President Nez said that maintaining accurate duration of the stormy weather. Indian Health Service documentation is essential to obtaining assistance reported that their services have not been impacted by the through federal entities such as the Federal Emergency weather conditions and will continue providing services Management Agency. He noted that the Navajo Nation at all locations. may be eligible for reimbursements through FEMA if Vice President Lizer encouraged everyone to damages exceed a $250,000 threshold, in accordance with check on their parents, grandparents, and those who are the federal Stafford Act. disabled to ensure they are well taken care of and that On Feb. 19, President Nez and Vice President their needs are met. Lizer met with the Navajo Nation Department of “If you do not need to drive then please stay home Emergency Management, Division of Transportation, and avoid driving on icy roads,” stated Vice President Division of Public Safety, Indian Health Service, Division Lizer. “If you must drive, please be very cautious and of Community Development, Department of Health, and please do not drive fast for the safety of yourselves and other agencies to address emergency response plans due others.” WE BUILD 2019 NAVAJO NATION INAUGURATION Joined by their families and thousands of Diné Events Center in Fort Defiance, Arizona. citizens during an Inauguration Ceremony held on In his inaugural address, President Jonathan Tuesday, Jonathan Nez officially became the youngest Nez focused on Unity, Hope, and Resilience for the Navajo Nation President as he and new Vice President Navajo people, individually and collectively. He also Myron Lizer were administered the oath of office to addressed the need for positive change within the Navajo assume the Navajo Nation Office of the President and government. Vice President. He also called for the Navajo Nation government Navajo Nation First Lady Phefelia Herbert-Nez to be more fiscally responsible, especially when the and Second Lady Dottie Lizer stood at their side, as Navajo Nation may face a sizeable decrease in annual revenue Nation Chief Justice JoAnne B. Jayne administered the in the coming months. In addition, he said that working oath of office at noon at the Bee Hółdzil Fights Scouts together, the Nation can move in a positive direction if we 4 http://www.opvp.navajo-nsn.gov also focus on making positive changes as individuals. Vice President Myron Lizer focused on President Nez used part of his Inaugural supporting small business development and Navajo Address to recognize cabinet members for the Nez-Lizer entrepreneurs who are aspiring to become business Administration who were seated in the audience. Among owners. the new and returning appointees in attendance included He also put forth a challenge to the Navajo the following: people to commit to buying locally during the week of • Chief of Staff for the Office of the President and Vice Navajo Sovereignty Day in the month of April. President Paulson Chaco First Lady Phefelia Herbert-Nez and Second • Attorney General Doreen Nanibaa McPaul Lady Dottie Lizer also addressed the audience. The • Department of Health Executive Director Dr. Jill Jim First Lady delivered a passionate address in which she • Division of Community Development Dr. Pearl encouraged Navajo families to show compassion for Yellowman one another and for parents to love their children, and to • Division of Transportation Executive Director Garret strengthen their families through prayer. Silversmith Second Lady Dottie Lizer also emphasized • Division of Economic Development Executive the importance of family, while also focusing on issues Director JT Willie impacting Native American women and called for the • Division of Public Safety Executive Director Jesse reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act by Delmar Congress. • Navajo Nation Washington Office Executive Director Following the Inauguration ceremony, President Santee Lewis Nez and Vice President Lizer met with key cabinet • Division of General Services Executive Director members to begin implementing a path forward for the Lomardo Aseret Navajo Nation. • Division of Human Resources Executive Director Dr. The Nez-Lizer Administration also congratulates Perphelia Fowler members of the 24th Navajo Nation Council, Navajo • Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency Nation Board of Education, Navajo Board of Election Executive Director Oliver Whaley Supervisors, and Kayenta Township Commissioners who • Navajo-Hopi Land Commission Office Executive were also sworn-in to office. Director Robert K. Black, Jr. • Division of Natural Resources Executive Director Dr. Rudy R. Shebala • Navajo Nation Telecommunication and Utilities Executive Director Christopher Becenti 5 http://www.opvp.navajo-nsn.gov ADMINISTRATION THANKS ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR JOINING THE DEFENSE OF THE INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice finding ICWA unconstitutional would drastically impact President Myron Lizer commended Arizona Attorney the lives of American Indian children, including Navajo General Mark Brnovich for his recent announcement that children. Arizona is part of a bipartisan coalition of 19 states that Vice President Myron Lizer added that the Indian filed an amicus brief in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Child Welfare Act was enacted to protect the best interests to defend the Indian Child Welfare Act in Brakeen v. of American Indian children and to avoid displacement of Zinke. children from birth families and their tribes. In Oct. 2017, the state of Texas and a non-Indian The states of California, Alaska, Colorado, foster family in Texas filed a complaint, in federal district Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, court, which challenged the constitutionality of the act Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New and the 2016 ICWA regulations. The complaint was later Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and Washington are also amended to include the states of Louisiana and Indiana part of the coalition that filed the amicus brief in the Fifth and additional foster families in Nevada and Minnesota. Circuit Court. President Nez said the lower court’s decision CMS DECISION SETS PRECEDENCE FOR INDIAN COUNTRY President Jonathan Nez and Vice President responsibility to provide health care services to American Myron Lizer applaud the announcement on Jan.