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Navajo Nation Division of Community Development Newsletter

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Navajo Nation Division of Community Development Newsletter Letter of thanks and appreciation 02 | NNDCD | www.nndcd.org SEPTEMBER 2011 NNDCD DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE C O N T E N T S Yá’át’ééh! vation to build Welcome the homes with to the fourth funding from issue of our the $2.3 mil- Navajo Na- lion grant. LGA CERTIFIED tion Division These de- Navajo chapters have been of Community v e l o p m e n t s empowered with the Local Development are proof posi- Governance Act fast track n e w s l e t t e r. tive that Presi- certification process, using We continue dent Barack to promote vi- Obama’s goal outside CPAs to conduct able commu- of creating jobs auditing requirments. nities through and rebuilding Navajo val- America with ues. We are stimulus fund- PAGE 16 c o m m i t t e d ing is working, to empower- despite the po- ing Navajo litical rhetoric communities disputing these with decision- facts from making, in- the other side frastructure of the aisle. development, housing and technical ARRA has made a tremendous ELECTRICITY NOW services provided by NNDCD. impact on the Navajo Nation and Navajo families in the Churchrock Chapter will finally Navajo chapters have made much Indian Country. progress since the enactment of the On the Navajo Nation, infra- receive electricity after 11 years of setbacks, delays and Local Governance Act in 1998 and structure development is some- development. we continue to provide them with the thing every chapter requests, necessary tools to make a difference whether it is an electrical power in their communities. LGA certified line extension or waterline ex- chapters are on the rise and we now tension to provide basic services have 27 certified chapters after pro- to Navajo families. We have two ducing a standardized Five Manage- stories on such need in Navajo PAGE 11 ment System manual for use by chap- communities and we continue ters for fiscal accountability. to make every effort to stretch Earlier this month, we hosted the our funds through supplemental Navajo Nation Post Local Govern- funding sources. ance Act Certification Chapter Sum- The Community Development mit in Flagstaff, bringing together Block Grant continues to ensure chapters, Navajo leaders and panel the Navajo Nation receives the experts from various tribal programs necessary funding to make these NEW HOMES and departments to discuss LGA au- infrastructure projects come to Navajo elders enjoy the thorities. We interacted with chapters fruition. amenities of 22 new homes through question and answer sessions Finally, Community Develop- built across the Navajo and we are developing policies based ment is proposing amendments Nation with American on those discussions. to the Local Governance Act, the LGA certified chapters recently first in its history, to address the Recovery and Reinvestment executed contracting authorities with chain-of-command at the chap- Act funding. tribal programs after signing a mem- ters and the issues of financial orandum of understanding with the mismanagement. Weatherization Assistance Program. We are on the doorstep of a Under terms of the MOU, certified new fiscal year and Community PAGE 7 chapters will have a chance to weath- Development is prepared to face erize up to 10 homes in their respec- these challenges head-on, to pro- tive chapters with funding provided vide our Navajo people with the by WAP’s $9.3 million grant from the best services in the Navajo Na- American Recovery and Reinvest- tion. WHITE ROCK CHAPTER ment Act. Ahe’hee. The smallest chapter on the Navajo Nation continues Speaking of ARRA, we are also to move forward after acheiving Local Governance Act proud to report 22 Navajo elders now Arbin Mitchell, Director have decent, sanitary housing across Navajo Nation Division of certification in December 2010. Like most chapters, the all five agencies of the Navajo Nation. Community Development focus is on waterlines and power lines for the New Mexico The Housing Improvement Program San Juan County community. built homes for the “neediest of the needy” and employed a workforce of over 50 carpenters across the reser- PAGE 5 SEPTEMBER 2011 03 | NNDCD | www.nndcd.org Navajo elders rest easy inside new homes funded by ARRA Betty and John Nez of Mexican Springs, New Mexico were extremely thankful and appreciative of the new home they received in July 2011. The elderly Navajo couple previously lived in crowded housing conditions and now have enough room to stretch out in comfort. (Photo by Rick Abasta) Nellie Lee of Rocky Ridge, Ariz listens to instructions from Housing Improvement Office staff on the care and maintenance of her new two- bedroom, one-bathroom home. (Photo by Rick Abasta) Eunice Wauneka’s new home in Fort Defiance, Ariz. Wauneka was blessed twice in the same day, first with her home and second, with visiting dignitaries, including Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly, First Lady Martha Shelly, Community Development Director Arbin Mitchell and Bureau of Indian Affairs Navajo Area Director Sharon Pinto. (Photo by Rick Abasta) Far left, the rugged terrain of Hard Rock, Ariz. Left, the new home of Betty Burbank, Blue Gap, Ariz. elder. Above, Charlie and Helen Begay of Pinon, Ariz. hold their certificate of home ownership. Top, Construction workers from the Chinle Agency share a private laugh. Below, previously, elders were living in dilapidated hogans like the one below in Pinon, Ariz. (Photos by Rick Abasta) Alice Willie of Pinon, Ariz. received the keys to a new two-bedroom, one- bathroom home in June 2011. Willie was one of 22 new homeowners. The funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act housed the Betty Burbank of Blue Gap said she was happy with her new home. Burbank neediest of the needy on the Navajo Nation and brought temporary employment spends her free time at the Cottonwood Senior Citizens Center and previously to a workforce of 50-plus carpenters. (Photo by Rick Abasta) lived in substandard housing. (Photo by Rick Abasta) 04 | NNDCD | www.nndcd.org SEPTEMBER 2011 Navajo chapters execute contract with Weatherization Program Rural Addressing The contract was created between and entered into by Authority works the Navajo Nation Division of on E-911 initiative Community Development and LGA certified chapters, as a WINDOW ROCK-On July cooperative agreement that is 25, 2011, the 22nd Navajo implementing the lead agency Nation Council Law and Order policy for procurement and Committee convened for their project management related to regular meeting in the north construction projects. conference room of the Navajo Arbin Mitchell, director of Nation Council Chambers. NNDCD, said opportunity is The committee received a what the agreement is all about. report from the Navajo Na- “It’s all about opportunities. tion Division of Community Opportunities for the chapters Development and the Navajo to determine the future of their Nation Telecommunications chapters,” Mitchell said. “We Regulatory Office on efforts are giving them an opportunity with Enhanced 911 initiatives to weatherize homes and learn on the reservation. about contracting with tribal The initiative first came into programs.” light in January 2003, when the Reducing the heating and former General Services Com- cooling costs for a safer energy mittee passed resolution for Local Governance Act certified chapters gathered at the Navajo Nation Museum on July 15, 2011, to sign a new efficient home is the goal. the Navajo Nation to establish memorandum of understanding with the Weatherization Assistance Program to weatherize up to 10 homes within their The dwelling unit must be E911 for emergency response. respective chapters and learn the concept of executing contracts with tribal programs. (Photo by Rick Abasta) existing and occupied by eli- “The E911 is a very critical gible owners. The home has issue for the Navajo people,” WINDOW ROCK-Recently, erization Assistance Program Act on April 1, 2009, to provide to be substantially complete, said Brian Tagaban, executive certified chapters took a leap on July 15, 2011. repairs addressing general heat meaning permanent foundation, director of the NNTRC. forward with their authorities. This is the first time certified waste, insulation, lack of storm floor, walls, roof, windows, Tagaban said E911 is a The Local Governance Act chapters have contracted with a windows and incidental repairs doors and a heating system. process whereby a caller is certified chapters gathered at tribal program. on Navajo Nation homes. “This contracting is a new able to dial a simple code and the Navajo Nation Museum and The WAP received $9 million The deadline to complete opportunity. We have funds receive emergency response. signed a new memorandum of in funding from the American the weatherization projects is See CHAPTERS/page 22 “Now, in the age of comput- understanding with the Weath- Recovery and Reinvestment March 31, 2012. ers, internet and voice over IP, the regulatory issues are plac- ing a burden on the telecom- munications providers,” he White Rock Chapter lauds LGA certification said. WHITE ROCK-Arbin Mitch- reigns for the chapter and found In 2005, the GSC estab- ell, Navajo Nation Division of out it was in a state of disarray: lished an E911 subcommittee Community Development Di- missing reports, financial num- consisting of former council rector, said Local Governance bers not balancing out. delegates Orlanda Hodges, Roy Act certification is the law “At that time, my chapter Laughter and Danny Simpson. and will help chapters become was not really doing a good The subcommittee coordinated more self-sufficient in terms job,” Henry said. with the Navajo Nation Tel- of streamlining a lot of the ap- Personnel and financial mis- ecommunications and Utilities proval processes. management were an issue. Department on the project. LGA certified chapters are Felix McDonald, accountant The NNTRC is not author- able to approve home site with the Eastern Agency Local ized to operate any type of leases, pass ordinances such as Governance Support Center, operations on telecommunica- taxation and alternative forms said the previous chapter ad- tions.
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