Navajo

October 28, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the Navajo Tribal Utility Association will receive a $4.9 million grant to better serve its 38,000 customers.

The funding, which comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will be used to install a “smart grid” network and data management system that will quickly identify system outages.

“This is an important investment in the Navajo Nation – one that will result in better service to the Navajo Nation Utility Association’s nearly 40,000 customers,” Bingaman said. “At the same time, this grant will help create good jobs in the area.”    » read more »

16 October 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Ann Kirkpatrick today released the following statement mourning the loss of Willard V. Oliver, a Navajo Code Talker from Lukachukai who passed away Wednesday at the age of 88:

“The loss of Mr. Oliver deeply saddened me. Through his service as a Code Talker, Mr. Oliver did so much for this Nation. I would like to extend my sympathies to Mr. Oliver’s friends and family.

“During World War Two and the Korean War, Navajo Code Talkers saved countless American lives. Mr. Oliver’s service to our country as a distinguished representative of the Diné people will be remembered.    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the Bureau of Reclamation has awarded a contract totaling $27.74 million to the Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority for the construction of Reaches 2 through 6 of the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline. NECA, a construction firm wholly-owned and operated by the Navajo Nation, will use the funds to construct the remaining 21-mile stretch (out of a total project of 29 miles) of the municipal pipeline..    » read more »

05 October 2009 -- FLAGSTAFF, AZ – Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick announced today that the U.S. Department of Energy will be making $6,079,400 available to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use on Navajo Nation. The funds will be allocated through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The grant will be used to develop a comprehensive energy efficiency and conservation strategy, conduct energy audits for homes and businesses, establish efficiency programs across the Nation and improve energy technology in tribal government facilities.    » read more »

Clearing the Way for Historic Water Rights Settlement

October 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today joined New Mexico’s congressional delegation to advance a vital water supply project that will provide clean, safe and reliable water to a quarter of a million people in the Navajo Nation, the City of Gallup and the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The action clears the way for resolving the Navajo Nation’s long-standing water rights claims in the state.    » read more »

August 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the Bureau of Reclamation has awarded Archer Western Contractors, Ltd. of Phoenix, Arizona, a $13 million contract to construct two pumping plants near Farmington, New Mexico. The pumping plants are key features for continued development of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project. That ongoing project, which Reclamation is developing for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, provides water for the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry farming enterprise of the Navajo Nation.    » read more »

June 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., today honored the legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers and celebrated the service of three who have passed away in the last month. Willie Begay, Thomas Claw and John Brown, Jr. were celebrated on the Senate floor for their dedication and service to America during World War II. Below is the text of Udall’s speech and to watch the video click HERE.

“Mr. President, I rise today to mark a solemn moment for the Navajo Nation and for our country.

“In the past month, three of America’s veterans passed away—Willie Begay, Thomas Claw and John Brown, Jr. These men were members of the small group of Marines known as the Navajo Code Talkers. Their story is one of the most compelling in American military history.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has signed an executive order lowering flags to half staff in honor and mourning of one of the original Navajo Code Talkers, John Brown Jr., 88, who passed away at his home in Crystal, NM on Wednesday. He will be laid to rest on Tuesday, May 26th.

“New Mexico has lost a treasure – as we face our current struggles and uncertain times ahead, we may take comfort in knowing we had such notable and excellent examples to follow from the Navajo Code Talkers,” said Governor Richardson. “New Mexicans and all Americans owe Mr.

Brown and each of the Code Talkers a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they made to guarantee the freedom that we enjoy today."    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today praised the federal Environmental Protection Agency for recommending reconsideration of the recently issued air permit for the proposed Desert Rock Energy Facility in the Four Corners region.

In a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Gov. Ritter also asked for a thorough and thoughtful review of air emission controls for the existing nearby Four Corners Power Plant and the Navajo Generating Station.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, and Representative Ben Ray Luján, today announced Ramah Navajo Chapter is the nation’s first Tribe to receive direct road repair funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Ramah is expected to receive more than $644,000 from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help resurface approximately 10 miles of Ramah Navajo Route 25 – also known as Veterans Highway – on the tribe’s 168,000-acre reservation.

“This significant grant will improve Ramah Navajo Route 25, making it safer for all who travel on it,” Bingaman said. “I am very glad that New Mexico is the first recipient of funding from this very important Indian Rural Roads initiative.”    » read more »

Action signals move toward stronger environmental safeguards for Proposed Coal‐Fired Power Plant on Navajo Nation

April 27, 2009 -- (Santa Fe, NM) -- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s motion for voluntary remand of the air quality permit for the Desert Rock Energy Facility.

“I am encouraged by this decision -- it’s a significant victory in our ongoing fight to protect the quality of our air,” said Governor Richardson. “We still have work to do to make sure that this project only moves forward with the proper environmental safeguards. I am pleased the Obama Administration is taking action to reverse the disastrous environmental policies of the Bush Administration."    » read more »

April 17, 2009 -- ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today met with Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley to discuss water, education, road and job training initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for residents of the Navajo Nation, other American Indian communities and residents of New Mexico.

“I am committed to upholding the President’s pledge to work directly with American Indian leaders to fulfill our treaty and trust obligations,” Salazar said. “The federal government has an obligation to work directly with federally-recognized tribal nations on a government-to-government basis. Today’s meeting with Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley is just the first of many meetings to come.”    » read more »

Bill includes major projects that secure safe, clean drinking water for Eastern New Mexico and the Navajo Nation

March 25, 2009 -- SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today applauded the final passage of the federal Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. The bill contains important waterrelated legislation for New Mexico, including the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, which is a major component of the State of New Mexico’s settlement with the Navajo Nation, and legislation authorizing the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System, which will provide drinking water for eastern New Mexico communities. The bill will now head to President Obama for signature.    » read more »

Jan. 31 -- The Navajo County Board of Supervisors has declared a Flood Emergency Jan. 29. The declaration recognized the Navajo Nation State of Emergency Declaration and the White Mountain Apache Natural Disaster Declaration.

The Little Colorado River has receded from the flood stage levels reported Jan. 30 by at least a foot at 5 p.m.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs determined it was safe to allow traffic to cross the south bridge at the intersection of Route 71 and Route 2.    » read more »

1/29/2008 -- Phoenix, AZ - Former Chairman and President of the Navajo Nation, Peterson Zah, announced today that he will be supporting Senator Hillary Clinton for President.

"Senator Clinton is a leader who has the experience to turn this country around," said President Zah. "She has proposed an economic stimulus plan aimed to help the Navajo Nation and across America by taking steps to stop predatory lenders, provide tax relief for families and create new good paying jobs. She will work to strengthen all communities, including Native Americans - all of our voices will be heard."    » read more »