Grant to help Miss Navajo
Bill Donovan
Diné Bureau
GALLUP — The current Miss Navajo has been given permission to
accept a $5,000 grant from the Kayenta Township to help defray some
of her expenses, which include the cost of buying material to make
ceremonial dresses.
A press release issued by the tribe's Legislative Branch said the
Government Services Committee last week agreed to accept the $5,000
grant from the township to help pay some of the expenses of Victoria
Yazzie, the current Miss Navajo.
Yazzie has complained in recent weeks of running out of funds in her
expense accounts, saying last week that she had slightly more than
$400 left in the account to last for the next six months.
A report given to the committee said Yazzie had spent $1,874.44 of
the $5,000 between the time the commission had approved the grant
on Nov. 21 and the time GSC gave its approval to accept it.
The funds have been used for buying materials for dresses and not
to defray travel expenses, as Yazzie had originally stated during
interviews with both the Gallup Independent and a Farmington newspaper.
The money already spent, according to the information given to GSC,
was used to purchase a Pendleton blanket and jacket, velvet blouses
and skirts, moccasins, outfit alterations and yarn and wool warp to
make what a release called a "rug dress."
George Joe, a spokesman for the Kayenta Township Commission, said
the township's account had originally planned to reimburse Yazzie
for expenses based on receipts she turned in, but the township is
now requiring the money go directly to the vendor.
There was no mention in the press release about whether Yazzie had
violated tribal law by spending part of the grant before getting formal
approval from GSC to do so.
Virgil Brown Jr., executive director of the tribe's Ethics and Rules
Office, said statements indicating his office had been informed of
the grant were incorrect.
"The Ethics and Rules Office never issued (a) clearance or formal
opinion regarding the Kayenta funds," Brown said. "We had
no knowledge of the transactions or the process that was followed
in obtaining the funds."
Tribal law says the tribe's president has the authority to accept
or refuse any gift over $1,000 with the concurrence of GSC.
If the tribe accepts, the gifts then belong to the tribe and not Miss
Navajo, which would indicate the dresses made using materials paid
for by the grant would revert back to the tribe when Yazzie's term
is over in September.
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Hopi housing crisis closer to solution
Joanne Rideout
Special to the Independent
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Hopi mesas are getting crowded. The population
is growing, room to build new homes is dwindling, and the tribe is
faced with a homeless population that did not exist a decade ago.
A solution to this housing crisis may lie in the rejuvenation of the
Turquoise Community project, a tribal housing and economic development
plan that was first proposed in 1985.
The Turquoise Community site is located 17 miles north of the Hopi
Cultural Center on Hopi Partitioned Land near the Navajo community
of Hard Rocks. Construction was begun a number of years ago, and the
project was put on hold during former Chairman Ferrell Secakuku's
administration.
Current Hopi Chairman Wayne Taylor Jr.'s administration has revived
the idea and a steering committee has expanded the project. The result
is a renewed, more comprehensive plan that would create housing for
tribal employees, homes for Hopi families, housing for the elderly,
tourism facilities, a convenience store and a gas station.
Taylor, Hopi Tribal Council members, tribal employees, and consultants
met recently with project architects at the Museum of Northern Arizona's
Colton House in Flagstaff for a formal presentation of plans and goals.
Taylor noted that the Hopi population is expanding by 2.5 percent
annually.
"There's no denying the fact that we here at Hopi are growing.
Our communities are currently unplanned a hodge-podge. People are
having a hard time getting land assignments," he said.
"The other thing that is very real is that we have a very high
rate of unemployment. There just simply aren't enough jobs. We are
looking for a site that can have projects which will create an employment
base for our people."
The Turquoise Community project would be completed over a 25-year
period, with housing construction being the first priority. The Navajo
Tribal Utility Authority would likely provide electrical power initially
for the community, but the Hopi Tribe might also choose to arrange
for future power through APS.
Planners and architects have incorporated existing infrastructure
such as paved roads and landscaping completed earlier in the project,
and created detailed plans for 450 acres so far. Housing would be
built around a central courtyard to honor traditional Hopi village
design, and a goal is to eventually create a "historic district"
in the area. The project includes a "Turquoise Village"
that would house about 200 tribal employees.
The proposed community is divided into separate zones, with room for
up to 600 homes for Hopi families. Agricultural and grazing areas
would be located nearby, on the far side of Oraibi Wash. An industrial
zone would be created around the nearby Hopi landfill, and provide
space for the tribal motor pool, among other uses.
In the long-range plan, the community would span both sides of the
highway and include tribal offices, a tribal archive and research
center, and a bed and breakfast on the highway's west side. The housing
component would be located on the east side of the highway, to afford
privacy for residents, along with an artist village and shops. Plans
include installation of a wide area computer network (WAN), which
would provide high speed Internet access and make it possible for
tribal employees to work at home.
The project is divided into Phases I-IV. Phases I and II would create
housing, while Phase III would add the tourism component and offices.
Phase IV could include a hotel and other additional businesses on
the west side of the highway, to provide increased economic development
and employment opportunities for tribal members.
Taylor said that ideally, the Turquoise Community's tourism facilities
could serve as a focal point for Hopi tourism, and a staging area
for tours of the mesas. Tourism is a delicate issue in Hopi villages,
where tourists currently often wander unescorted.
The Turquoise Trail, the proposed paved highway to Route 160 near
the Peabody Coal Company, would funnel tourist traffic through the
area. The road traverses Navajo tribal land and is currently an unimproved
dirt road.
Taylor is chair of the steering committee, and Tribal Vice Chairman
Phillip Quochytewa is committee vice chair. Other members include:
Arnold Taylor, Department of Natural Resources manager; Loren Sekayumptewa,
Department of Administrative and Technical Services manager; Leon
Nuvayestewa, Health and Human Services Department manager; Marvin
Yoyokie, Tribal Council representative; Pat Dallas, executive director
of the Hopi Housing Authority; and Michael Kelly, director of the
Office of Research and Planning.
The steering committee's duties officially ended with the Flagstaff
meeting, which celebrated the completion of the overall planning phase.
Further progress on the Turquoise Community project will depend on
action by the Hopi Tribal Council.
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Correction
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — The Gallup Independent regrets a mistake made in
a story Saturday concerning Navajo Nation Council Delegate Harry Williams
Sr., who continues to represent the Tuba City and Coal Mine Mesa chapters
of the Western Agency.
The Independent should have indicated that Frank Chee Willeto is being
considered to fill the vacancy on the Education Committee once held
by the late Council Delegate Harry Jackson, who represented the Pueblo
Pintado and Torreon chapters.
The story also incorrectly identified the chapters the new delegate
represents in the Eastern Agency. Willeto also represents the Pueblo
Pintado and Torreon chapters.
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Area in brief
Fry bread wheel race
CROWNPOINT — The First T'iists'ozi Fry Bread Wheel Race will
be held April 22 at the IHS parking lot in Crownpoint. Awards will
be given. Registration fee is $12. Information: 786-6240 or (877)
768-7267.
Public Health Week
The Crownpoint Service Unit Public Health Council will celebrate National
Public Health Week starting today at various locations in Crownpoint.
Information: (505) 786-6240.
Chinle Hospital also will participate in National Public Health Week
with various activities. Information: (520) 674-7008, ext. 7485/7191/7178/7177.<cm+bd>Dinner
and wash<cm-bd>SANDERS, Ariz. A car wash and Mexican dinner
plate will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at the Sanders Transportation
Department. Cost for a regular wash is $3; vacuum is $5 extra. The
Mexican plate will cost $5 and includes two enchiladas and one beef
taco with rice and beans.
Talent show
ZUNI — The talent show "Zu Needs Some Fun2" has been
rescheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at the Zuni High School gym.
Additional acts are being sought to compete for the $50 prize. Information:
(505) 782-4451.
Window Rock Easter fest
WINDOW ROCK — The fifth annual Easter Festival will be held 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at the Window Rock Police Department.
Information: (520) 729-4337.
Oil, gas lease update
FARMINGTON — The Farmington Indian Minerals Office staff will
conduct outreach sessions on "Oil and Gas Production Activities
and an Update on Oil and Gas Lease Sales." The meetings are:
10 a.m., April 11, at the Nageezi Chapter House; April 13 at Huerfano
Chapter House; May 18 at Ojo Encino Chapter House; and 6 p.m., May
16, at the Farmington Indian Minerals Office. Information: (800) 238-2839.
Christian Athletes
GALLUP — The Fellowship of Christian Athletes will hold its regular
monthly meeting at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday at Baggett's Truck Stop west
of Gallup.
School Board meeting
WINDOW ROCK — The Subcommittee on Navajo School Boards will hold
a special meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the north conference room
of the Navajo Nation Council chambers.
Police checkpoints
GALLUP — April is expanded enforcement month. The New Mexico
State Police, Gallup City Police Department, McKinley County Sheriff's
Department and the Navajo Police will schedule DWI checkpoints, saturation
patrols, child restraints and seatbelt enforcement at their discretion.
Talent show
GALLUP — The RSVP's annual talent show is coming up this month.
If you sing, dance, or act you may be eligible for prizes. Information:
722-3565.
NARFE meeting
GALLUP — The National Association of Retired Federal Employees,
McKinley County Chapter, will meet at noon Wednesday for a no-host
luncheon at the El Rancho Hotel with the business meeting at 1 p.m.
Information: (505) 863-5712.
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Want a pet with a unique personality?
Adopt a cat
Zarana Sanghani
Staff Writer
GALLUP — When Jon Arbuckle tells his cat Garfield he will pet
Garfield's tummy some other time, Garfield scratches up Jon and his
recliner.
In other "Garfield" comic strips, the cat does ballet in
flower beds; plots against the dog of the house, Odie; craves lasagna,
and philosophizes with the reader.
Real-life cats can be just as much fun and full of personality, says
Clinton Balok, the director of the Gallup-McKinley County Humane Society's
Animal Control Center and a veterinarian at the Cedar Animal Medical
Center next door...
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Byerly on top of standings
Santiago Ramos
Staff Sports Writer
CHURCH ROCK — With six rodeos to go, Gallup High freshman Chelsee
Byerley is sitting comfortably in the driver's seat, leading the state
in the barrel racing season standings.
Byerley, 14, added to her already comfortable lead of 41.5 points
over her nearest competitor with a second place showing Saturday and
fifth place Sunday during the two-day Gallup High School rodeo at
Red Rock be given. Registration fee is $12. Information: 786-6240
or (877) 768-7267...
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Students to tour Ivy League schools
Stan Bindell
Special to the Independent
POLACCA, Ariz. — Gifted and talented students from Hopi High
School will visit Yale, Harvard and Dartmouth April 8-16 to see what
those Ivy League schools have to offer them.
There are about 12 students planning to make the trip including Ritchie
Sahneyah, John Toms, Carlene Tenakhongva, Alyssa Fredericks, Ty Zahne
and Eva Bahnimptewa.
Tim Sargent, sponsor of the gifted and talented students for Hopi
High School, said the goal of the trip is for students to learn the
expectations of college life at these Ivy League schools...
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Are hunters happy with elk herd?
Fish, game officials poll sportsmen
Tom Purdom
Staff Writer
MOUNT TAYLOR — It's an educated guess at best, but possibly a
good one: The elk herd on this stretch of pristine New Mexico real
estate numbers about 4,000 animals, but that figure seems to be going
down slightly each year...
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Church Rock family seeks teen's return
Nancy Watson
Diné Bureau
GALLUP — Somewhere in New Jersey, an 18-year-old girl who has
been missing since March 25 is trying to get home to her family in
Church Rock.
Family members say they aren't sure what kind of situation Michaelynn
Thompson currently faces. There's a possibility, family members say,
that she is being held against her will, although she has made three
phone calls to her family in the last week.
The last time Thompson was seen by her mother, Rose Charlie, was March
25, when she left her home in Church Rock to go to the Rio West Mall.
She told her mother she would be back shortly...
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House plan gives schools more money
SANTA FE (AP) — Hoping to settle a lawsuit against the state,
the House on Sunday approved a plan to provide more money to build
new schools and fix old ones.
Lawmakers abandoned the idea of calling themselves into a so-called
extraordinary session in order to vote on a constitutional amendment
to dip into the state's Severance Tax Permanent Fund.
Instead, they expanded an earlier plan to issue severance tax bonds,
making available a total of $600 million about $60 million a year
over 10 years for school buildings...
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Gaming issue could go to court
Walter Howerton Jr.
Santa Fe Bureau
SANTA FE — It took the New Mexico Senate all day Friday to get
around to voting down the Indian gambling compacts.
Most of the tribal members and casino employees, many sporting casino
jackets, who crowded the gallery early in the morning, had headed
for home or work by the time the 25-16 vote came after 7 p.m.
And by the time they voted, senators had spent hours hearing testimony
and giving speeches on the issue. All of this was in addition to the
lobbying and arm-twisting going on in the hallways...
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