Ganado teen-ager finally gets Internet connection
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — A 14-year-old Navajo girl who won
a computer from a San Jose-based Web site, but was unable to connect
to the Internet finally has a phone.
Myra Jodie lives on a Northeastern Arizona reservation in a trailer
with no telephone service and no running water.
Technicians from San Jose-based Globalstar, a satellite phone
business, installed the equipment to connect the teen to the Internet
on Monday. The company agreed to pay the $1-a-minute charge for
at least a year.
On the same day it installed the equipment, Globalstar warned
the Securities and Exchange Commission it's in danger of closing
if it doesn't raise more money. But the vice president who helped
organize the installation, Ed Hirshfield, said he's optimistic
things can be worked out.
Globalstar heard about Myra a year ago, but talks with Navajo
leaders went slowly, and the company did not then have the ideal
technology to hook the computer to the Internet.
In March, the company learned that Myra still did not have a phone
line a year after winning the computer. By then, it had better
technology and could bring the satellite service to her home.
Myra applied for the computer giveaway from San Jose-based Awz.com
through a school computer. It took Awz, which since has gone out
of business, weeks to track Myra down because she had no phone.
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Election board gets lawyers
Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — A Window Rock District Court judge has named several
more lawyers to defend Navajo Board of Election Supervisors facing
two criminal charges each for not holding the chapter-level general
election on Aug. 1.
Judge T.J. Holgate on Monday appointed Brenda Anderson to defend Chairwoman
Eunice Begay, elected from the Western Agency; Claudine Bates Arthur
to defend Jackie Burbank, elected from the Chinle Agency; and Martin
Avery to defend Juliette Largo, elected from the Eastern Agency. Earlier
he gave Roy Tso Sr., elected from the Northern Agency, the public
defender's office.
Although he had yet to be arraigned as of Wednesday morning, veteran
supervisor Paul Redhouse, elected from the Northern Agency, picked
up his copies of 135 documents from the prosecution as part of the
disclosure process.
The three defendants who received court-appointed attorneys on Monday,
plus the other four arraigned supervisors Roy H.
Tso Sr. of the Northern Agency, LeNora (Fulton) Johnson of the Fort
Defiance Agency, Jay DeGroat of the Eastern Agency and Harry D. Brown
Sr. of the Western Agency and the prosecution team of John Kern, Geraldine
Benally and Roger Shirley are due in Window Rock District Court April
12 for pre-trial conferences. The conference allows the two parties
to submit a proposed plea bargain to the judge.
Since all seven demanded their Navajo Bill of Rights guarantee to
jury trials, and rejected Kern's pre-arraignment deal with unusually
harsh words, a plea bargain is not expected.
Several defendants also have asked for changes of venue, to move their
trials to their home district courts as the battle over a proposed
gag order continues.
At arraignments in early March, the prosecution requested a gag order
against the defendants, claiming it might be hard to find a jury without
knowledge of the case because of the extensive coverage given the
controversial case that was launched by a memo by Chief Legislative
Counsel Steve Boos to council delegates that concluded the board broke
the law that the election had to be held the first Tuesday of August.
Board members repeatedly told reporters other laws apply.
They claim the election code gives the board the right to interpret
the code, that there is a general excemption allowing the board to
postpone a vote for changed circumstances (not defined in the election
code), and that Boos' office had a serious conflict of interest since
it represented the Navajo Nation Council and the board at the same
time when they fought over the ballot wording for a referendum about
eliminating three out of four delegates jobs. The council and legal
leaders repeatedly rebuffed supervisors' attempts to obtain independent
legal counsel, supervisors added.
Some defendants claim the board is a tribal body covered under the
Sovereign Immunity Act, a law that governs how the Navajo Nation can
be sued, just as the Navajo Nation Council is, but that Attorney General
Levon Henry's Justice Department ignored that law.
Several defendants filed a response to Kern's motion and Thursday
he filed a counter-response as they argue which previous court decisions
the Window Rock court should apply to the historic case.
Kern wrote, "The Board's prejudicial statements and the newspaper
editorials they fueled have all occurred since January 31st when the
charges were filed, and were intensifying until the moment the people
filed the gag order motion."
Many of the items the prosecution cites are from editorial comments
expressions of opinion not news reports in the Independent.
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Concealed weapons bill worries police
Tom Purdom
Staff Writer
GRANTS — Reaction to Gov. Gary Johnson's signing of the concealed
weapons carry bill is mixed in Cibola County.
Rep. Judy Vanderstar Russel, R-Rio Rancho, sponsored the controversial
bill which makes it legal for residents to carry a concealed weapon
if they pass a required safety course, are at least 21 years old and
have the money for the permit.
While Johnson signed the bill into law Tuesday, the legislation gives
counties and cities a local option to ban citizens from carrying concealed
weapons.
When the law takes effect July 1, residents of the state may start
to apply for the permits.
The law directs the Department of Public Safety as the issuing agency
to run criminal background checks on applicants and to conduct a firearms
training course.
While the application process begins July 1, the law states that permits
shall start being issued on Jan. 1, 2002.
For Cibola County Undersheriff Johnny Valdez, the law could usher
in a whole new range of problems. "Officers have enough problems
to deal with, with people violating the law without having to worry
about every time they make a stop they have to worry about someone
carrying a gun," Valdez said.
The public already has the right in New Mexico to carry weapons strapped
to their hips or holstered to their shoulders, but until the governor
signed the law, individuals could not carry a concealed weapon.
"I see where some people may say the concealed weapon law is
good because it allows people to protect their property and homes,
but they can already do that if they wear the weapon in plain sight,"
Valdez said.
Cibola County Sheriff Manuel Lujan was direct. "I don't like
it," he said without hesitation. "Our deputies must wear
their weapons in plain sight, so why shouldn't the public have the
same requirement?"
Even with the mixed emotions about the bill, Valdez said he has heard
that states which do allow concealed carrying of firearms have a reduced
crime rate. "We'll see," he said.
Valdez said, "I hope a majority of the county officials outlaw
it here. It could be a touchy situation."
Cibola County Manager Bob Ortiz also wishes the law were not signed
by the governor.
Officially, Ortiz said he has not heard from any of the commission
members yet if they might be leaning toward a ban on carrying concealed
weapons in Cibola County.
Ortiz spent more than 20 years in the law enforcement field and admitted
being biased. When asked if he thought the law was a good one, he
answered, "In a word ... no."
"Think about it," Ortiz said. "In law enforcement we
have not only training courses to teach firearms safety, but we also
require that psychological tests be given to prospective officers
to make sure we don't get gun-happy officers on the streets.
But this law, there's no requirement for psychological testing before
a citizen can get a permit to carry a concealed weapon."
Milan Village Manager David Jiron said he has heard nothing from board
of trustee members about any ordinance banning concealed weapons.
As far as the law itself, Jiron said, "I have no opinion on it
until I research the law."
Grants City Manager Bob Horacek would not return a telephone call
to the press Wednesday for his views on the matter.
In Gallup, meanwhile, Capt. Glenn Thomas, who heads the state police
district covering McKinley and Cibola counties said he is "indifferent
to the law."
"I don't think there will be that many people applying for the
permits, and the ones who do will probably be gun enthusiasts anyway,"
Thomas said. "I don't think it will be as big a problem as some
think it will be."
One of the matters that does bother Thomas is no one came to the state
police to consult about the bill and there's not one place in the
legislation calling for, and paying for, additional state police for
firearms safety training officers.
Lt. Steve Colberth with the Albuquerque state police office is developing
the firearms training course. He was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
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AIPRCA planning 2001 Indian Pro Rodeo
Tour
Santiago Ramos
Staff Sports Writer
GALLUP — After a somewhat disappointing rodeo season last year
with the lack of contestants and rodeo sponsors, the All Indian Professional
Rodeo Cowboys Association (AIPRCA) is going ahead with plans in implementing
an Indian Pro Rodeo Tour 2001 that hopefully will include three rodeo
series.
AIPRCA president Marvin Redhorse says that his rodeo organization
wants to be on the leading edge in Indian pro rodeo.
"We're real excited about this year," Redhorse said. "Last
year we didn't have a lot of sponsorships. It took us a year to get
the sponsors."
Redhorse explained that three rodeo series are being planned - the
Kayenta Invitational Rodeo Series during the 4th of July, We All Make
a Difference Rodeo Series in Tuba City, AZ and the Second Half Rodeo
Series at Fort McDowell Oct. 31-Nov. 3 which is pending with a $5,000
added purse.
"We hope to have a total estimated purse of $230,000 nd $100,000
in awards," Redhorse said.
Redhorse explained that each series will have its own finals with
proposed event saddles, buckles and all-around horse trailers for
first place awards. Redhorse says he's also hoping to have a rodeo
fan truck giveaway at the end of the season.
"We're attracting new rodeos through the Tour," Redhorse
said. "We have 18 dual and multi-sanctioned rodeos set up so
far for this year with the Central Navajo Rodeo Association (CNRA)
and the New Mexico Rodeo Association (NMRA)."
Redhorse agreed that Indian pro rodeo is facing serious challenges
in the near future.
"All the rodeo associations face challenges and what needs to
be done," Redhorse said. "We want to bring all the rodeo
associations together to support a common goal. We're all going in
different directions. We make to make Indian rodeo strong again. We
want it to become one big family again. INFR is one Indian rodeo world
finals and we want to develop another world finals. We want to make
Indian rodeo a big part of our tradition."
This year's AIPRCA finals are set for Nov. 8-10 at the McGee Park
in Farmington with $500 added money per event.
After drawing just 150 rodeo contestants last season, Redhorse says
he's hoping to sign up 300 to 500 contestants this year.
"We've got more support this year," he said. "We want
the grass roots rodeos to support the AIPRCA."
Redhorse admitted the the AIPRCA Interim Board of Directors has decided
against renewing efforts to rejoin the Indian National Finals Rodeo
(INFR) for now.
"The Interim Board decided on concentrating on the AIPRCA and
going back to where it was a few years back," Redhorse said.
"We still want to keep our doors open to other rodeo associations."
The AIPRCA will be kicking off its 2001 rodeo season this weekend
with its two-day Membership Drive Rodeo in Winslow, AZ. Rodeo performances
will be at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The AIPRCA will also be holding
its 2000 awards ceremony to honor last year's season champions at
Bojos Bar and Grill in Winslow Saturday at 6 p.m. Tickets are $6 at
the door.
The official AIPRCA season champions for last season were Donovan
Yazzie with winnings of $5,697.52 in the all-around; Leslie Etsitty
with winnings of $1,707 in the bareback; Bo Vocu with winnings of
$8,553 in the bull riding; Deb Robbins with winnings of $3,856 in
the breakaway roping; Luicus Sells with winnings of $3,395,18 in the
team roping for the heeler; Maro Sells with winnings of $3,639.68
in the team roping for the header; Allison Gorman with winnings of
$2,679 in the steer wrestling; Erich Rogers with winnings of $249
in the team roping No. 6/header; Ramos Benny with winnings of $3,922.39
in the saddle bronc; Donovan Yazzie with winnings of $3,933 in the
calf roping; and LA Williams with winnings of $1,754 in the barrel
racing.
Redhorse added that PRCA steer wrestling champion Tommy Cook will
be at the Winslow Rodeo this weekend.
The rest of the scheduled 2001 AIPRCA Rodeo Season are as follows:
Turquiose Classic Rodeo at Red Rock State Park May 26-27; Pinon Wild
West Rodeo in Pinon, AZ June 1-2; Coal Mine Rodeo June 2-3 (pending);
Coyote Springs Rodeo in Sanders, AZ June 9-10; Seba Forefathers Rodeo
June 16-17 in Dilkon, AZ; Kayenta 4th of July Rodeo July 5-7; Bernalillo
Championship Rodeo July 14-15; Ohkay Owingeh All Indian Rodeo in Espanola
July 14-15; Flagstaff Indian Pro Rodeo July 27-29; Holbrook Ahoohai
Days Rodeo Aug. 4-5; Ralph Johnson Memorial Rodeo in Ganado, AZ Aug.
18; Southwest Fair and Rodeo in Dilkon Aug. 25-26; Second Half Rodeo
Series Finale Rodeo Aug. 29-30; We All Make a Difference Series Finale
Rodeo Sept. 29-30 TBA; Arizona State Fair and Rodeo Oct. 13-14 in
Phoenix, AZ; and Orem Dam Rodeo (pending) in Fort McDowell, AZ Oct.
31-Nov. 3.
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Indian parents still have concerns
Some answers given about fed programs
Tara Drolma
Staff Writer
GRANTS — The communication gap between Native American parents
and the Grants/Cibola County school administration narrowed some Wednesday
night.
But the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) still has questions about
how Title VIII (Impact Aid) and Title IX (Indian education) federal
funds are spent and what the goals and objectives of the district
programs are.
Adela Holder, who is the coordinator for the programs, finally furnished
the committee the minutes of the meetings from October through March.
She also handed out a binder containing background information on
parent participation and a copy of the 2001-02 application for Title
VIII funds that was submitted in January.
The committee had been asking for a copy of the bylaws for the PAC
since January and they were included in the binder...
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Police ask for help in fatal hit and run
Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — Navajo police are asking the public's help in locating
a driver who hit and killed a 13-year-old Burnside Junction girl Sunday
night and injured her mother.
Anyone seeing a white pickup truck near the junction of U.S. 191 and
Arizona Route 264 between 8:50 and 9 p.m. should call Detective Eldon
Young or Capt. Gordon Toadlena of the Window Rock Criminal Investigations
District at (520) 871-7519.
Detectives especially want to talk with the driver and any passengers
in a sedan that was behind the truck that was headed toward The Summit
on Arizona Route 264.
The girl and her 34-year-old mother were walking on the edge of the
state highway after visiting the convenience store...
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Teachers' union: Racism at school
Bill Donovan
Staff Writer
GALLUP — Officials for the local teachers' union say they are
worried about conditions at Navajo Elementary School.
Tom Payton, president of the McKinley County federation of United
School employees, said Tuesday that he was so concerned about conditions
at the Navajo, N.M., school that he sent a letter to five chapters
in the area.
The letter, sent to the Sawmill, Crystal, Red Lake, Fort Defiance
and Mexican Springs chapters, warns tribal officials about the union's
concern "about the abusive treatment being made against teachers
by (county) school administrators."
Most of the concern seems to center around the school's principal,
Jed Stus, although the only name mentioned in the letter to chapter
officials was that of county school Superintendent Robert Gomez...
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Gamerco resident held in stabbings
Staff Report
GALLUP — A Gamerco man has been charged with four counts of
aggravated battery after he allegedly decided to resolve an
argument with four men by stabbing them.
Police identified the suspect as Jeremy Lucero, 25.
The incident occurred about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday at the Redwood Motel,
907 E. 66 Ave. Police were called to Room 12 where they discovered
three men with stab wounds. Another victim was discovered outside
the room.
The three inside the room Dean Smith, 35 and Cedric Dale, 44, both
of Gallup, and Gary Billie, 38 of Church Rock all had one stab wound
each, with Smith and Dale receiving wounds to the stomach and Billie,
a laceration to the face...
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BIA official faces Pine Springs crowd
Parents told school does have curriculum
Larry Di Giovanni
Staff Writer
PINE SPRINGS, Ariz. — About 40 community residents here speaking
as one voice on a variety of school and environmental issues with
a key Bureau of Indian Affairs representative got some answers Wednesday
and a promise of more later.
The overflow crowd at the Pine Springs BIA Day School was packed
into a small conference room. Members of the non-profit Pine Springs
Association led by President Wayne Wilson, his wife, Jennifer, and
association Vice President Irving Toddy voiced their complaints,
concerns and suggestions to Joe Frazier, deputy director of the
BIA's Office of Indian Education in Albuquerque.
Invited was William Mehojah, Office of Indian Education director,
who works in Washington. Wilson said he had spoken with a BIA Fort
Defiance office employee Tuesday, who said Mehojah would attend...
Georges pitches Panthers to victory
Carrie Loretto
Sports Editor
GALLUP — Gallup Catholic pitcher Carl Georges prepared for
Wednesday's district opener against Menaul in an
unorthodox manner.
He went out and got a tattoo.
The one-by-one inch Japanese symbol on his right bicep, which he
explained signified power and reflects an attitude that the senior
righthander has accepted his coach's prediction that any success
the Panthers have this season, rides heavily on Georges' role as
Gallup Catholic's top pitcher.
"To get a little inspiration, it's gotta carry me to state,"Georges
said of his new insignia which was completed two hours before the
game. It's on his throwing arm to remind him of his mission, he
added...
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Deaths
Josephine Paquin
GALLUP — Memorial services for Josephine Paquin, 77, will be
held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at Rollie Mortuary-Memorial Chapel.
Burial will follow at Quincey Panteah Memorial Cemetary, Zuni.
A traditional Zuni wake will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, April 6, at
Elizabeth Noche's home.
Paquin died April 3 in Gallup. She was born Dec. 23, 1923 in Zuni
into the Eagle Clan.
Survivors include her sons, Rueben Nuno of Reno, Nev., Adrian Paquin
and Sylvester Paquin, both of Gallup; daughters, Jessie Chamberlian
of Las Vegas, Nev., and Lavita Torres of Yah Ta Hey; sister, Amy Chuyate
of Zuni; 16 grandchildren
and 26 great-grandchildren.
Paquin was preceded in death by her parents; her sons, Ellison "Van"
Paquin and Marvin Paquin; brother, Austin Noche; and sister, Louella
Paywa.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Nuno, Jacob Paquin, Alan Peterson, Donny
Peterson, Scott Peterson and Leo Torrez Jr.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Santos Paredes
GALLUP — Services for Santos Paredes, 76, will be held at 1 p.m.
Friday, April 6, at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Father Pat Universal will
officiate. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery.
A rosary will be recited at Rollie Mortuary at 7 p.m. tonight.
Paredes was a member of VFW, Horseman Horseshoe Association and the
Archery Club. He served in the Navy during World War II.
Survivors include his sons, Ernie Paredes of Phoenix, Felix Paredes
and Richard Paredes, both of Gallup; daughter, Lupe Bond of Gallup;
brothers, Lalo Paredes and Simon Paredes, both of Gallup; sisters,
Jennie Castillo of Ontario, Calif., and Theresa Chavez, Nancy Esquibel,
Rose McClure, Concha Olvera and Susan Sanchez, all of Gallup; 10 grandchildren
and one great-grandchild.
Paredes was preceded in death by his wife, Louisa Paredes; parents,
Felix and Maria Paredes; and brother, Toby Paredes.
Pallbearers will be Andy Castillo, Michelle Chavez, Robert Esquibel,
Lori Ledezma, Vera Mazon, Micheal Olvera, Ralph Paredes and Tony M.
Sanchez.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Juanita M. Turner
PREWITT — Services for Juanita Turner, 55, will be held at 10
a.m. Friday, April 6, at Prewitt Church, Prewitt. Pastor Ruth Droll
will officiate. Burial will follow on family land, Prewitt.
Turner died April 1 in Albuquerque. She was born Nov. 8, 1945, in
Haystack into the Towering House Clan for the Chishi Diné.
Turner attended Inter-Mountain Indian School in Brigh+am City, Utah,
and trade school in Los Angeles, Calif. She was a silversmith. She
was a member of the Assembly of God Church and did outreach programs.
Her hobbies included cooking, sewing and traveling.
Survivors include her husband, Paul Turner of Prewitt; sons, David
Turner of Grants and Vincent Turner of Norfolk, Va.; daughters, Debbie
Ethridge of San Fidel, Lisa Cupp and Christina Turner, both of Prewitt;
sister, Judy Kenneth of Prewitt; and 17 grandchildren.
Turner was preceded in death by her son, Mark Turner, and mother,
Donna Martinez.
Pallbearers will be Robert Cupp, Tony Ethridge, Kenrick Kenneth, Verdale
Martinez, Jameson James and Randell Delgarito.
The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services
at Baca Chapter House.
Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Lissandra Ann Shirley
KLAGETOH, Ariz. — Services for Lissandra Shirley, 13, will be
held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 6, at Klagetoh Catholic Church. Father
Flann O'Neill will officiate. Burial will follow Klagetoh Community
Cemetery.
A rosary will be recited at 5 p.m. tonight at Tse Bonito Mortuary.
Shirley died April 1 in Ganado, Ariz. She was born Dec. 28, 1987,
in Ganado into the Black Sheep Clan for the Bitter Water Clan.
Shirley attended Ganado Middle School. She was an honor student with
many awards. Her hobbies were reading, listening to music and writing
poems. She also liked attending Ganado Hornet football games.
Survivors include her parents, Lorenzo and Pauline Shirley Sr.; brothers,
Lorenzo Jr. and Johnathan; sisters, Calandra, Samantha, Stephaine
and Lorena; and grandparents, Alice Shirley, Josephine and Paul L.
Lee Sr.
Shirley was preceded in death by her grandparents, Mary and Billie
E. Shirley.
Pallbearers will be Leon Lee, Philbert Shirley, Nate Billie, Devin
Billie and Robert Billie.
The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services
at Ganado Acres, Burnside Housing #39.
Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Nettie P. Benally
FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. — Services for Nettie Benally, 72, will
be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 6, at Fort Defiance Catholic Church.
Father Martan Rademaker will officiate. Burial will follow at Fort
Defiance Community Cemetery.
Benally died April 4 in Fort Defiance . She was born July 16, 1928,
in Fort Defiance into the Red Bottom Clan for the Near the Edge Water
Clan.
Benally attended school in Fort Wingate. She was employed with Indian
Health Services in Fort Defiance Public Health Hospital as a nursing
assistant, retiring in 1978. She was a homemaker and livestock owner.
Survivors include her husband, Steven Benally Sr of Fort Defiance;
sons, Delbert Benally Sr. and Steven Benally Jr., both of Fort Defiance;
daughters, Nan Lee Benally of Fruitland and Nita M. Kirk of Fort Defiance;
brothers, Benjamin Price of Window Rock, William Price of Coal Mine
and Willis Price of Fort Defiance; sister, Ruth Nez of Coal Mine;
13
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Benally was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Maggie Price;
brother, Wilson H. Price; and sisters, Lula Clauschee and Mary Martin.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Mabel Coho
PINEHILL — Services for Mabel Coho, 92, will be announced at
a later date.
Coho died April 3 in Albuquerque. She was born March 10, 1909, in
rural Ramah into the Apache Green Meadow Clan for the Bitter Water
People Clan.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
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