'Reformers' rolling over for Diné 'old guard?'
Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — When voters elected the Navajo Nation's 20th
legislature, they placed 51 new delegates — six more than
a majority — into office for four years. Most observers said
it would give Joe Shirley Jr. a reform-minded council to back
up his campaigning as a reform-minded president.
To determine if the council's focus would indeed be reform, the
delegates' choice for their leader was watched closely. Would
it be one of the "Reformers?" Or would it continue to
be a member of the "Old Guard?"
Two actions this week show the "Old Guard" remains in
control of the council.
On Monday, one of the six men who has been on the council since
the three-branch form of government began with the tribe, and
one of the returning 37 delegates, Lawrence T. Morgan, jumped
out in front, thanks to an astute political manuvering. His fellow
delegates in the Eastern Agency, except the two who also were
running for speaker, block-voted for him in the first round.
With this unshakable base of 16 votes, the delegate for the Iyanbito
and Pinedale Chapters east of Gallup gathered in another 16 votes
to tally 32 of the 88. No other candidate got more than 13 votes
in that first round.
In the runoff against a rookie legislator from the Northern Agency,
LoRenzo Bates of the Upper Fruitland Chapter, Morgan won by a
26-vote margin, 57-31. He succeeds Ed T. Begay who held the post
for consecutive terms. This also means that for the third consecutive
two-year term, the Eastern Agency will hold the speakership. Before
that, Kelsey Begaye of the Western
Agency held it for two terms after Nelson Gorman Jr. of the Chinle
Agency served as the first speaker for two terms.
On Tuesday, the council tackled which members will serve on particular
committees. Delegates in each of the five agencies previously
had met in caucuses and presented their lists. But Morgan rejected
some of them and the issue was raised on the floor.
But the new speaker survived his first challenge when a motion
by Fort Defiance Agency Caucus Leader Harold Wauneka (Fort Defiance
Chapter), with a second by Orlanda Smith-Hodge (Cornfields, Greasewood
Springs, Klagetoh and Wide Ruins), was defeated 37-46. It would
have ordered Morgan to meet with the 15 caucus officials to realign
his list.
The acknowledged master of the council floor, Delegate Ervin Keeswood
Sr. (Hogback), has a resolution on the agenda to extend the life
of the caucuses and take away some of the speaker's appointment
power.
Of the 37 veteran returning legislators, 32 will serve on the
same committees as they did in the last council. And every single
one of them got the appointment from the speaker as recommended
by their caucus.
In making his appointments, Morgan accepted 53 of the 55 recommendations
for each agency's member on every panel. The two adjustments were
because one caucus didn't list anyone for the Public Safety Committee.
He also had to shift some people because some committees were
overloaded with recommendations.
The changes came in the at-large representation. Unless delegates
recall the appointment resolution to the floor — it was approved
Tuesday by a 63-22 vote — and amend the list, Morgan's appointments
will remain:
Budget-Finance — Lorenzo Bedonie, Bennie Shelly, Ernest Hubbell,
Richard T. Begaye, Raymond Maxx, Jerry Bodie, Harold Wauneka and
Danny Simpson. The first five served on the same committee of
the 19th Council, with Bedonie as chairman, while Simpson is the
only newcomer with Bodie and Wauneka changing panels.
Tom LaPahe, Lawrence Platero, Ralph Bennett, Kenneth Maryboy,
Tommy Tsosie, Alice White, Roy Dempsey and Tim Morgan. LaPahe,
Platero, Bennett and Maryboy served on the same committee of the
19th Council with Platero as chairman and LaPahe as vice chairman.
The other four are newcomers.
Education — Andy Ayze, Ida Nelson, Edison Jones, Wallace
Charley, Leonard Chee, Curran Hannon, Katherine Benally and LoRenzo
Bates. Only Ayze and Charley were on the same committee of the
19th Council, as chairman and vice chairman, respectively. The
other six are newcomers.
Ethics-Rules — Arthur Yazzie, Joe Lee, Lee Jack Sr., David
Tom, Duane Tsinigine, Francis Redhouse, Roscoe Smith and Thomas
Walker Jr. Lee, Jack and Tsinigine served on the same committee
of the 19th Council. The other five are newcomers.
Government Services — Leo Begay, Charles Damon II, Orlanda
Smith-Hodge, Ervin Keeswood Sr., Roy Laughter, Mel Begay, Cecil
Frank Eriacho and Leonard Teller. Keeswood was chairman and Smith-Hodge
vice chairman of the committee on the 19th Council. The other
six are newcomers.
Health-Social Services — Eddie Arthur, Harry Hubbard, Jerry
Freddie, Willie Johnson Sr., Evelyn Acothley, Peterson Yazzie,
Alice Benally and Harry Williams Sr. Hubbard, Freddie and Yazzie
served on the same committee of the 19th Council with Freddie
as chairman.
Human Services — Elbert Wheeler, Young Jeff Tom, Omer Begay
Jr., Woody Lee, Philbert Tso, Larry Anderson Sr., Harriet Becenti
and Tom White Jr. Tom and Begay served on the same committee of
the 19th Council with Tom as chairman.
Judiciary — Nelson Gorman Jr., Ernest Yazzie Jr., Raymond
Berchman, Rex Lee Jim, Willie Grayeyes, LeRoy Thomas, Edward Padilla
and Kee Allen Begay Jr. Gorman and Grayeyes served on the same
committee in the 19th Council with Grayeyes as vice chairman.
Public Safety — Harry Clark, Harry Willeto, Benjamin Curtis,
Pete Ken Atcitty, Harry Brown Sr., Lorenzo Curley and Hope MacDonald-Lonetree.
Clark and Willeto served on the same committee in the 19th Council.
All the rest are newcomers. Since the Speaker is the 88th delegate,
this panel is the one with seven instead of eight members.
Resources — Amos Johnson, LaVern Wagner, Norman John II,
George Arthur, Harry Goldtooth, Herman Daniels Sr., Nelson Begaye
and Larry Noble. John, Arthur and Daniels served on the same committee
of the 19th Council and Noble changed committees.
Transportation-Community Development — Johnny Naize, David
Rico, Sampson Begay, Mark Maryboy, Leslie Dele, Willie Begay,
Edward Jim Sr. and Willie Tracey Jr. Sampson Begay and Maryboy
served on the same committee of the 19th Council with Naize and
Jim changing committees.
Here is the list of the 18 newcomers assigned to a committee other
than what their caucuses recommended:
Danny Simpson, wanted Economic Development, received Budget-Finance.
Roy Dempsey, wanted Public Safety, received Economic Development.
Tim Morgan, wanted Budget-Finance, received Economic Development.
Curran Hannon, wanted Ethics, received Education.
Katherine Benally, wanted Budget-Finance, received Education.
LoRenzo Bates, wanted Economic Development, received Education.
David Tom, wanted Education as the Northern Agency rep, received
Ethics-Rules as the agency rep.
Francis Redhouse, wanted Resources, received Ethics-Rules.
Thomas Walker Jr., wanted Health-Social Services, received Ethics-Rules.
Cecil Frank Eriacho, wanted Transportation-Community Development,
received Government Services.
Leonard Teller, wanted Budget-Finance, received Government Services.
Tom White Jr., wanted Resources, received Human Services.
Edward Padilla, wanted Education, received Judiciary.
Kee Allen Begay Jr., wanted Health-Social Services, received Judiciary.
Pete Ken Atcitty, wanted Ethics-Rules as Northern Agency rep,
received Public Safety as agency rep.
Lorenzo Curley, wanted Economic-Development, received Public Safety.
Hope MacDonald-Lonetree, wanted Government Services, received
Public Safety.
Nelson Begaye, wanted Transportation-Community Development, received
Resources.
One incumbent, Larry Noble, wanted Education, but received Resources.
Four of the newcomers served in previous councils, but not the
19th Council. They are Harry Brown Sr., Leonard Chee, Leo
Begay and Larry Anderson Sr.
The new committees met Tuesday afternoon to select their chairs
and vice chairs with the resolutions of leadership to be voted
upon today.
After the winter session concludes Friday, the panels will begin
meeting next week, earning $60 a day and mileage for each
meeting, with the chairman receiving $80 instead because of the
extra duties.
Under tribal law, each committee is scheduled to meet at a regular
time and place twice a month, but the per diem and mileage —
which almost doubled a delegate's salary in a couple of instances
on the last council — being paid for each meeting.
The branch budget allows each panel a selected number of special
meetings.
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Highly placed city employee is arrested
on battery
Joe Kolb
Staff Writer
GALLUP — A high ranking Gallup City employee was arrested at
his City Hall office on Monday afternoon, according to the New Mexico
State Police.
Marco Abeita, 31, of Gallup, was taken into custody Monday afternoon
on charges of battery upon a household member.
Abeita, who serves as the contract manager in the Procurement Department
of the City of Gallup, was released 22 minutes later after posting
a $1,000 bond, according to the McKinley County Magistrate Court.
Judge Grant Foutz signed the affadvit for the arrest warrant for Abeita
in connection with a domestic disturbance which occurred Saturday.
According to the affadavit, police were summoned to 3614 Zia Drive
in Gallup at approximately 6:35 p.m. where police questioned the victim
Vanessa Brown, 30, of Gallup. She said Abeita arrived at her residence
to discuss Super Bowl party plans.
She said Abeita began cursing at her regarding her going out with
friends the previous evening and seeing other men. The affadavit states
that Brown noticed the smell of alcohol on Abeita's breath and asked
him to leave. At this point he began pushing her.
The affadavit states that he grabbed her arm and pushed her against
a wall. Brown said that if he didn't leave she would call police.
Abeita's anger escalated to where he allegedly pushed Brown more and
attempted to slap her in the face.
The affadavit then states that he grabbed her by the wrist and swung
Brown against a kitchen table. He then grabbed her by her other wrist
and pushed her against the refrigerator.
Brown is reported to have attempted to fight back kicking Abeta until
he let her go. He is then reported to have then left the residence.
This isn't the first time Abeita and Brown have had a domestic disturbance
which resulted in law enforcement being summoned. On Dec. 27, 2002,
Galup Police responded to 3614 Zia Drive in Gallup at 10:57 p.m. in
respose to a domestic dispute.
Acording to the report, Brown reported Abeita hit her during a 15-minute
brawl resulting from an argument about Abeita's work on bathroom pipes.
The incident is reported to have ended when Abeita punched Brown in
the nose causing it to bleed.
Abeita then left the residence.
When asked by police what occurred, Abeita stated that Brown started
the argument and attacked him. According to the police report both
Brown and Abeita had been drinking prior to the incident. Abeita was
placed under arrest and transported to the county jail where he was
booked on battery of a household member.
When questioned regarding the most recent incident, City Manager Buck
Monday said, "I certainly don't like it, however it's a law enforcement
matter."
Although there is no plans for any disciplinary action from the city
at this time, city Executive Director of Administrative Services Larry
Binkley said they will keep a close watch on what happens further
in terms of the court's decisions.
"We have to see what the final outcome is," he said. Binkley
said he will look into the city regulations regarding what disciplinary
actions, if any can be taken in such instances.
"We can recommend counseling, as his supervisors, and that might
be an option," Binkley said.
Abeita could not be reached for comment.
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Area doc gets dose of Army's 'hurry
up & wait'
Joe Kolb
Staff Writer
GALLUP — As the military build-up in the Middle East continues
and increasing numbers of civilian-soldiers are being called to duty.
One local reservist was on the verge of leaving everything when his
call to duty was put on hold.
Bryan Kamps, M.D. the only surgical orthopedist at Rehoboth McKinley
Christian Hospital, was literally packed and ready to leave today
when his deployment was indefinitely postponed.
"I check my e-mail periodically from my unit," said Kamps.
"A few weeks ago there was a unit 'warning' which was recently
upgraded to an 'alert.'"
During the interview with the Independent, Kamps glanced at his computer
screen where he just received an updated message. "It seems I
have to report by Thursday morning," he said. In all probability,
this means he'll be leaving to join the 396 Combat Support Hospital
in Vancouver, Wash., Wednesday.
Monday night, however, Kamps received a call from his unit telling
him that he would not be going with this round of deployments.
Being the only orthopedic surgeon at Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital
who performs surgeries, the impact on the community would be profound.
"We are contacting surgeons for temporary help," said Herb
Mosher, spokesman for RMCH of Kamp's potential deployment which could
last three months. Kamps said his deployment could be longer due to
the shortage of specialty physicians in the Army.
According to Mosher, the hospital had the right to petition the New
Mexico delegation on behalf of Kamps as a hardship case due to his
unique status at the hospital.
"The U.S Army Reserves has notified Dr. Kamps that his call up
has been indefinitely postponed," said Mosher. He said that something
caused the postponement. "We're pleased that Dr. Kamps didn't
have to leave," said Mosher.
"This is an extremely busy time of year for us," Mosher
said. "Brian made a commitment in 1990 to serve our country and
we're all proud of him."
This wouldn't be the first time Kamps has been deployed for military
service. For nine months between 1997-1998 Kamps was deployed to Bosnia
where he performed combat and civilian procedures. He said that during
his deployment to Bosnia, his services were not needed as much as
he thought. "I didn't do much — and that's a good thing,"
said Kamps who provided support to U.S. and multi-national troops
after the brunt of hostilities had ended.
Kamps, who is a 13-year veteran in the U.S Army reserves holds the
rank of lieutenant colonel. "I joined while in my residency,"
he said. "There was a certain degree of patriotism involved,"
said Kamps who said he also wanted to take advantage of the other
benefits afforded physicians.
"I figured that if the military needed my service I was ready
to provide that in time of war," Kamps said.
This time around he ponders the uncertainty of his role. "I wish
I knew," he said gazing away-rubbing his chin.
"I think about the projected role of our military around the
world how it is used — is subject to debate," said Kamps.
With the potential for being sent off to perform his duty, Kamps was
reluctant to discuss the future further. "I'm in the military
and have to be careful of what I say about our leaders," he said.
"I'll do what I have to do," he said of the politicians
who decide policy.
"I do pray that this potential conflict ends peacefully."
Kamps said the hospital has been very supportive. "Yeah logistics
is a big headache, making sure patients get taken care of," he
said. Kamps is appreciative of the cooperation the hospital and community
has shown him, but keeps his role in perspective.
"I don't want my name splashed across the paper as if I'm doing
something great without recognizing the people from around here who
are doing a lot more," he said. "They'll be in alot more
danger than I will be."
According to Mosher, Dr. Kamps has already re-scheduled all office
visits and elective surgeries.
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Area lawmaker revives Indian education
bill
Kristen Davenport
Special to the Independent
SANTA FE — A bill to help American Indian students that died
under Gary Johnson's veto pen last year has been revived by the New
Mexico State Legislature.
Sen. Leonard Tsosie, a Navajo Democrat from Crownpoint, has reintroduced
the Indian Education Act to help Navajo and pueblo students. Sen.
Lidio Rainaldi of Gallup and Rep. Ray Begaye of Shiprock also are
sponsoring the legislation.
The bill gives $3.5 million to create a new division within the state
Department of Education to oversee Indian education in the state.
The department would be authorized to work with tribes and the Bureau
of Indian Affairs.
Last year, the bill only asked for about $2.5 million. Despite being
passed unanimously by the state's House and Senate, Johnson vetoed
the bill, saying the state couldn't afford it.
"It's really my first priority for the session," said Tsosie.
"The idea behind this is we need to elevate the importance of
Indian education in the state. This requires that the state reach
out to Indian schools."
Many schools on the state's "corrective action list" —
schools not performing up to par — have high Indian student populations.
In fact, Tsosie said, nearly every school outside the Rio Grande corridor
on the list largely serves Native American students.
"That is not a good report card for us," he said. "We've
been neglecting Indian students." Schools on tribal lands also
have the highest drop-out rates in the nation.
The Indian Education Act also stipulates that the state should find
ways for schools near tribal lands to find ways to teach tribal languages.
It also asks that the state find ways to have culturally relevant
books and materialsfor Indian students in public schools.
The law, if passed, would also expand the scope and intent of the
existing Indian Education Advisory Council, as well as require school
districts to attempt to recruit and train American Indian teachers
and school administrators.
It would also require school districts to do more for Indian populations.
Districts based out of Gallup or Farmngton which encompass native
lands would have to get tribal governments to sign off on district
policies that affect their students. Districts would also be required
to track student performance and attendance, which would be reported
to tribes.
Gov. Bill Richardson, in his first term, has indicated he will likely
support the bill. However, it must first go through several legislative
committees — including the education and finance committees —
before a vote from the full Senate and House.
Nearly a dozen senators from across the state signed on as co-sponsors
of the legislation.
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Area Sports
Michael Peretti
Sports Editor
GALLUP — The boys game was a lot closer than the girls game,
but in both cases it was not very much of a game.
After the Ramah Lady Mustangs showed just how powerful they are with
an offensive show, defeating Gallup Catholic 107-16, the Panther boys
put on a show of their own. The Panther boys turned 20 Ramah turnovers
in the second half into 38 points on their way to an easy 76-53 win
in a key district matchup Tuesday night.
"We had a pretty tough pre-season schedule and always had one
or two players hurt," said Gallup Catholic Head Coach Vince Lonetree
after the game. "But we are really clicking right now and we
are where we want to be."
The Panthers are sitting in control of the district right now, improving
to 13-5 on the year, 3-0 in district. The Panthers still have to play
Alamo-Navajo in a district matchup, but Alamo-Navajo has already lost
a district game to Quemado.
"The boys look really tough right now, but in this district you
can never tell. One team can have a bad night and another can have
a really good night," Lonetree added.
The Panthers jumped ahead early, but Ramah was able to cut the lead
to six by the end of the first quarter, trailing 15-9.
The Mustangs, (4-9, 0-1 district) opened the second quarter on a 6-0
run to tie the game, but that would be the last time the Panthers
would be tied.
Gallup Catholic regained the lead with three quick turnovers and pushed
their lead to 30-23 by half-time. Late in the quarter the Panthers
did the job from the free throw line, hitting 7-of-8 in the final
two minutes of the half. During a 6-0 run that pulled the Panthers
ahead, James Kezele turned two Panther steals into dunks that got
the crowd into the game.
Ramah quickly got back into the game coming out of the half with a
6-0 run to cut the lead to one, 30-29 but that would be the last time
the Mustangs would be a threat.
With five minutes remaining the Panthers put on a defensive show and
a scoring clinic, going on a 24-5 run to finish the quarter. The run
included an 18-0 run in which Raphael Jones turned six Panther steals
into 12 points. In all, the Panthers caused 10 turnovers, eight on
steals.
It was more of the same in the fourth quarter, as the Panthers continued
the pressure causing 11 more turnovers, nine on steals.
In the final quarter Falgoon Patel scored eight points.
"We made a lot of mental mistakes," said Ramah Head Coach
Grant Clawson. "Part of the time we looked pretty good, but at
other times we looked like we haven't played all year."
Ten different Ramah players scored in the game, with Carlos George
being the only player in double figures with 13.
Leading the way for the Panthers was Patel with 27 points followed
by Jones with 20. James Kezele added 10 with a near triple double.
Kezele finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and eight blocks in
the game. Aaron Kezele finished with eight points before fouling out
and DJ Biava scored seven and had nine steals before fouling out.
Girls — Ramah 107, Gallup Catholic 16
It was a blowout from the beginning, with Ramah jumping ahead 37-2
at the end of the first quarter and never looking back.
The Mustangs, 14-0, 1-0 in district added 31 more points in the second
half, taking a 68-6 lead into the locker room.
Ahead 87-10 at the end of the third quarter, the Lady Mustangs had
no problem picking up their first district win in their district opener.
Candice Gibbons scored 19 for the Lady Mustangs, Sophia Bee had 16,
Justina George added 28, and Juanita Antonio scored 23.
Leading the way for the lady Panthers (0-13, 0-3 district) was Maggie
Killgore with eight.
Ramah Head Coach Mike Hyatt said that he thought his team did fine
and that they are looking pretty strong right now.
"We have some pretty tough teams ahead," he said. We play
Alamo-Navajo and then Quemado. We are really excited to play them."
Hyatt said that he thinks Alamo-Navajo may be the team to beat in
the district and that it should be a tough game.
Hyatt said that one thing his team needs to work on is their man-to-man
defense. He said that when the Lady Mustangs went to man defense early
in the third quarter that the Panther were able to get some open shots.
"When we went man-to-man I wasn't very impressed," he said.
It was the first time we tried it in a game. Usually we half court
or full court press the whole game."
"Before the season even started I brought an article in about
a team that got whipped by 130 points," said Gallup Catholic
Head Coach Geniveive Cooley. "When I brought the article in I
had Ramah in mind because I knew what they were capable of. I am very
proud of every single one of my girls because none of them ever gave
up."
Cooley said that she talked to the girls after the game and that each
one gave their all, so she was not disappointed.
"There were some really good things that we did tonight,"
she added. "But the one thing that really upsets me is that the
coach from Ramah did not even have the decency to come and shake hands
after the game. I think he should have shown better sportsmanship
than that."
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State police nab 'Road Predator'
Joe Kolb
Staff Writer
New Mexico State Police arrested what they refer as a 'Road Predator,'
at a DWI check point, Friday morning.
According to Sgt. Darren Soland, Joseph Leny Curley,49, of Nazlini,
Ariz., was arrested Friday at approximately 11 a.m. at a DWI Checkpoint
staged on Hwy. 608 by the gallup Flea Market. Curley was charged
with driving while intoxicated-a fourth degree felony in this case,
driving with a revoked license, possession of an open liquor container,
illegally backing up and not wearing a seat belt...
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Navajo Nation Water Resources Committee hoping for
change
Larry Di Giovanni
Staff Writer
WINDOW ROCK — With five new delegates and just three re-elected
members returning to the Navajo Nation Resources Committee, the
powerful eight-member body that handles such issues as water rights
and coal mine leases was ripe for change.
Change may be on hold a while, though the need for it was addressed
by Delegate Amos Johnson (Forest Lake/Black Mesa/Rough Rock.) Johnson,
a former tribal Department of Water Resources hydrologist, lost
his bid Tuesday to become the Resources Committee chairman. Delegate
George Arthur (San Juan/Nenahnezad/Burnham) bested Johnson by 5-3
on a secret ballot...
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Deaths
Hijobah Tsosie
TSELANI, Ariz., — Services for Hijobah Tsosie, 99, were
held at 10 a.m. today at the Upperoom Church, Tselani, Ariz.
Pastor Frank James officiated. Burial followed at the family
plot in Tselani.
Tsosie died Jan. 24 in chinle. She was born Dec. 2, 1904 in
Hunter Point, Ariz., into the Bitter Water People Clan for
the Many Goat People clan.
Tsosie was a homemaker sheepherder and rug weaver. She enjoyed
cooking, sewing, farming walking and horseback riding.
Survivors include her sons Joe B. Tsosie of Flagstaff, Billy
Tsosie of Tselani; daughter Oleta Curtis of Lake Havasu, Ariz.;
10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.
Tsosie was preceded in death by her daughter Juaita Tsosie.
Pallbearers were Joe B. Tsosie, Billy Tsosie, Jerry Lee, Jody
Tsosie, Donovan Tsosie and Roy Curtis.
Family and friends gathered after services at the Tsosie residence,
south of Old Salina Springs Trading Post.
Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Cedric B. Begay
NASCHITTI — Services for Cedric B. Begay, 36, will be
held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan 30 at St. Anthony Catholic Church
in
Naschitti. Father John Mittlestadt will officiate. Burial
will take place at the Naschitti Community Cemetery.
Begay died Jan. 25 in Sheepsprings, N.M. He was born Sept.
16, 1966 in Gallup.
Survivors include his wife Roseann Y. Begay; sons Brandon
Kyle Begay and Warren Keith Begay; daughter Catherine K.
Begay, all of Nascitti; parents Sherman J. and Rita F. Begay
of Naschitti; brothers Michael Wayne Begay, Terrance S. Begay
and Sherman J. Begay Jr., all of Naschitti; sister Alverna
M. Smith, of Naschitti.
The family will receive friends and relatives at the Naschitti
Chapter House after services.
Larry Keedah. Sr.
SHEEPSPRINGS, N.M. — Services for Larry Keedah, Sr.,
53, will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 at the Brewer,
Lee and Larkin Funeral Home Chapel in Shiprock. Burial will
follow at the Community Cemetery in Sheepsprings. A reception
will be held at the Sheepsprings Chapter House after burial.
Keedah died Jan. 25 in Farmington. He was born Dec. 23, 1949
in Sheepsprings.
Keedah was a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam era. He was also
a sandpainter.
Survivors include his wife Martha Keedah of Sheepsprings;
sons Jason Yazzie and Larry Keedah Jr. of Farmington, Fredrick
P. Keedah and Mike F. Keedah of Sheepsprings; daughters Delphine
Keedah-Yazzie of Kirtland, N.M., Lydia Keedah-
Woods of Coyote Canyon, N.M., Estrella Keedah of Gallup, Adrienne
Joe, Marthaleen Lynette Keedah and Francesca Lynette
Keedah, all of Sheepsprings; sisters Emma Nolan of Shiprock,
Violet Johnson of Kirtland, Irene T. Begay of Sheepsprings
and Rose Mike of Toadlena, N.M.; brothers Roy Keedah of Albuquerque
and Ernest Keedah of Sanders, Ariz. and eight
grandchildren.
Keedah was preceded in death by his son Travis Mike Keedah;
parents Frank and Estella Keedah; sister Mary Lou Peshlakai
and a brother Paul Napoleon.
Pallbearers will be Christopher Yazzi, Kendrick Yazzie, Tully
Yazzie Jr., Lionel Yazzie, Albert Yazzie, Michael Joe, LeAndrew
Joe, Irvin Burley, Marvin Joe and Thomas Bryant.
Jimmy Lee Ortiz
BLOOMFIELD — Services for Jimmy Lee Ortiz, 42, will be
announced at a later date. Ortiz died Jan. 26 in Farmington.
He
was born Jan. 29, 1960 in Red Rock. N.M.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
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