Shirley questions Iraq war
Says Indians will suffer because of war funding

By Pamela G. Dempsey
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Endorsing John Kerry for U.S. president was a stand of sovereignty, said Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. in a press conference last week.

"I don't think we were wrong (in endorsing Kerry)," Shirley said. "I think we were right. My position is we are an independent, sovereign nation. When are we going to conduct ourselves as such?"

And independent choices are what Shirley believes in.

The Navajo Nation has seen many of its own members join U.S. efforts in Iraq and unfortunately, has also seen a few of its members die there.

"We've lost three soldiers from here and have two wounded," Shirley said. "Definitely, it's hit home. I ask myself why."

He said enlisting is an individual's choice and while he supports individual choices, he doesn't support the deaths.

"I look it as a waste," he said.

Shirley said he doesn't see any reason for the country's "rush to war" and the effects it has had.

"I haven't in my mind justified the war," Shirley said. "We don't have any friends out there anymore; there is devastation out there ... the grandfathers getting killed, the grandmothers getting killed.

"Why did we rush into war? We have all the time to spread freedom," he continued.

It's the war that will affect federal funding of Native American programs, Shirley said.

"Who's going to rebuild," he said. "Native programs are already under-funded to begin with and will continue to be under-funded."

Shirley issued a statement after President George W. Bush was re-elected to office, urging Bush to work with the tribe and develop "true government-to-government relationships."

Shirley said last week that the Navajo Nation will continue to work with the current presidential administration.

"I think what we're pushing is the compromise," he said.

To contact reporter Pam Dempsey call (505) 879-1707 or email pamelagdempsey@msn.com