Officials: Budget cuts would scar Nation

By Pamela G. Dempsey
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Proposed federal budget cuts have Navajo Nation leaders concerned about decreases to key tribal programs.

With potential decreases to health, housing, and education, tribal officials have spoken out about how the decrease in funding will affect Indian Country.

Chester Carl, chief executive officer of Navajo Housing Authority and chairman of the National American Indian Housing Council, released a statement last week on how next year's budget could affect tribal housing needs.

More than 200,000 housing units are still needed on tribal lands, Carl said.

NAIHC is the driving force in bringing housing to Indian Country, he stated.

The proposed federal budget cuts Congressional funding entirely to this organization.

"The funding for these vital services is on the chopping block," Carl stated.

"A severe shortage of quality affordable housing is a prime concern in the Southwest region, as in all of Indian Country," he continued. "On the vast Navajo reservation, most communities are so remote that it is problematic just to get to a bank to cash a check or make a deposit."

While the Department of Health and Human Services could see an increase over last year's budget, cuts to specific programs within the department has Navajo health officials worried.

In a written statement to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs last month, executive director of the Navajo Nation's Division of Health, Anslem Roanhorse, said the tribe is "woefully concerned" about Bush's proposed $20.1 million decrease in health care facilities construction.

" ... the Kayenta Health Center finally gained standing on the Indian Health Service national priority listing for funding consideration," Roanhorse stated. "Because of the Fiscal Year 2007 President's budget request, funding for the construction of the facility could be adversely affected."

Urban health care faces elimination altogether.

The tribe's Division of Health reported that more than 60 percent of American Indians and Alaskan Natives live off the reservation in urban areas.

The federal Urban Indian Health Programs funds the Flagstaff, Ariz.-based organization Native Americans for Community Action.

If cut, about 5,000 American Indians in the area will lose health care services.

According to the Navajo Nation Washington Office, President Bush's proposed 2007 federal budget will:

• Decrease the Department of Interior's budget by nearly 3 percent from 10.8 billion in 2006 to 10.5 billion in 2007.
  
  This includes cuts to social services, housing, and scholarship programs, including elimination of the Johnson O'Malley program.
  
  
• Decrease the Environmental Protection Agency budget by 4 percent from 7.6 billion in 2006 to 7.3 billion in 2007.
  
  
• Increase the Department of Energy budget by less than 1 percent from 23.5 billion in 2006 to $23.5 billion in 2007.
  
  
• Increase the Department of Transportation budget by 7 percent from 60.2 billion in 2006 to $64.5 billion in 2007.
  
  This includes increases to the Federal Highway Administration and Highway Traffic Safety Grants.
  
  
• Decrease the Department of Education's budget by 5.4 percent from 57.5 billion in 2006 to 54.4 billion in 2007.
  
  The proposed budget, however, includes increases to the Office of Indian Education and Strengthening Tribal Community Colleges and Universities.
  
  
• Increase the Department of Health and Human Services budget by 9.11 percent from 639.6 billion in 2006 to 697.9 billion in 2007.
  
  The proposed budget, however, cuts construction money available for health care facilities, urban health care, and Indian Health facilities.
  
  
• Decrease the Department of Justice budget by 1.7 percent from 19.8 billion in 2006 to 19.4 billion in 2007.
  
  This includes 100 percent cuts to Indian Country prison grants, tribal courts, Indian Alcohol and Crime Demonstration Program, and tribal youth programs.
  
  
• Decrease the Department of Housing and Urban Development by 29.9 percent from 47.8 billion in 2006 to 33.5 billion in 2007.
  
  This includes cuts to the Community Development Block Grant and National American Indian Housing Council.
  
  
• Increases to the Department of Veterans Affairs by 12.6 percent from 71.8 billion in 2006 to 80.6 billion in 2007.