Shirley addresses delegates
President thanks delegates in what could be his last council address

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. — in what could be the final time he addresses the 20th Navajo Nation Council — thanked the delegates for their hard work and commitment to improving life on the reservation.

Prominent on the president's mind was the end to the 40-year long Bennett Freeze stalemate between the Navajo and Hopi tribes.

"We were able to enter a new era of friendship with our closest neighbors, the Hopi," Shirley said. "The effort to rebuild that area can begin at last."

Because ofthe freeze, neither tribe was allowed to build any new construction or improve existing structures on the disputed land.

The two tribes were able to set their differences aside and stand together to fight to protect the sacred San Francisco Peaks, he added.

The 20th council was strong in protecting the Navajo people, protecting sovereignty and working for improved water rights, Shirley said.

"This Navajo council said 'Our land and our people will be protected,' "the president said.

Shirley singled out the work to enact the Navajo Natural Resources Act by Delegate George Arthur and the efforts offered by Attorney General Louis Dennetsosie.

For the most part the relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government was positive, Shirley said. Both branches understood that "the purpose of government is to correct problems when they arise," Shirley added.

By supporting the Desert Rock Energy Project, the council has looked to the future and hastened the day when increased revenue will flow into the Nation's coffers, Shirley said.

"To enhance the Navajo economy, we need more Navajo businesses," Shirley said. To that end, the Nation has become the first Indian tribe to win the right to govern its own business site leases by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, he said.

"It's a good strong address by the president," said Delegate Leslie Dele. "It touched on all the important issues."

Delegate Amos F. Johnson also liked the president's State of the Nation address and lamented that he hadn't delivered such a thorough report sooner.

Sovereignty is an important issue and not one that Nation will let fall by the wayside, said Delegate LaVern Wagner.

It is a shame that when Indian nations are in such dire need, millions of dollars are flowing to Iraq, said Delegate Peterson Yazzie.

"It shouldn't be that way," Yazzie said.

John Christian Hopkins can be reached at hopkins1960@hotmail.com or by calling 505-371-5443.