Agencies preparing for inaugurations

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation’s five agencies are preparing for inaugurations, which are scheduled for the week of Jan. 5.

The Navajo Board of Election Supervisors heard a report from Navajo Election Administration Director Edison Wauneka on the progress of the plans for the inaugurations for new chapter officials.

On Jan. 5, the Eastern Agency will hold its inauguration; on Jan. 6 the Western Agency will hold its ceremony; on Jan. 7 the Central Agency will have its inauguration; on Jan. 8 is the Fort Defiance Agency inauguration; and on Jan. 9 will be the Shiprock Agency inauguration ceremony.

Each of the ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. Each agency is working closely with the Local Governance Support Centers, Wauneka said.

“The only problem they are running into is lack of funding,” he said.

Wauneka said that they may try to get funding at the Navajo Nation Council special session set for Dec. 18 — either through a rider or through an emergency appropriation.

Wauneka also updated the board on several initiatives by local chapters. He said that To’ Nanees Dizi chapter is attempting to enact a local tax and it wanted a supporting resolution from the board. Wauneka explained that the authority of the board is to approve a referendum and/or ballot language, not to issue a supporting document.

A joint meeting was requested by Herman Tso of LeChee chapter to discuss the chapter’s gaming effort, but Tso wants to first meet with Navajo gaming officials before scheduling a meeting.