PHOENIX  – Jerald John Dillon, 27, of Bylas, Ariz., a member of the San Carlos Apache Indian Tribe, was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg.  Dillon pleaded guilty on April 15, 2010, to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.

On March 9, 2009, Dillon and the victim were socializing and consuming alcohol on the San Carlos Community. During a brief argument, the victim dared Dillon to hit him. Dillon picked up a 2×4 board and struck the victim in the head, causing serious injury to the victim, including a moderate skull fracture.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the San Carlos Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Thomas C. Simon, Assistant United States Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:    CR-10-00235-PHX-JAT

RELEASE NUMBER: 2010-145 (Dillon)

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Education Committee of the 21st Navajo Nation Council passed a resolution today supporting the Gallup McKinley County Public Schools’ revised Impact Aid Indian Policies and Procedures for the 2009-2010 academic school year.

The resolution, Tracking No. 0396-10, sponsored by Leonard Anthony (Shiprock), was approved by the committee with a vote of 5-0 and now goes to the Intergovernmental Relations Committee for final standing committee approval.

Carmen Moffett, director for the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Consolidated Programs, said Gallup McKinley County Schools’ (GMCS) goal is to provide Native American students access to equal educational opportunities and activities under the Impact Aid Indian Policies and Procedures.

Impact Aid, under Title VIII of the NCLB Act, assists local school districts with supplemental funding. School districts that have lost property tax revenue from students who live on tax-exempt federal property such as Navajo and Zuni students who live on tribal trust lands are eligible for impact aid.

The GMCS school district serves a huge Navajo and Zuni student population who do not benefit from the City of Gallup’s property tax base; thus, application for impact aid and collaboration with tribal leaders such as Navajo Nation Council delegates concerning the Impact Aid Indian Policies and Procedures is an important aspect of the process.

Although the law does not require the president of any tribal nation to approve the policies and procedures, the GMCS school district involves the tribal leadership of President Joe Shirley out of courtesy efforts. The Indian Polices and Procedures also provides opportunities for Native American parents and communities to participate in the impact aid process through meetings held through an academic school year.

“It is a requirement under the US Department of Education,” Moffett said. “Any time a school district applies for impact funding it must have Indian Policies and Procedures adopted by its Board of Education.” In the case of GMCS, approval is required from Navajo Nation Chapters, the Pueblo of Zuni and parents of Native American children.

Moffett added that the school district receives approximately $5.6 to $7.1 million per year in impact aid and said about 80 percent of the impact aid goes to personnel. The impact aid pays for counselors at all 19 elementary schools and secondary schools and educational assistants, she said.

“We appreciate this responsibility to recognize this very important piece of legislation on behalf of GMCS,” Anthony said. “This is going to serve Navajo children that live on Indian boundaries and sets precedence for other school districts that operate on Navajo Nation lands. The passage of this resolution means that Navajo leaders are taking care of Indian children in the GMCS school district.”

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Pinedale Chapter will be hosting the 2010 Eastern Navajo Youth Week and festivities for the fourth year on July 13-15 in Pinedale, N.M. The event will feature a series of seminars, motivational games, educational presentations and plenty of exciting activities.

“One of the premiere events is the Annual Motorcycle Motorcade and bike show, which will be judged by the general public,” said Anselm Morgan, president of the Pinedale Chapter. “The event usually draws plenty of thrill-seekers, people from across the Navajo Nation and information booths from various programs.”

The event also includes live music performances from various soft rock bands, Christian and country bands. The event is promoting a drug free and trouble free environment.

The schedule of events:

• Tuesday, July 13 – Indoor educational presentation and outdoor games, horse care seminar, petting zoo and archery.
• Wednesday, July 14 – Outdoor games, information booths, watermelon, live music, sheep seminar, horse shoe toss, livestock care seminar, educational and military booths. Motorcycle motorcade and judging with live music at 6 p.m.
• Thursday, July 15 – Various indoor and outdoor activities.

The Pinedale Chapter invites programs to set-up a booth to hand out promotional items and to educate community members about their programs. Chapters are also encouraged to bring their summer youth employees to participate in the event.

For more information, contact the Pinedale Chapter at 505-786-2208.

 PHOENIX  – Patrick Hinton, 54, of Bylas, Ariz., a member of the San Carlos Apache Indian Tribe, was sentenced today to 235 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg.  Hinton pleaded guilty on April 15, 2010, to Second Degree Murder.

On April 11, 2009, Hinton and the victim were socializing and consuming alcohol on the San Carlos Community. During a brief argument, defendant recklessly pointed a .22 caliber rifle at the victim with the intent to frighten her.  The rifle then discharged, the bullet striking the victim in the head, causing her death.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the San Carlos Police Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Thomas C. Simon, Assistant United States Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.       

CASE NUMBER:    CR-09-1138-PHX-JAT

RELEASE NUMBER: 2010-142( Hinton)

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Budget and Finance Committee of the 21st Navajo Nation Council heard a report today regarding the Office of the Auditor General’s special review of the Office of the First Lady (OFL), which addressed pressing matters concerning the use of expenditures and activities.

The audit report investigated the allege purchase of iPhones for the First Lady’s children, excessive abuse of a tribally assigned vehicle, donations, performance measures and insurance coverage for the First Lady’s children on the tribal airplane. The special review covered Fiscal Year 2009.

Although the audit found no conclusive evidence regarding the OFL’s purchase of iPhones, abuse of tribal vehicles and the like, it did find that the OFL was in major violation of the following:

1) Lack of Oversight over Purchase card (p-card) expenditures – approximately $1400 in p-card transactions lacked documentation; gift cards totaling $3500 were identified and are considered as goods and services which governments generally do not provide.

2) Lack of Prudence when utilizing the Navajo Nation tribal airplane – four trips were identified in which the First Lady used the tribal plane for pick up in Chinle, Ariz., costing the Navajo Nation $1,000 compared to only $200 if a tribal vehicle was used.

The audit was conducted in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. “Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to afford a reasonable basis for our judgments and findings regarding the entity under audit,” the audit report states.

Elizabeth Begay, acting auditor general, said the OFL is to submit a corrective action by July 9, which will consist of the Office of the Auditor General’s recommendations. The recommendations include: proper review by the p-cardholder; p-card reconciler and approver ensuring p-cardholders complete statement packages on time; p-card reconciler and approver ensuring final statements are submitted to the Office of the Controller; and recommending the OFL of using the tribal plane only when it is economically feasible.

“We are recommending the Office of the First Lady to comply with the operation procedures,” Begay said. “They will have to do a corrective action plan with these recommendations.” 

“There seems to be justification of the airplane and other excessive use, but I fail to see the justifications,” Council Delegate Leonard Chee (Birdsprings/Leupp/Tolani Lake) said in response to hearing the report. “A tribal plane was used to pick up children for basketball games. I wonder how much time was investigated in this audit. The way I read the report it seems like anyone can get on the tribal plane as long as insurance is provided.”

Chee also said that if the First Lady is not a tribal employee and instead a volunteer, “What is a volunteer and what are they entitled to?”

In response, Begay said there is no specific provision under the Navajo Nation purchasing procedures for volunteers. She further stated the First Lady was not at issue here but it was her staff who expended her budget.

“Regarding travel, the first lady is paid per diem,” Begay added. “We reviewed insurance coverage. As long as passengers have permission by Navajo Nation elected officials or employees, then the passengers will be covered under the insurance.”

Council Delegate Lorenzo Curley (Houck/Lupton/Nahata Dzil) asked what the remedies were for failure to meet p-card guidelines.

Beverly Tom, the auditor who conducted the audit, said p-cards can be suspended from the programs that abuse them, which is in accordance with purchase card procedures.

“I can say that if you go through the forest, it is not in here as a recommendation,” Curley remarked.

“We did not recommend the cancellation of the p-card because that is the responsibility of the Office of the Controller,” Begay explained. “The Office of the Controller is supposed to cancel the p-card but that did not happen.”

Mark Grant, controller for the Navajo Nation, added that a memo was sent out the previous fiscal year detailing departments and programs of their responsibility of the p-card expenditure and reconciliation process.

Patrick Sandoval, chief of staff for the Office of the President and Vice President (OPVP), said a draft corrective action plan was in place. “I am the approver; it is my fault for not doing that,” he added after Council Delegate Chee asked who was in charge of approving the p-card reconciliation process at the OPVP.

Council Delegate Curley made a directive to have the final corrective action plan in place, which the committee will review at its next regular meeting. The committee accepted the auditor general’s report, 5-0.

Some highlights include Navajo Nation Election Consolidation Act of 2010, demolition of Tuba City District Court building, Judicial Elections Referendum Act of 2010

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Honorable Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan announced the agenda for the Navajo Nation Council’s summer session, which is scheduled to convene on July 19-23 at the Navajo Nation Council Chamber. 
 
The session will begin with the State of the Navajo Nation address from President Joe Shirley Jr. and the Speaker’s Report to the Council from Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan. Other oral reports will be given by New Mexico Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, from the general manager and board of directors from the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority; and from the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission regarding “Assessing Race Relations Between Navajo and Non-Navajos: A Review of Border Town Relations.”
 
Written reports will also be submitted to the Council by the various standing committees, boards and commissions, the Chief Justice of the Navajo Nation, the regional director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the area director of the Indian Health Services and from Navajo Housing Authority.
 
There are two items in old business. Legislation No. 0206-10, sponsored by Young Jeff Tom (Mariano Lake/Smith Lake), seeks to amend the Navajo Nation 2010 Fiscal Year budget by approving a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $5 million to the Navajo Nation Chapters for the Public Employment Program and the Youth Employment Program. This item was tabled in a previous session to allow the sponsor to obtain information regarding the actual balance of the Permanent Fund Income from which the funds would come from.
 
Legislation No. 0106-10, sponsored by Leonard Teller (Lukachukai/Tsaile/Wheatfields), is requesting the U.S. Congress delete language from the Annual Appropriations Act which prohibits the use of Indian Health Service Funds for Sanitation Facilities Construction for new homes funded by grants from HUD Housing Programs.
 
There are currently 11 items under new business, but the final agenda will be adopted on July 19 — opening day of the Summer Session — and some items could be added or deleted.
 
Some highlights of the summer session agenda include Legislation No. 0648-08, sponsored by Ernest D. Yazzie Jr. (Baahaali/Church Rock) and Orlanda Smith-Hodge (Cornfields/Greasewood Springs/Klagetoh/Wide Ruins). This legislation seeks a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $650,000 to the Navajo Division of Economic Development for the demolition and clean-up of Lot 3 within the Church Rock Industrial Park — an area adjacent to the Navajo Fire Rock Casino. 
 
Legislation No. 0225-10, sponsored by Ernest D. Yazzie, seeks to enact the Navajo Nation Election Consolidation Act of 2010, which would combine the Navajo Nation General and Chapter elections into one Navajo Nation-wide election.
 
Legislation No. 0379-10, sponsored by Harold Wauneka (Fort Defiance) and Ray Berchman (Oak Springs/St. Michaels), seeks authorization to demolition the Tuba City District Court building to clear the way for new construction. 
 
Legislation No. 0359-10, sponsored by Thomas Walker Jr. (Birdsprings/Leupp/Tolani Lake), seeks approval of the Judicial Elections Referendum Act of 2010 by referring a referendum measure to the Navajo Nation General Election scheduled for Nov. 2. The referendum would propose a ballot question to amend Titles 2, 7 and 11 of the Navajo Nation Codes. This measure would provide for the election of Navajo Nation District Court judges and Navajo Nation Supreme Court justices.
 
A complete copy of the summer session agenda can be found online at www.navajonationcouncil.org

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan met with members of the Council of Governance-Certified Chapters (CGCC) on July 1 to discuss how issues related to post-certified governance chapters could be effectively addressed.

The members of the CGCC group consist of elected local leadership from the 10 governance certified chapters, who have implemented the Five Management System (FMS) in accordance with Title 26 of the Navajo Nation Code, the Navajo Nation Local Governance Act. Although each chapter has met the requirements necessary to obtain governmental authority with respect to local matters, there are is no streamline process within the government offices to execute plans related to local planning.

“We need to work on issues like zoning, but we are limited,” said Gloria Skeet de Cruz, CGCC member and Baahaalii Chapter Manager. While governance certified chapters are entitled authority to enact and enforce zoning and implement a community approved land use plan, there are no processes or procedures in place which allows them to do this.

“The local governance certified (LGA) chapters have worked hard to become organized and implement the FMS system so they may exercise their authority to carry out local planning,” said Speaker Morgan. “The act has supported their efforts to get this far, but now we need to create a process that is less cumbersome for governance certified chapters to move forward.”

Most recently, the CGCC conducted a two-day work session on June 22-23 with the Transportation and Community Development Committee to discuss how the group could effectively address issues related to post-certification.

After analyzing the current structure and meeting with government officials over the years, the CGCC has concluded a sub-office within the Office of Navajo Government Development to specifically address post-certification issues is the best solution. Currently, the LGA certified chapters are still pooled with uncertified chapters, and CGCC members fear their concerns will not be addressed when the new structure is implemented.

“With the restructuring of the government, we need to find a special place for the LGA certified chapters,” said Speaker Morgan.

Stanley Yazzie, deputy director of Community Development, was in attendance at the meeting and expressed his support for the office to be created within the Office of Navajo Government Development.

“Issues will continue if we do not identify a place for them (to be directed),” said Yazzie. “The government development office is the best place to create this office. By the name itself, it is appropriate.”

Yazzie also added there are 59 chapters who are on the track to becoming governance certified under the Five Management System. Once certified, these chapters would also benefit from the creation of the sub-office.

“I’m impressed with the local leadership of the governance certified chapters who have come together from all areas of the Nation to address these concerns and take action on behalf of their constituents,” said Speaker Morgan. “They have a vision for their community, and see the value of local empowerment.”

Speaker Morgan, the CGCC, Yazzie, and Paulson Chaco, executive director of the Office of Navajo Government Development, discussed logistics surrounding the plan to create the office, and created a working group to move forward. CGCC members are already anticipating the plans to create a sub-office.

“We’ve gone through so many loopholes and brick walls, but we are moving forward,” said Flora Nez, CGCC Vice-President and Steamboat Chapter Manager.

Other CGCC members include elected chapter leaders, including Lorenzo Isaac Jr., CGCC President and Shonto Chapter President; Anita Hayes, Tse Da Kaah Chapter; George Jim, Littlewater Chapter President; Carol Bitsoi, Sheepsprings Chapter Manager and Rick Nez, San Juan Chapter President.

KAYENTA, AZ – Celebrating Kayenta’s Centennial 1910-2010 theme “Honoring Our Leaders And The Community” Parade contestants on Saturday, July 03, 2010 took the meaning of the themse to new lengths.  The Kayenta Township Parade Committee placed three judges in random spots along the parade route and answered five survey-like questionnaires to come up with the winners.  Each survey question required the judge to rate each contestant on a scale of “1″ for poor to “5″ for excellent.  At the end of the judging, all three judge’s scores were tallied and the highest score tallied was the chosen winner.  This year, the 2010 Parade Entry grand prize winner is Helping Hands Home Care! 

Some Rose Bowl Action, Helping Hands Home Care, 1st Prize

 The five questions each jude were asked were:  1)  Does the float comply wit hthe theme of “Honoring Our Leaders and the Communtiy”?; 2)  Does the float present great work of detail in the making of the float?; 3)  Is t he float in any manner have intricate designs or have any higher difficulty in the construction of the float?; 4)  Do the colors of the float comply with the 4th f July?;  5)  The over-all presentation of the float?; and 6)  Additional comments.  Each of these questions helped determine the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner. 

An Excited Crowd Cheers on Shelton Transport Parade Entry

 The Third Place Winner was the entry made by the family of Sam Holiday, Navajo Nation Code Talker, who celebrated his birthday back in June.  Mr. Holiday says he was raised by his grandmother herding sheep as a kid until he injured his leg as was sent away to a hospital in Ganado to rehabilitate.  Thereafter, he was sent to boarding school in Tuba City, finished up to high school, joined the United States Marine Corp, and eventually became one of the now world-famous Navajo Code Talkers.  When speaking to the public, he will usually say, “I have always thought of Kayenta as my home.  When the times were hard during the war, I would always think of someday being home in Kayenta.” 

Sam Holida, Navajo Code Talker, 3rd Prize

 The Rodeo Parade is finally growing in number and this year it was received with great excitement.  This year, every Navajo Nation Presidential Candidate as well as local politicians put in an entry for a stab at the Navajo Nation Council.  Next year, it is anticipated to grow in number and size as neighboring communities buy into the festivities.  Congratulations and Thank you to all the supporters of the Kayenta 4th of July Festivities and Centennial Celebration.

 Notes and Observations from Dustinn Craig, owner of 4wheelwarpony Skateboards. 

Miss Jicarilla 2009-2010 Stacie Chavez of Dulce, NM

During the All Nations Skate Competition in Albuquerque New Mexico this year, I was approached by Chaytahn Kelsey of Kayenta Arizona. There he asked me if I would be interested in helping with the Kayenta Skateboard and BMX competition, to which I immediately said yes. I have been a skateboarder for practically all my life. As a skateboarder from both the White Mountain Apache and Navajo reservations, I have a very special place in my heart for all of the small communities from these 2 Native nations. I grew up skateboarding with other skaters from many towns throughout the southwest, and in my younger days as a teenager my most memorable experiences were from Skateboard Competitions. These competitions were usually nothing more than a good excuse for our skateboard community to get together and have a blast! I think that still holds true to this day from what I saw in Kayenta this past July 3^rd, 2010.

This event was for both Skateboarders and BMX riders. The day’s turnout was great, and everyone was thankful that the wind was less than what was predicted. All ages came out to participate and many came to watch. The day was very festive and positive as are most events with as much community support.

When I was 12 or 13 I saw my first Native organized Skateboard Competition at Window Rock Arizona in 1988 or 1989. This had a big effect on me, and showed me that we native youth could put on our own events when no one else would. This was a great demonstration in self-determination, and was something I wanted to do also. As I became an older teenager, I with the help of my skate friends from Window Rock, Chinle, Whiteriver, put on numerous skateboard competitions throughout the 90’s up to the present.

Thanks to the generous support from the Kayenta Township, I was able to bring out my entire 4wheelwarpony Skate Team. Our team consists of riders from various communities throughout the southwest. Nathaniel Watson and Malcolm Johnson, 2 Navajo boys from Gallup, New Mexico. Jess Michael Smith, Wish Henry, Nathaniel Natan and Ronnie Altaha all Apaches from Whiteriver Arizona on the White Mountain Apache Nation. Finally young Tony Steele, an Apache from Peridot, Arizona on the San Carlos Apache Nation. We slept at the Anasazi Inn and at the Hampton there in Kayenta, and having a place to sleep was a luxury we were all very thankful for.

As a result of this competition, I also was able to see some of the talent out there. I added Trevor Scott of Tuba City to my board team, and Kayenta local, Chaytahn Kelsey to my wheel team! I’m very proud of these additions to our skate family!

BMX Competition Underway

Results

18 and Over Division

1. Nathaniel Watson from Gallup, NM.
2. Landrick Black from Tuba City, AZ.
3. Royce Brady from Tuba City, AZ.
4. Chaytahn Kelsey from Kayenta, AZ.
5. Okoye Davis from Kayenta, AZ.
6. Farren Dawes from Chinle, AZ. (didn’t Skate the finals)
7. Ryshawski Shaw from Kayenta, AZ.
8. Trevor Lincoln from Ganado, AZ.
9. Clayton Sells from Kayenta, AZ.

10.  Wish Henry from Whiteriver, AZ.

11.  Vincent Big from Kayenta, AZ.

12.  Julius Aguilar from Kayenta, AZ.

13.   Roy Smith from Tuba City, AZ.

14.  Kris Chee from Hoterilla, AZ.

15.  Brent Yazzie from Tuba City, AZ.

16.  Terrance Huskie from Tuba City, AZ.

17.  Malcolm Johnson from Sundance, NM.

18.  Valtino Peaches from Lawrence, Kansas

19.  Torrence B. from Fort Dushane, Utah

13 to 17 Division

1. Rydell Shaw from Kayenta, AZ.
2. Trevor Scott from Tuba City, AZ.
3. Brandon Thompson from Peridot, AZ.
4. Byron Rivers from Kayenta, AZ.
5. Kraig Craig from Mesa, AZ.
6. Levon Clark from Teec Noc Pos, AZ.
7. Dustin Atine from Kayenta, AZ.
8. Dominique Staley from Kayenta, AZ.
9. Mark Shane Skeet from Window Rock, AZ.

10.  Eugene Barney from Tuba City, AZ.

11.  Derek Kelsey from Kayenta, AZ.

12.  Ronnie Altaha from Whiteriver, AZ.

13.  Kyle Yazzie from Pinon, AZ.

12 and Under Division

1. Tony Steele from Peridot, AZ.
2. Dave Thompson from Peridot, AZ.
3. Jayshawn Grandson Willie from Pinon, AZ.
4. Brian Diggs from Tuba City, AZ.
5. Deron Tsosie from Kayenta, AZ.

Girls Division

1. Jazmine Barney from Tuba City, AZ.
2. Kim Skinner from Kayenta, AZ.
3. Shianne Dandy from Kayenta, AZ.
4. Fidelia Lake from New Mexico Area Code.

BMX DIVISION

1. Jerry Clitso from Shonto, AZ.
2. Juan Crank from Shonto, AZ.
3. John Yazzie from Chinle, AZ.
4. Donovan Tsosie from Chinle, AZ.
5. Donnie Tsosie from Chinle, AZ.
6. Adrian Curley from Saint Michaels, AZ.
7. Leo Mann from Kayenta, AZ.
8. Keenan Stanley from Kayenta, AZ

These competitions are always very fun, chaotic and diverse. They bring together a very diverse array of youth from all walks, both Native and Non Native! I think this a great testament to the most positive aspect of these sports that many often overlook. It’s that these skate and BMX communities are like families to those who participate in these activities. Our Native communities in the Southwest have demonstrated great interest in supporting their youth by constructing Skateboard/BMX parks for their youth, and annual events like these continue that support in a positive way. So today, I am no longer that 13 year old boy who once looked in amazement at the other skateboarders and their friends making their own event a reality. I am a grown 34 year old married man, with a family, 4 children of my own. I still skateboard, but now I skateboard with my son, and at events like these Skateboard competitions, I am always reminded of the reasons that drew me to skateboarding in the first place, as well as the reason I continue to skateboard as an adult. Positive Fun Times and Friends, new and old!