The Navajo Nation received a $50,000 bonus award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for doing an exceptional job in promoting and supporting breastfeeding among mothers participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), according to a press release issued last week by the USDA. The Navajo Nation was among the top five large state agencies with the highest breastfeeding rates.
The bonus was part of about $5 million awarded to state agencies for improving and achieving high breastfeeding rates. Authorized by the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-80), this is the first time the USDA has given them out.
The Santo Domingo Tribe, the Pueblo of Zuni and the Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, all in New Mexico, each received a $5,000 bonus for having the greatest breastfeeding rates among the smaller agencies.
Several tribes, including the Ute Mountain Tribe in Colorado, the Omaha Nation in Nebraska and the Osage Nation in Oklahoma, received bonus awards of approximately $5,000 each for making the greatest improvements in breastfeeding rates.
To read the full release, click here.
Showing posts with label Navajo Nation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Navajo Nation. Show all posts
Monday, April 5, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Navajo Nation Denies Payment of Back Alimony and Child Support
Ruby Watson attempted to ensure full payment of her ex-husband’s child support and alimony debt of $500,000 even in the event of his death by having him take out a life insurance policy. Separated since 1988 and divorced since 2001 from Eddie Paul Watson, Ruby did not have her wish granted.
The Watsons’ case had been present in the Navajo Nation court system for so long a time that the Navajo Nation Supreme Court, not the Tuba City District Court, made the final decision on December 14, 2009.
Ruby had waited 13 years (the time between their separation and their divorce) to make an effort to have the court-ruled child support and alimony payments enforced. This delay was considered to be negligence on Ruby’s part, and payment of Eddie’s debt is not going to be enforced.
In addition, Eddie’s alimony payments, which in 1988 had been $800 a month, were reduced to $200 a month, affirming a Tuba City Family Court decision in 2007.
The Supreme Court addressed the situation, saying, “The request to secure a life insurance policy is a bilagáana way of making arrangement for payment of indebtedness,” and that it is not known to the “Diné way of life.” This request, the court said, is as if hoping for the death of another person.
Please click here to view The Navajo Times article, "'Foreign' to Diné way of life" for further details.
The Watsons’ case had been present in the Navajo Nation court system for so long a time that the Navajo Nation Supreme Court, not the Tuba City District Court, made the final decision on December 14, 2009.
Ruby had waited 13 years (the time between their separation and their divorce) to make an effort to have the court-ruled child support and alimony payments enforced. This delay was considered to be negligence on Ruby’s part, and payment of Eddie’s debt is not going to be enforced.
In addition, Eddie’s alimony payments, which in 1988 had been $800 a month, were reduced to $200 a month, affirming a Tuba City Family Court decision in 2007.
The Supreme Court addressed the situation, saying, “The request to secure a life insurance policy is a bilagáana way of making arrangement for payment of indebtedness,” and that it is not known to the “Diné way of life.” This request, the court said, is as if hoping for the death of another person.
Please click here to view The Navajo Times article, "'Foreign' to Diné way of life" for further details.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Navajo President on Administrative Leave Pending Investigation
The Navajo Nation Council voted 48-22 to put President Joe Shirley Jr. on administrative leave with pay during an investigation and possible prosecution of ethical, civil and criminal charges by the Navajo Nation through a special prosecutor, according to a press release issued on Oct. 26 by the Navajo Nation’s Office of the Speaker.
There are currently three investigations underway alleging wrongdoing by the president and key members of his staff, the release said.
On Oct. 19, the council received reports on the investigations, performed by law firms contracted by the Office of the Attorney General, relative to the Navajo Nation’s dealings with the private companies OnSat and BCDS. The reports, the release said, provide reasonable grounds that certain Navajo Nation officials and employees may have seriously breached their fiduciary trust to the Navajo people.
Putting Shirley on leave will allow appropriate law enforcement authorities access to further information within the Office of the President/Vice President and prevent the office from obstructing or otherwise interfering with the investigation and possible prosecution from the allegations set forth in the investigative reports, the release said.
There are currently three investigations underway alleging wrongdoing by the president and key members of his staff, the release said.
On Oct. 19, the council received reports on the investigations, performed by law firms contracted by the Office of the Attorney General, relative to the Navajo Nation’s dealings with the private companies OnSat and BCDS. The reports, the release said, provide reasonable grounds that certain Navajo Nation officials and employees may have seriously breached their fiduciary trust to the Navajo people.
Putting Shirley on leave will allow appropriate law enforcement authorities access to further information within the Office of the President/Vice President and prevent the office from obstructing or otherwise interfering with the investigation and possible prosecution from the allegations set forth in the investigative reports, the release said.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
UA Awards Certificates in Public Health to Nine Navajo CHRs
The University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and Diné College, a Navajo tribal college, have awarded the first Certificates in Public Health to nine Native American students, according to a press release issued by UA.
The students, who received the certificates at a commencement ceremony at Diné College on May 7, are all Community Health Representatives (CHRs) for the Navajo Nation.
Navajo Tribal CHRs live and work in Navajo communities, providing the tribe’s citizens with hands-on care and information on current medical topics and staying healthy. They are full-time, paid employees of the Navajo Nation government.
The Navajo Nation has 110 chapters, and each chapter has at least one CHR. The entire Navajo CHR/Outreach program currently has about 160 employees. Navajo CHRs are required, in accordance with the tribe’s federal contract, to complete the certification.
The joint certification program launched in 2006, but this is the first year that the certificates were jointly awarded by UA Zuckerman College of Public Health and Diné College. The 12-credit program is tailored to the Navajo Nation’s public health needs and concerns.
The students, who received the certificates at a commencement ceremony at Diné College on May 7, are all Community Health Representatives (CHRs) for the Navajo Nation.
Navajo Tribal CHRs live and work in Navajo communities, providing the tribe’s citizens with hands-on care and information on current medical topics and staying healthy. They are full-time, paid employees of the Navajo Nation government.
The Navajo Nation has 110 chapters, and each chapter has at least one CHR. The entire Navajo CHR/Outreach program currently has about 160 employees. Navajo CHRs are required, in accordance with the tribe’s federal contract, to complete the certification.
The joint certification program launched in 2006, but this is the first year that the certificates were jointly awarded by UA Zuckerman College of Public Health and Diné College. The 12-credit program is tailored to the Navajo Nation’s public health needs and concerns.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
10th Circuit Says Churchrock Navajo Land
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in
The decision means that the Texas based company that wants to operate an underground injection uranium mine there will have to obtain its underground injection control permit from EPA rather the New Mexico Department of the Environment.
The Navajo Nation enacted a ban on uranium mining and milling in April 2005.
The 10th Circuit decisions also may apply to other uranium mining states, including
Monday, December 8, 2008
Navajo and Hopi to Protest Peabody Coal Permit Today at 1 p.m. MST
A large delegation of people from the Hopi and Navajo tribes has traveled to Denver to meet with top officials in the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and hold a press conference and rally in downtown Denver to protest the pending decision that will grant the Peabody Coal company a "life-of-mine" permit, expanded mining operations and rights to tap the fresh water of the Navajo aquifer. The protest is scheduled for 1 p.m. MST outside the OSM, 1999 Broadway.
Navajo and Hopi citizen's were given 45 days to comment on a revised "Black Mesa Project" Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and were never offered a public commenting period. Requests for commenting period extensions were denied by OSM as well as requests for OSM to come to Navajo and Hopi lands for question and answer meetings.
Arizona Congressman, and leading candidate for Secretary of Interior in the Obama Administration, Raúl M. Grijalva has asked current Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne to suspend further consideration of Peabody's permit. "At present, OSM is rushing to approve a life-of-mine permit, first without making the permit revisions sufficiently available for public review, and then without adequate environmental review."
Navajo and Hopi citizen's were given 45 days to comment on a revised "Black Mesa Project" Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and were never offered a public commenting period. Requests for commenting period extensions were denied by OSM as well as requests for OSM to come to Navajo and Hopi lands for question and answer meetings.
Arizona Congressman, and leading candidate for Secretary of Interior in the Obama Administration, Raúl M. Grijalva has asked current Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne to suspend further consideration of Peabody's permit. "At present, OSM is rushing to approve a life-of-mine permit, first without making the permit revisions sufficiently available for public review, and then without adequate environmental review."
Monday, July 28, 2008
Navajo Ban Use of Commercial Tobacco
The Navajo Nation Council voted Friday to ban the use of commercial tobacco in all public spaces on the reservation, including rodeos and fairs. The measure which was approved 42-27, would ban the smoking and chewing of tobacco in public buildings and shared outdoor public areas. It would not, however, restrict the ceremonial use of tobacco. Read more about it here.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Federal agencies coordinate clean up of Navajo uranium mines
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with the Department of Energy, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, recently finalized a five-year plan for cleaning up the legacy of abandoned uranium mining on the Navajo Nation.The plan, titled, "Health and Environmental Impacts of Uranium Contamination in the Navajo Nation, Five-Year Plan," is the first coordinated approach created by the five federal agencies. This landmark plan details the strategy and timeline for cleanup over the next five years.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
IHS hospital limits hours, emergency services
The Indian Health Service has limited emergency services at the Crownpoint Hospital in New Mexico due to an acute shortage of technical staff, it was reported this week in the Farmington Daily Times. The limited hours are expected to last until mid-June.
The Indian Health Services hospital, which serves a population of about 20,000 Navajo people, will not offer emergency services during nights or weekends until more staff members are hired. In the meantime, patients needing emergency services at night or on weekends are instructed to go to nearby facilities in Gallup, Fort Defiance and Shiprock.
The Indian Health Services hospital, which serves a population of about 20,000 Navajo people, will not offer emergency services during nights or weekends until more staff members are hired. In the meantime, patients needing emergency services at night or on weekends are instructed to go to nearby facilities in Gallup, Fort Defiance and Shiprock.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Navajo Study Finds Council Micromanaging
A 2005 study commissioned by the Navajo Nation Council to evaluate its effectiveness found that it has poor legislative record-keeping, delegates are prevented from dealing with issues that should be heard by the full Council but often are not, and oversight committees spend more than half their time micromanaging executive branch functions. Navajo President Joe Shirley, Jr., said the report documents what is commonly known among tribal employees and division directors and that as a report card, the report gives the council a low grade.
The Navajo Council is not alone. All too often elected officials feel they know how to run the operation or division better than the people hired to do so even though they have little or no experience. And as the report notes, micromanaging the government agencies leaves the council little time for addressing broad policy issues. At our sessions held for government or nonprofit managers, the most often voiced complaint is that the council or board is always telling them how to do their job. The best advice for elected officials or board members is that they let managers manage and they concentrate on the big picture. They need to put their efforts into policy-making and community leadership. There is a distinction between the leadership that is provided by elected and appointed officials and the leadership provided by management. If you are an elected or appointed official, focus on leading and leave day-to-day operations to the managers.
So the question becomes, how do you make sure your tribal employees are implementing the policy and goals established by the elected council or appointed board? An effective tribal council or board must first detail the duties of the people who directly report to them. This is done by providing people with position descriptions and establishing goals, objectives and directives. The goals, objectives and directives for staff are a result of the development and annual review of the government's or organization's Strategic Plan. A quarterly review for the high level staff that reports to the council or board will ensure that their agencies or departments are on track with the overall goals and objectives of the council or organization.
This evaluation process holds the staff accountable while allowing them a degree of decision- making discretion. The governing body must agree on and conform to a chain of command when interacting with the staff and other shareholders. These boundaries may already be in existence in the bylaws or in the written policy and procedures of the governing body. If not, a Code of Ethics or some other written policy document should be considered to establish an official procedure for communications to staff and for decisions on day-to-day operations.
The Navajo Council is not alone. All too often elected officials feel they know how to run the operation or division better than the people hired to do so even though they have little or no experience. And as the report notes, micromanaging the government agencies leaves the council little time for addressing broad policy issues. At our sessions held for government or nonprofit managers, the most often voiced complaint is that the council or board is always telling them how to do their job. The best advice for elected officials or board members is that they let managers manage and they concentrate on the big picture. They need to put their efforts into policy-making and community leadership. There is a distinction between the leadership that is provided by elected and appointed officials and the leadership provided by management. If you are an elected or appointed official, focus on leading and leave day-to-day operations to the managers.
So the question becomes, how do you make sure your tribal employees are implementing the policy and goals established by the elected council or appointed board? An effective tribal council or board must first detail the duties of the people who directly report to them. This is done by providing people with position descriptions and establishing goals, objectives and directives. The goals, objectives and directives for staff are a result of the development and annual review of the government's or organization's Strategic Plan. A quarterly review for the high level staff that reports to the council or board will ensure that their agencies or departments are on track with the overall goals and objectives of the council or organization.
This evaluation process holds the staff accountable while allowing them a degree of decision- making discretion. The governing body must agree on and conform to a chain of command when interacting with the staff and other shareholders. These boundaries may already be in existence in the bylaws or in the written policy and procedures of the governing body. If not, a Code of Ethics or some other written policy document should be considered to establish an official procedure for communications to staff and for decisions on day-to-day operations.
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