Executive Director's Corner | |
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Yá’át’ééh,
This week, President Buu Nygren and Speaker Crystalyne Curley of the Navajo Nation were actively engaged in Washington, DC, advocating for various critical issues affecting Navajo communities. It through these critical advocacy efforts that we collectively navigate complex challenges for meaningful change. Our combined efforts serve as a beacon of resilience, determination, and hope, not only for our own Navajo communities but for other Indigenous peoples. We hope through the following articles, you are able to gain insight into our steadfast advocacy for the Navajo people.
In our first article, President Nygren and Speaker Curley met with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson to discuss protecting sacred celestial sites and increasing the inclusion of Native Americans in STEM fields, particularly in space exploration. They highlighted the cultural significance of celestial places like the Moon and called for broader international dialogues on Indigenous perspectives in space exploration. These endeavors underscore the Navajo Nation's dedication to cultural preservation, educational empowerment, and equitable opportunities for Navajo people within the broader context of societal progress and inclusion.
Second, the Navajo Nation is addressing significant pricing disparities for prescription drugs in the United States compared to other high-income countries. This pricing gap exacerbates existing health disparities and socioeconomic challenges within Navajo communities. Tackling this issue requires concerted efforts at both the policy and regulatory levels to ensure equitable access to affordable medications for all Navajo individuals and families.
Third, another vital advocacy effort revolves around establishing an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration, as proposed by H.R. 7102. This legislation aims to enhance support for Native American entrepreneurs, including those within the Navajo Nation, who face challenges such as restricted access to capital and infrastructure deficiencies hindering their business endeavors. With its passage through the House Committee on Small Business, we look forward to its passage through the House and Senate.
In our final article, we highlight the urgent need to reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). This legislative effort underscores the Navajo Nation's commitment to securing compensation and support for individuals and families affected by uranium mining, which has resulted in severe health issues and environmental degradation within Navajo lands. Navajo Nation Speaker Curley participated in a press conference to bring national attention on RECA for Navajo families. The Navajo Nation is working diligently with Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) to ensure the reauthorization of RECA.
The advocacy efforts by President Buu Nygren and Speaker Crystalyne Curley exemplify a steadfast commitment to addressing pressing issues facing Navajo communities and Indigenous peoples worldwide. Through their engagement in Washington, DC, they have amplified the voices of the Navajo people, advocating for cultural preservation, educational empowerment, equitable opportunities, and justice. As we move forward, the Navajo Nation Washington Office will continue to heighten their voices and the voices of our Navajo people in our Country's capital.
Ahéheeʼ
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Navajo Nation Advocates for Cultural Respect and Inclusion in Space Exploration
In a meeting at NASA headquarters, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, accompanied by Speaker Crystalyne Curley of the 25th Navajo Nation Council, Deputy Chief of Staff Jared Touchin, and Executive Director Justin Ahasteen of the Navajo Nation Washington Office, advocated for the safeguarding of sacred celestial sites and the meaningful inclusion of Native Americans in STEM fields.
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The Cost Divide: RAND Corporation's Revelation on Prescription Drug Prices
The recent report released by the RAND Corporation, titled "International Prescription Drug Price Comparisons," sheds light on a critical issue impacting many American families, including those within the Navajo Nation. The report's findings are grave: brand-name prescription drugs in the United States cost, on average, more than three times the price of the same drugs in other high-income countries.
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H.R. 7102: the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act Passes House Committee
The House Committee on Small Business unanimously approved H.R. 7102 on Wednesday. Sponsored by Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Eli Crane (R-AZ), this bipartisan legislation aims to establish an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA), along with an Assistant Administrator who would directly report to the SBA Administrator.
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Navajo Nation's Fight for Reauthorization of Uranium Mining Compensation
Following Thursday's meeting with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Navajo Nation Speaker Crystalyne Curley met with Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) to discuss the reauthorization of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), emphasizing the urgent need to pass funding for RECA as the program faces a June 2024 deadline for reauthorization.
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Notice of Lodging of Proposed Partial Consent Decree Under the Clean Water Act
On January 9, 2024, the Department of Justice lodged a proposed Partial Consent Decree with the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, in the lawsuit entitled United States v. Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, Civil Action No. 3:24–cv–08006.
Comment Deadline: March 8, 2024
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Clarifying the Scope of “Applicable Requirements” Under State Operating Permit Programs and the Federal Operating Permit Program
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to update its title V operating permit program regulations to more clearly reflect the EPA's existing interpretations and policies concerning when and whether “applicable requirements” established in other Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) programs should be reviewed, modified, and/or implemented through the title V operating permits program.
Comment Deadline: March 11, 2024
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NCAI Executive Council Winter Session
February 12-15, 2024
The 2024 Executive Council Winter Session is the annual meeting of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Executive Council, one of NCAI’s three main governing bodies. This meeting presents an opportunity for Tribal delegates to hear from members of Congress and the Administration and helps to further the government-to-government relationship between Tribal Nations and the federal government.
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National Council of Urban Indian Health
April 29 – May 2, 2024
The NCUIH annual conference provides a platform for Urban Indian Organizations, health care professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and advocates to come together and discuss critical issues related to urban Indian health.
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Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer on the Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other types of dementia Real-World Data Platform.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of NIH under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, requests input on the development of the Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other types of dementia Real-World Data Platform. The Platform aims to serve as a central hub of secure access for many types of data collected from a variety of real-world sources in order to promote more inclusive clinical research and improve health outcomes for older adults and persons living with dementia.
Comment Deadline: February 20, 2024
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Definition of an Indian Tribe
Tribal Consultation on one remaining issue – which definition of Indian Tribe to use in the updated IHS Tribal Consultation policy (Consultation Policy). The two definitions are the List Act Definition (25 U.S.C. § 5130) or the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) Definition (25 U.S.C. § 5304(e)).
Comment Deadline: February 23, 2024
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Administration for Community Living Tribal Consultation
ACL was created around the fundamental principle that older adults and people of all ages with disabilities should be able to live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities. On November 27, 2023, ACL announced our draft Tribal Consultation Policy and distributed it to Tribes in attendance at the HHS Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Council (STAC) meeting. ACL plans to hold a Tribal Consultation on the draft policy to receive Tribal leader feedback and recommendations of what to incorporate in the final policy.
Comment Deadline: February 23, 2024
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Removal of Outdated Regulations
The Indian Health Service (IHS) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or “the Department”) is issuing this Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) proposing the removal of regulations appearing in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). These outdated regulations do not align with the current statutory text.
Consultation: February 27, 2024
Comment Deadline: March 8, 2024
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Department of the Interior/Bureau of Indian Education – Five-Year Strategic Direction 2024-2029
The BIE is seeking feedback on their draft 2024-2029 Strategic Direction, which was prepared after receiving feedback from listening sessions at the 54th Annual National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Convention & Trade Show in October 2023 and the 80th Annual National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Convention & Marketplace in November 2023. Feedback is sought on the overarching strategic priorities, strategies and milestones, vision, mission, and core values of the BIE.
In-Person Consultations:
March 6, 2024 (Rapid City, SD)
Virtual Consultation: March 8, 2024 Comment Deadline: April 7, 2024
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Formal Tribal Consultation on WIPO IGC Negotiations
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Department of Commerce, announces a formal Tribal Consultation, and requests written comments on issues involving genetic resources (GR), traditional knowledge (TK), and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs). These topics are being discussed at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Specifically, the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge, and Folklore (traditional cultural expressions) (WIPO IGC) is undertaking negotiations regarding how best to protect GR, TK, and TCEs of Indigenous Peoples.
Comment Deadline: February 23, 2024
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2024 SAMHSA Tribal Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) Meeting
Information about the SAMHSA TTAC and the agenda for this meeting can be found on the SAMHSA website. During the meeting, SAMHSA TTAC delegates and SAMHSA leadership will discuss SAMHSA programs/initiatives and tribal behavioral health priorities.
Consultation: February 27, 2024
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Department of Health and Human Services Tribal Data Policy
Feedback is requested on the draft HHS Tribal and Tribal Epidemiology Center Data Access Policy that was created based on review of input from a tribal consultation in October 2022, as well as internal analyses of HHS Division data system considerations.
Comment Deadline: March 5, 2024
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Indian Health Service - Health Information Technology Modernization Program
IHS will host four consultations on modernizing IT systems to better serve tribal communities. Each consultation will cover a different topic. The first will introduce the Enterprise Collaboration Group, a body that gathers insights from subject matter experts who are end-users of the enterprise Electronic Health Record, and will seek feedback on system configuration and change management.
Virtual Consultations:
May 9, 2024
Topic: Deployment and Cohort Planning
August 8, 2024
Topic: Multi-Tenant Domain Considerations
Hybrid Consultation:
November 7, 2024
Topic: Site Readiness and Training
Location: TBD
Comment deadline: 30 days after each session
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For more information regarding topics provided in the newsletter, please contact NNWO at info@nnwo.org. | | |
Navajo Nation Washington Office | www.nnwo.org | | | | |
