WEEK IN REVIEW
Noteworthy headlines you might have missed
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Navajo Nation Leaders Address Reports of ICE Detaining Tribal Citizens
AzCentral
Navajo Nation officials have contacted the governors of Arizona and New Mexico to address concerns about Navajo citizens being detained by ICE. In response to President Trump's executive order targeting the deportation of immigrants in the country illegally, social media has been flooded with posts about Navajo citizens being detained by ICE and questioned about their US citizenship.
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EPA Takes Unprecedented Step to Remove Uranium Waste From the Navajo Nation
Indian Country Today
In a first-of-its-kind move, the EPA signed an action memo to transport 1 million cubic yards of low-grade radioactive waste from the Quivira Mining Co. Church Rock Mine to a disposal site at the Red Rock Regional Landfill. The Northwest New Mexico Regional Solid Waste Authority owns and operates the landfill, which is located about 6 miles east of Thoreau, New Meixco.
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Navajo Nation Firefighters Battle Wildfires in Los Angeles
AP News
The Navajo Scouts firefighter crew traveled from Fort Defiance to Southern California to join the fight against wildfires that have killed at least 27 people, destroyed more than 12,000 structures and put more than 80,000 under evacuation orders.
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'A Lot of Big Plans'
Tribal Leaders Ready to Get to Work With New Presidential Administration
Indianz.com
At a reception in the nation's capital on Sunday evening, copies of the Navajo treaty of 1868 underscored the work that lies ahead as tribes hold the US government accountable for promises made. No matter who occupies the White House, the trust and treaty relationship must be honored, tribal leaders said.
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WEEKLY UPDATES
A glimpse into our office's week
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NNWO Hosts Inaugural Reception Welcoming Trump Administration and 119th Congress
NNWO proudly hosted an inaugural reception. welcoming the Trump Administration and the 119th Congress, at its headquarters in Washington, DC. This event brought together tribal leaders, federal officials, and community members to celebrate a new chapter of collaboration and mutual support. With a strong foundation laid by the reception, NNWO is poised to build upon its legacy of advocacy and cultural preservation.
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NNWO Expands Voter Registration Services to the DMV Area
NNWO is proud to announce the successful completion of voter registration training provided by the Navajo Election Administration. For the first time, enrolled Navajo Nation citizens residing in the DMV can now register to vote in Navajo Nation elections through NNWO. We encourage all elgible Navajo citizens in the area to take advantage of this new opportunity.
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Navajo Nation President Presents People's State of the Nation Address
Navajo Nation President presented an hour-long review of his most important 2024 accomplishments in his trademark rapid fire Navajo language delivery that touched on 22 topics ranging from sovereignty and government improvements to bathroom additions. He closed his presentation by signing an executive order to declare the Navajo language as the official language of the Navajo Nation.
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Biden Commutes Sentence of
Leonard Peltier
In one of his final acts in office, President Biden commuted the lifetime sentence of Native American rights activist Leonard Peltier, who has spent 50 years in prison. President Nygren signed a letter calling on President Biden to grant clemency which stated, "Mr. Peltier's continued incarceration is a symbol to Native Americans of the systemic inequities of the criminal justice system in America."
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Congressman David Schweikert's Immersive Visit to the
Navajo Nation
NNWO held the honor of hosting Congressman Schweikert (R-AZ-1) and his daughter on a three day visit to the Navajo Nation. The trip aimed to provide the Congressman with a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Navajo communities surrounding water, as well as to develop deeper connections with the Navajo Nation.
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Diné MIT Graduate Cory Romanov Connects with Congressman Schweikert
On a recent visit to the Navajo Nation, Congressman Schweikert had an unexpected and inspiring encounter with Diné student Cory Romanov, a recent graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Department of Physics.
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LEGISLATIVE FOCUS
Congressional Committee Activity
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Legislative Activity
No Legislative Activity
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Upcoming Hearings
No Upcoming Hearings
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News
Over Last Four Years, Schatz, Democrats Secured More Than $45 Billion for Native Communities
During his tenure as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs from 2021-2025, Senator Brian Schatz (D-HHI) led the passage of 26 tribal-specific bills and helped secure over 45 billion - making historic investments in health care, housing, education, languages, infrastructure, and public safety - that will benefit Native communities for generations to come.
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Legislative Activity
No Legislative Activity
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Upcoming Hearings
No Upcoming Hearings
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News
Senator Murray Grills OMB Nominee Russ Vought - Slamming Trump Executive Orders to Illegally Withhold Funding for Communities Across America
Senator Murray (D-WA) questions Russs Vought during the Senate Budget Committee's hearing to consider Vought's nomination as Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
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Fact Sheet: Trump's Illegal and Unconstitutional Scheme to Withhold Funding Headed to Communities Across America
Senator Murray (D-WA) details how Trump wants to illegally override Congress' spending decisions and hold up investments for the American people.
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Legislative Activity
No Legislative Activity
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Upcoming Hearings
No Upcoming Hearings
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News
Westerman Announces Full Committee, Subcommittee Rosters
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) announced the Republican committee and subcommittee rosters for the 119th Congress
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Legislative Activity
No Legislative Activity
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Upcoming Hearings
No Upcoming Hearings
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News
Cole Statement on Inauguration of President Donald J. Trump
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK-04) issued the following statement after attending the 60th inaugural ceremony for the 47th President of the United States.
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Cole Gavels Organizational Meeting for 119th Congress
House Appropriations Chairman Cole (R-OK-04) gaveled in the organizational meeting for the 119th Congress. The Appropriations Committee rules and subcommittee jurisdictions were adopted by voice vote.
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Committee Announces American Indian and Alaska Public Witness Hearing Dates and Testimony Instructions
The House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee announced the FY2026 American Indian and Alaska Native public witness hearing dates and instructions for providing a written public testimony. The subcommittee will host hearings on Tuesday, Febraury 25 and Wednesday February 26, 2025.
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TRIBAL CONSULTATIONS
Consultation Schedule for Next Week
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Monday, December 23, 2024
NO CONSULTATIONS
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Tuesday, December 24, 2024
NO CONSULTATIONS
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Wednesday, December 25, 2024
NO CONSULTATIONS
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Thursday, December 26, 2024
NO CONSULTATIONS
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Friday, December 27, 2024
NO CONSULTATIONS
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Fiscal Year 2024 List of Programs Eligible for Inclusion in Funding Agreements Negotiated With Self-Governance Tribes by Interior Bureaus Other Than the Bureau of Indian Affairs; Fiscal Year 2025 Programmatic Targets
Pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, this notice lists programs or portions of programs eligible for inclusion in self-governance funding agreements with Indian Tribes, and Fiscal Year 2025 programmatic targets for each of the non-BIA bureaus in DOI.
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Meetings of the Advisory Committee on Training and Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry
The notice announces that the Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry will hold public meetings for the 2025 calendar year.
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Corps of Engineers Agency Specific Procedures to Implement the Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for Federal Investments in Water Resources
This rule establishes Agency Specific Procedures for the US Army Corp of Engineers to implement the Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for Federal water resources investments. The rule is effective January 17, 2025.
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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 | | | | |