Executive Director's Corner | |
|
Yá'át'ééh,
This week, the Navajo Nation made its presence known on Capitol Hill with two significant hearings. The Honorable Crystalyne Curley, Speaker of the 25th Navajo Nation Council, testified before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, highlighting the enduring challenges the Navajo Nation faces regarding water access, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaker Curley emphasized the sacredness of water and called for collaboration with Federal agencies and Congress to address this pressing issue.
Subsequently, Bidtah Becker, Chief Legal Counsel to Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and Vice President Richelle Montoya, testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, discussing tribal autonomy in energy development and the bureaucratic challenges tribes encounter to advance energy projects on their lands.
Both testimonies, including advocacy by the Navajo Nation Washington Office, underscores the Navajo Nation's commitment to address critical challenges our Navajo communities face. Our Navajo leaders emphasize the importance of tribal sovereignty in matters of water access and energy development, calling for support from federal entities to achieve economic security, self-determination, and environmental sustainability.
Ahéhee’
| | | |
|
|
|
Navajo Nation Leadership Present Testimony on Capitol Hill
The Navajo Nation was represented this week in two important hearings on Capitol Hill. The Honorable Crystalyne Curley, Speaker of the 25th Navajo Nation Council, began this week’s testimony before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on the topic of "Water as a Trust Resource."
| | | |
Additional News and Updates | |
|
Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster for Public Assistance Only for the Navajo Nation
This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the Navajo Nation (FEMA–4703–DR), dated 04/11/2023.
| |
Nature and People First Arizona PHS, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Competing Applications
On May 2, 2023, Nature and People First Arizona PHS, LLC, filed an application for a preliminary permit, pursuant to section 4(f) of the Federal Power Act (FPA), proposing to study the feasibility of the Chuska Mountain North Pumped Storage Project to be located in Apache County, Arizona, near the San Juan River, approximately 1.6 miles north of the town of Lukachukai on Navajo Nation Lands. The sole purpose of a preliminary permit is to grant the permit holder priority to file a license application during the permit term. A preliminary permit does not authorize the permit holder to perform any land-disturbing activities or otherwise enter upon lands or waters owned by others without the owners' express permission.
Comment Deadline: September 17, 2023
| |  |
|
Fall Tribal Economies and Tribal Economies Conference
October 2-3, 2023
The NAFOA Conference gathers semiannually in the Spring for our Annual Conference and the Fall for the Fall Finance & Tribal Economies Conference to discuss the current trends in tribal economic development and share resources with tribal financial professionals.
| |
HUD-ONAP National Tribal Housing Summit
October 31 - November 2, 2023
The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) and the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) is hosting the HUD-ONAP National Tribal Housing Summit at the Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront in St. Paul, Minnesota.
| |
80th Annual Convention & Marketplace
November 12-17, 2023
This November, NCAI will be hosting the 80th Annual Convention and Marketplace to provide an opportunity to work collaboratively on protecting and advancing tribal sovereignty. Tribal leaders, NCAI members, Native youth, and partners from across Indian Country will gather in-person to discuss critical issues, develop strategy, and to embark upon a new era of Nation-to-Nation engagement.
| | |
|
The Indian Health Service
Requesting views and comments on the combined Fiscal Years (FYs) 2016 and 2017 Report to Congress on the Administration of the Indian Health Service (IHS) Tribal Self-Governance Program.
Comment deadline: September 29, 2023.
| |
The White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA)
Hosting a Tribal consultation to receive input and feedback on its draft, “Best Practices Guide for Federal Agencies Regarding Tribal and Native Hawaiian Sacred Sites” (Sacred Sites Best Practices Guide).
Comment deadline: September 29, 2023.
| |
Contract Support Costs (CSC) for Tribes with Self-Governance Funding Agreements
October 5, 2023
A tribal consultation on the calculation and distribution process of Contract Support Costs (CSC) for Tribes with self-governance funding agreements with the Department of the Interior (Department) and Indian Affairs. The CSC is vital funding to Indian Country, and the Department is committed to ensuring calculations are accurate and paid according to law.
Comment Deadline: December 29, 2023
| |
Tribal Land Acquisition Funded through the Land and Water Consultation Fund (LWCF)
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) invites Tribal Governments to participate in formal Government-to-Government consultation regarding Tribal land acquisition funded through the Land and Water Consultation Fund (LWCF).
Comment Deadline: October 5, 2023
| |
Contract Support Costs (CSC) for Tribes with Self-Governance Funding Agreements
November 1, 2023
A tribal consultation on the calculation and distribution process of Contract Support Costs (CSC) for Tribes with self-governance funding agreements with the Department of the Interior (Department) and Indian Affairs. The CSC is vital funding to Indian Country, and the Department is committed to ensuring calculations are accurate and paid according to law.
Comment Deadline: December 29, 2023
| |
Contract Support Costs (CSC) for Tribes with Self-Governance Funding Agreements
November 29, 2023
A tribal consultation on the calculation and distribution process of Contract Support Costs (CSC) for Tribes with self-governance funding agreements with the Department of the Interior (Department) and Indian Affairs. The CSC is vital funding to Indian Country, and the Department is committed to ensuring calculations are accurate and paid according to law.
Comment Deadline: December 29, 2023
| |
IHS Health Information Technology Modernization
Announcing an opportunity for interested Tribal and Urban Indian Organization sites to become directly involved in the collaborative planning for the new IHS enterprise electronic health record (EHR) solution.
| | |
|
Language Revitalization Tribal Consultation
Collecting input from tribal leaders and their proxies on actions the federal government can take to support Native Language Revitalization and guidance on the draft 10-Year National Plan on Native Language Revitalization (National Plan). The consultations will take place on September 18, 20, 26, and 28, 2023.
Comment deadline: September 29, 2023.
| |
Contract Support Costs (CSC) for Tribes with Self-Governance Funding Agreements
October 1, 2023
A tribal consultation on the calculation and distribution process of Contract Support Costs (CSC) for Tribes with self-governance funding agreements with the Department of the Interior (Department) and Indian Affairs. The CSC is vital funding to Indian Country, and the Department is committed to ensuring calculations are accurate and paid according to law.
Comment Deadline: December 29, 2023
| |
Advancing co-stewardship as outlined in the Joint Secretarial Order 3403: Fulfilling the Trust Responsibility to Indian Tribes in the Stewardship of Federal Lands and Waters (JSO 3403)
October 3, 2023
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is hosting the consultations and engagement sessions on advancing co-stewardship as outlined in the Joint Secretarial Order 3403. In coordination with the Department of Interior and the Department of Agriculture, JSO 3403 was amended to include the Department of Commerce.
| |
Indian Health Service (IHS)
November 8, 2023
Hosting a series of consultations on the Health Information Technology (IT) Modernization Program. Virtual consultations will take place on November 8, 2023 and will cover different aspects of the Modernization effort.
| |
The Internal Revenue Service
Proposed amendments to regulations applicable to affiliated groups of corporations that file consolidated Federal income tax returns.
Comment deadline: November 6, 2023.
| |
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Held a listening session and tribal consultation on July 27, 2023 to begin the process to update FEMA’s tribal mitigation planning policy.
Comment deadline: November 30, 2023.
| |
Health and Human Services, Office of Child Care
Requesting public comment on the rules and regulations of the Tribally administered Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program as part of the Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) commitment to creating partnerships with Tribal Nations to identify and implement solutions that transcend traditional program boundaries.
Comment deadline: January 2, 2024.
| | |
For more information regarding topics provided in the newsletter, please contact NNWO at info@nnwo.org. | | |
Navajo Nation Washington Office | www.nnwo.org | | | | |
