HERE AT NAVAJO COUNCIL SPRING SESSION AT COUNCIL CHAMBER IN WINDOW ROCK, ARIZ. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NAVAJO AREA BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS IS NOW GIVING THEIR REPORT. PRESENTERS ARE NAVAJO AREA BIA DIRECTOR SHARON PINTO AND EASTERN NAVAJO BIA AGENCY DIRECTOR LESTER TSOSIE. AFTER THE BIA VERBAL REPORT, THE COUNCIL DELEGATES ARE GIVEN TIME TO MAKE COMMENTS AND ASK QUESTIONS.

DELEGATE MEL BEGAY
I want to ask the BIA what are their plans for us? Is it okay for our people to do just anything and let the land go down. WE need assistance from the BIA regarding the dust which comes from the dead animals.

And Speaker Pro Temp Bates, your concern over quorum is a “white man’s” rule that we don’t need to be concerned about.

DELEGATE EDMUND YAZZIE
I have list here of chapter projects and I’ll just give that list to the BIA. And regarding your threat regarding quorum and that we won’t get paid if there is loss of quorum. If you’re going to threaten us with our $42 a day Council stipend, then put in writing. When I talked with you last week, I thought I was back in Police Academy. And why is your Chief of Staff putting Marks by each of the Delegates’ names? Are we being singled out? I took a picture of that.

SPEAKER PRO TEMP BATES
I’m only following Title 2.

DELEGATE RUSSELL BEGAYE
Speaker Pro Temp Bates, I appreciate your acknowlegement of the Quorum.

I want to ask for a brief report on the BIA’s MARCH 21 meeting with President Shelly and staff and Salt River Project over SRP’s right of way expiration right of way at Navajo Generating Station.

We are midst of drought and accounts for dust bowel. And will get worse. BIA has been purchasing equipment for repair of windmills. We also need funding and assistance for re-drilling wells, install bigger water tanks so we will be prepared.