NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL CONTINUES DEBATING PROPOSED ENERGY POLICY. THE SPONSORS OF THE ENERGY POLICY IS DELEGATE ROSCOE SMITH, WHO IS VICE CHAIRPERSON OF RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

DELEGATE DWIGHT WITHERSPOON
It’s a goal. If good enough for California to transition, preamble to create sustainable future. Fossil fuel not created over millions of years. They are limited and get used up. And I tried to make amendments for better balance policy.
Energy Policy one sided. No list of possible protections. Agree with colleagues on language over federal policies but yet can’t speak to Navajo policies to provide protections cuz not in existence.
When go to court, as Church Rock has its spill, or damage to water, contaminated by arscenic, uranium and to aquifers then need protections against companies.
I don’t feel this one sided policy is sufficient to protect nation.
I tried amendments to protect and set goal for sustainable future. Only sustainable future is if brings lot of job. Not real sustainability for seven generations.
I asked for more time for more input but got voted down.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
Vote down cuz federal govt has responsiblity regarding energy development. We want to hold them responsible. The cheap resources, electricity from hydro-electricity, is what shud bring in.

And one day own part or part of power plant for power generation to offset cost to Navajo pple. Reading story on how some families are getting ready for dooms day from financial collapse or government collapse. So take care of pple thru Energy independence and not in here. Understand President Shelly wants this but we can improve on this rather than shove thru.

At Naabi when signed petition for special Council session, this was not on petition. We were to only address NTEC.

Not anti Energy Policy.

DELEGATE WITHERSPOON
POINT OF ORDER: Just handed committee document and my amendment 2 is incorrect.

DELEGATES WITHERSPOON AND ELMER BEGAY WALK OUT OF COUNCIL MEETING, ALONG WITH DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY WHICH CREATES LACK OF A QUORUM.

DELEGATE PHELPS/DELEGATE DAVID TOM
Amendment to remove word “shall” for medicine pple to be consulted on energy projects and replace it with the word “may”. Not all of our constituents support what is written here regarding the use of Navajo medicine pple.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
Hope in line with Witherspoon, this is what Navajo pple do and One is relationship with Mother Earth and other is Navajo philosophy. I see need for such a thing also. One time had lengthy discussion on this and clause shud have been developed better. Again, if vote down Energy Policy, it cud be made better.

DELEGATE NELSON BEGAYE
There are two Navajo medicine pple association so which one do we put in. I don’t know.

DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
The previous Energy Policy made several years ago and don’t think it wud change in few years. When the medicine pple all leave us, our Navajo pple believe the way they want. However there has to be a foundation. We are taught in Navajo way how to be Navajo pple. And why said okay. This is how we live and exist. This is what Navajo pple are. The Navajo medicine men’s association can be in there.

But it needs to stay in. That is who we are. That is distinction of who we are. Whatever religion we believe in does not make us Navajo.

DELEGATE ELMER BEGAY
I’ve been consulting with three associations. Hatathli assocition has mentors. There are no medicine pple. They are here to help us all. I am speaking for them. I want this Energy Policy to be cultural sensitive. We hae to think about this in beginning leader. Leaders preserve and protect. That is what was taught to me. So ask Delegate Phelps to include all medicine associations.

DELEGATE PHELPS
I have no problem adding other organizations. Just concerned about word “shall”.

DELEGATE ELMER BEGAY
(After explanation of Delegate Phelps’ amendment, Begay withdraws his request.)

DELEGATE DANNY SIMPSON
More approprate to have “may” which opens it to all religions.

DELEGATE WITHERSPOON/DELEGATE ELMER BEGAY
Table proposed Energy Policy legislation.

DELEGATE ROSCOE SMITH
what is befor you, allows you to engage. If you don’t like it, deal with it, vote it down or approve.

VOTE ON TABLING AT 5:44 PM
4 in favor, 10 opposed