HERE AT NAVAJO COUNCIL WINTER SESSION, FIRST DAY. VICE PREZ JIM FINISHED STATE OF NATION ADDRESS, WHICH OPENS FOR QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL.

DELEGATE EDMUND YAZZIE
We need to make Local Governance Centers accountable. I have five chapters that are asking for Decentralization Project to be located in Dilkon which has Department of Transportation Office. But with office in Birdsprings, it will create concerns for local people.

DELEGATE ALTON SHEPHERD
The report you made regarding education involved federal funding/support which should have included Workforce Development.

DELEGATE JONATHAN NEZ
Very inspiring to see leaders out there promoting a health life style.
I have 2 chapters in Utah so let your staff know that there lingering questions by Utah Navajos, especially UTah Navajo Trust Fund, which has been frozen for couple of years. We need to address. People out there are in need of infrastructure. And freeze is about who administer Utah Trust Fund.
And then there is Utah Water Rights issues but Navajo water rights need to be addressed.
Regarding Decentralization, I ask colleagues to refrain from saying Council giving back power to chapters. It’s RECOGNIZING inherent powers of local government.

DELEGATE K. BENALLY
Headstart needs to be addressed soon. It has been an issue since President Shelly was the Council’s Budget & Finance Committee chairperson.