PRESS RELEASE – Navajo Nation Council donating turkeys to Navajo Nation senior centers

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (11-18-2014) – The Navajo Nation Council is donating Thanksgiving holiday turkeys to 82 senior centers across the Navajo Nation to support elderly programs that work and care for Diné senior citizens.

The Navajo Nation Office of the Speaker is collaborating with the Navajo Area Agency on Aging to distribute the turkeys to the senior centers in all five Navajo Agencies.

Speaker Pro Tem LoRenzo Bates, who represents the communities of Nenahnezad, Newcomb, San Juan, Tiis Tsoh Sikaad, Tse’Daa’Kaan, and Upper Fruitland, stressed the importance of caring for Navajo elderly through the NAAA program.

“The Navajo elderly are the vessels to our cultural heritage, knowledge, and language,” Bates said. “It is our responsibility to care for the elders and ensure that we can aid programs that support this effort.”

He also commended NAAA staff for providing services to Navajo elderly on a daily basis, adding that it is a challenging job that takes a special type of work force to carry out the job efficiently.

Council Delegate Jonathan Hale, who represent the communities of Oak Springs, and St. Michaels, also expressed gratitude to the Navajo elderly for their valuable contribution in promoting cultural knowledge in Navajo homes.

“Aside from the many issues that face the Navajo people, here is but a small token of appreciation and thankfulness to the elders for their teachings and perseverance to their families for carrying on Navajo traditions,” Hale said.

Senior center representatives are asked to contact Bernita Wheeler at NAAA at (928) 729-4520 to make arrangements to pick up the turkeys.

For news on the latest legislative branch activities, please visit www.navajonationcouncil.org