Ya’at’eeh Abini Relatives/Frens/Humans, the amending of the Miss Navajo Nation plan of operation is scheduled to go before the Navajo Nation Council Health, Education & Human Services Committee as a Report, as well as a Report on an Navajo Nation Ombudsman position for Nursing Homes by the Navajo Nation Department of Health.
The HEHS Committee held a virtual forum on proposed amendments to the Miss Navajo Nation plan of operation. I received a call from a former Miss Navajo, who was very concerned about a proposal by a Council delegate to remove references to our Dine’ goddess, Changing Woman/White Shell Woman. I haven’t read the Proposed Amendments and so I could not Verify that there is a Proposal to Remove Changing Woman/White Shell Woman from the Miss Navajo Nation plan of operation. But if there is a Proposal to Remove Changing Woman/White Shell Woman from the Miss Navajo Nation Plan of Operation from a Council Delegate that Council Delegate not only violated their Oath of Office to Uphold Dine’ Fundamental Law, but has shown a Total Lack of Respect for Who they Are!!
I tuned into the HEHS Virtual Forum on Amending the Miss Navajo Nation Plan of Operation & did hear Former Miss Navajo Angela Barney Nez inform the HEHS that it was difficult and a bit uncomfortable to Comment, and especially Make Recommendations on Amending the Miss Navajo Plan of Operation when Amendments/Recommendations from Council Delegates is what the former Miss Navajos were asked to Comment On.
I remember when the Late Navajo Nation Council Ervin Keeswood was the chairman of the now defunct Navajo Nation Council Government Services Committee. The Government Services Committee was debating the Miss Navajo Plan of Operation, which the GSC eventually approved. I happned to walk into the meeting as a legislative assistant was writing on a large white board about the Qualifications and Conduct of Miss Navajo.
Among the Qualifications & Conduct was No Liquor & Drug Use; Must be Single, Must Speak Navajo; Must be a Certain Age; etc, etc And after the GSC voted to Adopt their Plan of Operation for Miss Navajo – without the input of Miss Navajo or former Miss Navajos or the Navajo Nation Women’s Commission or Navajo females. SMH. I wrote a story about what the GSC did.
But when I tried to take a photo of the Qualifications & Conduct that were written on the white board, a legislative worker started to quickly erase the Qualifications & Conduct. After the GSC approved the Miss Navajo amended Plan of Operation, the GSC started debating the Qualifications & Conduct of Council Delegates. And instead of Adopting the Miss Navajo Qualifications & Conduct, GSC members began removing specific Qualifications & Conduct, such as No Alcohol & Drugs…SAD…
To attend today’s, 2.10.21, 10 am, Health, Education & Human Services Committee meeting Via Telecommunications, the Call In Number is 1-669-900-6833. The Meeting ID is 979-985-0956.
May Peace Prevail on Mother Earth!
AGENDA, HEALTH, EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE 24th NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL
Regular Meeting, February 10, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
PRESIDING : Honorable Daniel E. Tso, Chairperson
Honorable Carl Roessel Slater, Vice-Chairperson
PLACE : Via Telecommunications –
Call In Number: 1-669-900-6833 Mtg. ID: 979-985-0956
Window Rock, Navajo Nation (Arizona)
□ Paul Begay, Jr. □ Charlaine Tso
□ Carl Roessel Slater □ Daniel E. Tso
□ Pernell Halona □ Edison J. Wauneka
1) CALL MEETING TO ORDER; ROLL CALL; INVOCATION; ANNOUNCEMENTS
2) RECOGNIZE GUESTS AND VISITING OFFICIALS
3) REVIEW AND ADOPT THE AGENDA
m: s: v: Yeas: Nays: Not Voting: Absent:
4) REVIEW AND ADOPT THE JOURNAL(S):
m: s: v: Yeas: Nays: Not Voting: Absent:
5) RECEIVING REPORT
a. Report on Navajo Nation Broadband Middle Mile Strategic Plan Presenters: Brent Nelson, Systems & Program Manager, DODE & Cyber Team Member; Pearl Lee, NNTU & Records Management Program Manager
m: s: v: Yeas: Nays: Not Voting: Absent:
b. Report and Follow up Review Recap of Ombudsman Position for Nursing Homes Serving the Navajo Nation Presenters: Ramona Antone Nez, EPI Center; Jill Jim, NDOH Executive Director; Dr. Perphelia Fowler, DHR Executive Director; Reycita Toddy, DPM Director; Leonora Henderson, DALTCS Administrator
m: s: v: Yeas: Nays: Not Voting: Absent:
c. Discussion and Review of Legislation 0221-20 An Action Relating To Naabik’iyati’ Committee; Amending The Plan of Operation for the Office of Miss Navajo Nation Sponsor: Honorable Seth Damon (Eligible for Committee Action September 15, 2020)
December 17, 2020 – Referral Motion from Naabik’iyati’ Committee to HEHSC for further discussion with all entities including the Office of Speaker; Motion by: Otto Tso; Second by: Eugenia Charles-Newton; Vote; 23 in Favor 00 Oppose/ (Chairman Damon Not Voting)
December 17, 2020 – Directive Motion: Directive to have the Office of Miss Navajo Nation work collaboratively with the former Miss Navajo’s and the Miss Navajo Council, Inc. for possible recommendations to legislation 0221-20 ; Motion by: Eugenia Charles-Newton; Second by: Jimmy Yellowhair; Vote; 23 in Favor 00 Oppose/ (Chairman Damon Not Voting)
December 17, 2020 – Motion by: Eugenia Charles-Newton; Second by: Jimmy Yellowhair; Vote; 23 in Favor 00 Oppose/ (Chairman Damon Not Voting)
December 17, 2020 – Naabik’iyati’ Committee Main Motion held by: Eugenia Charles-Newton; Second by: Nathaniel Brown; VOTE: Pending
December 30, 2020 – Receiving Report provided to HEHSC from Office of Miss Navajo Nation regarding Legislation 0221-20
January 18, 2021 – A public forum was held Monday, January 18, 2021 through livestream zoom on social media and Facebook live. The communications team from the Office of the Speaker assisted the HEHSC committee on this initiative. The goal is to receive recommendations and input from the former Ms. Navajo Nation’s. The comments and input will be added to Legislation 0221-20 for the purposes of the Plan of Operations Amendments for the Office of Miss Navajo.
6) OLD BUSINESS
7) NEW BUSINESS
a. Other – Consideration to schedule a Special Meeting with Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission on February 25, 2021 or February 26, 2021
m: s: v: Yeas: Nays: Not Voting: Absent:
8) CLOSE OF MEETING; ANNOUNCEMENTS; ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment Motion: s: v: Yeas: Nays:
THIS AGENDA SUBJECT TO CHANGE: The public is advised that the Navajo Nation Council Agenda and the Agendas of the Standing Committees are not final until adopted by a majority vote of the Navajo Nation Council or the Standing Committees at a Navajo Nation Council or a Standing
Committee meeting pursuant to 2 N.N.C. §§163 and 183, Navajo Nation Council Rule of Order No. 7, and Standing Rule of Order No. 8.
