Here at Navajo Nation Council’s first day of their five-day Spring Session at the Council chambers in Window Rock, Ariz., which started at the scheduled time of 10 a.m.
Former Acting Navajo Nation Supreme Court Chief Justice T.J. Holgate mentioned that he was surprised the Council started on time, which brought laughter from people in the Council gallery. Navajo Council Delegate Edmund Yazzie, who chairs the Law & Order Committee, was first delegate to be called to make an announcement or introduce a guest, which is that time on the Council agenda that delegates honor individuals. Yazzie had planner to honor Holgate and retired Chief Justice Allen Sloan but they were not in the Council chambers – probably because the Council had started on time.
But they did arrive and Yazzie presented Holgate and Sloan with Pendleton blankets for their service.
The Navajo Nation Broadcast Services is streaming Council Spring Session on UStream.at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/navajo-nation-council
Council Delegate Leonard Tsosie said it was good to see the Colorado State flag flying outside in front of the Council chambers with the flags representing the Navajo Nation, U.S. and states of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Tsosie said that with the addition of the Colorado flag that all the Sacred Mountains are represented.
Before the Council started, there was a special flag raising for the Colorado flag by the Tohatchi High School ROTC, which is an all-female team. The Tohatchi HS ROTC also posted the colors inside the Council chambers.
There were several recognitions of St. Michaels HS Basketball Team, outstanding female roper, grandparents working in the Foster Grandparents Program, Former 1060-61 Miss Navajo Nation Roseann Bahe-Toledo, who is one of the volunteer foster grandparents, still has that royalty wave and smile.
Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty now thanking individuals, including Speaker LoRenzo Bates, for participating in the Sexual Assault Prevention Walk.
Crotty noted that there is a Sexual offender working in the Legislative Branch. She calls on Speaker to inform everyone that there is a sexual predator working for the Legislative Branch.
She emphasizes that 88 percent of sexual offender re-offend and that she, as a mother, aunt, grandmother, have the right to know that a sexual offender works for the Legislative Branch and the employees and anyone who comes to the Legislative Branch also have the right to know.
Her request to Speaker is met with loud applause from the people sitting in the gallery.
It is now 12:16 p.m., and Council delegates continue to introduce guests and make announcements.
Council Delegate Alton Joe Shepherd said Ganado is hosting a Navajo Nation Sovereignty Day on April 23, 2018.
Council Delegate Raymond Smtih announces that Nahata Dziil is having an Elders Day Friday, April 20.
Speaker Bates talks briefly about a traditional Navajo ceremony performed by Hatahliie Eric Willile Friday, April 13, 2018.
Bates said he will be issuing a memo to update the Council on Navajo Generating Station.
He calls for the Council to adopt its agenda. It is now 12:30 p.m. The Council is scheduled to recess for lunch after they approve their agenda.
Click on highlighted words to view PROPOSED NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL AGENDA .
