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Why does Navajo govt fund Rehoboth Christian School, instead of Calling for Investigation of this Boarding School?! 4.14.22
April 13, 2022 News Articles

It is now 10:34 am, 4.14.22, and COUNCIL DELEGATE OTTO TSO motions for Consent Agenda and to include Legislation 0033-22; 0047-22, 0014. COUNCIL DELEGATE EUGENA CHARLES-NEWTON seconds Delegate Otto Tso motion for, CONSENT AGENDA.
Unofficial Voting Tally 14 in favor, zero opposed.
Elmer Begay Green; Kee Allen Begay NoVote; Paul Begay Green; Nathaniel Brown NoVote; Eugenia Charles-Newton Green; Amber Kanazbah Crotty NoVote; Herman Daniels EXCUSED; Mark Freeland Green; Pernell Halona Green; Jamie Henio NoVote; Vince James NoVote; Rickie Nez EXCUSED; Carl Slater Green; Raymond Smith Jr Green; Wilson Stewart Jr. Green; Charlaine Tso EXCUSED; Daniel Tso Green; Eugene Tso Green; Otto Tso Green; Thomas Walker Jr. Green; Edison Wauneka Green; Edmund Yazzie Green; Jimmy Yellowhair NoVote.

It is now 10:42 am, 4.14.22, and COUNCIL DELEGATE EUGENIA CHARLES-NEWTON making Amendment 2 Motion to Move Reports after Legislation because the legislation request funding and Council is next week and this is last Naabik’iyati Committee meeting before Council, There is Only One Report: Report from the Naabik’íyáti’ Sexual Assault Prevention (SAP) Subcommittee on the United States Department of Justice Consultation Written Report on Efforts to Address the Unacceptably High Rate of Violent Crimes in Native Communities, including the Rates of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons. Presented by Honorable Amber Kanazbah Crotty, SAP Chairwoman and Diné Action Plan (DAP) Advisory Group
Council Delegate Otto Tso Seconds Charles-Newton Motion for Amendment 2.
The Vote on Amendment 2 is 17 in favor, Zero opposed
Unofficial Voting Tally:
Elmer Begay NoVote; Kee Allen Begay NoVote; Paul Begay Green; Nathaniel Brown Green; Eugenia Charles-Newton Green; Amber Kanazbah Crotty Green; Herman Daniels EXCUSED; Mark Freeland Green; Pernell Halona Green; Jamie Henio Green; Vince James Green; Rickie Nez EXCUSED; Carl Slater Green; Raymond Smith Jr Green; Wilson Stewart Jr. Green; Charlaine Tso EXCUSED; Daniel Tso Green; Eugene Tso Green; Otto Tso Green; Thomas Walker Jr. Green; Edison Wauneka Green; Edmund Yazzie Green; Jimmy Yellowhair NoVote.
NOTE – This unanimous vote by Naabi/Council Delegates to Work on Legislation for Money FIRST, Instead of Hearing a Report on Missing & Murdered Dine’ Relatives/MMIW and Violent Crimes on Navajo is PROOF of where the MInds & Hearts of Our Council Delegates/Public Servants are. Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton needs to Pull her Legislation to Honor Dine’ Women because it’s ONLY her Lip Service to MMDR, MMIW. I couldn’t Believe that Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty also Voted to Hear Her Subcommittee’s Report LAST. The Council No Longer has Any Business Speaking Up for MMDR, MMIW!! Our Navajo Council SHOWED their Priority is MONEY/Beeso over Our Missing & Murdered Dine’ Relatives.
SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME No Wonder There are No DV Shelters Across the Navajo Nation. No Safe Houses for Teens & Children. No Emergency & Non-Emergency Transportation for Victims; Legal advocates for Victims; Emergency Funding for Victims & Families; More Police Officers; Salaries for staff at Shelters; Healing Centers for Victims & Families; Rape Crisis Centers; 24/7 Dine’ Emergency Call in Numbers with staff that speak Navajo & English; Professional MMDR/MMIW Dine’ Data Collection Technician/Center; Grant writers; Dine’ Public Education curriculum for Headstart, Elementary, Middle School, HS, College; Public education campaign on KTNN, Navajo Times, Navajo Broadcast Enterprise, Navajo Govt; Navajo Enterprises; Road Signs, etc, etc, etc, etc
May Peace Prevail on Mother Earth!

It is now 11:50 am, 4.14.22, and Naabi is voting on Deleting Legislation oo42-22; 0049-22; 0059-22. Naabi votes 14 in favor, 5 opposed.
Unofficial Voting Tally:
Elmer Begay Green; Kee Allen Begay Green; Paul Begay Green; Nathaniel Brown NoVote; Eugenia Charles-Newton Red; Amber Kanazbah Crotty Green; Herman Daniels EXCUSED; Mark Freeland Green; Pernell Halona Red; Jamie Henio Green; Vince James Red; Rickie Nez EXCUSED; Carl Slater Green; Raymond Smith Jr Green; Wilson Stewart Jr. Red; Charlaine Tso EXCUSED; Daniel Tso Green; Eugene Tso Green; Otto Tso Green; Thomas Walker Jr. Green; Edison Wauneka Red; Edmund Yazzie Green; Jimmy Yellowhair Green.

It is now 11:57 am, 4.14.22, and COUNCIL DELEGATE RAYMOND SMITH JR makes Motion to Return Legislation 0043-22 and 0049-22 to the Naabi Agenda.
SPEAKER DAMON says Naabi just voted to Remove 0043-22 and 0049-22, which are both sponsored by Delegate Wilson Stewart Jr.
COUNCIL DELEGATE AMBER KANAZBAH CROTTY asks if Delegate Smith voted Yes to remove oo42-22; 0049-22; 0059? Speaker says Yes.
Crotty recalls that Stewart’s legislation was Tabled by Budget & Finance Committee. I also want to hear Update ARPA Report, how projects moving thru process, how Council will prioritize ARPA funding, etc. and so Add 0043 & 0049 as a Report on Update ARPA.

It is now noon, 4.14.22, and Nabbi is STUCK again. COUNCIL DELEGATE EUGENIA CHARLES-NEWTON says that Naabi just voted to Remove 0043 & 0049, and now Delegates Raymond Smith Jr. & Wilson Stewart Jr. have Motion to Put 0043 & 0049 back on Naabi agenda cuz they completed legislative process. My Legislation 0059 went thru process and so it’s only Fair to have my Legislation 0059 Returned to Naabi Agenda.

NOTE – Why or Why did the Budget & Finance Committee vote to have Delegate Raymond Smith Jr. be their Vice Chairman?!
Maybe, we can Bet on How many Times Naabi will vote To Remove & Then Replace Legislation Naabi deleted from their Agenda…LO(L LOL LOL

It is now 12:10 pm, 4.14.22, Speaker Damon asks B&F Vice chairman Raymond Smith Jr. about making his motion to Return 0043 & 0049 into a Report on Whether the Projects in 0043 & 0049 are Eligible for ARPA funding. And if the projects are eligible, then Delegate Wilson Stewart Jr. can ask to Return his legislation 0043 & 0049 to Naabi agenda.

B&F VICE CHAIRMAN RAYMOND SMITH JR agrees.
Naabi voting on Having an Update Report on Projects Eligible for ARPA fundings, which includes 0043 & 0049. The Vote is 14 in favor, 4 opposed.
Elmer Begay Green; Kee Allen Begay Green; Paul Begay Green; Nathaniel Brown NoVote; Eugenia Charles-Newton Red; Amber Kanazbah Crotty Green; Herman Daniels EXCUSED; Mark Freeland Green; Pernell Halona Green; Jamie Henio Green; Vince James Red; Rickie Nez EXCUSED; Carl Slater Red; Raymond Smith Jr Green; Wilson Stewart Jr. Green; Charlaine Tso EXCUSED; Daniel Tso Green; Eugene Tso Green; Otto Tso Red; Thomas Walker Jr. Green; Edison Wauneka Green; Edmund Yazzie NoVote; Jimmy Yellowhair Green.

DELEGATE CHARLES-NEWTON questions how her Legislation 059-22 went to Navajo Justice Dept but was not returned to Naabi agenda, when Naabi just voted to Return 0043 & 0049 to agenda. And some of Delegates who Voted to Remove 0043 & 0049, voted to put 0043 & 0049 back on agenda, when we don’t know if they are ARPA eligible.
This hurts to say but we need to sit down with Nez on funding the needs of people. And I’ll Motion to Return my Legislation 0059-22 to Naabi agenda.

SPEAKER deleted 0043, 0049, 0059 and Amendment 4 was to Return 0043 & 0049 but Changed to Hear Update Report on ARPA eligible projects, including 0043 & 0049, as Agenda Item 6B.

NOTE – and now Speaker & Charles-Newton discussing how Agenda Numbers & Letters changed and where Update Report on ARPA eligible projects will be placed on Naabi agenda.

DELEGATE CARL SLATER is very emotional as he says he doesn’t understand why Delegate Charles-Newton accusing him of “jumping” on her. Charles-Newton’s “infatuation with me and before delegate. I don’t know what’s going on.”

It is now 12:30 pm, 4.14.22, DELEGATE DANIEL TSO makes motion to add 0058-22, supporting Biden’s nomination of Roselyn Tso as HIS director & Congressional confirmation, to Naabi agenda.
DELEGATE MARK FREELAND second Tso’s Amendment 5.
Naabi voted 18 in favor, Zero opposed on Amendment 5.
Elmer Begay Green; Kee Allen Begay Green; Paul Begay Green; Nathaniel Brown NoVote; Eugenia Charles-Newton Green; Amber Kanazbah Crotty NoVote; Herman Daniels EXCUSED; Mark Freeland Green; Pernell Halona Green; Jamie Henio Green; Vince James Green; Rickie Nez EXCUSED; Carl Slater Green; Raymond Smith Jr. Green; Wilson Stewart Jr. Green; Charlaine Tso EXCUSED; Daniel Tso Green; Eugene Tso Green; Otto Tso Green; Thomas Walker Jr. Green; Edison Wauneka Green; Edmund Yazzie Green; Jimmy Yellowhair Green.

It is now 12:51 pm, 4.14.22, and COUNCIL DELEGATE DANIEL TSO motions for Amendment 6 to Add 0058-22 to Consent Agenda, which includes Legislation 0033-22, 0047-22, 0014-22
Naabi votes 18 in favor, Zero opposed.
Elmer Begay Green; Kee Allen Begay Green; Paul Begay Green; Nathaniel Brown NoVote; Eugenia Charles-Newton Green; Amber Kanazbah Crotty NoVote; Herman Daniels EXCUSED; Mark Freeland Green; Pernell Halona Green; Jamie Henio Green; Vince James Green; Rickie Nez EXCUSED; Carl Slater Green; Raymond Smith Jr. Green; Wilson Stewart Jr. Green; Charlaine Tso EXCUSED; Daniel Tso Green; Eugene Tso Green; Otto Tso Green; Thomas Walker Jr. Green; Edison Wauneka Green; Edmund Yazzie Green; Jimmy Yellowhair Green.

It is now 12:58 pm, 4.14.22, and Naabi is FINALLY voting to Accept its Agenda. The vote is 18 in favor, Zero opposed.
Elmer Begay Green; Kee Allen Begay Green; Paul Begay Green; Nathaniel Brown NoVote; Eugenia Charles-Newton Green; Amber Kanazbah Crotty NoVote; Herman Daniels EXCUSED; Mark Freeland Green; Pernell Halona Green; Jamie Henio Green; Vince James Green; Rickie Nez EXCUSED; Carl Slater Green; Raymond Smith Jr. Green; Wilson Stewart Jr. Green; Charlaine Tso EXCUSED; Daniel Tso Green; Eugene Tso Green; Otto Tso Green; Thomas Walker Jr. Green; Edison Wauneka Green; Edmund Yazzie Green; Jimmy Yellowhair Green.

WHO WAS THE COUNCIL DELEGATE OR DELEGATES THAT CREATED CONSENT AGENDA? IT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED!! IT’S ANTI-DINE’ BECAUSE IT OPENS LOOP HOLE TO PREVENT OPEN PUBLIC DEBATE ON LEGISLATION/LAWS THAT IMPACT WE, THE DINE’
It is now 1 pm, 4.14.22, and Naabi getting ready to Vote on Consent Agenda, which includes Legislation 0033-22; 0047-22; 0014-22, 0058-22.
COUNCIL DELEGATE AMBER CROTTY asks about 0033-22.
COUNCIL’S ATTORNEY OFFICE reports that Legislation 0033-22 Surplants prior resolutions. RDC approved GRANT of ROW for Arcadia for huge fiber optic 2,000 miles of line in NM, Az, Utah. So ROW already Approved and this is Council giving Support for ROW Broadband, employment.
COUNCIL DELEGATE OTTO TSO arguing that Delegates had Opportunity before Naabi voted on Consent Agenda to ask questions on Legislation going on Consent Agenda.
SPEAKER says that’s what happened in past.
CROTTY says she wants a legal citation that says that Consent Agenda goes to Immediate Vote before any Debate.
CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL DANA BOBROFF says My understanding go straight to vote, no discussion because why put on Consent Agenda.
LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Manuel Rico says that Council approved Consent Agenda for legislation likely approved by Delegates and then vote without amendments and debate.
DELEGATE CROTTY says she asked question and not looking for debate. Where is language that prohibits her from asking questions?

It is now 1:24 pm, and Naabi voting on Consent Agenda. The vote is 18 in favor, 1 opposed to Approve Legislation 0033-22; 0047-22; 0014-22; 0058-22.
Unofficial Voting Tally:
Elmer Begay Green; Kee Allen Begay Green; Paul Begay Green; Nathaniel Brown EXCUSED; Eugenia Charles-Newton Green; Amber Kanazbah Crotty RED; Herman Daniels EXCUSED; Mark Freeland Green; Pernell Halona Green; Jamie Henio Green; Vince James Green; Rickie Nez Green; Carl Slater Green; Raymond Smith Jr. Green; Wilson Stewart Jr. Green; Charlaine Tso EXCUSED; Daniel Tso Green; Eugene Tso Green; Otto Tso Green; Thomas Walker Jr. Green; Edison Wauneka Green; Edmund Yazzie NoVote; Jimmy Yellowhair Green.

It is now 1:30 pm, 4.14.22, and Naabi on LEGISLATION 0013-22: An Act Relating to the Health, Education and Human Services, Budget and Finance, and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees, and to the Navajo Nation Council; Approving $540,528 in Supplemental Funding from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance to Rehoboth Christian School to Fund Student Transportation Costs, a Navajo Language Teacher Position, Summer School Expenses, and Other Needs
SPONSOR: Honorable Pernell Halona
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Seth Damon
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Edmund Yazzie
COUNCIL DELEGATES RAYMOND SMITH JR & JIMMY YELLOWHAIR motion & second.
COUNCIL DELEGATE PERNELL HALONA says his legislation to help Rehoboth Christian School with Navajo language class, be top school, elementary school needs AC.
NOTE – WONDER WHAT REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL POSITION ON SAME-SEX MARRAIGE. I oppose using any Navajo Govt Funds for Christian Schools Until we have REPORT on whether there is EQUAL Funding of Dine’ Immersion Schools by Navajo Council. I attended Rehoboth & I saw how my frens were taught to be ashamed of their parents if they were not Christians or they were traditional Dine’. Rehoboth was a Christian Boarding School. Why hasn’t the Navajo Council called for an Investigation of Rehoboth, instead of Handing over more of our Funds. AND Rehoboth Christian School charges Tuition Fees & Other Fees.

It is now 1:40 pm, 4.14.22, and COUNCIL DELEGATE EUGENIA CHARLES-NEWTON asks if Rehoboth Christian School is state school, does Rehoboth get state funding; Will the $540,528 funding for Navajo language teacher also include Dine’ culture/ceremonies; and How much Funding has Council provided for other Schools.
COUNCIL DELEGATE OTTO TSO says there is state funding for school buses and there was COVID-19 relief aid for schools. How much did Rehoboth receive?
COUNCL DELEGATE PERNELL HALONA says Rehoboth gets donations and as far as he knows Rehoboth didn’t get ARPA.
REHOBOTH OFFICIAL says Rehoboth private school and received federal funds for Native children, but no funds for transportation.
SPEAKER DAMON says that the Council has provided no allocations to schools, public or private, on or off rez, except in 2018 to St. Bonaventure School, a private school, for buses. Navajo Prep receives funding thru trust fund.
DELEGATE KEE ALLEN BEGAY says he thought President Nez announced that he will not be approving Funding Requests from UUFB. What’s the chances of Nez not line item vetoing the $540,528. In the past, I have supported Rehoboth because they requested funding. I have schools in my area that need funding for broadband. And what are the assurances that Rehoboth will hire Navajo language teacher or that Rehoboth will use those funds to hire a Navajo language teacher. Rehoboth could use for whatever they want. Parents in my area asks for sports equipment, new school building, etc. How many teachers at Rehoboth are Navajo? How many Rehoboth administrators are Navajo? These funds are for Navajo students/schools. Rehoboth along paved road, nest to Gallup, NM. I see improvements to sports facilities.

It is now 2 pm, 4.14.22, and Navajo Council Delegate Kee Allen Begay says that Rehoboth shud provide a Report on How Funding Rehoboth has received from Navajo Council. Rehoboth has brought several requests to Council that I supported.
COUNCIL DELEGATE EDMUND YAZZIE says legislation for $540,528 is for the kids, just like the funds for St. Bonaventure in Thoreau, NM. There are a lot of our Navajo kids attending and those that go onto college is a high number. I want to make Amendment but I’ll wait until all questions asked.
COUNCIL DELEGATE PERNALL HALONA says Rehoboth asked for help. If other schools ask you for assistance, that’s up to them. But Rehoboth has high percentage of students that graduate and go to college. Navajo elected officials have attended Rehoboth as students.
REHOBOTH OFFICIALS 425 k to 12 and 50 in preK. 78% Native and mainly Navajo. High schools students include Zunis. Prepare for future and last two years really, really hard. With private school, we look for new ways to help program and we asking for seed money such as special education. we got grant fund and have donors now for special education. we have navajo language teacher. we have buses but need help with transportation costs.
NOTE – WHAT IS REHOBITH’S POSITION ON DINE’ TEACHINGS, CEREMONIES, PRAYERS, ART, MATH, HERBS, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, DINE’ TRADITONAL CLOTHING. When I attended Rehoboth, I was told that my Dine’ and Zuni ceremonies/prayers was devil worship.

It is now 2:14 pm, 4.14.22, and Navajo Council Delegate Jamie Henio says he remembers his co-workers scrambling around to get money together to pay for tuition for their children to attend Rehoboth. And since Rehoboth already received funds and seems like Rehoboth keeps returning so let’s put under Division of Dine’ Education. And I heard Rehoboth official says that Rehoboth using Navajo Money to experiement with…

SPEAKER SETH DAMON says that the Navajo Council has not provided funding to other schools, public or private, on or off rez, except in 2018, when the Council approved funding for St. Bonaventure School, a private school, for buses. Navajo Prep receives funding thru trust fund.
NOTE – This is not the first time that Rehoboth Christian School has received Navajo govt funds. Rehoboth has received Navajo govt funds several times.

Come On Navajo Council!! Call for an Investigation of Rehoboth as a Boarding School for Indigenous Children & Teens. Rehoboth has a Cemetery. Are there unmarked graves of our children there? How many of our children went Missing from Rehoboth?
COUNCIL DELEGATE EUGENIA CHARLES-NEWTON says that Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer is Rehoboth school board president.
US Energy Association Bio: “Myron Lizer (of the Naałání or Comanche People Clan) is an American politician, who is the 10th and current Vice President of the Navajo Nation under President Jonathan Nez. He received his BBA from Fort Lewis College and family owns three Ace Hardware Stores on the Navajo Nation and is of the Christian faith and previously served as School Board President of Rehoboth Christian Schools.”

It is now 2:45 pm, 4.14.22, and COUNCIL DELEGATE ELMER BEGAY asks when the Council will focus on Needs of People, who are hurting. I see legislation for appropriation. What is the goal of Navajo language teacher? Will this be used to promote more Hataaliis? When are we going to concentrate on Healing?

It is now 2:50 pm, 4.14.22, and COUNCIL DELEGATE VINCE JAMES comes thru again! James says he wants an Answer from Dept of Dine’ Education for the Total Unmet Needs of schools on the Navajo Nation.
COUNCIL DELEGATE Otto Tso asking about Rehoboth tuition, $3,500 to $8,500. You have school near Navajo rez that has no Navajo Studies. Baffles me not part of curriculum. And now you says you are going to test Navajo language teacher. I’m fluent Navajo speaker and discouraging to hear that Rehoboth Finally Finally wants to establish a Navajo language class. Are there Rehoboth internal policies that prohibit teaching Navajo language.
NOTE – Late Navajo Code Talker Carl Gorman said he was punished for speaking Navajo when he attended Rehoboth.

It is now 3:40 pm, 4.14.22, and COUNCIL DELEGATE EUGENIA CHARLES-NEWTON says We have a religious school asking for the Dine’ people’s money. And since a chapter initiated this half million dollar Request for Rehoboth, maybe the chapter shud fund. We shud have oversight over Rehoboth if funding with the Dine’ people’s money. What concerned me is answer, they have to know where we are at so where is Rehoboth at in incorporating Navajo culture such as Fire Dance, Yei Bi Che, kinaalda. Do you encourage students to attend those sacred Dine’ ceremonies? We need to understand your position on our ceremonies. This is the Navajo people’s money and not all Navajos can afford to send their children to a private school, which is a choice by parents. And the representative for Rehoboth said parents concerned about school bus for Rehoboth students. Students across the Navajo Nation face bus problems so what is happening with Rehoboth’s buses is happening across the Navajo Nation.
And giving $500,000 to Rehoboth does not assure Dine’ people or Navajo govt that we will have a say in how our children are taught, what our children are taught.
Speaker Damon said a precedent was already set to fund Rehoboth. But this is a new Council. I cannot tell my students in Shiprock that I used Navajo govt funds for a private Christian school. Rehoboth charges students and parents for tuition and receives about $1.8 million for tuition. I want written report on your spending, your donations, your incoming funds, etc.
How is the funding formula divided among students? The state and federal govt provides funding. But if take $4.3 million, which is tuition and donations, and divide among your student, my calculations show that each of the Rehoboth students would receive about $10,000 each.
When Navajo Transitional Energy Company didn’t provide Full Budget when they also asked the Council for funding, I opposed funding NTEC.

It is now 4 pm, 4.14.22, and Navajo Council Delegate Jamie Henio says Rehoboth disguised its request for $540,528 by saying that it will use money for Navajo language class, Navajo culture class, when Rehoboth policy is “Rehoboth Christian School challenges its students to know the Triune God and equips them to love, serve, and transform the world in His name.”
DELEGATE EDMUND YAZZIE says he’s motioning to Add AMENDMENT 1, which INCREASES $540,528 Grant to $540,798 Grant, and adds several exhibits regarding Rehoboth.
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE VICE CHAIRMAN RAYMOND SMTH JR seconds Yazzie’s Amendment.

It is now 4:10 pm, 4.14.22, and Naabi voting on increasing $540,528 Grant to $540,798. Naabi voted 12 in favor, 7 opposed.
Elmer Begay Red; Kee Allen Begay Red; Paul Begay Green; Nathaniel Brown EXCUSED; Eugenia Charles-Newton Red; Amber Kanazbah Crotty NoVote; Herman Daniels EXCUSED; Mark Freeland Green; Pernell Halona Green; Jamie Henio Red; Vince James Red; Rickie Nez Green; Carl Slater Red; Raymond Smith Jr. Green; Wilson Stewart Jr. Red; Charlaine Tso EXCUSED; Daniel Tso Green; Eugene Tso Green; Otto Tso Green; Thomas Walker Jr. Green; Edison Wauneka Green; Edmund Yazzie Green; Jimmy Yellowhair Green.
COUNCIL DELEGATE DANIEL TSO asks if legislation to fund Rehoboth with $540,798 from UUFB needs 16 Yes votes.
SPEAKER DAMON says 16 yes votes at Council but not at Naabi.

COUNCIL DELEGATE OTTO TSO said a parent contacted him and said that if student not a Christian or doesn’t have recommendation of church member to attend Rehoboth, then Rehoboth will not accept them. This is what is going on at this school on our borders.
And during a funeral at Rehoboth, a family was playing a Native American Church song and Rehoboth officials told them they could not play Native American prayer.
“This is troublesome. I’ll always be Navajo.”
But this school will not Accept you as a student, if you believe in Navajo way of Life. For anyone listening to Naabi on social media, please contact me if Rehoboth turned you away for being Dine’. I thought this only happened in the South. I will vote NO.

It is now 4:30 pm, 4.14.22, and Rehobth official says that students and parents are Asked to fill our Spiritual Reflection and never prohibited other Religions. We do Proclaim Christ in all our classes, and we Don’t promote traditional Dine’ ceremonies. That’s What parents do at home. Rehoboth’s Cultural classes are more of clothing and weaving, Ke’. We know baggage we carry and because of that we want to be different, do better. When put Navajo language in curriculum we are saying we want Navajo leadership on board. Parents who come to Rehoboth come for Christian message.

It is now 4:35 pm, 4.14.22, and COUNCIL DELEGATE EUGENIA CHARLES-NEWTON calls out Speaker Damon for being a co-sponsor on funding Rehoboth with half a million dollars. Three times asked for DODE and Delegate Vince James. But you have not asked for DODE and you have recognized my request. So in future, if you are co-sponsor and cannot be fair then I suggest that you not be speaker cuz taints way do business at council. But we are at end of debate. You are not conducting this in a neutral fashion.

SPEAKER DAMON denies that he’s biased and he tried contacting DODE, Dept of Dine’ Education.

DODE DIRECTOR Dr. Moffit asks for Dr. Begay to speak.

COUNCIL DELEGATE VINCE JAMES says if cannot contact Dr. Begay then contact OPVP for Outstanding Needs of Dine’ education or Health, Education and Human Services Committee.

It is now 4:48 pm, 4.14.22, and DEPT OF DINE’ EDUCATION DIRECTOR DR. BEGAY says he’s ready to answer questions regarding Unmet Needs of Dine’ education across the Navajo Nation. What was Unmet Needs Budget submitted by DODE?
Begay says on unmet needs is a long, long list. With this more than 100 schools submit needs similar to Rehoboth and in come cases more. Community school asked for $3M to finish construction that BIE couldn’t finish. All schools across Navajo have great needs.
COUNCIL DELEGATE EUGENIA CHARLES-NEWTON says not much grant funds if 100 schools requesting for unmet needs. And is DODE ready to oversee Rehoboth if Council approves half a million dollars in Navajo govt funds?
We have School Clothing Program that cud use half a million dollars.
This is nothing to do with churches or how pray. It is about half a million dollars in Navajo govt funds going to private Christian school and so as a Huge Donor, the Navajo govt has right to have say in Rehoboth.
DODE DR BEGAY says I need to research if any precedent of donation to school and what process used in conjunction with Navajo Controller’s Office. If none then get with Controller on how to best approach, including the involvement of Auditors and the development of a Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement on how funds to be spent. If approved by Council, then 100 schools will submit budget requests if no precedent.
DELEGATE EUGENIA CHARLES-NEWTON asks Dr. Begay if oversight funding process needs to be researched and developed first? Dr. BEGAY says yes.
NOTE – Wonder why Speaker Damon didn’t inform Dr. Begay that a Precedent was already set in Funding Rehoboth? My guess is that Damon didn’t want a 100 schools on the Navajo Nation asking for half a million dollars too.

It is now 5 pm, 4.14.22, and COUNCIL DELEGATE DANIEL TSO says that the way Rehoboth’s request is unfolding is the Council is funding a sole Contractor, which is a violation of Navajo contract laws. Council Delegate Jamie Henio says the Rehoboth request gives a lot of the half million dollars to a sole Gallup contractor. I’m going to Vote No.

It is now 5:15 pm, 4.14.22, and Naabi is voting on Legislation LEGISLATION 0013-22: seeks Navajo Nation Council; Approval of $540,528 in Supplemental Funding from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance to Rehoboth Christian School to Fund Student Transportation Costs, a Navajo Language Teacher Position, Summer School Expenses, and Other Needs. SPONSOR: Delegate Pernell Halona. CO-SPONSORs: Speaker Seth Damon and Delegate Edmund Yazzie
The Naabi vote is 8 in favor, 11 opposed. But legislative rules allow 0013-22 to move forward to Council.
Unofficial Voting Tally:
Elmer Begay Red; Kee Allen Begay Red; Paul Begay Red; Nathaniel Brown EXCUSED; Eugenia Charles-Newton Red; Amber Kanazbah Crotty Red; Herman Daniels EXCUSED; Mark Freeland Green; Pernell Halona Green; Jamie Henio Red; Vince James Red; Rickie Nez Green; Carl Slater Red; Raymond Smith Jr. Green; Wilson Stewart Jr. Red; Charlaine Tso EXCUSED; Daniel Tso Red; Eugene Tso Green; Otto Tso NoVote; Thomas Walker Jr. Green; Edison Wauneka Green; Edmund Yazzie Green; Jimmy Yellowhair Red.

It is 6:25 pm, 4.14.22, and Naabi votes 15 in favor, zero opposed on . LEGISLATION 0038-22: which seeks Council approval and Accepting the Navajo Nation Division of Behavioral and Mental Health Services Award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the Amount of $944,900.00; Approving a Waiver of Indirect Costs
SPONSOR: Honorable Daniel E. Tso
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Paul Begay, Jr.
CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Edison J. Wauneka
Elmer Begay Green; Kee Allen Begay Green; Paul Begay Green; Nathaniel Brown EXCUSED; Eugenia Charles-Newton Green; Amber Kanazbah Crotty g; Herman Daniels EXCUSED; Mark Freeland Green; Pernell Halona NoVote; Jamie Henio Green; Vince James Green; Rickie Nez NoVote; Carl Slater Green; Raymond Smith Jr. EXCUSED; Wilson Stewart Jr. EXCUSED; Charlaine Tso EXCUSED; Daniel Tso Green; Eugene Tso Green; Otto Tso Green; Thomas Walker Jr. Green; Edison Wauneka Green; Edmund Yazzie EXCUSED; Jimmy Yellowhair Green.

It is 8:05 pm, 4.14.22, and Naabi voted to go into executive session for an hour on legislation to fund the Navajo Rights Litigation with $4 million fom UUFB or Undesignated, Unreserved Fund Balance. Speaker Damon said Naabi be back at 9:05 pm

NAABIK’ÍYÁTI’ COMMITTEE OF THE 24th NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING (VIA TELECOMMUNICATION)
Call-in Number: (669) 900-6833
Meeting ID: 928 871 7160
Passcode: 86515
Window Rock, Navajo Nation (AZ)
Thursday, April 14, 2022 – 10:00 AM (DST)

APPROVED AGENDA

PRESIDING CHAIR: Honorable Seth Damon, Speaker, 24th Navajo Nation Council
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE, RESOURCES & DEVELOPMENT COM., HEALTH, EDUCATION & HUMAN SERVICES COM., LAW AND ORDER COMMITTEE, Hon. Elmer P. Begay Hon. Kee Allen Begay, Jr. Hon. Paul Begay Hon. Eugenia Charles-Newton (C) Hon. Nathaniel Brown Hon. Herman M. Daniels, Jr. Hon. Pernell Halona Hon. Vince R. James Hon. Amber Kanazbah Crotty Hon. Mark A. Freeland Hon. Carl Roessel Slater (VC) Hon. Eugene Tso Hon. Jamie Henio (C) Hon. Rickie Nez (C) Hon. Charlaine Tso Hon. Otto Tso (VC) Hon. Raymond Smith, Jr. (VC) Hon. Wilson C. Stewart, Jr. Hon. Daniel E. Tso (C) Hon. Edmund Yazzie Hon. Jimmy Yellowhair Hon. Thomas Walker, Jr. (VC) Hon. Edison J. Wauneka (C) Chair & (VC) Vice Chair

  1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER; ROLL CALL; INVOCATION
  2. RECOGNIZE GUESTS AND VISITING OFFICIALS (2 Minute Limit per Delegate)
  3. REVIEW AND ADOPT THE AGENDA
    (m) Hon. Pernell Halona (s) Hon. Edison J. Wauneka (v) 18-0 (cnv)
  4. REVIEW AND ADOPT THE JOURNALS: March 10, 2022; March 17, 2022, March 24-25, 2022
    (m) (s) (v)
  5. NEW BUSINESS:
    A. CONSENT AGENGA
    LEGISLATION 0033-22: An Act Relating to the Resources and Development, and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees; Supporting the Arcadian Infracom Partnership with the Navajo Nation to Construct and Operate a Broadband Fiberoptic Communications Network Across the Navajo Nation
    SPONSOR: Honorable Rickie Nez
    LEGISLATION 0047-22: An Action Relating to the Health, Education, and Human Services and the Naabik’íyáti’ Committees; Supporting and Approving Diné College’s Application to the Bureau of Indian Affairs Living Languages Grant
    SPONSOR: Honorable Carl R. Slater
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Daniel E. Tso
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Edison J. Wauneka
    LEGISLATION 0014-22: An Action Relating to Health Education and Human Services, Resources and Development, Budget and Finance, and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees; Supporting and Recommending the Passage of United States Senate Bill 1740 Titled “Schools and State Budgets Certainty Act of 2021” SPONSOR: Honorable Daniel E. Tso
    LEGISLATION 0058-22: An Action Relating to the Health, Education and Human Services and the Naabik’íyáti’ Committees; Supporting United States President Joseph R. Biden’ Nomination of Roselyn Tso to be Confirmed by the United States Senate as the Director of the Indian Health
    Service SPONSOR: Honorable Carl R. Slater
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Pernell Halona
    (m) (s) (v)
    B. LEGISLATION 0013-22: An Act Relating to the Health, Education and Human Services, Budget and Finance, and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees, and to the Navajo Nation Council; Approving $540,528 in Supplemental Funding from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance to Rehoboth Christian School to Fund Student Transportation Costs, a Navajo Language Teacher Position, Summer School Expenses, and Other Needs
    SPONSOR: Honorable Pernell Halona
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Seth Damon
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Edmund Yazzie
    (m) (s) (v)
    C. LEGISLATION 0038-22: An Action Relating to Health, Education and Human Services, Budget and Finance, and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees; Approving and Accepting the Navajo Nation Division of Behavioral and Mental Health Services Award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the Amount of $944,900.00; Approving a Waiver of Indirect Costs
    SPONSOR: Honorable Daniel E. Tso
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Paul Begay, Jr.
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Edison J. Wauneka
    (m) (s) (v)
    D. LEGISLATION 0045-22: An Act Relating to Resources and Development, Budget and Finance, and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees, and the Navajo Nation Council; Approving $4,000,000 from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance (“UUFB”) for the Navajo Nation Department of Justice Water Rights Litigation Unit to Continue Litigating and Protecting the Navajo Nation’s Water Rights; Waiving 12 N.N.C. § 820(E), § 820(F), § 820(J), and § 820(L)
    SPONSOR: Honorable Thomas Walker, Jr.
    SPONSOR: Honorable Charlaine Tso
    (m) (s) (v)
    E. LEGISLATION 0048-22: An Action Relating to the Resources and Development, Health, Education and Human Services, Budget and Finance, and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees, and the Navajo Nation Council; Allocating $29,216,453 in Síhasin Funds to Navajoland Nursing Home, Inc. for the Construction and Operation of a Veterans Nursing Home; Approving the “Navajo Warriors Home Expenditure Plan” Pursuant to 12 N.N.C. § 2501 – § 2508
    SPONSOR: Honorable Carl R. Slater
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Paul Begay, Jr.
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Nathaniel Brown
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Pernell Halona
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Vince R. James
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Rickie Nez
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Raymond Smith, Jr.
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Wilson C. Stewart, Jr.
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Daniel E. Tso
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Eugene Tso
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Edison J. Wauneka
    (m) (s) (v)
    F. LEGISLATION 0052-22: An Act Relating to Resources and Development, Budget and Finance and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees, and to the Navajo Nation Council; Approving $267,184 from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance for Animal Rez-Q, Inc. to Conduct the “Navajo Nation Spay, Neuter, Vaccination Blitz 2022” from April to September 2022 in Cooperation with the Navajo Nation Animal Control Program
    SPONSOR: Honorable Eugene Tso
    (m) (s) (v)
    G. LEGISLATION 0062-22: An Act Relating to the Resources and Development and Naabik’íyáti’ Committees; Amending CJA-01-21 and NABIS-36-21 to Extend the Deadlines for the Expenditure of Síhasin Funds for Chapter Heavy Equipment Purchases and for the Department of Water Resources Emergency Projects
    SPONSOR: Honorable Mark A. Freeland
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Wilson C. Stewart, Jr.
    CO-SPONSOR: Honorable Eugene Tso
    (m) (s) (v)
  6. RECEIVE REPORTS:
    A. Report from the Naabik’íyáti’ Sexual Assault Prevention (SAP) Subcommittee on the United
    States Department of Justice Consultation Written Report on Efforts to Address the Unacceptably High Rate of Violent Crimes in Native Communities, including the Rates of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons. Presented by Honorable Amber Kanazbah Crotty, SAP Chairwoman and Diné Action Plan (DAP) Advisory Group
    (m) (s) (v)
    B. Update report from the Navajo Nation – Department of Justice on the ARPA eligibility of Legislation 0043-22 and Legislation 0049-22. Report by Mel Rodis, Assist. Attorney General, NNDOJ and Kristen Lowell, Principal Attorney, NNDOJ
    (m) (s) (v)
  7. OLD BUSINESS: NONE
  8. CLOSE OF MEETING; ANNOUNCEMENTS; ADJOURNMENT
    Livestream will be available online at:
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