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Hopi Emergency

Relief Fund Update

-More on pg.7

-More on pg. 11

COMMUNITY

COLUMN

LARRY’S CORNER

Hopi Senom

Transit Service

and Safety Plan

about it

More on Page 2

Flood waters at First Mesa Elementary School, tractors pile sand to make a temporary barricade. Photo by Romalita Laban/HT

HOPI TUTUVENI

PO BOX 123

KYKOTSMOVI, AZ 86039

1110-01600-7460

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Rumble on the Mountain 7:

‘Welcome to Flagstaff’

-More on pg. 14

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

EXECUTIVE ORDER# 012-2021 Declaration: An Emergency

Situation and Natural Disaster Area for the Hopi Reservation

WHEREAS, recent severe rainstorms throughout the

Hopi Reservation have produced flooding in various areas, causing damage to roads, homes, agricultural

areas, and the natural environment; and

WHEREAS, the flooding has the potential to cause

rock and mudslides, as well as inflect additional damage to sewer, telephone lines and public infrastructure

which may adversely affect the safety, health and welfare

of the Hopi and Tewa people; and

WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has extended the Flash flood watch for much of Northern

Arizona due to the likelihood of severe rain and thunder

storms through July 251 2021; and

WHEREAS, local resources such as the Hopi De-

partment of Transportation may be maximized and/or

exceeded during the local emergency response and

additional resources may need to be requested from

the Arizona Department of Transportation, Abandoned

Mine Lands Program, Navajo County Highway Administration and the Federal Emergency Management

Agency; and

WHEREAS, the Hopi Tribal Council and the Office of the Chairman are responsible for providing

emergency response and support to the villages and public in general so that the public safety is ensured and the

public health and welfare is not further compromised.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the

Chairman of the Hopi Tribe, hereby declares the Hopi

Reservation a Natural Disaster Area and is in a State

of Emergency for 7 days from the date of signature.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Chairman of the

Hopi Tribe directs all pertinent tribal departments and

programs such as the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Services, Hopi Emergency Medical

Services, Hopi Law Enforcement"

Services, and others to assist in responding to the identified needs; including, activating the Hopi Emergency

Response Team as necessary, conducting condition assessments, executing plans of action, mobilizing human

resources, identifying financial resources, and coordinating with other agencies for the delivery of services.

EXECUTED THIS 23 rd DAY OF JULY 2021.

Photos from around the Hopi Mesas and Incident Command Center

First Mesa Elementary School flooded parking lot. Photo by Romalita

Laban/HT

First Mesa Elementary School flooded parking lot. Photo by Romalita

Laban/HT

Hopi Tribe DNR, LES, DOT and Incident Commander meet on July 29,

2021 to issue assignments for the day. Photo by Romalita Laban/HT

Hopi LES report out at Incident Commander meeting on July 29, 2021.

Photo by Romalita Laban/HT

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

EXECUTIVE ORDER #011-2021 Range mitigation and livestock reduction in

response to the State of Exceptional Drought on the Hopi Reservation

"WHEREAS, The Constitution and By-laws of the

Hopi Tribe, ARTICLE VI POWERS OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, SECTION 1 (a) and (b) respectively,

authorizes the Hopi Tribal Council to represent and

speak for the Hopi Tribe in all matters for the welfare

of the Tribe; and

WHEREAS, as of June 2021, the State of Arizona

listed 5 counties as disaster areas, including Navajo and

Coconino counties, which were designated as being

in a state of ""Exceptional Drought""; and

WHEREAS, current data from the June 2021 US

Drought Monitor indicates that the Hopi Reservation

is experiencing below-average seasonal precipitation

and above average temperatures that will undoubtedly

impact the Southwestern United States over the next

several months; and

WHEREAS, field staff for the Hopi Department

of Natural Resources (DNR) have reported that water

reserved for agriculture use on the Hopi Reservation,

is being hauled off the Hopi Reservation from windmills

and stock tanks in mass quantities due to the existing

drought conditions; and

WHEREAS, the Range Water Resources located on

the Hopi Reservation are for the exclusive use of Hopi

Tribal members and Accommodation Agreement Signatories; and

WHEREAS, the Hopi Reservation has not received

any significant rainfall for the past 5 years and in 2020

received less than 2 inches of precipitation with little to

no growth of grasses and shrubs to make for an adequate

survey report; and

WHEREAS, all earthen water structures within the

Hopi Reservation have dried up leaving only windmills and springs which are currently operational at

97% and 58% capacity for the Hopi Partitioned Lands

and District Six Range Units respectively; and

WHEREAS, the Hopi Reservation has been operating on a 30% reduction of all grazing allocations

since 2018; and

WHEREAS, the field staff for the Hopi Department

of Natural Resources have conducted an assessment of

the availability of water and range resources; and have

reported that" conditions warrant a need to strengthen

existing drought mitigation and

WHEREAS, exceptional drought conditions highlight the immediate need to conserve, preserve and

protect the natural resources for long-term sustainable

use on the Hopi Reservation; and

WHEREAS, the Hopi Tribal Council, with the approval of Resolution H-097-2000, adopted a Drought

Contingency Plan, which allows the Tribe to exercise its

sovereignty to implement steps to mitigate the impact

of prolonged drought on the Hopi Reservation.

WHEREAS, the Hopi Tribal Council adopted Resolution H-047-2018, Ordinance 43, in which Section 102

B. states, The Tribal Council has determined that it shall

be a policy of the Hopi Tribe to protect, conserve, and

prudently manage all its natural resources. Livestock

grazing resources on the Hopi Reservation are hereby

identified as a valuable natural resource in need of such

protection, conservation, and management.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the

Chairman of the Hopi Tribe, based upon the recommendations and findings of the Office of Range Management (ORM), directs (pursuant to Ordinance 43, Section

106) the Office of Range Management and the Hopi Law

Enforcement Services to implement and enforce the following directives to mitigate the “”State of Exceptional

Drought”” on Hopi lands:

ALL LIVESTOCK OWNERS WITHIN THE HOPI

RESERVATION ARE HEREBY DIRECTED TO REDUCE THEIR GRAZING ALLOCATIONS WITHIN

THE NEXT NINETY (90) DAYS AS FOLLOWS:

1.Northern HPL Range Units 1: Range Units 256, 257,

258, 259, 260, 261, 262 and 263 will remain at a 30%

reduction of their permitted grazing allocation.

Range Unit 252, 253, 254 255 will reduce to 50%

of their permitted grazing allocation.

2.West HPL and District 6 Range Units2: Range

Units 551, 552, 553, 554, Shonto and North Oraibi

will reduce by 50% of their permitted grazing allocation.

Blue Point, East Dinnebito and West Dinnebito Range

Units shall reduce by 100% of their permitted grazing allocation.”

3.Central District 6, Moenkopi District and Other Range Units3: HPL Hardrock, Talahogan, Upper

Polacca (Sand Hills, Low Mountain Valley, 6-1P2, and

Cienega Canyon), Five Houses, Polacca Wash, Shungopavi4, Toreva and Burro Springs Range Units will

reduce by 50% of their permitted grazing allocation.

The Moenkopi District and Range Unit 251 will reduce by a 100% of their permitted grazing allocation.

The Tovar Range Unit will remain at a 30% reduction

of their permitted grazing allocation.

4.East and Southern HPL Range Units5: Range Units

351,451, 558, 559, 562, 563, 565, 567, 568, 569, 570,

572 and 573 will reduce by 50% of their permitted

grazing allocation. Range Unit 571 will remain at a 30%

reduction of their permitted grazing allocation.

5.The Bull Pastures: Badger Butte, and Range Units

557 and 566 shall remain at their current stocking

rates due to their seasonal use (May 1st through September 1st and the minimal number (32 bulls in Badger

Butte; 6 bulls in Range Unit 557 and 4 bulls in Range

Unit 566).

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hopi Law Enforcement Services (HLES), with the assistance of the

Office of Range Management and the Office of Hopi

Lands Administration (OHLA) shall after the 90-day

time limit, enter the Range Units and conduct a physical

livestock count and address trespass and feral livestock as

indicated under Ordinance 43. HLES and the Manager of DNR shall have the authority to impound immediately the following: diseased livestock, sires out

of breading season, unbranded livestock, dangerous

animals, and abused or neglected animals, pursuant

to Ordinance 43, Section 108. B. 1. a., b., d., g. and h.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that HLES with

the assistance of ORM shall also have the authority

at any time to immediately impound livestock that are in

areas closed to grazing, are in a field, as well as livestock

which may have caused or are currently causing damage

to private or public property, pursuant to Ordinance 43,

Section 108. B. 1. E

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no additional

permittees or transfers to another Range Unit will be

allowed during this time, so as to ensure that each Range

Unit is at a sustainable level for the duration of this order.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Hopi Laws relevant to this Executive Order including,

Hopi Code, Section 3.8.6, Criminal Damage to Property and

Hopi Tribal Ordinance 43, Section 108 (C) (1.b) 13-15

Violations and Civil Penalties, will be enforced.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Hopi Tribal government officials and programs shall initiate consultation

with federal, state, county, and tribal entities to identify

resources, technical assistance, and other support to mitigate drought impacts on the Hopi Reservation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that during the total

removal or reduction of the permitted livestock within

each Range Unit, the Hopi Tribal Government will develop and implement long-term mitigating and sustainable

Range Management Plans and if possible, rehabilitation

plans.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all permitted Hopi

Tribal members and Navajo Accommodation Agreement

signatory livestock owners shall work cooperatively with

the Office of Range Management and the Office of Hopi

Land Administration to develop this long-term sustainability management plan to benefit their respective Range

Unit.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this order shall take

effect immediately and shall remain in effect until December 31, 2031. SO ORDERED this 20th day of July

2021

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

HOPI TRIBAL COUNCIL Hopi Law Enforcement Services Responds to

Vehicle Washed Away in Flooding Water

Third Quarter Session June 1,

2021 AGENDA

MONTH OF AUGUST 2021 PROPOSED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Submitted by: Hopi Law Enforcement

Services

"UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Discussion of the I-40 Solar Project

– Kendrick Lomayestewa, Hopi Renewable Energy Office/Fletcher Wilkinson,

Hopi Utilities Corporation – TABLED

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

NEW BUSINESS

1. Action Item #034-2021 – To approve

continuation of Johnson-O’Malley Contract as a “Mature Contract” for the Hopi

Head Start Program for an indefinite period of time and to change the Fiscal Year

from December 1 – November 30, to July

1 – June 30, to coincide with the Head

Start Program’s funding cycle – Author/

Rayma Duyongwa, Early Childhood Education Program Manager

2. Action Item #35-2021 – To approve

a 5-year continuation of funding for the

Hopi Head Start Program and authorizes

an Indirect Cost Rate of 4% to be implemented – Author/Rayma Duyongwa, Early Childhood Education Program Manager

3. Action Item #040-2021 – To accept funding and establish the Emergency Rental Assistance Program – Author/

Jamie B. Navenma, Chairman, Hopi

CARES Act Committee- **Time Certain

– August 2, 2021 @ 2:00 p.m.

4. Action Item #041-2021 – To approve

Development Permit Application from

the Hopi Tribe Economic Development

Corporation to construct a hotel known

as Taawaki Inn on the Hopi Trust Lands

near the Twin Arrows Casino in Coconino

County – Author/Fred Shupla, Community Planner, Office of Community Planning

and Economic Development"

“5. Action Item #042-2021 – To approve Request by Questar Southern Trails

Pipeline Company/Dominion Energy for a

Lease Assignment to Navajo Tribal Utility

Authority for remainder of term for Lease

#608-040-02 – Author/Micah Loma’omvaya, Hopi Realty Officer, Office of Real

Estate Services - **Time Certain – August

3, 2021 @ 9:00 a.m.

6. Action Item #043-2021 – To approve a one-year extension to contract

between the Hopi Tribe and Waste Management Inc. for continued waste services

– Author/Danford Wadsworth, Manager,

Hopi Solid Waste Management Program

7. Action Item #044-2021 – To approve Unmanned Aircraft System Policy

for the benefit of the Hopi Tribe – Author/

Andrew Gashwazra, Director, Office of

Community Planning and Economic Development

8. Action Item #045-2021 – To approve completed Enrollment applications

for Hopi Membership – Author/Dione A.

Naha, Enrollment Coordinator, Office of

Enrollment

9. Letter dated June 28, 2021 Re: Taawaki Inn Project – Dale Sinquah, Tribal

Council Representative, First Mesa Consolidated Villages”

Kykotsmovi, AZ – On July 25, 2021

Hopi Law Enforcement Services responded to a call for service regarding a vehicle

stuck in flooding water. HLES dispatch

received the call from Navajo Police Department – Tuba City district at approximately 4:48 p.m. The vehicle was reported

to be stuck on the bridge on Indian Route

#6720 in Hopi Range Unit #554, with water rising rapidly. This location is in a remote area at the southwestern edge of the

Hopi Reservation.

HLES responded along with Navajo Police Department, Hopi Fire Department,

Navajo Fire Department, Coconino County Search and Rescue, Navajo Emergency

Medical Services, and Bureau of Indian

Affairs Criminal Investigations-Hopi

Agency.

HLES Officers arrived on scene and observed the metal bridge at the Dinnebito

Wash to be completely submerged in fast

moving flood water. An adult male and female were observed stranded on a small

island in the middle of the fast moving

water. The top cab of a truck was observed

in the middle of the wash. Navajo Fire

Department safely rescued the two; they

were sent to Tuba City Health Care Center. Officers were informed that one additional person was in the truck. Coconino

County Search and Rescue recovered an

adult male from the vehicle who was pronounced deceased.

Hopi Law Enforcement Services stresses the danger of running flood water and

reminds the public to never cross roads

with running water and use good judgement around flood waters.

Virgil Pinto, Chief of Police, states,

“HLES would like to thank all supporting

and assisting agencies that responded. The

primary Hopi reservation encompasses

1.9 million acres of land and at times as

these, we rely on our partnering agencies

to assist.”

The Hopi Tribe issues Executive Order #012-2021 Declaration:

An Emergency Situation and Natural Disaster Area for the

Hopi Reservation

For Immediate Release

Submitted by: Paul Saufkie, Incident

Commander

Polacca, AZ. July 27, 2021 the Incident

Commander, Paul Saufkie has assembled

two Teams, Team 1 comprised of Heavy

Equipment Operators from the Hopi Department of Transportation (HDOT), who

are detailed to the Moencopi area. Team

2 Local, comprised of the Department of

Natural Resources (DNR) program employees, District 6, Windmill crew and a

few HDOT employees who are in the third

mesa area.

The First Mesa area is in a “waiting”

period, as possible rain storms may arrive

later in the week and into the weekend.

Both Team 1 and Team 2 worked diligently to assist within the Polacca areas.

Team 1 will remain in Moencopi, the

work will include repairing the roadways

to have families return to their homes, and

continue to assess the area.

Team 2 will work in the third mesa area,

to assess the area and continue to provide

the community members with sandbags.

The following roadways remain open:

Hwy 264, BIA Rt. 2, BIA Rt. 4 and Highway 87.

Paul Saufkie, Incident Commander is

pleased with the volunteer assistance provided from members of the communities

to help fill sandbags, provide meals, etc.

and stated, “I am grateful for the space

provided to the incident command, and

happy to see the assistance from the community members, this is what it takes

when disasters happen, community coming together.”

For questions the telephone number to

the Incident Command is 928-401-0461.

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

JULY 29, 2021 UPDATE - The Hopi

July 28, 2021 UPDATE - The

Tribe issues Executive Order #012Hopi Tribe issues Executive

2021 Declaration:

Order #012-2021 Declaration: An Emergency Situation and Natural

An Emergency Situation and Disaster Area for the Hopi Reservation

Natural Disaster Area for the

Hopi Reservation

For Immediate Release

Submitted by: Paul Saufkie, Incident

Commander

For Immediate Release

Submitted by: Paul Saufkie, Incident

Commander

Polacca, Ariz. July 28, 2021 and although the flooding has ceased, the incident command is addressing the mud in

the areas of Polacca and Moencopi. Other

Villages impacted with related incidences

are Hotevilla, Bacavi and Orayvi. Both

Team 1 and Team 2 continue to work making roads accessible for families to get to

their homes, building berms, and assessing the windmills for community members to haul water.

Road Closures: As of today, Hopi

Routes 60, 8 and Rt. 22 is closed to one

lane, Harvest Road (back road to Bacavi) is closed and the Masayesva road by

Pavinyama’s residence is closed. Incident

Commander Saufkie encourages drivers

to, “remain cautious and avoid the areas that have barricades, these roads are

closed for the safety of all community

members.”

Sandbags: The Hopi Emergency Relief

Fund is assisting with bagging sand for

the villages. One work party is stationed

near the Hopi Tribal Housing Authority.

Any community member who needs sand

bags, are encouraged to stop and pick up

what you need.

For questions the telephone number to

the Incident Command is 928-401-0461.

Polacca, Ariz. – July 29, 2021 and although the flooding has ceased, the incident command is advising residents to

prepare for more rain as the latest weather

advisories are calling for a 62-70% chance

of rain. As of today’s updates, rain will be

coming from the Northeast, Low Mountain Area.

Sandbags and sand are available by

the Hopi Housing Authority, outside the

fenced area before the entrance to the

Housing Authority and for local residents

to use. You may also call the Incident

Commander at 928-401-0461 to request

for sandbags.

Team 1 will be working on aiding with

road work with an end goal of returning

areas to “pre-flood” condition, only.

The Red Cross has come to the aid of

some families in the Polacca and Hotevilla areas. Assistance is based on the organization’s criteria, some of which requires

that the residence must be continuously

occupied. If the residence is insured, assistance may be more readily available.

Update for Moenkopi, Ariz. Area Sandbags and sand is available at Upper

Moenkopi Village.

Road Closures: As of today Hopi

Routes 60, 8, and Rt. 22 is closed to one

lane. Harvest Road (back road to Bacavi)

is closed and the Masayesva road by the

Pavinyama’s residence is closed. Incident

Commander Saufkie encourages drivers to

“remain cautious and avoid the areas that

have barricades, these roads are closed for

the safety of all community members.”

For questions the telephone number to

the Incident Command is 928-401-0461.

Pictures from Incident Command Center Cont.

Vanessa Taho, GIS Database personnel provides report at July 29, 2021

Incident Command meeting. Picture by: Romalita Laban/HT

Jamie Navenma, DPSES Director, Michael Lomayaltewa HDOT Director, Vanessa Taho, GIS Database personnel and Paul Saufkie, Incident

Commander provide report at July 29, 2021meeting. Picture by: Romalita Laban/HT

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

HEALTH

Tips to Improve Your Mental

Health and Wellbeing

(StatePoint) “There’s no place like

home.” There’s a reason why Dorothy

preferred the warm feeling of rural Kansas

over the hustle and bustle of Oz. Scientific

studies show that busy urban life can actually take a toll on mental health.

Adjusting your surroundings can have

a significant impact on your mental and

physical well-being, which is why many

city-dwellers are moving to areas like

The Landings, a premier gated community near downtown Savannah, Ga. featuring resort-style amenities and a friendly,

small-town feel. But whether you’re ready

to move or not, you can improve your

health with a few simple tips.

A Natural High

Spending time in nature has been found

to help with mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. And more

specifically, looking at water provides a

significant calming effect. So, take time

daily to get outdoors. Whether it’s venturing to a nearby park or water source or

simply sitting in your own yard, find time

to create some outdoor zen. At the Landings, residents are surrounded by a beautiful, natural island setting overlooking

picture-perfect marshes, lagoons and waterways – a serene backdrop to ease one’s

mind anytime.

Let There Be Light

Increased hours of sunlight can heighten the brain’s production of the mood-enhancing chemical serotonin, so be sure to

fit natural light into your schedule as much

as possible. Whether it’s a coffee on the

patio or a simple walk at lunch, adding

bits of natural light to your day can help.

And during the winter months, consider

light therapy with a light box or lamp to

simulate daylight.

The Social Network

The pandemic showed us the importance of social connections – not on social

media – but true human interactions. To

keep up connections, start right at home

with neighbors. Walking groups, game

nights or social hours are great ways to

ensure you’re adding social events to

your calendar. The Landings helps facilitate friendships through a New Neighbors

group. For the first two years after their

move, residents participate in a variety of

activities to make new friends, as well as

learn about the rich history of the area and

the community.

Find a Furry Friend

Connections don’t always need to be

with humans. Pets, especially dogs and

cats, can reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Plus, walking your pet is great

for your cardiovascular health. The Landings offers 30 miles of beautiful walking,

biking and jogging trails – and even has

a fenced in dog park – combining all the

key elements of nature, water, wildlife,

sunshine and socialization.

Get Physical

Exercise makes us feel happier, improves our immune system and can even

prevent heart disease – so find ways to

move daily. Exercising with a friend or

loved one can make it more fun, and increase your chances of sticking to it. You

may consider trying new activities that

can also introduce you to new social connections, such as golf, pickleball or tennis.

To learn more about The Landings or

to schedule a Discovery Visit, visit www.

thelandings.com.

With a few tips for adding the right elements to your surroundings, you’ll be on

the right track to make a positive impact

on your mental and physical well-being.

Hopi Telecommunications, Inc. Fiber Cut Update

For Immediate Release

Submitted by: Alicia Youvella, Customer

Service Representative – Hopi Telecommunications, Inc.

Keams Canyon, Ariz. — As of July 30,

2021, Hopi Telecommunications, Inc. has

fixed the fiber cut from July 19th in full. In

conjunction with the fiber cut there was a

copper cable cut that was resolved and all

services across Hopi with telephone and internet (DSL) have been restored.

Customer Impact:

Service to customers has been restored in

full, however at this time inclement weather may cause minimal issues with service.

Depending on how individual service is received from either fiber, copper cable or aerial services weather may be a factor in poor

service due to recent rains, flooding, lightening or winds. Customers are advised to call

the local Keams Canyon office at 928-7384674 to report issues with service or outages

for technicians to be routed to correct any

current issues with services.

Continued Maintenance:

Hopi Telecommunications continues to

monitor, maintain, and adjust to any underlying issue that may arise. Customers can be

assured HTI takes providing service in full

capacity as its top priority.

Hopi Customers Experience Intermittent Phone and

Internet Outages throughout Week of July 18, 2021 and

July 25, 2021

PHOTO CAPTION: Hopi Arsenic Mitigation Project Construction taking place near the local Honani C-store at Second Mesa, Ariz. was mentioned to be the source at which the HTI Fiber Optic

lines were cut, resulting in phone and Internet outages on July 19 throughout July 20, 2021

Photo by Romalita Laban, Managing Editor

Romalita Laban, Managing Editor

Kykotsmovi, Ariz. – July 30, 2021 and

just over a week in which Hopi customers,

who depend on phone and internet services

from the local telephone company Hopi

Telecommuncations, Inc. (HTI) may still be

experiencing outages, which were a result of

cut fiber optic lines last week and now may

be experiencing outages because of inclement weather and floods, this week on Hopi.

Hopi Tutuveni has been making contact

with HTI Administrators and Tribal Leadership since the outages took place last week,

requesting a reply and/or information.

As of today, Tutuveni has received a press

release from HTI explaining the outages as,

“In conjunction with the fiber cut there was

a copper cable cut” and noted weather may

also impact services, as well.

Other sources provided information to

Hopi Tutuveni that construction taking place

in and around the Honani C-Store located

at Second Mesa, Ariz. and being done in

connection with the Hopi Arsenic Mitiga-

tion Project, overseen by the Hopi Utility

Corporation, may have been where the cuts

occurred.

In addition to local Hopi resident customers, businesses, schools sending notifications via social media, the Hopi Tribe’s departments and programs are also sending out

emails and notification that they are without

phone and internet services, as well. At press

deadline, it was not reported back to Tutuveni which companies serviced the departments and programs which were sending out

the notifications.

The outages have impacted many on the

Hopi reservation. HTI provides services

for many of those on Hopi; however, some

customers also get services through various

cell phone and satellite internet companies,

as well.

In the press release from HTI, customers

were advised to contact HTI directly and

which may be the best method to determine

which type of service is actually experiencing outages and why.

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

Hopi Emergency Relief Fund

Update

Hopi Senom Transit

Service and Safety Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HERF crew members in a Red Feather handwashing-station workshop

Kykotsmovi, AZ - In April of 2020, the

Hopi Emergency Relief Fund (HERF) responded to the

COVID-19 pandemic to provide essential needs to the Hopi people. HERF has

made the Peace

Academic Center Gymnasium the host

site for all of their operations. When HERF

first began relief efforts, they were in “response” mode to the current pandemic.

Their goal was originally to provide food

boxes to the Hopi people to help eliminate the need to go off reservation and encourage people to stay home. As well as

distribute personal protective equipment

(PPE) to the public. With the decline of

cases, HERF has since shifted from “response” mode to “recovery” mode. The

change in operations was made to help

the Hopi people safely return to public interactions. HERF now has a menu of services open to the community.

The services offered include:

Pop-Up PPE Services - where businesses or communities can request the HERF

crew to set up at their establishments or

event locations to distribute PPE kits and

set up a hand washing station;

Community Safety Services - where individuals can request the HERF crew to

offer safety-protocol training or logistical

support for events;

Protecting the Workspace - where businesses, programs, or vendors can request

PPE kits to help them provide a safe work

environment;

The Air Purifier Grant Program - created to award small businesses, non-profits,

and tribal programs air purifiers; and

COVID- Care Kits - created for those

who must quarantine, kits include food

boxes, cleaning supplies, and PPE kits.

To request any of these services, you

can start by filling out a service request

form that can be found online at HopiFoundation.org/hopi-emergency-relief

or by contacting Derick Lomayokva at

(928)-299-1992 to request a physical

copy. By offering these services, HERF

hopes to encourage people to stay safe and

stop the spread of COVID-19. The Hopi

Emergency Relief

Fund is a project of the Hopi Foundation.

Hopi Senom Transit will resume transit

services on Monday, August 2, 2021, with

limited routes and services. This plan will

be in effect until further notice.

Hopi Senom Transit Office

The Transit office will be closed to

the public. Customer service is available

by phone Monday through Friday from

8:00AM – 5:00PM at 928-734-3232.

Safety on the Bus

•No Mask, No Ride. Drivers will have

masks available.

•Temperatures will be taken prior to entering the bus. A person with a temperature of 100 F or higher will not be allowed

to board the bus.

•Essential Trips Only: Medical Appointments, Employment, Education,

Groceries & Shopping.

•Social Distancing on the bus will be

enforced until the bus is filled to 75% capacity.

•Children under age 16 will not be permitted on the bus.

•Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes

will be available on the bus.

•No Fares will be charged for the duration of the COVID-19 Emergency on

Hopi.

Transit Route Changes – See Attached

Route Schedules for Changes

•Four routes will run daily: Flagstaff,

Winslow, Keams Canyon and Midday.

The Tuba City Route is canceled until further notice.

•There will be two trips to Flagstaff dai-

ly with only one stop at the Greyhound

bus depot.

•There will be one trip to Winslow daily. There will not be a stop at Dilkon until

further notice.

•The Keams Canyon and Midday

Routes will run as usual.

•All drivers will radio in when their bus

has reached the 75% capacity passenger

limit. No more passengers will be allowed

on the bus once the bus reaches the 75%

capacity limit.

•Buses will not enter Villages with closure orders. The bus stop for Mishongnovi/Sipaulovi will be at the Honani

C-Store.

•We will buy back unused bus passes

that were sold in 2020. Only the original

purchaser will be refunded for the unused

pass.

Refusal of Service

Hopi Senom Transit reserves the right

to refuse service to anyone and will refuse

service to any person who is intoxicated or

under the influence of drugs or other substances, may be dangerous or disruptive

or for any other reason that may create

harm or make the trip unsafe or uncomfortable to other passengers, the driver or

the vehicle. Any person who is refused

service under the Refusal of Service policy will not be allowed to ride any Hopi

Senom Transit bus for the duration of the

COVID-19 Emergency at Hopi.

For More Infomation: Call Hopi Senom Transit at 928-734-3232, from 8:00am

– 5:00pm, Monday through Friday

Hopi Tutuveni wants your AD’s

Call or email us to get a quote TODAY!

928-734-3283 or

rlaban@hopi.nsn.us

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

Are you into drawing

COMICS?

Submit your comics to

consae@hopi.nsn.us

Call 928-734-3283

To find out more

information.

Drawing comics is a great way to show

your

drawing skills and your side of Hopi

Humor.

If you have the skill and the humor to

draw comics for the Hopi Tutuveni

DISCLAIMER: Comics submitted will become property

of Hopi Tutuveni. Name of artist will be

displayed and not edited when submitted. Hopi Tutuveni has the right to publish submitted comics.

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

Spay/Neuter Clinic

August 28 & 29, 2021

8 am – 4 pm

Village of Tewa

Community Center

Polacca, AZ

Free Spay/Neuter Surgeries

Slots for 40 dogs & 10 cats

Free Vaccinations

Parvo, distemper, rabies

For Hopi residents only.

Appointment required.

To schedule an appointment, call or go online:

(928) 734-3403

M-F 9 am-4 pm

bit.ly/3x7zubu

Owners must wear face covering &

maintain 6 ft. social distance.

Services funded through the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona and the

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Collaborative partners: Hopi Dog Rescue, Clinic HQ University, Coconino

Humane Association, and Hopi Department of Health Services

Veterinarian services provided by: Asavet Charities

Would you like to put your

legals into the Newspaper?

For a single price you can put your legals

into the Hopi

Tutuveni

Call 928-734-3283 to find out how

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

Responsible Pet Ownership Can Save Lives

June 23, 2020 – Sipaulovi Village. ADHS veterinarian Heather Vanket, Hopi CHR, Hopi Veterinary Program and Erica Weis provide pet wellness services (Photo by original sender).

For Hopi Tutuveni

Kykotsmovi, Arizona – July 28, 2021

For most people, it makes sense that a healthy community is made up of healthy people. It may not be as obvious that healthy animals are important parts of a healthy

community, too. Keeping pets healthy through vaccination, spay and neuter, and animal wellness has impacts on

human and animal health.

The Hopi Tribe is dedicated to providing opportunities

to support animal wellness. The Small Animal Control

Ordinance #61, approved by Hopi Tribal Council in April

2016 provides funding for the Small Animal Control Program (SACP) to control dog and cat populations, promote

responsible pet ownership, and reduce disease in people

and small animals. As of 2019, the Department of Health

& Human Services (DHHS) has been responsible for the

oversight and direction of SCAP. The first priorities are

to fill two vacant positions for animal control officers and

reduce the unwanted dog population. The Deputy animal

control officer position is currently open, and applications

can be submitted to the Hopi Tribe Human Resource Department.

Meanwhile, the DHHS Public Health Compliance Program (PHCP) has hosted two large scale events in June

to support Hopi animal wellness: a spay-neuter clinic in

Upper Moenkopi and a community-wide rabies vaccination clinic. During the spay-neuter event, 75 dogs and 22

cats were spayed or neutered, and each animal received

vaccinations. This clinic was made possible through part-

June 12-13, 2021 – Upper Moenkopi Village. Pets are checked in for Spay-Neuter Clinic. (Photo

by original sender)

nerships with Asavet Charities (Tucson, AZ), Coconino

Humane Association (Flagstaff, AZ), Hopi Dog Rescue

(Chicago, Ill.), Clinic HQ (Portland, Oregon) and Arizona Animal Welfare League (Phoenix, AZ). Nearly

590 additional dogs and cats were vaccinated against

rabies and over 600 dogs were given tick collars across

Hopi during the rabies vaccination campaign. A special

thank you to Indian Health Service Office of Environmental Health, Arizona Department of Health Service,

Hopi Tribe Community Health Representative, Wildlife

Eco-system management, Veterinary program and Erica

Weis, CDC Consultant, for their support during the rabies

vaccination campaign.

Events such as these play an important role in protecting animal and human health. Vaccinating dogs against

rabies, for instance, reduces the chance of animals getting

rabies, and reduces the chances those animals have of exposing people to the deadly disease.

“We need the help of every community member to

prevent problems related to the overgrown dog population while we work on staffing the SACP,” Madeline

Sahneyah, the Hopi Public Health Compliance Officer

says. “Being a responsible dog owner can literally save

lives.”

So, what does it look like to be a responsible pet owner?

“It’s simple,” Sahneyah says, “it comes down to providing basic needs and care to make sure the dog and the

people around it are safe and healthy.”

Taking care of a dog’s basic needs means:

•

Provide your dog with food and clean water every day.

•

Spay or and neuter your dogs.

•

Get your dogs vaccinated to protect them from

common diseases like distemper, parvovirus, and rabies.

•

Take your dogs to get veterinary care if they are

sick or hurt.

•

Treat your dogs with medicines to prevent ticks,

worms, and other parasites.

•

Safely secure your dog on your property. (Make

sure they can still access food, water, and shelter while

they are secured.)

•

Make sure dogs have shelter from sun, rain, or

snow, as well as space to exercise.

Did you miss our June clinics? Not to worry, PHCP has

more events scheduled to serve the people and animals

of Hopi. A second spay-neuter clinic for Hopi pet owners

is scheduled for August 28 & 29, 2021 at the Village of

Tewa Community Center. To make an appointment for

the spay-neuter clinic, call (928) 734-3403 for assistance

or go online to bit.ly/3x7zubu.

For more information about the Small Animal Control

Program and upcoming events, you may contact Madeline Sahneyah, at (928) 734-3403 or msahneyah@hopi.

nsn.us .

To see the job description for animal control positions

and apply, visit: https://www.hopi-nsn.gov/tribal-services/human-resources/job-listings/

HOPI H.E.O.C UPDATES

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

Hopi Tribe Department of Health and Human Services Covid-19 Emergency Response

July 29, 2021 Report

“KYKOTSMOVI, AZ – July 29, 2021

The State of Arizona has relaxed its ban on mask mandates in schools and been criticized by health experts. Arizona lawmakers approved legislation this year that bans

public schools and universities from enforcing mask mandates and COVID-19 testing

for unvaccinated students. Despite this, the CDC is now recommending that all students

in K-12 schools wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. (Children who are at least

12 years old are eligible for the Pfizer shot.)

Given new evidence regarding the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the

guidance for fully vaccinated people. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for

all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.

The delta variant is spreading fast in the U.S., especially in states with high numbers

of unvaccinated people. Last week Dr. Walensky said “the delta variant accounts for

83% of all cases recently sequenced in the U.S. and reiterated that the pandemic has

become one of the unvaccinated, who account for the vast majority of cases, hospitalizations and deaths. However, the delta variant has made it possible that people who have

breakthrough infections after being vaccinated can transmit the virus to others. Data

shows vaccinated people can have as much viral load as unvaccinated people,” she said.

Tribal Leadership, in discussion with the local the Indian Health Service, the Phoenix

Area Office and the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services Tribal Epidemiologist has confirmed that there have been no reported cases to date of the delta variant

on Hopi. The good news is we are fortunate that none of the COVID-19 variants have

been reported on the Hopi reservation and that the mitigation and recommended preventive measures mandated by Tribal Executive Order have remained unchanged and

consistent since the beginning of the pandemic to mask, sanitize, and social distance.

Here is a quick overview of the COVID-19 statistics on a national, state, and local

level:

As of July 29, 2021 the United Sates now has approximately 34.7 million confirmed

positive cases over 609,853 deaths reported.

Over 923,204 confirmed positive cases now exist in Arizona. Of those, close to 17,181

are in Navajo County alone.

The Hopi Health Care Center has tested over 10150 patients to date. Over 1,430 of

those tests at Hopi Health Care Center came back positive with 1044 from Hopi Tribal

members. Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation reported 276 positives for Hopi

Villages with a combined number of 1322*** positive Hopi Tribal members.“*Note:

These data include newly added testing results from the Abbott ID NOW machine since

April 20, 2020

** A total of 1320+ individuals who tested positive are members of the Hopi Tribe.

*** Data includes all state-wide data from other facilities such as Flagstaff, Winslow,

Phoenix or other hospitals.

+ Includes Village member(s) retested positive.

Prevention:

Watch for Symptoms - people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms

reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-10

days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with

these symptoms may have COVID-19:

•

Fever or chills

•

Cough

•

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

•

Fatigue

•

Muscle or body aches

•

Headache

•

New loss of taste or smell

•

Sore throat

•

Congestion or runny nose

•

Nausea or vomiting

•

Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list

as we learn more about COVID-19. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for

developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.”

Would you like to put your

legals into the Newspaper?

For a single price you can put your legals

into the Hopi

Tutuveni

Call 928-734-3283 to find out how

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

HOPI H.E.O.C UPDATES

Hopi Tribe Department of Health and Human Services Covid-19 Emergency Response July 29, 2021 Report, Cont.

Hopi Tutuveni wants to know how

we are doing.

Call or email us to tell us if we are doing a good job. We need your

feedback

928-734-3283

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

Rumble on the Mountain 7: “Welcome to Flagstaff ”

Ryon Polequaptewa (Pic by orginal sender)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Flagstaff, AZ - In light of past and present conflicts

between the City of Flagstaff and neighboring Indigenous

communities, Cloud Mtn Arts presents Rumble on the

Mountain 7, “Welcome to Flagstaff”. The show will feature speakers and performers from the Hopi Nation, including Hopi Chairman Tim Nuvangyaoma, former Hopi

Chairman Vernon Masayesva, The Antelope Track Dance

Group, World Champion Hoop Dancer Derrick Davis, recording artist Ryon Polequaptewa, and Ed Kabotie & Tha

Ed Kabotie (Pic by orginal sender)

Derek Davis (Pic by orginal sender)

‘Yoties. The purpose of the event is to address three areas of concern: Flagstaff’s position on Indigenous water

rights regarding the Little Colorado River, the disparate

number of Indigenous incarcerations compared to the percent of Indigenous residents in the city, and current and

future development on the sacred San Francisco Peaks.

Rumble on the Mountain 7: “Welcome to Flagstaff”

is an all-ages event at the Orpheum Theater, Saturday,

August 7th, from 6pm-10pm. $15 adults/$10 students/$8

ages 12 and under. Proof of vaccination will be required

at entry. Tickets will be limited to 130 attendees, plus spe-

cial guests and performers. Masks will be available for

those who want them. The show will also stream live on

www.facebook.com/edkabotie and www.youtube.com/

edkabotie. To purchase tickets, visit www.orpheumflagstaff.com

Event organizer Ed Kabotie explains, “Flagstaff is situated in the heart of a sacred landscape and is surrounded

by multiple Native American Nations. My hope is that

Rumble on the Mountain 7 will help us realize the potential of Flagstaff to be a beacon of conscious understanding to our region and country.”"

IRS continues unemployment compensation adjustments, prepares

another 1.5 million refunds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IR-2021-159, July 28, 2021

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service reported today that another 1.5 million taxpayers will receive refunds averaging more than $1,600 as it continues

to adjust unemployment compensation from previously

filed income tax returns.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which became

law in March, excluded up to $10,200 in 2020 unemployment compensation from taxable income calculations.

The exclusion applied to individuals and married couples whose modified adjusted gross income was less than

$150,000.

Refunds by direct deposit will begin July 28 and refunds by paper check will begin July 30. This is the fourth

round of refunds related to the unemployment compensation exclusion provision.

Since May, the IRS has issued over 8.7 million unemployment compensation refunds totaling over $10 billion.

The IRS will continue reviewing and adjusting tax returns

in this category this summer.

The IRS effort focused on minimizing burden on taxpayers so that most people won’t have to take any additional action to receive the refund. The IRS review means

most taxpayers affected by this change will not have to

file an amended return because IRS employees have re-

viewed and adjusted their tax returns for them. For taxpayers who overpaid, the IRS will either refund the overpayment or apply it to other outstanding taxes or other

federal or state debts owed.

For this round, the IRS identified approximately 1.7

million taxpayers due an adjustment. Of that number, approximately 1.5 million taxpayers are expected to receive

a refund. The refund average is $1,686.

The IRS started with the simplest tax returns and is

now reviewing more complex returns. The average refund amount is higher for this round because the IRS included an adjustment to the Advance Premium Tax Credit

(APTC).

Most taxpayers need not take any action and there is no

need to call the IRS. However, if, because of the excluded

unemployment compensation, taxpayers are now eligible

for deductions or credits not claimed on the original return, they should file a Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.

Taxpayers should file an amended return if they:

•did not submit a Schedule 8812 with the original return to claim the Additional Child Tax Credit and are now

eligible for the credit after the unemployment compensation exclusion;

•did not submit a Schedule EIC with the original return

to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (with qualifying

dependents) and are now eligible for the credit after the

unemployment compensation exclusion;

•are now eligible for any other credits and/or deductions not mentioned below. Make sure to include any required forms or schedules.

Taxpayers do not need to file an amended return if they:

•already filed a tax return and did not claim the unemployment exclusion; the IRS will determine the correct

taxable amount of unemployment compensation and tax;

•have an adjustment, because of the exclusion, that will

result in an increase in any non-refundable or refundable

credits reported on the original return;

•did not claim the following credits on their tax return

but are now eligible when the unemployment exclusion is

applied: Recovery Rebate Credit, Earned Income Credit

with no qualifying dependents or the Advance Premium

Tax Credit. The IRS will calculate the credit and include

it in any overpayment;

•filed a married filing joint return, live in a community

property state, and entered a smaller exclusion amount

than entitled on Schedule 1, line 8.

Taxpayers will generally receive letters from the IRS

within 30 days of the adjustment, informing them of what

kind of adjustment was made (such as refund, payment of

IRS debt payment or payment offset for other authorized

debts) and the amount of the adjustment.

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

Tribe sues federal officer after K-9

latches onto man

Matthew Brown

Associated Press

BILLINGS, Mont. — A prosecutor for

the Crow Tribe accused a federal law enforcement officer of aggravated assault

and other offenses after the officer's police

dog allegedly caused extensive injuries to

a tribal member during a traffic stop.

A civil complaint from prosecutor David Sibley seeks to ban the Bureau of Indian Affairs officer from the Crow reservation in southeastern Montana over the July

20 incident in Lodge Grass.

Bureau officials said in a statement that

a police dog had been used in Lodge Grass

on that date during the apprehension of a

suspect who was pulled over, stepped out

of his vehicle and allegedly assaulted an

officer.

The dog was commanded to release the

suspect but that “did not initially occur,”

the statement said. Charges against the

suspect are pending.

Officer Steve Stallings was the handler

for a dog that latched onto the leg of the

tribal member following a traffic stop in

Lodge Grass, according to the complaint.

He could not be reached for comment.

Despite his attempts to restrain the animal, it continued to hold the suspect's leg

in its jaws even after the man was on the

ground and in handcuffs, causing extensive injuries that required the suspect to

be hospitalized, the prosecutor said.

Sibley said he filed the complaint

Wednesday in Crow Nation Tribal Court,

but did not know when Stallings would

be officially served with the suit. Because

Stallings is not Native American, he cannot be charged with criminal offenses in

tribal court.

He's accused of criminal endangerment

and negligent endangerment in addition to

aggravated assault.

The prosecutor said he decided to pursue charges after reviewing cellphone

video of the incident captured by the suspect's wife.

“Law enforcement has to be held to a

similar standard or higher standards than

the public,” Sibley said. “The bottom line

is if you don’t have the ability to control

the dog, you don’t have any business deploying it.”

The suspect had been stopped for allegedly running a stop sign and erratic

driving, according to the complaint and

Sibley.

A confrontation occurred and the officer who had pulled over the suspect used

his Taser twice on him before Stallings arrived and deployed the dog, according to

the complaint.

The suspect, who could not be reached

for comment, faces charges of resisting,

obstructing and assaulting an officer and

is due to make an initial court appearance

next month, Sibley said.

The bureau said the case was under

investigation. Officials declined to say if

Stallings was still working on the Crow

reservation or if the officer allegedly assaulted by the suspect suffered injuries.

Lack of adequate law enforcement has

long plagued the 2.3 million acre reservation along the Wyoming line. Tribal

Chairman Frank White Clay said more

officers are needed, but they must be adequately trained.

A statement released by the tribe said

the incident was “a violent abuse of power.”

“The video clearly shows an officer who

is not properly trained, who cannot control

a K-9 and shouldn’t be policing our people and tribal lands,” White Clay said.

The Wrap: Road to DC

Anpetu Waste, relatives.

A lot of news out there. Thanks for stopping by Indian Country Today’s digital

platform.

Each day we do our best to gather the

latest news for you. Remember to scroll to

the bottom to see what’s popping out to us

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up for The Weekly, our newsletter emailed

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do and want us to keep going, support and

donate here.

Okay, here's what you need to know today:

Red Road to DC completed

After a two-week journey, the totem

pole carved at the Lummi Nation made it

to the nation’s capital.

The journey, Red Road to DC, was

meant to bring awareness to Indigenous

sacred sites at risk from the extractive

industry. On the way to Washington, the

House of Tears Carvers and its caravan of

activists stopped at eight well-known sacred sites across the country.

The 25-foot totem pole carved by the

House of Tears Carvers from the Lummi

Nation on display in front of the Capitol

on July 29, 2021. (Photo by Jourdan Bennett-Begaye, ICT)

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Laguna

Pueblo, welcomed the arrival of the totem

pole Thursday on the National Mall lawn.

“Our paths are crossing in this moment

because we're coming together in a new

era, an era of truth, of healing, of growth

an era in which our Indigenous knowledge

is valued and respected, in which Indigenous leadership has a seat at the table to

make decisions about our communities,

in which we have an opportunity to rise

above the challenges our people face and

build a brighter future for all of us,” Haaland said. “Every time I visit a protected

sacred site, it gives me hope, knowing that

all of us are working to honor and respect

these important places.”

The nearly 5,000-pound totem pole will

be on display in front of the National Museum of American Indians until July 31,

according to event organizers, where the

House of Tears Carvers’ exhibition will be

viewable until Sept. 9. A permanent home

for the totem pole is still in the works.

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

Hopilavit - Conversation words

JULY 21 issue

Want to Advertise with the

Hopi Tutuveni?

YOUR BUSINESS NAME HERE

Are you confused on how to advertise in the local

newspaper? The Hopi Tutuveni can help you. With

our friendly staff to help you with your advertisement, advertising is now made Easy!

Call or email today.

CONSAE@HOPI.NSN.US OR 928-734-3281

HOPI WORDS

Tunatya - Intention

Hiisa - Many

Kwisto - Get

Itsivu - Intolerant

Paati - Melt

Yup’a - Go ahead

Tuwat - In turn

Qa’ãntipu - Mistake

Nima - Go home

Qanaani - Jealous (feel)

Qaavo - Next day

Nakwhana - Grant per-

Tumala - Job

Aa’awna - Notify

mission

Henanata - Jog

Ephaqam - Now & then

Tutskwa - Ground

Suumi - Join

Himu’yva - Obtain

Naasami - Half-dollar

Hintaqa - Kind (what)

Paypi - Oh Well!

Hiñti - Happen (what)

Tuwi’yta - Know

Namora - Option (choice)

Hãalayi - Happy

Ngasta - Lacking

Angqw - Out of origin

Kyaktayti’i - Hurry

Lavayi - Language

Tuqayvasta - Pay Atten-

Wuuni - Idea (thought)

Qa iits - Late

tion

Pashimu - Important

Tayati - Laugh

Qe’ti - Quit

Sonkya - Improbable

Ya’makma - Leave (exit)

Yõoyoki - Rain

Songyawnen - In effect

Awtuuqayta -Listen

Tutuwna - Instruct

Tunatyawta - Look after

TICK-TACK-TOE

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

Larry’s Corner

Helpful

Flood Waters?

Hopis say we are prepared for anything, and

that nothing could hurt us because we are so

isolated, but that’s not true. I believe we are

the least prepared people on the world…well, I

can’t say it’s all true, because we never had such

an event before, so I can give you that one.

So recently the Hopi reservation had some

outlandish flood waters come rip through the

Hopi mesas and it was something I had never

seen before. I thank the rain gods for sending

these flood rains to the Hopi mesas and it really

tested our faith to both rain gods and our shovels.

Did you know that natural disasters take manmade money to fight something that is so natural? I didn’t know that either. But I guess money

still takes the top to do something. Of course,

money is not the only thing to make things happen, sometimes it just takes some good ol’ elbow grease.

I was at one of the villages while the flood

waters ripped through the village like Hulk rips

up his t-shirt when his muscles get flexed going

into his “Hulk mode.” The people there quickly jumped into action to help one another, by

making sure the Grand Canyon-like holes were

filled on the roads and houses were “kind of”

saved from the flood waters. I heard that in other villages and washes there were things like

chairs, refrigerators, freezers, couches and even

a cow was floating with the strong flood waters.

No one told these people to help with what

needed to be done, no one paid for their services, it was just an automatic reaction and done

for the satisfaction of just helping people. Hopis

call this action Híta’nangwa or doing something

helpful without being told or asked to do so.

Of course, there are a lot of good people on

the Hopi reservation who help someone without

asking for something in return, but sometimes

it’s not always like that. Sadly, many people

want something in return to do something so

simple, like empty the trash for the elderly or

even take someone to the local store, so they

can get something to eat. Mainstream society

has taught us that we must get something in return for our deeds.

We have become so detached from the Hopi

world that we now follow the mainstream society where it tells us that some people might harm

us if we pick up a fellow person who is simply

hitchhiking to the local store or we might succumb to social hate if we help the wrong person

that other people don’t like.

We have become so distrustful and disrespectful to each other that we forget that simply helping someone, like bringing in the wood

for grandpa or taking someone to the local store

so they can get something for their children, is

something we as a community have a commitment to do and be like.

We forgot that we are a community, a village,

or a family. We want to keep to ourselves and

we want to keep safe, and I get it, the world

is something different nowadays. It can feel

unsafe at times and it can have the effect of us

feeling like we need to protect ourselves rather

than protecting our community.

I know, I know, some people had horrible experiences with people and became distrustful

of others, but if you really care for your community or really care for yourself and whoever

you like or love, then you would be able to do

anything for them.

My advice to you is that, it is hard to trust

someone when you have fallen victim to distrust from someone you trusted. But we all do

need to try to learn or relearn to trust one another again. When the storm hits again, we will be

better prepared for what’s to come.

I hope that makes sense…because I feel like

I was rambling. If you can make sense of what

I was talking about…here’s to “more meow

in your buck.” But all in all, just be kind to

someone in need because we all need someone

to lean on from time to time. Sometimes we all

just need to feel dependent on someone who

we can trust. So when I drive my “cat-mobile”

around the Hopi mesas just say hi and I might

pick you up if you give me pizza money…just

kidding I might just pick you up because I’m a

cool cat like that.

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

JOB OPENINGS

Purpose of the position:

Supports the CEO and General Managers in all aspects of brand communications and outreach, including

but not limited to executing campaigns, creating and disseminating visual and written content across marketing

channels and analyzing and tracking trending marketing

techniques.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Create and execute campaigns and communications

across all channels, including printed publications (i.e.,

billboards, pamphlets, and advertisements), website, social media, and earned media

Maintain accurate and up-to-date information on website, social media, and other online channels

Serve as the first point of contact for internal project

requests

Establish relationships with business and community

partners

Assist with events and event promotion as needed

Act as a brand ambassador and customer service representative for HTEDC through all digital and in-person

communications

Education / Training / License(s) / Certification(s) Requirements Preferred:

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, business,

public relations, or closely related field or 3 - 5 years

work experience.

Experience in hospitality industry a plus.

Job Type: Full-time with benefits

Salary: DOE

Work Location: Flagstaff, AZ (one location)

Work Remotely: No

NOTICE: This job description may be changed to include new responsibilities and tasks or change existing

ones as management deems necessary.

HTEDC is seeking an Assistant General Manager for

the Hopi Cultural Center.

The AGM’s responsibility is to assist the General Manager in all areas of the property operations, as well as the

successful coordination and directing of activities within

the Hopi Cultural Center.

Selected applicants must have: A professional, positive attitude with management, co-workers and general

public; Maintain product and service quality standards;

and assist employees in maintaining a seamless, positive

experience for guests in all aspects of the Hopi Cultural

Center.

• Knowledge and experience in a hospitality setting

• Demonstrate a proactive and enthusiastic attitude in

providing excellent customer service

• Ability to communicate and multi-task in a fast paced

environment

• Ability to anticipate and solve problems

For more information, please contact Lamar Keevama

at (928) 734-9511 or email lkeevama@hopiculturalcenter.com

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Hopi Tutuveni Staff

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Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

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Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

Medicaid is a

lifeline for

Indian Country,

plain and simple

Rosebud Sioux Tribe President Rodney M. Bordeaux

Associated Press

As president of the Rosebud Sioux

Tribe, I am a firsthand witness to the

profound healthcare challenges that our

people face, a crisis that confronts Indian

Country nationwide.

Nationally, compared to white adults,

American Indian adults are almost three

times more likely to lack insurance. In

South Dakota the disparity is even greater.

At the same time, people in our communities are also much more likely to experience serious health challenges like obesity, a physical disability, or a substance use

disorder, making access to healthcare that

much more critical.

While the Indian Health Service plays

a central role in the healthcare system for

American Indians, millions of us are enrolled in Medicaid, which is celebrating

its 56th anniversary this month. Medicaid

provides health insurance for more than 80

million Americans nationwide, including

more than a quarter of non-elderly American Indian adults and half of our children.

From 2013 to 2018, the uninsured rate

among American Indians fell from 28 percent to 20 percent, thanks to the increased

access to health insurance created by the

Affordable Care Act, including a major

expansion of Medicaid.

Unfortunately, thousands of Native people in South Dakota and 11 other states

are being denied this access to lifesaving

healthcare because of political games that

have nothing to do with what is best for

our health. In these 12 states, which have

failed to expand Medicaid because of

partisan opposition to the ACA, millions

of Americans — 16,000 South Dakotans

among them — are trapped in a “coverage gap,” where they can’t afford private

coverage but they also don’t qualify for

Medicaid.

In South Dakota, American Indian

groups like the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association are helping lead the

fight to pass a ballot measure to expand

Medicaid in our state, which would provide coverage to an additional 42,500

South Dakotans, including thousands of

American Indians. Unfortunately, the state

legislature keeps trying to put additional

obstacles in our way, including seeking to

raise the vote percentage needed for a successful ballot measure from 50 percent to

60 percent. But we are determined to succeed in this fight, starting with gathering

enough signatures to get Medicaid expansion on the ballot, because the health of

our families and communities are at stake.

Medicaid is a lifeline for Indian Country, plain and simple.

Although we are entitled to care from

IHS or tribal facilities whether we are insured or not, proposals to expand access

to Medicaid would benefit our communi-

ties in several ways. First, having health

insurance from another source makes it

easier for our people to access care from

other providers when IHS facilities are

geographically distant or over capacity.

Second, having more patients insured by

Medicaid would help increase reimbursements to IHS clinics, which are chronically underfunded and rely on this funding to

provide care to those they serve.

We saw the benefits of expanding access to Medicaid for American Indian

communities when Montana approved its

own expansion in 2016. Over the course

of two years, more than 15,000 newly

eligible tribal members enrolled in Medicaid. The tribal and IHS-run facilities

on the Blackfeet Reservation in northern

Montana received an additional $13.6

million in federal reimbursements during

that time, helping them provide care to

thousands more people.

As we fight to finally win Medicaid expansion in South Dakota, Congress also

has an important role to play in states

that continue to refuse to expand coverage for families, seniors and veterans in

their states. The Medicaid Save Lives Act,

which was recently introduced in both the

House and Senate, would help people in

states that have failed to implement Medicaid expansion over the last decade access healthcare.

The Medicaid Saves Lives Act would

help South Dakotans by creating a federal

program for individuals currently in the

“coverage gap” that would offer health

care coverage for Affordable Care Act’s

essential health benefits, help with prescription drug costs, maternal and newborn care and other critical healthcare

services. The bill also provides incentives

to any holdout states that do decide to expand Medicaid, building on the incentives

included in the American Rescue Plan

passed earlier this year.

We will continue our efforts to ensure

that our neighbors have access to the care

they need, no matter who they are, what

they look like, or how much money they

have. And we expect Congress to do everything in its power to expand Medicaid

in holdout states, including South Dakota.

That starts with passing The Medicaid

Saves Lives Act. Indian Country can’t afford to wait.

President Rodney M. Bordeaux is currently serving in his fourth term leading

the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. He holds concurrent leadership positions with the Great

Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association, the

Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board,

the National Congress of American Indians, and Dakotans for Health. Mr. Bordeaux received a Bachelor of Arts degree

from Augustana College and a Master of

Arts from Oglala Lakota College.

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

Interior

secretary:

Drought demands

investment,

conservation

As Becky Mitchell, back left, and of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and U.S. Rep Diana DeGette, D-Colorado, look on, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks during a news conference

after Haaland's visit to talk about federal solutions to ease the effects of the drought at the offices of Denver Water Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Denver. Haaland will make stops in two cities on

Colorado's Western Slope as part of her trip to assess the effects of the drought on the Centennial State. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Patty Nieberg

Associated Press/Report For America

DENVER — Confronting the historic drought that has

a firm grip on the American West requires a heavy federal infrastructure investment to protect existing water

supplies but also will depend on efforts at all levels of

government to reduce demand by promoting water efficiency and recycling, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland

said Thursday.

Haaland told reporters in Denver that the Biden administration's proposed fiscal year 2022 budget includes

a $1.5 billion investment in the Bureau of Reclamation,

which manages water and power in the Western states,

and more than $54 million for states, tribes and communities to upgrade infrastructure and water planning projects.

"Drought doesn't just impact one community. It affects

all of us — from farmers and ranchers to city dwellers

and Indian tribes. We all have a role to use water wisely,"

Haaland said at the start of a three-day visit to Colorado

to address the U.S. response to increasingly scarce water

and massive wildfires burning throughout the region.

The American West is gripped by the worst drought

in modern history, including most of western Colorado.

The northern part of the state is experiencing deadly flash

flooding and mudslides after rain fell in areas scarred by

massive wildfires last year. Fires are burning across the

West, most severely in Oregon and California, while the

drought stresses major waterways like the Colorado River and reservoirs that sustain millions of people.

The drought and recent heat waves in the region that

are tied to climate change have made wildfires harder to

fight. Climate change has made the West much warmer

and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make

weather more extreme and wildfires larger and more destructive.

Haaland spoke after meeting with Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette, Gov. Jared Polis and Jim Lochhead, CEO

of Denver Water, Colorado's largest water agency, for a

discussion on the drought and possible federal solutions.

Among other initiatives, she said the Bureau of Reclamation is working to identify and dispense "immediate,

technical and financial assistance for impacted irrigators

and Indian tribes."

Tanya Trujillo, the department's assistant secretary for

water and science, cited a recent decision to release water

from several Upper Colorado River basin reservoirs to

supply Lake Mead and Lake Powell — the two manmade

reservoirs that store Colorado River water.

The reservoirs are shrinking faster than expected,

spreading panic throughout a region that relies on the river to sustain 40 million people. Federal officials expect to

make the first-ever water shortage declaration in the Colorado River basin next month, prompting cuts in Arizona,

Nevada and Mexico.

"We have seen hydrologic projections that are worse

than anticipated," Trujillo said.

Haaland's three-day stay in Colorado includes her first

trip Friday to the Bureau of Land Management's new

headquarters in Grand Junction, established by the Trump

administration in 2019. The agency's move from Washington, D.C., produced an outcry from critics who said it

gutted the office. Haaland opposed the move as a member

of Congress.

The agency overseen by the Interior Department manages nearly 250 million acres of public lands, most of

which are in the West. Polis and Colorado's congressional delegation have urged Haaland to keep the office in

Grand Junction.

Haaland reiterated her support for Tracy Stone-Manning, President Joe Biden's pick to oversee the land

agency, after a Senate panel deadlocked Thursday on

Stone-Manning's nomination amid allegations she stonewalled a 1989 investigation into the sabotage of an Idaho

timber sale.

"Tracy Stone-Manning has a wealth of experience and

knowledge about all issues to do with our public lands.

We have full faith that she will put her nose to the grindstone as soon as she's confirmed by the Senate," Haaland

said.

The 10-10 tie in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee set up a floor vote on the nomination.

It would take every Senate Republican plus at least one

Democratic lawmaker to block her confirmation in the

evenly divided chamber.

Haaland is visiting as severe and intense dry periods

sweeping areas of the West over the last several years

have resulted in more intense and dangerous wildfires,

parched croplands and a lack of vegetation for livestock

and wildlife, according to government scientists.

They also found that the problem is accelerating —

rainstorms are becoming increasingly unpredictable and

more regions are seeing longer time intervals between

storms since the turn of the century.

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

After COVID setbacks, tribal police chief looks forward

Beth Wallace

News21

WINDOW ROCK – Navajo Chief of Police Phillip Francisco sits ramrod straight at his desk, surrounded by manila folders brimming with paperwork and a Darth Vader figurine that

wields a pen as a lightsaber.

The chief, an Army veteran hired in 2016 after serving in several law enforcement departments in New Mexico, took charge

after nearly eight years of rotating acting chiefs. He came from

Farmington, New Mexico, to serve and protect the largest Native American tribe in the U.S. Francisco, 45, whose father is

Navajo, grew up near the reservation.

A year before Francisco was sworn in, Officer Alex Yazzie

was shot and killed while answering a domestic violence call.

Francisco – who had been working closely with the Navajo Police Department while serving at nearby agencies – felt called

to step in.

“Seeing the struggles that the Navajo Nation Police Department went through, I thought, ‘Maybe they need a leader.”’

The increased demands of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated issues in the department, Francisco said: chronic understaffing, dispatch systems that trail technology by 50 years and

archaic facilities that include 71-year-old administrative buildings and a converted post office.

The 200-member department polices a rural area larger than

West Virginia, he said, with dirt roads and houses so remote

they don’t have addresses and can be out of range of police radios. During the pandemic, officers often worked 16- to 24-hour

shifts to fill in for sick or quarantined colleagues.

Francisco and his department commissioned a study, released

this spring, by the Boston consulting group Strategy Matters

that recommends the department needs 500 to 775 personnel to

handle services, which range from domestic violence and public intoxication calls to reinforcing the reservation’s COVID-19

curfew and distributing personal protective equipment.

After leading the department through the height of the pandemic, Francisco now hopes the federal government’s most recent COVID-19 relief bill, the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act,

will help pay for some of the department’s critical needs. He

spoke about the Navajo Nation’s law enforcement history, the

lessons that emerged from the pandemic and his hopes for the

department’s future.

What brought you to the department in 2016?

I’ve always had a connection with my people on the reservation, working very closely with the agency in San Juan County

and Farmington, near the border of the reservation. And this

looked like it was something I needed to do. Then right before

that, there was the death of Alex Yazzie in the line of duty. It

was time to step up and offer my experience and try to make a

better change for the Navajo Police Department.

How did COVID-19 change the department’s day-to-day

functions?

We had to keep going every day. Other (government) departments, they got to close down and go home. But we were forced

to keep working. That was our mandate. And that’s what we do.

We have to provide public safety services. So we had to figure

out ways to keep going forward.

Getting equipment and things was very difficult during that

time. We had to have creative ways of procuring PPE and those

kinds of things. Besides that, the officers are tired. They were

doing more things, such as curfew violations. We had creative

ways to communicate with the public, which we kind of turned

into public service announcement checkpoints. We were basically saying, “Hey, we have curfews. You need to wear your

PPE,” educating and giving out PPE.

(COVID-19) made it more difficult for our police officers,

because it’s very difficult to arrest somebody in that environment and have them safely incarcerated. So there were some

more roadblocks for officers – we had to get clearances for people from COVID. There’s a real strict protocol to even arrest

people. It hampered our abilities to actually arrest people because we had to make those decisions. Like, is it important to

arrest this person or can we just send them home? Those kinds

of things. And how do we bring people in that may be COVID

positive and infect the entire population in the jail? So there are

those considerations which make it very difficult to manage and

enforce laws.

Because of COVID, now every arrestee has to go through

a hospital. Before (the COVID-19 pandemic), if there are no

signs of any kind of issue with somebody, we would just take

them to jail. The jail would accept them. Now, pretty much every single arrestee we have to take to the hospital to get cleared,

so that’s another hour or two hours.

Your department already was stretched thin, and Navajos

were hard-struck by the pandemic. How did you manage to fill

in for colleagues who were sick with COVID-19?

It caused significant issues with our department because,

even dealing with people that were exposed, we had to get them

off the street for weeks at a time until they were cleared by a

doctor. Anybody else that was connected to them, we had to

quarantine them. Sometimes we had seven to 14 (officers) off

the street just because they were exposed.

Then we had to consider one of the biggest problems we had

with our officers: the concerns for their own families. So they’re

working every day. They’re exposed, and then a lot of them

decide to quarantine away from their family during this whole

time, like months and months and months. They’re living separately, or they’d be quarantined in one part of the house so they

wouldn’t expose their family.

I think about the mental toll it took on them. I’ve heard some

of the officers talk about it. It was difficult not knowing if you’re

going to spread it to your family. And having that distance from

your family, sometimes not having contact. I heard from some

officers that their families were sliding food under the door for

them. So that was a huge toll on officers.

The calls were coming in every day. And then we had to do

checkpoints and all these other COVID-related things. At some

point, we didn’t have enough people. So through the whole

year, our demands were so high, we couldn’t afford to let people

go on vacation. I had to cancel all that. With a minimal amount

of staffing, the demands from the public, the demands from the

health crisis and the pandemic, it just was impossible.

Were you expecting some CARES Act funds to be spent on

the department, and were they?

I was. We put in a budget of $36 million, hoping we can get

equipment and different things to help us do our job and respond to things better. At first, that was very difficult because

we didn’t have CARES funds, and we were paying out of our

own department. Then, when that kicked in, we were able to pay

out of the CARES fund.

I requested a decontamination trailer, decontamination services, more PPE, extra uniforms because the officers are still

going through uniforms, response vehicles. A helicopter even,

because we were responding to all kinds of areas, and we had

to get PPE to those areas and get the officers to areas quicker.

(The Navajo reservation is) so large that I think that a helicopter

would have been essential to drop off supplies, pick up supplies

and drop off officers, respond to medical situations, and transport people out. We also have a lot of missing people that are

injured. But in the end, all we got was some of our hazard pay

paid for and a small amount of money for PPE.

Are you looking for funds from the American Rescue Plan

Act?

I really hope that with the American Rescue Act funds, we

can address these buildings. This building (the Navajo Division

of Public Safety headquarters) is pretty old and should be condemned. So we’re actually trying to get out of it. It needs to be

rebuilt. The district here and the Shiprock district, there’s a plan

to build some substations, not just police substations, but a combined Department of Public Safety substation for fire, EMS and

police department and all the other Department of Public Safety

components in the area, so we can help respond to areas quicker.

But the biggest thing I’m hoping is to fund our dispatch centers, to build two consolidated dispatch centers instead of having seven, so we can pool our resources of dispatchers, be more

effective and actually implement the (Enhanced 911) system.

We also have some plans to upgrade our radios to new digital

radios. More cellphone equipment and connectivity in our vehicles out in the field to go with our dispatch center.

I want to push to really fund our dispatch centers and our

buildings and our infrastructure for the Police Department so

we can have a good place to work and modern technology to

do our job better. Because with the amount of staff we have, it’s

going to take a long time to build up staff, even if there’s a huge

influx of money. Hiring officers is a long, tedious process, and

getting them quality trained and on the street is going to take

years and years and years. So how do we work more effectively

with the staff we do have? We have to leverage technology and

do our job smarter with that technology.

What changes would Navajos see with a well-funded police

department?

I think if we were funded, we’d be able to respond accordingly because we had officers to be able to go to these calls in

a timely manner. If we had the communications equipment and

the dispatch center is up and running, we could actually have a

better accounting of those that would really significantly reduce

the response time or the customer service to the community. I

think they would see a huge change.

It’s been a very challenging year, with everything here. I

think it’s really a renaissance for the police department to really

show our leadership and our community that, hey, we’re here,

and this is the reality of what’s going on – that we are doing so

much with so little, but yet we’re motivated, and we’re willing

to do it because it’s our duty.

*This story has been slightly edited for clarity.

Hopi Tutuveni August 4, 2021

Memo to Biden

administration: Less

talk, more

action

Mildred Quaempts, who lost three female members of her family to unsolved murders or disappearances, stands on a hill near her home on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. (Photo by Kathy

Aney, Underscore)

Kolby KickingWoman

Indian Country Today

The climate change crisis and missing and murdered

Indigenous epidemic are inextricably linked, with added negative impact from extractive industries. On top of

that, the federal government has much work to do to uphold its trust and treaty obligations to tribal nations to

help bring an end to these crises, according to a memo

from NDN Collective.

The memo, shared with key members of the Biden administration on Wednesday, outlines how these issues are

intertwined, as well as offering solutions that would help

address them.

Citing a report from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the memo states between 2010-2019, 8 percent of all murdered girls and women in Minnesota were

American Indian despite making up only 1 percent of the

state’s population.

Additionally, pipelines like Keystone XL and Enbridge

Line 3 increase the likelihood that sex trafficking and

abuse occur due to the addition of temporary, cash-rich

workforces. In fact, the Line 3 environmental impact

survey states Native and minority populations are often

at higher risk “if they are low-income, homeless, have a

lack of resources, addiction, and other factors often found

in tribal communities.”

The memo also states that the United States government has long supported policies and industry that “compromises the land, bodies, communities, resources, and

very existence of Indigenous people.”

“As a result, tribal communities continue to lack access to clean water, food, and the safety of their women

and children,” the memo reads. “Indigenous communities

across the globe will no longer sacrifice our most basic

human rights alongside the most revered components

of our communities and our identities - our women and

land.”

Sunny Red Bear, Cheyenne River Sioux, is the direc-

tor of racial equity at NDN Collective, said the memo is

two arms of the organization, climate justice and racial

equity, coming together to help move beyond awareness

of MMIW to concrete actions that will help address the

inequities stemming from the crises.

Like any movement, MMIW has evolved over the years

and the organization now uses the acronym, MMIWR+ or

missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives +

(Two-Spirit and all other pronouns).

“It’s not just our women and our girls that are going

missing, it’s all relatives that we have that are facing inadequacies and so we’re just making that very clear that

we have everybody in mind,” Red Bear said of the movement’s evolution.

Red Bear noted the complicated nature of these issues

but stressed the correlation between extractive industries

that not only harm the environment but also harm Native

communities. She hopes memos, like the one today, along

with past and future reports put pressure on the current

administration to stop pipelines like Line 3.

“So within these reports we also identify root causes

and the risk factors, and really describe how extractive

industries created demand for our women and our girls

that is essentially fueling MMIWR+,” she said.

The memo offers eight solutions:

True free, prior and informed consent

Stricter protocol and penalties for industries whose

workforce contributes to the MMIWR+ epidemic

Involvement of victims, families, and advocates in creating solutions, and holding officials accountable

Passage of the Reauthorization of the Violence Against

Women Act and strengthening implementation of Savannah’s Act and the Not Invisible Act

Non-discretionary funding

Invest in true data analysis of the MMIWR+ epidemic

Acknowledge and provide funding and resources to the

urban Native organizations

Achieving true equity for Native people through partnerships between U.S. government and Indigenous lead-

ers

Tribal leaders have long advocated for true free, prior

and informed consent and Judith Le Blanc, Caddo, said

it is long past time for tribal nations to be at the decision

making table for all projects and initiatives the federal

government undertakes.

“Being in good relationship with the federal government is to ensure that tribal nations are at all decision

making tables, that we are a part of the discussion of any

kind of project that affects our, our land, our water, the

air, and our health and well being and any kind of government projects,” said Le Blanc, director of the Native

Organizers Alliance. “In many ways, prior, informed

consent is restoring consensual relationships, the relationships that we had in the beginning; nation to nation.”

When asked what she thought the federal government

and federal agencies have done well to address these issues, Red Bear joked that they have been really good at

making promises but added that Indian Country is done

with lip service.

She added Native communities are looking for follow

through and the proposed solutions in the memo are a

step toward making that happen.

“We are going to create this memo to really help you

with immediate steps towards ending this. So I think that

what we did was made very clear steps towards doing

that, that is very easy to understand for every person

within our communities, but also our federal government,” Red Bear said. “I hope this opens doors and creates conversations to have our voices heard and to have a

seat at the table.”

As someone who has worked in the MMIWR+ movement for a little under 10 years, releasing this memo was

something Red Bear was excited about.

“I’m just really excited for people to be able to read

this memo and look through it and really start creating

their own ideas of how they can not only just back the

solutions but also create their own.”

Weatherization

Assistance program

No-cost energy-efficient

home improvements

APS customers who own a home on Navajo or Hopi tribal land may be eligible for no-cost

energy-efficient home improvements that could help lower your energy bill, including:

• Air sealing

• Improved insulation

• Heating, cooling and air quality

The energy-efficient improvements are made through Red Feather Development Group. To

learn more and see if you qualify, call Red Feather at 928-440-5119.

More ways to save on your energy bill

Our Energy Support program offers qualified customers a 25%

discount on their energy bill every month. To see if you qualify

and find other assistance resources, visit aps.com/assistance.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.