Volume 32 (2024)

Volume 32

Number 24

WEDNESDAY

DECEMBER

18, 2024

52˚/21˚

Mainly Sunny

~Est. 1987 • OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE HOPI TRIBE • NEWS SOURCE FOR THE HOPI PEOPLE~

Local First Mesa Woman Hosts Christmas

Parade and Holiday Bazaar Experience

HTI Provides Notice

of Discontinuance of

Certain Services...

pg. 6

New NN

Tobacco Tax

Signed into

Law... PG 4

Hopi Tribal Council

4th Quarter Session

MONTH OF NOVEMBER

2024 AGENDA

AMENDMENT #1

COMMUNITY

Page 2-3

Hopi Tutuveni wishes all

very safe and HAPPY

HOLIDAYS!

The Hopi Tribe will be closed Wednesday, December 25, 2024 in observance of the Christmas Holiday and Wednesday, January 1, 2025

in observance of New Year’s Day.

~~~~~~

Hopi Tutuveni Staff and Board wishes all a

very safe and pleasant holidays!

HOPI TUTUVENI

PO BOX 123

KYKOTSMOVI, AZ 86039

1110-01600-7460

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

2

Hopi Tutuveni December 18, 2024

HOPI TRIBAL COUNCIL

4th Quarter Session

MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2024

AGENDA – AMENDMENT #1

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. CERTIFICATIONS OF COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS

1. Oath of Office – Maude Yoyhoeoma, Tribal Council Representative,Village of Sipaulovi

III. ROLL CALL

IV. INVOCATION / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

V. ANNOUNCEMENTS / RECOGNITION OF DIGNITARIES OR GUESTS

VI. CORRESPONDENCE

VII. CALENDAR PLANNING

1. Land Commission

2. Water/Energy Committee

3. Transportation Committee

4. Law & Order Committee

5. Investment Committee

6. Health/Education Committee

7. Hopi Gaming Committee

VIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

IX. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

XI. NEW BUSINESS

1. Discussion & Possible Action – Letter dated September 24,

2024 RE: Council Appointment to the Hopi Benefits Com

mittee. From Jim Davis, Finance Director Tabled to Decem

ber 1, 2024

2. Action Item #059-2024 – to modify Ordinance #36 Educa

tion Code. Author Fred Lomayesva, General Counsel, Of

fice of the General Counsel Time Certain - November 26,

2024 @ 9:00 a.m.

3. Action Item #062-2024 – to rescind partially H-057-2022

Orayvi Well 3-phase power to replace HUC and pass through

the money directly to the Village of Orayvi. Author Sarah

Abney, Water Resources Manager - Approved on November

6, 2024

4. Action Item #063-2024 – to approve Resolution in sup

port for the protection of cultural resources and sacred sites

on public lands for the Great Sage Plain and “The Lands

Between” – Author/Alfred Lomaquahu, Registrar, Hopi

Elections Office Approved on November 6, 2024

5. Action Item #066-2024 – to join the Avi Kwa Ame Nation

al Monument Advisory Committee – Stewart B. Koyiyumpte

wa, Historical Preservation Officer, Tribal Historic Preser

vation Officer, Office of the Chairman

6. Action Item #067-2024 – to approve a Lease of Real Prop

erty with Verizon Wireless – Author/LeRoy N. Shingoitewa,

Tribal Council Representative, Hopi Tribe - Request OGC

& Representatives from Realty and HTI to be present.

• Tabled on Nov. 6, 2024- Rescheduled with time certain

for November 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

7. Action Item #068-2024 - to approve an Amendment to the

OGC’s Budget - Author/Fred Lomayesva, General Counsel,

Office of the General Counsel AI Withdrawn by General

Counsel Fred Lornayesva

8. Action Item #069-2024 - to approve applicants for mem

bership in the Hopi Tribe - Author/LouEllen Nutumya,

Enrollment Coordinator, Hopi Tribe Enrollment Office

Approved November 5, 2024

9. Action Item #070-2024 - to accept award for grant PLA

ZFVPS from the Department of Health and Human Services

for the next five years - Author/Theron Honyumptewa, Vic

tim Advocate Interim Director, Hopi Domestic Violence

Office

Program to Amend Action Item & resubmit

10. Action Item #073-2024 - to approve engineering

consultant, ARDURRA, to enter into a contract with the

Hopi Tribe to perform construction management services

on Project No. HIR 2(12)-Kachina Point Road-Phase 1 for

the Hopi Department of Transportation - Author/Leonard

Scott, Civil Engeneer Technician, Hopi Department of

Transportation

AI - Withdrawn

11. Action Item #074-2024 - to withdraw the Village of Mis

hongnovi’s carry over funds for the years 2005-2020 Author/Malinda Andrews, Chairperson, Village of Mis

hongnovi Board of Directors

Approved Nov. 5, 2024

12. Added - Action Item #076-2024 - to authorize up to $25

million for land acquisition pursuant 1996 Settlement Act

- Author Leroy Shingoitewa, Water/Energy Chairman and

HTC Representative, UVM Approved on Nov. 7, 2024

13. Action Item #077-2024 - to request for Special Revolving

Account for Water Resources Program - Author/Carrie

Joseph

14. Moenkopi Day School, Basic Financial Statement and

Single Audit Reports, Year ended June 30, 2023 - Steven

Toglia, CSA Moenkopi Day School - Request to present

in December 2024

15. Presentation: Research on Native Deaf Communities &

...Continued pg. 5

Hopi Tutuveni December 18, 2024

HOPI TRIBAL COUNCIL

4th Quarter Session

MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2024

Agenda - AMENDMENT #1, cont.,

Continued from pg. 4

Request to Distribute Survey to Hopi Community - Dr. Malanie Mckay-Cody, Assistant Professor, UofA

16. Presentation: 2024 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) - Brian Cole, Building Communities & Andrew Gashwazra,

Director, OCPED/LIS Completed - Nov. 6, 2024

17. Discussion & Possible Action – Letter of Interest for Hopi Election Regular/Alternate member position from Meredith Qotswisiwma

Time Certain - November 25, 2024 @ 2:00 p.m.

18. Letter dated August 7, 2024 RE: Hopi Tribe Pandemic Recovery Committee from Samuel R. Shingoitewa Jr.

19. Discussion & Possible Action - Letter dated August 23, 2024 From Fred Lomayesva, General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel. RE:

Memorandum from Virgilyn Talas dated August 16, 2024.

20. Discussion & Possible Action - Email dated August 29, 2024 From Fred Lomayesva, General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel Re:

ANDREWS NA AND LETTER 8.29.2024.

21. Discussion & Possible Action - Letter dated September 18, 2024 RE: Letter of interest in serving on the Hopi Elections Committee. From

Timothy Randolph - Chairman Nuvangyaoma Time Certain - November 25, 2024 @ 2:30 p.m.

22. Discussion & Possible Action - Email dated September 25, 2024 From Fred Lomayesva, General Counsel RE: Justice Sekaquaptewa,

Notice of Disclosure

23. Discussion & Possible Action - Letter dated September 30, 2024 From Wendell Honanie Sr., Kykotsmovi Tribal Representative RE: Resig

nation from the Pro Tem Designation - Hopi Tribal Council Completed

24. Discussion & Possible Action - Letter dated October 14, 2024 RE: Suspension of Vice Chairman Craig Andrews and Councilman Nor

man Honanie. From Leroy Shingoitewa, Upper Village of Moenkopi HTC Representative

25. Discussion & Possible Action - Letter dated October 23, 2024 RE: Solid Waste Program bill and other matters. From Dale Sinquah,

FMCV/HTC Representative

26. Letter dated October 4, 2024 - Request fro Time Certain Date with Hopi Tribal Council. From Eugene Talas, Chairperson, BOT - HTC

proposed time certain for October 23, 2024 - 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. - 2nd Request received for November 4, 2024 time certain - Complet

ed on Nov. 4, 2024

27. Discussion & Possible Action - Letters from Angeline Joseph dated October 3, 2024 RE: Grievance & Discharge with no due process.

28. Discussion & Possible Action - Letter dated October 15, 2024 from Wilber Kay, Village Administrator, FMCV RE: Request for copy of

HUC’s approval to construct HAMP and BIA water lines within ADOT’s Rights-of-way. - Dale Sinquah

29. Discussion & Possible Action - Letter dated November 1, 2024 from Selwyn Sekaquaptewa, Water Utility General Manager, HUC RE:

Village wholesale Water Agreements Presentation- Selwyn Sekaquaptewa

30. Discussion & Possible Action - Letter dated October 24, 2024 from Todd Honyoama Sr.’s request for a Public Forum on Ordinance 36 Chairman Nuvangyaoma

31. Letter of Interest for Hopi Tribal Secretary dated October 30, 2024 from Lamar Keevama- Interview Time Certain for November 25, 2024@

1:00 p.m.

32. Letter of Interest for Hopi Tribal Secretary dated November 8, 2024 from Dwayne Secakuku - Interview Time Certain for November 25,

2024@ 1:30 p.m.

XII. REPORTS

1. Office of the Chairman

2. Office of the Vice Chairman

3. Office of Tribal Secretary

4. Office of the Treasurer

5. Office of the General Counsel

6. Land Commission

7. Water/Energy Committee

8. Transportation Committee

9. Law & Order Committee

a. Letter dated July 21, 2024 - Timothy NV. Nelson regarding resignation of Hopi Conflict Prosecutor. Tabled - Pending Report from Law&Order Committe

10. Investment Committee

11. Health/Education Committee

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

*Hopi Tribal Council may go into Executive Session on any agenda item

**Time Certain Requests

3

HOPI H.E.O.C UPDATES

4

Hopi Tutuveni December 18, 2024

Hopi Tribe Department of Health and Human Services

Covid-19 Emergency Response - Re-publication

Submitted By Joyce Hamilton, Director

Kykostmovi, Ariz. – June 26, 2024 Immunizations are your best defense

against severe illness if you are diagnosed with the Flu, RSV and CIVID-19.

The season of germs and viruses will continue to be amongst us; the best protection to avoid severe illness and sickness is to get updated on your family’s

immunizations. You may have been hearing family discussing COVID-19 diagnosis being a result of large gatherings within the month of June. Gatherings

with family during the summer season is common due to the ceremonial and

cultural activities, graduation celebrations, birthday celebrations and planting

parties.

The Hopi Health Care Center encourages and recommends the following:

1.

Everyone 6 months and older, regardless of current vaccination status,

should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against COVID-19 illness.

2.

People with symptoms should still mask and get tested for COVID-19.

3.

Those with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 illness should continue

to follow current guidelines for isolation including staying home and wearing

a mask around others for at least 5 days after their symptoms started or after a

positive test if no symptoms.

4.

Those exposed to COVID-19 should continue to follow recommendations including wearing a mask around others.

5.

People may choose to wear a mask at any time based on personal preference, but may be required in other places by local authorities (i.e., individual

villages, businesses, and schools).

Many individuals and family members have deterred from the practice of

wiping down frequently touched surfaces and staying home when ill. Get back

in the habit of wiping down frequently touched surfaces to eliminate germs to

protect family from illness. Most important message is for one to stay home if

you have flu like symptoms to avoid getting others ill.

For questions regarding services you may contact the Department of Health

and Human Services at Jhamilton@hopi.nsn.us

New Tobacco Tax Signed into Law - Re-publication

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

By: Dr. Patricia Nez Henderson

Window Rock, Ariz —November 10, 2024, On Friday afternoon in the State Room

at the Office of the President and Vice President, the Tobacco Products Tax was signed

into law by President Buu Nygren. The law also includes the Nicotine Products and

Electronic Smoking Products Tax.

The Navajo Nation Council passed the law during the Fall Session in October. The

law increases the tax rate on tobacco and nicotine products at retail outlets on the

Navajo Nation.

“The tax increases on tobacco and nicotine sends a strong message in our work to

reduce purchases on addictive and harmful products,” Dr. Patricia Nez Henderson

said.

“Our mission in creating a healthier Navajo Nation is to dissuade cigarette, e-cigarette, and vaping purchases. This is unprecedented in any Tribal and State jurisdiction

in the United States.”

Youth on the Navajo Nation are at risk shown in statistics as high as 41 percent in

usage. A rate of 40 percent of high school students have used e-cigarettes and vaping

products.

The law signed by President Nygren became effective as he signed it on Friday. The

Navajo Tax Commission will have charge in implementing the new law.

“We began this as a community base initiative,” Thomas Walker, Jr. said at the signing ceremony. “Involved were elders, community members, traditional practitioners

for years. We followed these efforts in making commercial tobacco control policies for

the Navajo Nation. It’s here now. Tax collection on these products will go to Department of Health to be used as a deterrent on smoking. Thomas Walker, Jr. is a member of the Air is Life Coalition, and a former Council Delegate of the Navajo Nation

Council.

All tax collections on tobacco and nicotine products will put into a fund and transferred to the Navajo Nation Department of Health. It will fund the Office of Traditional Cultural and Spiritual Healing, while providing non-competitive grant opportunities to traditional healer organizations.

“This legislation is vital to our process of reclaiming our sacred ceremonial tobacco,” Hershel Walker Clark said. “We need to stand firm against the injustices that the

tobacco industry has done to one of our sacred plants given to us by the Diyin Diné’é.”

The Air is Life Coalition thanks the many participants who worked for more than

a year the tax amendments. Organizations such as the Arizona Tobacco Free Kids,

American Nonsmoker’s Rights Foundation, and the Arizonans Concerned About

Smoking. Former Council Delegate for Teesto Chapter David S. Clark and his wife

Geraldine sat besides President Nygren during the signing ceremony. Clark is also a

long time spiritual leader of the Azee’ Bee Nahagha’ of Diné Nation.

Other dignitaries who were present were Council Delegate Carl Slater, the sponsor

of the legislation, Effie Edsitty, executive director for the Navajo Tax Commission, and

Mae Gilene Begay, president of Forrest Lake Chapter.

Other co-sponsors of the legislation are Council Delegates Helena Nez Begay, Curtis

Yanito, Lester C. Yazzie, Shaandiin Parrish, and Nathan Notah.

The Air is Life Coalition extends appreciation to Sherlene Yazzie, executive director

for the Department of Health, the staff for the department, and Kim Russell, former

executive director for the Department of Health. Appreciation is also extended to the

Office of the Legislative Counsel, Luralene Tapahe, attorney, and the Navajo Nation

Department of Justice.

###

Hopi Tutuveni December 18, 2024

5

PAID PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

We offer available space

for Announcements.

Call or email for pricing

TODAY

Call: 928-734-3281

email: rlaban@hopi.nsn.us

Want to Advertise

with the

Hopi Tutuveni?

YOUR BUSINESS NAME HERE

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can help you. With our friendly staff to

help you with your advertisement, advertising is now made Easy!

Email:

rlaban@hopi.nsn.us

Call 928-734-3281

6

Hopi Telecommunications, Inc.

Provides Notice of Discontinuance of Certain

Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

By: Wayne Sekaquaptewa, President/General Manager - HTI

Flagstaff, Ariz. - November 21, 2024 This notice is to inform that on or after December 1,

2024, Hopi Telecommunications, Inc., subject to approval from the Federal Communications

Commission (FCC or Commission), will no longer be providing certain services within the state

of Arizona. Specifically, the following services will be discontinued.

• Directory Assistance

• Operator Assisted Services

This discontinuance is limited to the above services and will not affect your other Hopi Telecommunications services in any other way. Many telephone numbers can be found using Internet search sites such as Google.

If you have any questions about this notice or Hopi Telecommunications’ discontinuance of

Directory Assistance or Operator Assistance services, please contact our office at (928) 7384674 or (877) 522-8428.

We thank you for your business and look forward to continuing to serve your communications

needs.

FCC Required Notice: The FCC will normally authorize this proposed discontinuance of service

unless it is shown that customers would be unable to receive service or a reasonable substitute from

another carrier or that the public convenience and necessity is otherwise adversely affected. If you wish

to object, you should file your comments as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after the Commission releases public notice of the proposed discontinuance. You may file your comments electronically

through the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System using the docket number established in the Commission’s public notice for this proceeding, or you may address them to the Federal Communications

Commission, Wireline Competition Bureau, Competition Policy Division, 45 L Street, NE, Washington,

DC 20554, and include in your comments a reference to the §63.71 Application of Hopi Telecommunications, Inc. Comments should include specific information about the impact of this proposed discontinuance upon you or your company, including any inability to acquire reasonable substitute service.

Hopi Tutuveni December 18, 2024

The Hopi Tribe P.O. Box 123 Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039

Ph: (928) 734-3281 • Ph: (928) 734-3283

Editorial Board of the Hopi Tutuveni

Wilma Dengavi , Gary LaRance, George Mase

Hopi Tutuveni Staff

Managing Editor - Romalita Laban

RLaban@hopi.nsn.us

ARTICLES:

The Hopi Tutuveni welcomes

original articles reporting on

local, state and national news

items on issues related to Hopi

or of interest to Tutuveni readers.

We are especially interested

in articles reporting on issues

impacting the Hopi community or on events and activities

involving members of the Hopi

Tribe. Articles should not exceed

750 words and should follow

Associated Press (AP) style and

formatting. The Managing Editor

reserves the right to edit articles

for style, length and clarity. If

significant editing is required, the

Managing Editor will communicate with the author prior to

publication.

PRESS RELEASES:

Press releases must be submitted

on official letterhead and include

the name of the organization,

contact person, telephone

number and email address. Press

releases should not exceed 500

words and submissions may be

edited for length and clarity at

the discretion of the Managing

Editor.

LETTERS TO THE

EDITOR:

Letters should not exceed 250

words and must include the

name of the author and complete

contact information (address,

phone number or email address)

CIRCULATION

and the headline and date of

the article on which you are

commenting. Anonymous letters

and letters written under pseudonyms will not be published.

The Tutuveni Editorial Board

reviews all submissions and

reserves the right not to publish

letters it considers to be highly

sensitive or potentially offensive

to readers, or that may be libelous

or slanderous in nature.

OPINION EDITORIALS:

Submissions must be exclusive

to Hopi Tutuveni and should not

exceed 1,000 words. Include with

your submission your name and

complete contact information,

along with a short 2-3-sentence

bio.

SUBMISSION

INSTRUCTIONS:

All press releases, articles, letters

to the editor and Opinion Editorials electronically as a Word

document or as plain text in the

body of an email to the Managing Editor, Romalita Laban. Articles, press releases and editorials

that include photographs must

be in high resolution, 300dpi

or more and must be your own.

All photographs must include

photo credit and a caption for

each photo listing the names of

all persons included in the photo

and description of what the photo is about. (call 928-734-3283

for deadline schedule).

The Hopi Tutuveni is published twice a month, with a circulation

of 2,500 copies throughout the entire Hopi Reservation. The paper

is delivered on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month to the

following locations: Moenkopi Travel Center, Moenkopi Legacy

Inn, Hotevilla Store, Kykotsmovi Village Store, Tribal Government

Complex, Hopi Cultural Center, Hopi Health Care Center, Polacca

Circle M, Keams Canyon Store.

Hopi Tutuveni December 18, 2024

Local First Mesa Woman Hosts 3rd Annual

First Mesa

Christmas Parade

and

Holiday Bazaar Experience

First Mesa, Ariz. - December 8, 2024 I have so many good things and many “thank yous” to say about yesterday’s event.

The 3rd Annual First Mesa Christmas Parade and Bazaar went very well. It was nice to see everyone's smiling faces and the excitement that filled the air.

We had 40 vendors which was a lot more than last year. 12 parade entries. Everyone did a good job at decorating and the spirit of

Christmas shined through.

Thank you to the volunteers, the Grand Marshals Neil David Sr. Lyda Poocha Harris, Geraldine Lacapa Youvella, FMCV, Walpi Village, family, friends, for your donations toward the parade, raffle and bazaar from the bottom of my heart Koonaah, Thank you!

*Special Thank you to my dad Randall Ami for all you did to help bring this together. I love you dad! (He said he's retiring now lol)

Parade winners: 1st Place Neil David Sr & family, 2nd Lyda Harris & family, 3rd Hopi Day School Royalty

7

Hopi Tribal Council

Timothy L. Nuvangyaoma,

Chairman

Craig Andrews

Vice Chairman

Tribal Secretary

Nada Talayumptewa,

Tribal Treasurer

Alfonso Sakeva,

Sergeant-At-Arms

Village of Upper

Moenkopi

William Charley

Robert Charley

Leroy Shingoitewa

Philton Talahytewa

Village of Bakabi

Ruth Kewanimptewa

Clifford Qotsaquahu

Village of Kyakotsmovi

Danny Honanie

Norman Honanie

Wendall Honanie

Village of Sipaulavi

Raymond Namoki

Maude Yoyhoeoma

Village of Mishongnovi

Arthur Batala

Ronald Humeyestewa

Marilyn Tewa

First Mesa Consolidated

Villages

Albert T. Sinquah

Dale Sinquah

Wallace Youvella, Jr.

Judith Youvella

Hopi Tutuveni December 18, 2024

Local First Mesa Woman Hosts Christmas

Parade and Holiday Bazaar Experience, continued...

8