# Council on Native... > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Ahopi_arizona%3Afd119af9b05812a2 ## Record - **Collection:** Tribal code - **Document type:** Tribal code ## Text Interior Secretary Haaland to Chair the White House Council on Native... Hopi Law Enforcement Services purchase new vehicles... -More on pg. 15 -More on pg. 4 COLUMN COMMUNITY LARRY’S CORNER Locally youth led organization hustling to bring a skate park to Hopi... More on Page 11 More on Page 5 My Shades are cool Read more about it April 21, 2021 Volume 29 Number 8 ~ E s t. 1987 • OFFIC IA L NEWSPA P E R OF T H E H OP I T R I B E • N E W S S OU R C E F O R T H E H O P I P E O P L E ~ 42˚/ 31˚ Sunny Hopi Tribe to Move into Phase Two on April 22, 2021 Announcement Made During April 19, 2021 Open Tribal Council Session Story on Page 2 Hopi Tutuveni Main Office still in disarray on April 20, 2021. Photo by: Romalita Laban, Managing Editor HOPI TUTUVENI PO BOX 123 KYKOTSMOVI, AZ 86039 1110-01600-7460 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED The White House’s unanswered Medicad question -More on pg. 16 Hopi Tutuveni April 21, 2021 2 Hopi Tribe to Move into Phase Two Hopi Tribal Council Second on April 22, 2021 Quarter Session March 1, 2021 Announcement Made During April 19, AGENDA Month of April 2021 – 2021 Open Tribal Council Session Amendment #1 Romalita Laban, Managing Editor Hopi Tutuveni Kykotsmovi, Ariz. – On Monday, April 19, 2021 during the open Hopi Tribal Council session which was being aired on the local KUYI Hopi Radio station, Hopi Vice Chairman Clark Tenakhongva made the announcement and update about the different Re-opening Phases the Tribe is going through and announced it has been three weeks since Phase One was effective, that, “Phase Two is coming in this week…on the 22nd…” As of Thursday, April 1, 2021, the Executive Order #008-2021 Hopi Phase One Re-Opening itam soosoyam qale ‘ykini has been in effect. No other announcements, memorandum to Hopi Tribal employees or Executive Orders have been received by Hopi Tutuveni staff before publication deadlines. Hopi Tutuveni staff has inquired with the Hopi Chairman’s Office about updates and/or memoranda that may have been sent out, but not yet received in Hopi Tutuveni offices, regarding the Re-opening plans and Phases, updated list(s) of the Essential Tribal Government Employees and what type of schedule will be followed for the employees not on the Essential Employees list but no replies have been received before publication deadlines. Tenakhongva also mentioned during the open Tribal Council session that, “…then May 5th by then all phases should have been addressed…by then all employees should be coming back…” In an email response, today, to the above mentioned inquiry to Hopi Chairman’s Office, Tenakhongva corrected his statements and notified Hopi Tutuveni staff that the “May 5th “ date should actually be May 14th. During the Tribal Council session, Council members were quick to state concerns about not receiving updated plans for the Re-opening to which Tenakhongva reminded them that on two separate occasions Tribal Council has been sent the Re- turn-To-Work Guidelines document. Council members were adamant at expressing frustration and concerns in Hopi, for employees not receiving updated information about returning to work plans. One Council member mentioned, “…this is about the third individual who has texted me that they haven’t received anything…” before expressing that all employees should be notified about any “plans.” Other Council members made similar comments before Tenakhongva made closing remarks and thanked everyone for their support and understanding before stating, “At 10 zero 2, calling the meeting into recess until Wednesday at 9am.” Hopi Tutuveni has not received any press releases about the upcoming Phase Two plans, nor have we received any timelines or updated schedules for when Tribal employees are to return, since November 2020. Staff is unaware if any changes or updates have been made to the Return to Work Guidelines document, as well. Hopi Tutuveni readers and community members have been inquiring with the Managing Editor about the Return to Work plans and we’ve had to re-direct individuals to the Chairman and Vice Chairman’s Offices. It is unknown if they have made further contacts or have received the information and updates being sought. The Hopi Tutuveni staff is doing our best to bring vital and important information to the Hopi public about the issue but we have faced shutdowns and all the staff is still not being allowed into the Tutuveni offices by the Executive Director. If in the next two days, on this Thursday, April 22, 2021, the Assistant Editor is allowed back into the Risk Management building, he will have a lot of work ahead of him in unpacking, re-arranging equipment - still sitting on its sides, and setting up to continue the work of the one and only newspaper of the Hopi Tribe. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Action Item #061-2020 – To approve the settlement agreement in the Hopi Tribe v. United States of America, No. 06-0941 (Fed. Ct of Claims) – Author/Fred Lomayesva, General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel – TABLED to April 5, 2021 NEW BUSINESS 1. Action Item #013-2021 – To approve a Management, Development and Springing Consultant Agreement with Tonto Apache Tribe to develop and manage tribal casinos – Author/Dwayne Secakuku, Chairman, Hopi Gaming Committee 2. Action Item #-014-2021 – To approve Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corporation’s Special Land Use Assignment in the amount of 18± acres to develop on Hopi Indian Trust Lands consistent with the I40 Feasibility Study for Winslow Industrial Park, Parcel 16 – Author/Lucinda Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corporation - **Time Certain – April 6, 2021 starting @ 2:00 p.m. 3. Discussion with Judge Eric Bruggink re: Settlement Agreement in the Hopi Tribe v. United States of America, No. 06-0941 (Fed. Ct of Claims) – Fred Lomayesva, General Counsel, Office of the Tribal Counsel - **Time Certain – April 6, 2021 starting @ 9:00 a.m. 4. Letter dated April 6, 2021 to Honorable Secretary of Interior Haaland from Stewart Koyiyumptewa, re: Hopi Tribe’s comments regarding consultation with the Department of Interior - Clifford Qotsaquahu, Tribal Council Representative, Village of Bacavi **Time Certain – May 3, 2021 @ 9:00 a.m. 5. Letter dated February 1, 2021 from First Mesa Consolidated Villages’ Leadership re: Complaint on the development of aboriginal and traditional land use areas by the Hopi Tribe without consent – Phillip Quochytewa, Sr., Tribal Council Representative, Village of Kykotsmovi - **Time Certain - May 5, 2021 @ 9:00 am. Are you into drawing COMICS? New Perspective - Education by: Carl Onsae Submit your comics to consae@hopi.nsn.us Or 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 Call 928-734-3283 To find out more information. 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 April 21, 2021 3 Ex-cop guilty of murder and manslaughter in George Floyd case Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin listening to verdict on April 20, 2021. (Screengrab) Amy Forliti, Stephen Groves and Tammy Weber Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS — Former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man's neck in a case that touched off worldwide protests, violence and a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the U.S. Chauvin, 45, could be sent to prison for decades. People elated by the verdict flooded the surrounding streets downtown upon hearing the news. Cars blared their horns, and people ran through traffic, waving banners. Floyd family members gathered at a Minneapolis conference room could be heard cheering from the next room as each verdict was read. The jury of six white people and six Black or multiracial ones came back with its verdict after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days. Chauvin was found guilty on all charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. His face was obscured by a COVID-19 mask, and little reaction could be seen beyond his eyes darting around the courtroom. His bail was immediately revoked and he was led away with his hands cuffed behind his back. As the judge asked jurors if they reached a verdict inside, a hush fell on the crowd 300 strong in a park adjacent to the courthouse outside, with people listening to the proceedings on their cellphones. When the final guilty verdict was announced, the crowd roared, many people hugging, some shedding tears. At the intersection where Floyd was pinned down, a crowd chanted, "One down, three to go!" — a reference to the three other fired Minneapolis police officers facing trial in August on charges of aiding and abetting murder in Floyd's death. Janay Henry, who lives nearby, said she felt grateful and relieved. "I feel grounded. I can feel my feet on the concrete," she said, adding that she was looking forward to the "next case with joy and optimism and strength." The verdict was read in a courthouse ringed with concrete barriers and razor wire and patrolled by National Guard troops, in a city on edge against another round of unrest — not just because of the Chauvin case but because of the deadly police shooting of a young Black man, Daunte Wright, in a Minneapolis suburb April 11. The jurors identities were kept secret and will not be released until the judge decides it is safe to do so. Floyd, 46, died May 25 after being arrested on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill for a pack of cigarettes at a corner market. He panicked, pleaded that he was claustrophobic and struggled with police when they tried to put him in a squad car. They put him on the ground instead. The centerpiece of the case was the excruciating bystander video of Floyd gasping repeatedly, "I can't breathe" and onlookers yelling at Chauvin to stop as the officer pressed his knee on or close to Floyd's neck for what authorities say was 9 1/2 minutes. Floyd slowly went silent and limp. Prosecutors played the footage at the earliest opportunity, during opening statements, with Jerry Blackwell telling the jury: "Believe your eyes." And it was shown over and over, analyzed one frame at a time by witnesses on both sides. In the wake of Floyd's death, demonstrations and scattered violence broke out in Minneapolis, around the country and beyond. The furor also led to the removal of Confederate statues and other offensive symbols such as Aunt Jemima. In the months that followed, numerous states and cities restricted the use of force by police, revamped disciplinary systems or subjected police departments to closer oversight. The "Blue Wall of Silence" that often protects police accused of wrongdoing crumbled after Floyd's death: The Minneapolis police chief quickly called it "murder" and fired all four officers, and the city reached a staggering $27 million settlement with Floyd's family as jury selection was underway. Police-procedure experts and law enforcement veterans inside and outside the Minneapolis department, including the chief, testified for the prosecution that Chauvin used excessive force and went against his training. Medical experts for the prosecution said Floyd died of asphyxia, or lack of oxygen, because his breathing was constricted by the way he was held down on his stomach, his hands cuffed behind him, a knee on his neck and his face jammed against the ground. Chauvin attorney Eric Nelson called a police use-of-force expert and a forensic pathologist to help make the case that Chauvin acted reasonably against a struggling suspect and that Floyd died because of an underlying heart condition and his illegal drug use. Floyd had high blood pressure, an enlarged heart and narrowed arteries, and fentanyl and methamphetamine were found in his system. Under the law, police have certain leeway to use force and are judged according to whether their actions were "reasonable" under the circumstances. The defense also tried to make the case that Chauvin and the other officers were hindered in their duties by what they perceived as a growing, hostile crowd. Chauvin did not testify, and all that the jury or the public ever heard by way of an explanation from him came from a police body-camera video after an ambulance had taken the 6-foot-4, 223-pound Floyd away. Chauvin told a bystander: "We gotta control this guy 'cause he's a sizable guy ... and it looks like he's probably on something." The prosecution's case also included tearful testimony from onlookers who said the police kept them back when they protested what was happening. Eighteen-year-old Darnella Frazier, who shot the crucial video, said Chauvin just gave the bystanders a "cold" and "heartless" stare. She and others said they felt a sense of helplessness and lingering guilt from witnessing Floyd's slow-motion death. "It's been nights I stayed up, apologizing and apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more, and not physically interacting and not saving his life," Frazier testified, while the 19-yearold cashier at the neighborhood market, Christopher Martin, lamented that "this could have been avoided" if only he had rejected the suspect $20 bill. To make Floyd more than a crime statistic in the eyes of the jury, the prosecution called to the stand his girlfriend, who told the story of how they met and how they struggled with addiction to opioids, and his younger brother Philonise. He recalled how Floyd helped teach him to catch a football and made "the best banana mayonnaise sandwiches." Hopi Tutuveni April 21, 2021 4 Hopi Law Enforcement Services Purchases New Vehicles and Equipment through Grant Funding Hopi Law Enforcement Services Honors 2021 National Public Safety Telecommunications Week Hopi Law Enforcement Services FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kykotsmovi, Ariz. – April 16, 2021, Hopi Law Enforcement Services (HLES) is celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunications Week (NPSTW) by honoring its five dispatchers. The NPSTW started back in 1994 and was signed into law in 1994 by former President Bill Clinton. NPSTW is always held the second week of April. 2021 NPSTW is being held from April 11-17, 2021 Dispatchers are the “unsung heroes.” They play a vital role for the Hopi Tribe and its surrounding communities because they are normally the first point of contact during emergency situations. They are the ones gathering and sharing information with emergency medical services, fire departments, and surrounding law enforcement agencies to provide much needed information prior to their response to any calls for service. PHOTO courtesy of HLES PHOTO courtesy of HLES Hopi Law Enforcement Services PRESS RELEASE Kykotsmovi, Ariz. – April 8, 2021, Hopi Law Enforcement Services added five new fully equipped police vehicles to their current fleet. The new vehicles were purchased and up-fitted with grant funding awarded by the United States Department of Justice – Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant. The grant was awarded for the FY2019 cycle in the amount of $324,760. By securing reliable and up to date fully equipped police vehicles, Officers will be able to respond to calls for service safely. Hopi Law Enforcement Services also purchased safety equipment through grant funding awarded by the Office of Arizona Attorney General’s Office in the amount of $16,000. Hopi Law Enforcement Services has experienced an increase in calls for service pertaining to the use of firearms. The safety equipment will offer additional protection for Officers responding to these high risk calls. Hopi Law Enforcement Services continues to seek out and apply for grant funding to enhance their services to the community. For more information about National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, call HLES Office (928) 734-7344. Dispatchers are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to answer calls for service. They often deal with people when they are having one of their worst days. Dispatchers deal with everything from calls for crimes, car crashes, and every critical event in between. The HLES dispatch center currently has 5 dispatchers. When first hired, each dispatcher attends a three week dispatch academy and after graduation they participate in field training program. Communication, the ability to remain calm under stressful situations, and a willingness to help others are critical skills dispatchers must possess to be a dispatcher. Hopi Law Enforcement Services continues to seek applicants to join their team. Those interested in applying can call the HLES Office for more information. For more information about National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, call HLES Office (928) 734-7344. 2021 National Drug Take Back Day Hopi Law Enforcement Services FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kykotsmovi, Ariz. – April 16, 2021, The Hopi Law Enforcement Services (HLES) will be participating in the 2021 National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. HLES Staff will be accepting unwanted, expired and unused prescription medication pills at the Hopi Law Enforcement Services Office in Kykotsmovi, Ariz. We will not accept inhalers, needles, glass, or liquids. The service will be free and anonymous, no questions asked. The Drug Take Back Day is a national initiative, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), aimed at encouraging the public to dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription medication pills that are prone to abuse and theft. All Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 guidelines will be followed. Please practice social distancing and wear your masks. For more information about the Drug Take Back Day call Sgt. Singer at (928)734-7340 Hopi Tutuveni April 21, 2021 5 Grand Canyon National Park Re-Opens East Entrance Gate FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Grand Canyon, AZ - Beginning April 8, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park will be able to enter the park through the East Entrance at Desert View. Park officials, working with tribal and state officials, stakeholders and community leaders, announced the reopening of the Park's east entrance gate this week. The east entrance, along Arizona State Highway (Hwy) 64, has been closed since April 1, 2020. The intent of the closure has been to minimize visitor traffic through the Navajo Nation and other communities east of the Park, respecting the health and safety need of park neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Superintendent Ed Keable made the decision to reopen the east gate based on input from the Navajo Nation, along with state and local officials and community members. Keable stated, "over the past year, we have continued to coordinate with local Cameron Chapter and tribal officials from the Navajo Nation, as well as other stakeholders and business leaders on the east gate closure. As vaccine rollouts continue, we recognize the need to normalize our operations and allow for visitors to have a drive-through option on Hwy 64." When driving through the Navajo Nation, all roads other than state and federal highways will be closed to non-residential traffic. Mask wearing is required at all locations on the Nation. For more information on Navajo Nation guidance, please visit the Navajo Department of Health website. No services--including food, gas, and the campground--will be available at Desert View until further notice. These services will open as soon as staffing allows. The nearest services available to Desert View are in Cameron, AZ, about 30 miles east of the Desert View developed area. Other services are currently available on the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village. Credit cards, Your Pass Now, and America the Beautiful passes will be accepted for entry. Cash will not be accepted at this time. For a complete list of available services and open facilities on the South Rim, please consult the Grand Canyon National Park website. CORRECTION Kykotsmovi, Ariz. – April 16, 2021, in the “Hopi Law Enforcement Services March 2021 Report” published in the April 7, 2021 publication of the Hopi Tutuveni, “TOTAL ARRESTS FOR JANUARY” should have read, “TOTAL ARRESTS FOR MARCH” We sincerely apologize for any confusion this may have caused. 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 Locally Youth Led Organization Hustling to Bring a Skate Park to Hopi SkateHopi 264 breaking barriers to make their dreams a reality Youth from the SkateHopi 264 photo credit to sender SkateHopi 264 PRESS RELEASE Polacca, Ariz. – As of March 11, 2021, SkateHopi 264 is a locally, youth led organization whose goal is getting a skate park built here on the Hopi reservation. To date, we have completed and compiled a survey, hosted multiple skateboard giveaways. We’ve also managed sticker sales and raffles to get our community involved and to raise money for the skate park. We aim our attention towards the youth because we depend on them to carry on our values and culture, but we do not exclude anyone of older ages. We hope to create a supportive and positive environment for our Hopi/Tewa sinom to come together through the joy of skating. Our team is comprised of four young Native American skaters, who established SkateHopi 264. We all reside on the Hopi reservation and belong to different villages and clans. Our co-leads are in the age group of 16-18 years old who are listed, as follows: Quintin Nahsonhoya, Jacque Thorpe, Laela Nevayaktewa and Terrill Humeyestewa. Our mentors are Samantha Honani and Paul Molina, who have both been with us since the start of SkateHopi 264. Each Co-lead has the support of their parents who are also involved in helping with our various projects, fundraisers, and meetings. Currently, we have a plan that includes our short and long term goals. A majority of our co-leads of SkateHopi 264 are located in Polacca, Ariz. and so we plan on building a permanent and sustainable skate park built in either of the two places. Our priority area is at the First Mesa Youth Center, with 3 areas to consider around the property. A short term goal is to accept an amazing donation from a Phoenix-based skateboard company and to place these semi-permanent structures for a smaller skate park located at the Tewa Village administration area. Both areas we feel would be accessible to all of our community and ultimately meet the goals of SkateHopi 264. It is our dream to push through every challenge to make this a reality while we are still able to enjoy it as co-leads. We are doing so much more as SkateHopi 264. With only 6 months into becoming established, some of our highlights include: 1) Meeting weekly on Wednesdays (with co-leads taking turns facilitating) 2) An amazing following on our social media accounts 3) Our very own website (sponsored by outside Native entrepreneurs) 3) Building our YouTube account and 4) Establishing our core group with a mission statement, roles, and goals. On our social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram) we host special days of the week assigned for some community interaction. These events are known as our Wipeout Wednesdays (encouraging all skaters to never give up when we fall) and Indigenous Female Fridays (celebrating and highlighting female skaters from all Indigenous communities). We are also hosting selling events to raise money for our future skate park. The most recent fundraising events included our awesome prize raffle which was held on March 27th and our sticker sales that we sell on the daily. The raffle date may be extended into April if we do not meet our sales goal, so be on the lookout for updates on our Facebook or Instagram. Please follow us on our social media platforms for ways to support or email: eelaynam@gmail.com Hopi Tutuveni April 21, 2021 6 Haaland skirts boundary specifics in Utah visit Photo credit E&E News NEWS RELEASE Jennifer Yachnin, E&E News reporter Interior Secretary Deb Haaland yesterday sidestepped pleas from Utah lawmakers seeking to delay President Biden's expected restoration of more than 2 million acres of public lands to a pair of national monuments. During a joint news conference with Gov. Spencer Cox (R) following a visit to the Bears Ears National Monument in southeastern Utah, Haaland pledged ongoing engagement with the state's all-GOP delegation but didn't embrace their pitch for a legislative compromise instead of executive action. "I think that we'll continue to be in touch. We'll continue to talk. We'll continue to see how we can work things out," Haaland said. A video of the event was broadcast by CBS affiliate KUTV. She continued: "Of course, the president will make a decision. But, look, legislation can always move forward, right? Regardless of what President Biden does, legislation can always move forward." Biden ordered a review of reductions to the two Utah monuments made by his predecessor in late 2017. He is widely expected to reverse those cuts — which shrank Bears Ears from 1.35 million acres to about 202,000 acres, and likewise reduced the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to about half of its former 1.9-million-acre footprint — via executive action. Under the Antiquities Act of 1906, presidents are permitted to set aside public lands as national monuments to protect areas of cultural, historic and scientific interest. Utah elected officials had long criticized the two monuments, established by President Obama in 2016 and President Clinton in 1996, before persuading President Trump to shrink the sites during his first year in office. Cox and the state's congressional delegation have pressed the Interior Department to recommend Biden hold off on any executive action on either site, arguing that without legislation, the disputed lands will merely change status each time political control of the White House changes hands. "In my heart, I think there is an opportunity for that, to provide the resources that are needed here. All of those things can only be done through legislation, they can't be done through an executive order. But that's hard work," Cox said. "The easy way will ultimately be more divisive." At the same time, Cox effusively praised Haaland during her first visit to the state as Interior's top official, calling her "delightful," "brilliant" and "engaging." In separate remarks, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney (R) and Rep. Blake Moore (R) also pressed for Biden to offer legislation to Congress. "The administration can do something permanent so the pingponging and the lawsuits end," Romney said, referring in part to a pair of federal lawsuits challenging Trump's 2017 reductions. Plaintiffs in those cases, including Native American tribes and environmentalists, argue that Trump exceeded his authority under the Antiquities Act and only Congress may reduce a monument. He added: "I hope the president is able to take action to bring us together." Both Cox and Romney also emphasized a desire among the state's elected leaders to avoid designating the disputed acreage within both sites as national monument lands. "A monument is just a word, and there are laws around that, but what is it that we really want?" Cox said. "We want to protect these lands, but the minute we made them a monument, people started coming. The more people that come the more degradation that happens to the lands. How do we celebrate these areas and not love them to death?" But in subsequent remarks, Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition Co-Chairman Clark Tenakhongva reiterated his desire to see that monument restored immediately, and only then addressed by legislation to make those changes permanent. "If they're really sincere about legislation, I hope Sen. Romney does put that legislation through, because it can't come from any other state except for the state of Utah. They're the ones opposing," said Tenakhongva, who is also vice chairman for the Hopi Tribe. The Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, which represents the Navajo Nation and the Pueblo of Zuni, as well as the Hopi, Ute Mountain Ute and Ute Indian tribes, played a key role in Obama's designation of the monument in 2016. "It took years of hard work for us to get to this point," Tenakhongva said. "It's never been fair. Why is it they are saying that this is a good opportunity for the Biden administration at this point to start showing about compromise and living together in harmony? Why does it have to be a Native American issue? Why?" Rep. John Curtis (R), whose district encompasses the Bears Ears monument, met with Haaland during her trip but did not attend the news conference. Cox noted that Sen. Mike Lee (R) and Reps. Chris Stewart (R) and Burgess Owens (R) are scheduled to join Haaland on a visit to the Grand Staircase-Escalante monument in southwestern Utah today. Haaland also fielded questions about whether the Biden administration will expand the Bears Ears monument, something that tribal leaders and local elected officials have endorsed. The Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition has said it wants a 1.9-million-acre site. Those additional 500,000 acres would allow the inclusion of cultural sites and objects that failed to gain protections under the original boundaries, according to expansion proponents. "It's pretty clear that people everywhere have a feeling about this area and know that the cultural heritage of this area belongs to all Americans, and it's so important that we think of that for the future," Haaland said. Reprinted from E&E News with permission from POLITICO, LLC. Copyright 2021. E&E News provides essential news for energy and environment professionals at www.eenews.net. Hopi Tutuveni April 21, 2021 North Kaibab and North Rim Grand Canyon Fire Managers Begin Spring Prescribed Fire Operations PRESS RELEASE 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 or rlaban@hopi.nsn.us Fredonia, Az., April 16, 2021 — Beginning April 17, National Park Service and USDA Forest Service fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating prescribed burns on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Over the next several weeks fire managers will be assessing weather, fuel moistures, and other conditions for opportunities to conduct burns safely and effectively. Units targeted for spring burning are in areas south of Jacob Lake, Crazy Jug/ Big Saddle area, and the North Rim Developed area. The North Rim and National Forest areas south of Jacob Lake remained closed until May 15, making this an opportune time to perform burns for infrastructure protection and hazardous fuel reduction as smoke impacts and disruption to visitor experiences would be minimized. Smoke: Prescribed fire smoke from will be most visible during ignition operations and will likely gradually diminish after ignitions are completed. Smoke may be visible along Highways 89A and 67 as well as from various locations on the North Rim and South Rim. Smoke is expected in the canyon, one to three days after each ignition. Fire managers are working with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality- Smoke Management Division to reduce and mitigate potential smoke impacts. Fire managers plan to treat a total of approximately 2100 acres with broadcast burning, targeting light surface fu- 7 els and downed woody debris composed of logs, twigs, and stems. These types of prescribed fires are important for removing forest floor fuels which are the primary carriers of fire during wildfire events. Weather conditions and outlooks play a key role in the success of prescribed fire implementation and fire managers are working closely with National Weather Service forecasters prior to prescribed fire implementation. Prescribed fires play an important role in decreasing risks to life, resources, and property. Fire managers carefully plan prescribed fires, initiating them only under environmental conditions that are favorable firefighter and visitor safety and to achieving the desired objectives. Prescribed fire objectives include reducing accumulations of hazard fuels, maintaining the natural role of fire in a fire-adapted ecosystem, and protection of sensitive cultural and natural resources. Plans for each burn unit contain a set of parameters which define the desired weather and fuel conditions under which a prescribed fire can be initiated. Prior to implementing the burns, fire managers will evaluate current conditions and will only begin ignition if the prescribed fire conditions are within allowable environmental parameters. Brienne Pettit Public Affairs Officer Forest Service Kaibab National Forest c: 928-310-6035 brienne.pettit@usda.gov 800 S. 6th St. Williams, AZ 86046 www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 8 HOPI H.E.O.C UPDATES Hopi Tutuveni April 21, 2021 Hopi Tribe Department of Health and Human Services Covid-19 Emergency Response April 19, 2021 Report Kykotsmovi, Ariz. – April 19, 2021 — Nationwide there has been a moderate increase in cases due to a combination of the more transmissible variants of the COVID-19 virus and certain states lifting their preventative guidelines. Currently the rising cases are mostly found in the Midwest and the North East. Arizona has continued to have a lower relative Covid-19 burden, but Coconino County and the Western communities of the Navajo Reservation have continued to see increases. Furthermore, the Hopi reservation continues to see small pockets of Covid-19 and is monitoring for community transmission. We all must continue to practice the three W’s, Watch your distance, Wash your hands and Wear a mask. In addition to practicing the three W’s, everyone who can be vaccinated (people over the age of 16) should contact their healthcare provider about receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. For the Covid-19 vaccines, overall effectiveness has been reported in the range of 70% to 95% for symptomatic Covid-19, which is well above the average effectiveness of the flu vaccine, for example. Not only do these vaccines appear to lessen risk of developing COVID-19, but they also appear to lessen the risk of severe disease. In large clinical trials, most side effects have been minor. When side effects do occur, they typically last just a few days. A side effect or reaction isn’t necessarily all bad, as it may indicate that the body is building protection against the virus. Common side effects include: 1.) pain at the site of the injection; 2.) painful, swollen lymph nodes in the arm where the vaccine was injected; 3.) overall fatigue; 4.) headache. It is normal to feel apprehensive about any new treatment. But two common misconceptions often result in people avoiding the COVID vaccine unnecessarily. When health problems develop soon after vaccination, people tend to blame the vaccine. Yet cancer, strokes, heart attacks, blood disorders, and rare illnesses occurred before the pandemic, and will of course continue to happen long after. If a person contracts COVID-19 soon after vaccination, it is not due to the vaccine. No live SARS-CoV-2 virus is used in the currently available vaccines or those in development. Here is a quick overview of the COVID-19 statistics on a national, state, and local level: As of April 19, 2021 The United Sates now has approximately 31.48 million confirmed positive cases with 48,032 new cases and over 564,292deaths reported. Over 854,453 confirmed positive cases now exist in Arizona. Of those, close to 16,058 are in Navajo County alone. The Hopi Health Care Center has tested over 9,094 patients to this date. Over 1,385 of those tests at Hopi Health Care Center came back positive with 1004 from Hopi Tribal members. Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation reported 269 positives for Hopi Villages with a combined number of 1273 positive Hopi Tribal members. The information below provides a glimpse of the current numbers in those respective villages. The information by villages presented above is released by the Hopi Department of Health & Human Services, and the data shown reflects patients tested at the Hopi Health Care Center and at the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation specifically on Hopi tribal members. The data from Lower and Upper Munqapi is consolidated until specific data can be re-verified. (+) number decreased due to individual being identified from another village. The community of residence for one Hopi Tribal member who tested positive at HHCC is in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The community of residence for four Hopi Tribal members who tested positive at HHCC is in Winslow. The data here does not include all state-wide data from other facilities such as Flagstaff, Winslow, Phoenix or other hospitals. *Note: These data include newly added testing results from the Abbott ID NOW machine since April 20, 2020 ** A total of 1268+ individuals who tested positive are members of the Hopi Tribe. + 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 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19: • Cough • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Or at least two of these symptoms: • Fever • Chills • Repeated shaking with chills • Muscle pain • Headache • Sore throat • Congestion or runny nose • Nausea or vomiting • Diarrhea • New loss of taste or smell Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness. This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Hopi Tutuveni April 21, 2021 HOPI H.E.O.C UPDATES 9 Hopi Tribe Department of Health and Human Services Covid-19 Emergency Response April 19, 2021 Report, Cont. Hopi Tutuveni April 21, 2021 10 Hopilavit - school related W D April 7 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 P A T G A P I K L A P U T U K I O U H O W A A K A S I P A H O N A F Z K C T P O R U N L M S A N I W L U I O A D A T K O W T O H O O V U S A S A S O O M G K O J N Z Q F S W A F O A C T S I A L T C M A K Z A I T V O K O K O W E E D O I S I K W I Y Y Y I T O O T O L O P S A W A I M I T R N A K H U W H B I A K O A O M D L V O U G C I L L E E T A Y O C K K H C Y K K R O M Q P I H I S A W A P B A S I S I E M N I S A X I Y N L W D O W O V M O T O T K O T S K A M A E X S P I I R F V W X K W A A H U C E A P N G K H O H O M I T S T V M B T P P B Q Z I Y S O N A D C O R U X W A W O H O N G O HOPI WORDS Pavatya (Tadpole) Pahona (Beaver) Sikwi (Meat) Samii (Fresh Corn) Noqkwivi (Corn & Meat Stew) Kowaako (Chicken) Leetayo (Fox) Pat Ga (Squash - Pumpkin) Koyongo (Turkey) Kokowe’e (Rooster) Isaw (Coyote) Hekweepu (Brownish Lizard) Hootsoko (Small Eared Owl) Hoonaw O I (Bear) Tokotska (Black Bird) Tsili (Chili) Wutaga (Corn Gruel) Mooro (Burro) Moosa (Cat) Pooko (Dog) Mosayru (Bison, Buffalo) Qomi (Sweet Corn Cake) Tootolo (Grasshopper) Yongosona (Turtle) Toho (Mt. Lion) Sowiyngwa (Deer) Hohomitst (Pocket Mice) Wakaasi N O (Cow) Hospowi (Roadrunner) Tsiro (Small Bird) Kwaahu (Eagle) Paakwa (Frog) Piki (Blue Corn Bread) Toosi (Sweet Corn Meal) Qaao (Corn) Tumna (Potato) Pikami (Wheat & Sweet Corn Pudding) Somiviki (Blue Corn Flour, Sweet Tamale) Piklapkutuki (Roasted & Salted Crumbled Piki) Hopi Tutuveni April 21, 2021 11 Larry’s Corner My Shades are Cool Ever wonder about the past? I know in the Hopi tradition you are not supposed to wonder about the past, because it could make you sick. Although, we Hopis tend to always be looking at the past, and it seems we never look forward to anything great in the future. Because of that, I believe we are a sadistic group of people. I know I have a crude sense of humor sometimes, but in all seriousness, I believe our people should look forward to a greater future. Sure, there are things we need to look back into the past for reassurance and for guidance. But we need to look past all the hungry land grabbing Hopis, the extreme traditionalists, the “opposers” who only want to live the “true” Hopi way. I get those people; they want to live in the past and how it should be lived. But the “past Hopis” did not just sit back and say “I want to keep living in the past.” No, they wanted to move forward with living while still practicing our culture. When I was growing up, there was a lot of fighting in the different villages about economic structure, and electricity for the villages. Some villagers wanted nothing to do with the white man’s way of living, while others saw an opportunity for the future and how it could make them grow. I get both sides of the argument where one side says we need to live like the true Hopi and the other side saying they want to live like a Hopi but with improvements to their lives. It creates a lot of controversy when you bring in religion and you bring in people who want nothing to do with the white man’s way, but also, people who say they don’t want anything to do with white man’s way are the same people accepting donations from the white man. So, all in all, who is right? Hopis believe in taking the long path, we take our time to get to the point and we do it because, our ancestors took the long path to get to where we are today. And we are slow with bringing in a new way of living. So, you are probably wondering, “What does a cat believe in?” Do I believe in the white man’s way? Do I believe in the Hopi way? Do I believe in both? Well, I’ll let you know, I’m a cat and I do want to live like a Hopi and live like a white man. But that is also creating a lot of controversy because I believe in two separate things. Like believing in a dog’s life versus a cat’s life, they may seem like they live the same lives but really, they are totally different. So, I ask you, what sort of life do you want to follow, the white man’s life or the Hopi Life? Or bit of both? It is very hard to live two lives on the Hopi reservation. We love to practice our Hopi tradition and we love it so much that we sometimes see an option to only practice Hopi religion. But we soon remember that the white man’s way is a bit more convenient to our needs than to practice our own tradition. What I’m saying is that in this world we live in now, we can’t live without both entering our lives. I’m saying that we can’t live without the white man. I know it sounds crazy, but it is true, we say we can practice our Hopi religion just by doing the Hopi thing…but we also need help from the white man’s culture to make our religion work. Crazy…I know. I know how that sounds but if you really read into it, it will make sense. I guess living in both worlds is not such a bad trade off to live in this crazy world we live in today. Sure, we can still practice our Hopi religion but now we have some help with the white man’s culture to do so. So, take for example, Hopis are born runners, we can run great distances without food or water. But now, we need the white man’s help with his shoes, his plastic water bottles, and his cool running eye shades to make Hopis distance runners again. Could we go back to running like how we used to? Yes, we could do that, but we would look silly without those cool running eye shades. What I’m saying is that even though we say that white man has no place in our culture, we are right for the serious part of it but we also need to have white man’s supplies to make it happen, if you know what I mean. So, my advice to you is that because living in two worlds is very hard for us Hopis because we like pizza, fast cars, and Netflix. But we also love Hopi dances, gifts from the gods, and singing our traditional songs. Could we go back to the past and just live like a Hopi? I say, NO, we cannot do that, the past is the past, and we cannot re-create the past even if we tried. We can remember it for what it was, but somethings will have to change, sometime for the worst and sometimes for the better. Hopi Tutuveni April 21, 2021 12 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS "DNA - People's Legal Services ensuring the health and safety of staff and clients by conducting applications and eligibility information by phone only. DNA addresses legal issues involving public benefits: food stamps, unemployment, evictions, repossessions, debt collection, family law, domestic violence and other legal issues. If experiencing a legal emergency like an upcoming court appearance or eviction, you may provide that information to the intake staff by calling: 1-833-362-1102 or applying online at: www.dnalegalservices.org That's 1-833-362-1102 or www.dnalegalservices.org" DNA PEOPLE’S LEGAL SERVICES P.O. BOX 306 WINDOW ROCK, ARIZONA 86515 The Hopi Foundation Job Announcements 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 Cat got your tongue? Don’t know which color to pick or how to layout your ad? Hopi Tutuveni can help you with creating an ad to your specific need. Call or email us to find out how Call 928-734-3283 or email: consae@hopi.nsn.us "Program Manager – Hopi Leadership Program Position Summary: Responsible for overall management of Hopi Leadership Program (adult & youth leadership programs and HLP alumni activities) and supervision of program staff, volunteers, and interns to ensure programming deliverables are met. Coordinates adult HLP outreach/marketing process, application and selection process, all monthly leadership training sessions, and provides professional guidance to program participants. Develops and maintains program curriculum, strategic development, to ensure program objectives are met. Communicates with partner agencies, cohort alumni, and HLP Community Advisory Board. Program Manager – Hopi Opportunity Youth Initiative (HOYI) Position Summary: Responsible for assisting the Hopi Foundation Planning Team with strategic development, coordination, and implementation of HOYI goals and objectives. HOYI objectives include data collection, facilitation of collaborative activities, and overall communications with external partners, agencies, and individual stakeholders. Serves as the lead in promoting the HOYI project through interagency partnerships and similar organizations that can strengthen bonds and nurture opportunities for Hopi youth. DEADLINE TO APPLY: Monday, May 10, 2021 FULL JOB DESCRIPTIONS & APPLICATIONS: HopiFoundation.org/jobs Contact: Deanna Ortiz - 928-734-2380 │ info@hopifoundation.org Salary: Based on experience & qualifications Minimum Qualifications: 3 years’ management and supervision experience and BA/BS degree, or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Necessary Requirements: Must possess valid driver's license; able to work some evenings/weekends; No misdemeanor convictions within the past 5 years and no felony convictions; Background investigation and fingerprinting may be required; Use of personal vehicle may be required. Remote/tele-work options: Yes" The Hopi Tribe P.O. Box 123 Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039 Ph: (928) 734-3281 • Ph: (928) 734-3283 Editorial Board of the Hopi Tutuveni Kyle Knox , Gary LaRance, George Mase Hopi Tutuveni Staff Managing Editor - Romalita Laban RLaban@hopi.nsn.us Assistant Editor - Carl Onsae Consae@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 April 21, 2021 13 LEGALS JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS Hopi Tribal Council Timothy L. Nuvangyaoma, Chairman Second Mesa Day School is NOW HIRING & RECRUITING for the 2021-2022 Academic School Year Clark W. Tenakhongva, Vice Chairman Dwayne Secakuku, Interim Tribal Secretary "HIRING immediately …Kindergarten and First Grade Teacher Teacher Assistants, 5th Grade, 6th Grade RECRUITING..First Grade Teacher, 1 Position Third Grade Teacher, 2 Positions Interested? Send resume, along with a copy of your AZ teaching certificate and AZ Level One Fingerprint card to HR@SecondMesa.org, or fax to 928-737-2565 or you can mail to PO Box 98, Second Mesa, AZ 86043 Questions? Contact Vida J-Golaway @ 928737-2571 x 4212, or email at HR@secondmesa. org. SMDS offers a sign on bonus and a competitive salary. 100% employee health benefits. Teacher housing and retirement plans with up 4% match. What we offer… At Second Mesa Day School (SMDS) , we want to be a great employer, focusing on education, inclusion, collaboration, health and well-being. We live our values, making sure we put our children first. Their education is at the heart of what we do. We need the very best people to help us achieve our educational ambitions. We have a motivated and talented team which we want to retain, support and develop. BUT… we also want to attract new talent. WE believe our ambitions and goals make Second Mesa Day School an attractive and exciting place to work." Wilfred Gaseoma, Tribal Treasurer Violet Sinquah, SergeantAt-Arms Village of Upper Moenkopi Robert Charley Philton Talahytewa, Sr. Hubert Lewis, Sr. Michael Elmer Village of Bakabi Dwayne Secakuku Clifford Qotsaquahu Velma Kalyesvah Village of Kyakotsmovi David Talayumptewa Phillip Quochytewa, Sr. Danny Honanie Herman G. Honanie Village of Sipaulavi Rosa Honanie Alverna Poneoma Vacant Village of Mishongnovi Delores Coochyamptewa Pansy Edmo Mervin Yoyetewa First Mesa Consolidated Villages Albert T. Sinquah Dale Sinquah Wallace Youvella, Sr. Wallace Youvella, Jr. PH: (928) 289 0974 porturica@gmail.com Hopi Tutuveni April 21, 2021 14 Family support and adjusting expectations help Native grads facing historically high unemployment by Christine Trudeau Native News.Net At 26, Megan Heller has not one, but two master’s degrees from Eastern Washington University. But after classes moved online early and a virtual graduation in the spring because of the pandemic, Heller had no luck finding a job. “I probably applied for about fifty jobs,” Heller said. “I got a lot of ‘positions were canceled due to funding limits.’ Entry level jobs that I applied for said I didn’t have enough experience or I didn’t meet the qualifications or they just didn’t get back to me.” Heller, a citizen of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians near Spokane, Washington, moved back in with her parents following graduation. She was able to save a little money living rent free and babysitting for family members as they went to work. Like many graduates this spring, Heller was left with very few options. Donna Feir, a Research Fellow with the Center for Indian Country Development at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, said that those entering into the labor force just out of school are doing so at a particularly bad time. “Obviously unemployment rates rose dramatically in April after the onset of pandemic,” says Feir, “this is particularly challenging for Indigenous Americans where unemployment rates increase much more dramatically than any other demographic group.” An August report by Feir found that despite a slight rebound to the employment rate since April, employment for Native Americans is still well behind that for the white workforce. Feir’s survey focuses on people over 25 years of age. She said through no fault of their own, young people having difficulty finding work might be affected throughout their careers. “Unemployment rates generally rose very dramatically and we know if you are an individual who is entering the labor force in an economic downturn this can sometimes have a permanent impact on your wages and attachment to the labor force throughout your life course,” Feir said. Across the country tribes and Native communities are pulling together, accessing traditional family and community support to cope with the virus threat and the ongoing economic setbacks. Food donation and delivery drives, youthled initiatives to provide masks, hand sanitizer, and information on social distancing and other preventative measures, and tribal officials closing reservation borders have all helped keep people alive and afloat. Heller counts herself among those relying on that family support. So does Ashley Nicole Hamilton, who is also back at home after graduating from Harvard University in the spring. Unlike Heller, Hamilton, 22, had a fellowship lined up after receiving her bachelor’s degree in sociology. A citizen of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Hamilton started in June as the Wilma Mankiller Fellow in Tribal Governance with the National Congress of American Indians. “I recognize that I’m in a very unique situation to, one, get a job during a pandemic, but also be able to keep it and know that I’ll be able to have this job,” Hamilton said. But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. When Harvard closed down in March, college officials gave students living on campus five days to vacate their dorms. With no financial help from the school and unable to get storage nearby, Hamilton said it made more sense to rent a truck and drive to to her job in Washington, D.C. At the time, she thought she’d be starting her job in person, but NCAI decided she should work remotely for the foreseeable future. She returned to South Sioux City, Neb. and says, in the months since, working from home has been good, allowing her to reconnect with family. “I feel like I’ve healed in a way from the four years of being away,” said Ham- ilton. “Healing mentally, physically, and emotionally and learning more about myself. Like what situations I thrive in. What situations I don’t thrive in. Understanding that having my family, having a good community around is necessary. I’m not saying that at Harvard I didn’t have a great community of friends, I just think that the lifestyle of living in the dorms, not being able to cook my own food, not being connected to my food and to more of a home routine really affected me a lot. Being home has healed that in a way, and especially being close to my family.” Hamilton also got a dog over the summer named Winnie, who has been a companion between work and occasionally grocery shopping. “I think because Nebraska never really issued any sort of lockdown stay-at-home orders statewide, the pandemic has felt very consistent for me and in the sense that I’m still following the same guidelines that I was following in March,” Hamilton said. Thankfully, Hamilton said, COVID-19 case numbers have remained relatively low for her tribe. When her fellowship finishes up in May, she has her heart set on studying Indian law, but remains cautious. “I know with the pandemic anything can change in an instant, and so I want to start planning for options so I don’t end up in a position where I don’t have a plan or I don’t have a job or anything like that,” she said. “I just want to know what my options are, but I’m not really getting my hopes up on any of them because, you know, there’s a pandemic. So, I’m just ready for anything to change in an instant.” Reconnecting with family and community is also a source of healing for Megan Heller. “I’ve been trying to tell myself that it was an extended vacation, like a reset from school, because school was so stressful,” says Heller. “I would spend a lot of time outside, whether it’s just walking around or going for hikes in the nearby area.” Washington was the first state hit hard by COVID-19. Gov. Jay Inslee enacted stay-at-home orders early. Heller credits the Kalispel Tribe for taking quick, providing antibody testing, giving out masks and other measures. When supplies were scarce, they organized donation drives to local food banks to help those in Spokane County, both tribal members and non-members alike. “I think it’s been going relatively well, considering the situation,” Heller said. “My immediate family, we’ve all been safe as well as my extended family who are up here in Washington. Everybody’s been good about social distancing and wearing masks.” Four months into her job hunt, fortunes finally turned. She started a new job as the Human Resources Compensation Specialist this week for her tribe. Though not her dream job yet, Heller says the position provides some financial security and a foot in the door. Down the line, she hopes the Kalispel Tribe opens a position for economic development and environmental protection when they are able to resume normal operations. Heller’s degrees are in public administration and urban and regional planning. Her thesis was on tribes planning for climate change. She is eager to put her passions to work and looks forward to the day she can help her tribe diversify economically and plan for a sustainable future. But for the moment she’s just glad to get back to work. “I’m eager to get back to having a routine, letting go of the stress and worries I was having about not knowing what the future will hold, ” Heller said. “Not that I know now, but about the way that bills weren’t going to be paid, or what I was going to do if I couldn’t find a job for a long time. Now I can focus on my professional development… and my professional goals, where I want to go one day within the tribe and the kind of career path I want.” This story is a collaboration between National Native News and the Solutions Journalism Network Hopi Tutuveni April 21, 2021 15 Interior Secretary Haaland to New Kansas law to make it a crime Chair The White House Council to trespass at pipelines ANDY TSUBASA FIELD bation. on Native American Affairs AP news The bill says lawmakers intend to pro- Deb Haaland, then the Interior secretary nominee, during President Biden's inauguration. Haaland will chair the newly resumed Council on Native American Affairs. @DebHaalandNM/ Twitter BY NATIVE NEWS ONLINE STAFF WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of the Interior announced on Thursday Interior Secretary Deb Haaland will serve as the chair of the newly reconstituted Council on Native American Affairs. The Council was first created under President Obama, which was dormant during the Trump administration, will meet on April 23. Officials said the interagency Council, which includes leaders from across the federal government, has not met regularly since 2016. It began in 2013 in response to a request from tribal leaders. Next week's meeting will be convened by Haaland and Susan Rice, the White House domestic policy adviser. "The White House Council on Native American Affairs represents an important commitment to strengthen tribal sovereignty, uphold our commitment to tribal nations, and honor the United States' nation-to-nation relationships," Haaland said in a statement. "Addressing the systemic inequities that impact Indigenous peoples is the responsibility of every federal agency that will require an all-of-government approach across the administration," she added. Rice said the council "will maximize federal efforts to support tribal nations as they tackle pressing issues, such as COVID-19 response, reopening schools and rebuilding tribal economic development." Interior said the meeting will take place virtually and will be closed to the press. TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A bill signed into law by Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly will make it a misdemeanor to trespass near oil and gas pipelines. The bill Kelly signed last week gained bipartisan support in the state Senate, but drew criticism from some House Democrats, including two Native American legislators who said the bill targets Native American protesters like those who opposed the Dakota Access oil pipeline, the subject of months of sometimes-violent protests in 2016 and 2017. The new law goes into effect on July 1. The legislation makes it a misdemeanor to trespass near oil and gas, rubber manufacturing and wastewater treatment facilities. It would also make it a felony to trespass with the intent to damage them. It is already a felony in Kansas to damage oil and gas pipelines. In addition to pipelines, the bill also defines railroad tracks as a critical infrastructure and makes it a felony to trespass to obstruct them. First time offenders found guilty could face up to two years of pro- tect the right to peaceably assemble. Proponents say that damaging the facilities outlined in the bill could harm Kansans. “Governor Kelly signed this bill because it will enforce the law by protecting critical infrastructure facilities – such as water treatment plants or gas processing plants – while still protecting Kansans’ right to peacefully protest,” said Kelly spokesperson Lauren Fitzgerald in a statement. The bill was introduced at the request of the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers association, which cites an incident in Florida, where a hacker in February gained entry to the system controlling a water treatment plant and tried to taint the water supply with sodium hydroxide, a caustic chemical. Andy Tsubasa Field is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. 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. Call 928-734-3281 16 Hopi Tutuveni April 21, 2021 The White House’s unanswered Medicaid question White House press secretary Jen Psaki calls on a reporter during a press briefing in the White House in Washington, Friday, April 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Mark Trahant Indian Country Today On Friday the Biden administration announced a plan to spend $4 billion from the American Rescue Plan for pandemic relief in Indigenous communities. And of that amount half, or $2 billion, would be used to supplement third-party billing within the Indian health system. This is one of those announcements that work on many levels. For most it’s just a big number. But if you know how Medicaid and other third-party insurance programs support the Indian health system … it’s a really big deal. Perhaps it's pulling one of the most significant levers that could lead to full funding for the Indian healthcare system. The White House announcement was set for 9 am EDT on Friday. About that time we had a call with Aliyah Chavez, who has been writing a lot of the stories in ICT about the new administration. Turns out that day she had been picked to ask a question at the White House briefing. All week Chavez had been working on her questions ranging from plans for the tribal nations conference to the number of Native Americans receiving appointments to work in this government. These are all questions that would never get asked in a White House briefing. Yet it seemed to us that the $2 billion Medicaid story was worthy of a follow-up question. So Chavez asked: “The plan for $2 billion for third-party billing in the Indian health system shows the significance of Medicaid and other insurance programs. We know that some states are stingy with Medicaid regulations. Does this plan demonstrate the need for tribes to be treated like states so that they can develop their own eligibility rules and priorities?” This question was clearly not in the White House briefing book. Press Secretary Jen Psaki reported the earlier announcement and then added this: “So I would say that just as we are working with states directly — we are working with local communities, we have our own federal programs, pharmacy programs, and other programs — we will work directly with Indian Country to ensure that they have the resources, the funding, the vaccine supply needed in order to get the pandemic under control.” But let’s parse Chavez’s question and examine what it could mean. The Indian health system is a combination of the federal Indian Health Service, tribal and nonprofit hospitals and clinics, and urban facilities that serve 2.56 million American Indians and Alaska Natives in 37 states. These days about 60 percent of that system is run by tribes or nonprofits; the federal government’s direct services — the Indian Health Service we think about — are the shrinking part of the system. It’s the tribal, nonprofit and urban programs that represent growth. This is where Medicaid and other third-party insurance programs come in. Officially third-party billing is $1.3 bil- lion of a $6 billion budget (in fiscal year 2020). But then there is an asterisk. And that’s because that budget line only includes federal facilities. Tribes, nonprofits and urban programs — the majority of the system — are not included. Indeed, there is no reporting mechanism for 60 percent of the Indian health system. This is complicated and basically there are three reasons why this matters. First: Many of the tribal, nonprofit and urban programs have become quite good at third-party billing making sure that as many patients as possible are covered by health insurance, especially since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. Second: Third-party billing, by law, is used to boost funding at the local facility. The dollars are billed at a clinic or a hospital and then stay at that facility. And, third, and perhaps most important, Medicaid funding is automatic. Funding for the Indian Health Service goes through the process of appropriations every year. But Medicaid is an entitlement. If a patient is eligible, then the money is there. That’s why Chavez’s question was so important. Medicaid is officially a state and federal partnership designed to provide insurance to people who cannot afford private insurance. The federal government pays each state a share of the cost and each state sets the rules for who is eligible and what services are covered. But the federal government also pays a 100 percent match for American Indians and Alaska Natives. So a patient might go into a tribal facility in say, North Dakota, and be eligible for Medicaid insurance coverage and the clinic would be able to bill for those services. This is because North Dakota expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. But a family member who lives a few miles away, in South Dakota, would not get the same insurance coverage because the rules in South Dakota are different. Yet in either case the federal government reimburses the state Medicaid program at 100 percent. This makes no sense. The funding stream from Medicaid has been one of the most successful elements of the Affordable Care Act in Indian Country. The uninsured rate dropped and third-party billing is up (opening up a revenue stream that could permanently fund Indian health programs.) And the divide between expansion states and non expansion states is significant. The Kaiser Family Foundation found in a 2017 report that the uninsured rate for nonelderly American Indians and Alaska Natives in states that implemented the Medicaid expansion fell by twice as much (from 23 percent to 15 percent between 2013 and 2015) as the rate in non-expansion states (from 25 percent to 21 percent). Medicaid already insures more than one in four patients within the Indian health system and half of all children. --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Ahopi_arizona%3Afd119af9b05812a2. Public record. Not legal advice.