Bluff / Mexican Hat

Navajo Nation Delegate Herman Daniels Jr. of Monument Valley speaks at the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement event on May 27, while Senator Mitt Romney shakes hands with Council Delegate Rickie Nez. Delegate Daniels represents four chapters on the council including the Navajo Utahns of Oljato and Navajo Mountain. Photo Courtesy office of Navajo Nation President

Navajo Utah leadership plan for what comes next following Water Rights Settlement

Now that the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement has been finalized, Navajo Nation officials will work on how to spend the $218 million for infrastructure as well as allocate the annual allotment of 81,500 acre-feet. With around half of Utah Navajo residents living without running water, the top...

Seated from left to right Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, and Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez sign the agreement while numerous tribal, federal and state leaders stand behind. Photo courtesy Nic Naylor, Utah Governors office

Signing finalizes massive Navajo Utah water rights settlement

by David Boyle News Director The execution of the Utah Navajo Water Rights Settlement was completed with a signing of state, federal and tribal leaders in Monument Valley on May 27. The agreement concluded 18 years of negotiations between the parties and affirms water rights of Utah Navajos, as...

Bluff hires town manager

The town of Bluff has hired a town manager while continuing to work with the joint-owners of the recently purchased Cooperative Cultural Center. At their May 23 special meeting, the Bluff Town Council finalized their contract with their first Town Manager Erin Richards. Richards has spent the past...

University of Utah building homes on Navajo Nation in San Juan County

The DesignBuildUTAH program at the University of Utah College of Architecture + Planning engages students in design and construction projects, applying foundational knowledge obtained in the classroom to real-world projects through DesignBuildUTAH@Bluff in the Navajo Nation 16 houses and several...

Seven meetings in January for Bluff

by David Boyle News Director During the month of January, the Bluff Town Council held seven meetings, including one in regards to their dark sky lighting ordinance and one in a joint meeting with the board of Utah Dine Bikeyah, who co-owns the old Bluff elementary school now known as the...

Bluff Town Council was busy in November

Enforcement of a light ordinance, a public hearing for a grant and working out details of their new building was all part of a busy November for the Bluff Town Council. In December 2019, the Bluff Town Council passed an ordinance to regulate exterior lighting in the town. The ordinance was passed...

AmeriCorps volunteers in Bluff for six weeks

A group of ten AmeriCorps volunteers arrived in San Juan County on November 1 to begin six weeks of work in the community. The AmeriCorps NCCC team was brought to the area through a joint venture of the town of Bluff and Utah State University Extension Office with additional support from St....

Women’s March in Bluff

Individuals representing three states and several regional communities attended the Womxn’s March in Bluff on October 2. Nearly 40 individuals of all ages, walked alongside Navajo Nation Council Delegate Charlaine Tso, youth, community leaders, and advocates. They thank Twin Rocks Café, San Juan...

Town of Bluff and Utah Diné Bikéyah agree to joint purchase of old Bluff Elementary School

The town of Bluff and Utah Diné Bikéyah have entered into an agreement to purchase the old Bluff Elementary School. By a vote of 3-2, the Bluff Town Council approved an agreement at their September 30 public hearing. The Utah Diné Bikéyah board approved the agreement earlier in September. The...

Bluff to hold public hearing on school development

The Town of Bluff will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 30 to hear comment on a proposal to approve an acquisition and development agreement between the Town of Bluff and Utah Diné Bikeyah. If approved, the nonprofit and the town would jointly undertake the acquisition and redevelopment...