Native American Issues

Navajo Utah Commission asks for state designation for Red Mesa road, approve resolution for funding Montezuma Creek shopping center

Members of the Navajo Utah Commission approved resolutions requesting Red Mesa Road be designated a state road, a resolution requesting funds for a feasibility study for a shopping center in Montezuma Creek, and received reports as part of their latest meeting. At their February 14 meeting elected...

White Mesa Tribal representative Malcolm Lehi (left), Utah Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson (center) and Navajo Nation president Buu Nygren (right) discuss efforts for Utah ICWA at the state capital. Several other tribal leaders visited to capital to advocate for ICWA and other shared priorities. Photo courtesy of Navajo Nation Presidents office

Tribal leaders advocate for Indian Child Welfare Act at Utah State legislature

By David Boyle News Director A bill that would make the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Utah state law was passed over in committee in late January. What that means for the future of the bill is uncertain, but the lack of action could delay tribal leaders’ top priority in the 2023 Utah State...

Mexican Water Chapter to hold election on Sunday

Mexican Water chapter is holding a special meeting this Sunday, January 29 to fill the vacant Chapter President position. Previous Mexican Water chapter president Curtis Yanito was elected to represent the area on the Navajo Nation Council in November, meaning there is a vacancy for the chapter...

Navajo Utah discusses ARPA, ICWA, firewood

By David Boyle News Director The Navajo Utah Commission received reports on American Rescue Plan Act projects, the future of the Indian Child Welfare Act, and approved four resolutions as part of their latest meeting. At their December 9 meeting members of the Navajo Utah Commission heard a report...

Six Utah Diné Chapters have higher than average voter turnout for Navajo Nation elections

by David Boyle News Director Navajo Nation General Election were certified by the Navajo Board of Election Supervisors on Tuesday, November 22. The results of the election include a new president for the Navajo Nation from the Red Mesa Chapter, as well as the first woman vice-president of the...

From left to right: Incoming first lady Jasmine Blackwater Nygren, incoming President Buu Nygren, incoming Vice President-elect Richelle Montoya, incoming second gentleman Olsen Chee. Image from Nygren Campaign

Preliminary Navajo Nation Election Results: Nygren wins Presidency, Yanito and Daniels lead in council delegate races

by David Boyle News Director The Navajo Nation held Elections on November 8. Diné voters visited the polls to vote to elect a president and representatives to the Navajo Nation Council. Unofficial results have been released showing that Buu Nygren has defeated Incumbent Jonathan Nez in the Navajo...

A home in Westwater community with its lights on thanks to new power poles connecting the community to the electric grid. The 30-year effort to electrify Westwater was finished this month and celebrated by parties who helped make it happen at a dinner on September 16. Photo courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Electricity arrives in Westwater community

by David Boyle News Director Members of the Westwater community and officials from half-a-dozen organizations celebrated the arrival of electricity to their community at a dinner at Utah State University’s Blanding campus on September 16. Westwater residents have done without continuous electricity...

Inter-tribal coalition publishes Bears Ears Land Plan

by David Boyle News Director Members of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition recently published a 101-page Collaborative Land Management Plan for the Bears Ears National Monument. The document lays out tribal priorities and goals for the comanagement of the monument with federal land agencies,...

Bear Dance at White Mesa

The annual Ute Mountain Ute Tribe White Mesa Bear Dance is returning to the White Mesa community this weekend starting on Friday, September 2, and concluding on Monday, September 5. The event is open to the public for the first time in two years. Last year the bear dance was limited to tribal...

Road grater located near the Navajo Mountain Chapter House

Navajo Commission talks Navajo Mountain chapter house, road maintainence

by David Boyle News Director Members of the Navajo Utah Commission passed a resolution asking for matching funds for the Navajo Mountain Chapter Building Renovation project and also discussed road needs on the Navajo Utah strip at their latest meeting. At the August 22 meeting of the Navajo Utah...