Delegate wants LAF money for chapters

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Delegate Ernest Yazzie Jr. (Church Rock/Breadsprings) wants to see more of the money controlled by the Nation's central government funneled to the chapters. He is pushing legislation that would give all 110 chapters $200,000 for the completion of unfinished projects or to meet matching state grants.

The $22 million would come from the Land Acquisition Fund, said Yazzie.

"As you all know, people need help at our chapter house level," Yazzie said. "Even though some people accuse me of taking money back to the people, they deserve it more than the central government."

The Land Acquisition Fund, as the name implies, was created so the Navajo Nation could set aside money for future land purchases. The fund has grown tremendously over the years, and it is not unthinkable that the fund could surpass $1 billion in a few years.

However, some delegates, such as Yazzie, have denounced hoarding so much money in the land fund when there are such dire needs among the chapters.

Omer Begay Jr. (Cornfield/Klagetoh, Wide Ruins/Greasewood Springs) sponsored similar legislation last October, though he reduced the amount to $180,000 per chapter so as not to empty the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund. The bill passed, but was later vetoed by President Joe Shirley Jr.

Yazzie has also been working on this measure since last year. In September, his version of the bill was assigned to committee by Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan. It was passed, without amendment, by the Transportation and Community Development Committee, then failed to pass the Resources Committee. The Budget & Finance Committee did not hear the bill after it failed to garner a motion and second during its hearing.

"As I always say, we are here for the people for all the Navajos, it (doesn't) matter where they come from or live," Yazzie said. "They are all Navajos one more time they are all Navajos."

The Nation's money belongs to the people, he added.

The Nation has lost more than $70 million in federal funding between fiscal years 2006 and 2007, because unspent monies had to be returned, Yazzie said.

Yazzie's legislation could be heard relatively soon, as some delegates are petitioning for a special council session.

John Christian Hopkins can be reached at hopkins1960@hotmail.com or by calling 505-371-5443.