Nuvamsa: Tribe faces challenges

By Kathy Helms
Staff Writer

KYKOTSMOVI, Ariz. — The Hopi Tribe faces many challenges ahead, according to newly elected Tribal Chairman Ben Nuvamsa, and one of the first items on his agenda is to assess the financial health of the tribe.

Nuvamsa, former Superintendent of the Fort Apache Agency, will serve a two-year term to complete the term of former Chairman Ivan Sidney, who was removed from office. Nuvamsa also is the owner of KIVA Institute LLC, a national Native American-owned consulting firm.

At his swearing-in ceremony earlier this month, Nuvamsa told the Hopi Tribal Council, "One of the first orders of business will be to meet with the Vice Chairman to lay out the groundwork that falls under the Office of the Chairman."

After that, he said, their office will assess the tribe's financial health. "We hear of declining revenues, but we do not know if any effort has been made to cut back expenditures, nor do we know of any effort to increase revenues."

He said the Chairman's Office will evaluate the reorganization of the tribe and determine how they can streamline operations with the goal of living within budget constraints.

"We will also assess our current investments and determine the best and most effective strategies to leverage these funds," he said.

Nuvamsa has many years of knowledge and experience in PL-638 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act and has been directly involved in working to improve the Bureau of Indian Affairs programs assumed by tribes, participating in the formulation of policy.

One of his goals while in office is to engage the Hopi and Tewa people in determining the future of the tribe. He plans to host listening sessions with the Hopi/Tewa people at the villages, as well as federal and state officials and off-reservation communities.

Nuvamsa said other important issues include amending the tribal Constitution, revising ordinances, reinstating the Code of Ethics for all tribal officials, and updating the Hopi Potsquaniat.

Vice Chairman Todd Honyaoma called for the Tribal Council and others present at Nuvamsa's swearing-in, to "put all our disagreements behind us and work together to move things forward."

Council members Jerry Sekayumptewa Sr. and Leon Koruh of Second Mesa, Clifford B. Qotsaquahu, Caleb Johnson of Kykotsmovi, and former Council member John C. Poleahla Sr. have challenged the Election Board's ruling that Nuvamsa met the two-year residency requirement mandated by the Hopi Constitution.

Honyaoma said the Offices of the Chairman and Vice Chairman want to demonstrate to the people "that we are a unified, accountable, supportive Executive Branch that will work with the Hopi Tribal Council and serve as the voice of the Hopi/Tewa Sinom.

Nuvamsa's Inauguration is set for 1 p.m. March 21 at the Hopi Veterans Memorial Center.