Salazar vows respect
Interior secretary makes first visit to Navajo

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar walks with Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. in Window Rock on Thursday. — © 2009 Gallup Independent / Adron Gardner

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar of Colorado dropped in on a session of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee Thursday during his first visit to Window Rock and gave Navajo Nation Council delegates a preview of what they can expect during his tenure.

Salazar and Solicitor Hilary C. Tompkins were delayed in their arrival, thus, Assistant Secretary Larry Echohawk and Bureau of Indian Affairs Regional Director Omar Bradley — accompanied by Navajo Vice President Ben Shelly — got an earful as delegates seized the opportunity to bring to the table issues they hope the federal government will address under the Obama administration.

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