Executive Director's Corner | |
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Yá'át'ééh,
This week, the Wááshindoon Weekly brings you crucial updates on the Navajo Nation's efforts in fighting for their rights, preserving their lands, and fostering justice. We highlight four stories that respectively address violence against indigenous women, the legal status of Bears Ears, the enforcement of municipal laws against Native Americans, and the safeguarding of lands near the Grand Canyon.
First, we spotlight the 18th annual government-to-government consultation on violence against women, held in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Navajo Nation President Nygren, First Lady Blackwater-Nygren, and Chair Charles Newton testified before the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women. Their powerful testimonies highlighted the urgent need to address this critical issue, and their active participation in the consultations reflects the Navajo Nation's commitment to advocating for the safety and rights of indigenous women.
Second, a federal District Court dismissed a lawsuit challenging the status of Bears Ears - a sacred tribal area. The dismissal of this case is not just a legal win but also a reaffirmation of indigenous sovereignty and the protection of sacred tribal lands.
Our third story takes us back to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the Supreme Court denied the city's bid to block a lower court ruling that could stop the city from enforcing municipal laws, such as traffic laws, against Native Americans. This decision is a significant step towards recognizing and respecting tribal jurisdiction, offering tribes more autonomy and control over their affairs.
Finally, President Biden designated roughly 1,000,000 acres as a National Monument, effectively banning uranium mining in the area. This monumental decision is a victory for environmental preservation and a significant triumph for the Navajo Nation, which has long advocated against uranium mining due to its devastating health and environmental impacts.
These stories encapsulate a week of triumphs, challenges, and relentless advocacy for the Navajo Nation. They exemplify the Nation's resilience and tireless efforts to protect their people, their lands, and their sovereignty. As we delve deeper into each story, we hope to shed light on the complexity of these issues and the profound impact they have on the Navajo Nation and other indigenous communities.
Ahéhee’
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Photo Source: Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President | |
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18th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation
On August 9th, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren, and Council Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton presented testimony at the 18th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation hosted by the Office of Violence Against Women at the U.S. Department of Justice in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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Case Challenging Status of Bears Ears Dismissed
On Friday, August 11th, a federal district judge ruled to dismiss the case brought forward by the state of Utah seeking to eliminate the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.
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SCOTUS Affirms Ruling in Tulsa v. Hooper
On August 4th, the United States Supreme Court rejected the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s, bid to block a lower court ruling that could stop the city from enforcing municipal laws, such as traffic laws, against Native Americans.
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Photo Source: U.S. Department of Interior | |
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Establishment of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument
On August 8th, in a ceremony at Red Butte Airfield in Arizona, U.S. President Biden was joined by state, local, and tribal officials to sign a proclamation designating 917,618-acres as a national monument near the Grand Canyon.
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Additional News and Updates | |
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Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster for Public Assistance Only for the Navajo Nation
This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for Public Assistance Only for the Navajo Nation (FEMA–4703–DR), dated 04/11/2023.
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Tax Status of Tribally Chartered Corporations
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is hosting a Tribal Consultation on the tax status of Tribally chartered corporations. The consultations will be held Wednesday, June 21, 2023, and Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Comment Deadline: August 18, 2023
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Lowering Miners' Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica and Improving Respiratory Protection
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) proposes to amend its existing standards to better protect miners against occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica, a carcinogenic hazard, and to improve respiratory protection for all airborne hazards.
Comment Deadline: August 28, 2023
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Nature and People First Arizona PHS, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Competing Applications
On May 2, 2023, Nature and People First Arizona PHS, LLC, filed an application for a preliminary permit, pursuant to section 4(f) of the Federal Power Act (FPA), proposing to study the feasibility of the Chuska Mountain North Pumped Storage Project to be located in Apache County, Arizona, near the San Juan River, approximately 1.6 miles north of the town of Lukachukai on Navajo Nation Lands. The sole purpose of a preliminary permit is to grant the permit holder priority to file a license application during the permit term. A preliminary permit does not authorize the permit holder to perform any land-disturbing activities or otherwise enter upon lands or waters owned by others without the owners' express permission.
Comment Deadline: September 17, 2023
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National Tribal Opioid Summit
August 22-24, 2023
The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) will host the National Tribal Opioid Summit at Tulalip Washington from August 22-24, 2023, to address the intersection of Covid 19 and the opioid crisis throughout our communities.
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75th Navajo Nation Fair
September 2-10, 2023
The Navajo Nation Fair is an annual event hosted in Window Rock, AZ that aims to preserve, protect, and promote pride in the Navajo heritage and culture for the benefit of the Navajo Nation. This year marks the 75th annual and will bring people from all over the world to the Navajo Nation's capitol in Window Rock, AZ.
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National Transportation in Indian Country
September 24-28, 2023
The National Transportation in Indian Country Conference (NTICC) is the one-stop-shop transportation conference for tribes, by tribes. NTICC offers access to relevant training and an opportunity for Tribal transportation professionals to engage with federal officials and their Tribal transportation peers regarding Tribal transportation issues and challenges.
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80th Annual Convention & Marketplace
November 12-17, 2023
This November, NCAI will be hosting the 80th Annual Convention and Marketplace to provide an opportunity to work collaboratively on protecting and advancing tribal sovereignty. Tribal leaders, NCAI members, Native youth, and partners from across Indian Country will gather in-person to discuss critical issues, develop strategy, and to embark upon a new era of Nation-to-Nation engagement.
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Health Information Technology Modernization Summit
August 25, 2023
The Indian Health Services is hosting a Health Information Technology Modernization Summit in Atlanta, Georgia.
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HUD-ONAP National Tribal Housing Summit
October 31 - November 2, 2023
The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) and the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) is hosting the HUD-ONAP National Tribal Housing Summit at the Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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U.S. Department of the Treasury
Hosted a Tribal Consultation on the Elective Payment of Applicable Credits under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, codified as Section 6417 of the Internal Revenue Code (Section 6417).
Comment deadline: August 18, 2023.
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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Requesting information from Tribes regarding its Tribal Policy Statement. NRC actions and NRC regulated activities may affect Indian Tribes and their current or ancestral Tribal lands.
Comment deadline: August 24, 2023.
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The Office of Child Care/Health and Human Services
Proposing to amend the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations. This notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) proposes changes to lower families' child care costs, which can be a significant financial strain for families and disincentivize work, training, and education.
Comment deadline: August 28. 2023.
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The Department of Housing and Urban Development
Planning to start the rulemaking process to update the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program regulations (24 CFR 1003).
Comment Deadline: August 28, 2023.
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Department of the Interior (DOI)
Seeking Tribal and Indian artist input on draft revisions to 25 C.F.R. Chapter II (Indian Arts and Crafts Board).
Comment deadline: September 1, 2023.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Initiated consultation with federally recognized tribes on the proposed rule: Requirements for Tobacco Product Manufacturing Practice (TPMP proposed rule). Comment deadline: September 6, 2023.
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Health and Human Services
Hosting an annual Regional Tribal Consultation sessions both in-person and virtually to address how the Department can continue to improve our outreach and coordination, and to discuss programmatic issues and overall concerns with tribes. The Regional Tribal Consultation for Region 6 will be on August 22-24.
Comment deadline: September 11, 2023.
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Division of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the CMS Center for Medicare
Holding an All Tribes Consultation Webinar on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 from 3:00-4:00 pm Eastern Time to provide an overview of the CY 2024 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (1786-P) and Physician Fee Schedule (1784-P) Proposed Rules.
Comment Deadline: September 11, 2023
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Departments of the Interior, Health and Human Services, and Justice
Inviting Tribes to provide input on the Indian Child Welfare Act and what steps the agencies can take to promote federal protections for Indian children and their parents and caregivers.
Comment deadline: September 15, 2023.
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The Indian Health Service
Requesting comments on proposed regulations governing the administration of the Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund (CHEF). Comment deadline: September 18, 2023.
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The White House Council on Native American Affairs(WHCNAA)
Requesting Tribal input to further efforts the Federal government could take to protect Tribal treaty rights, reserved rights, and similar rights. The consultation will take place on August 24, 2023.
Comment deadline: September 21, 2023.
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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Hosting a virtual Tribal listening session on Behavioral Health on August 29, 2023 at 4:00 PM.
Comment deadline: September 28, 2023 by 5pm (ET).
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The Indian Health Service
Requesting views and comments on the combined Fiscal Years (FYs) 2016 and 2017 Report to Congress on the Administration of the Indian Health Service (IHS) Tribal Self-Governance Program.
Comment deadline: September 29, 2023.
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The Internal Revenue Service
Proposed amendments to regulations applicable to affiliated groups of corporations that file consolidated Federal income tax returns.
Comment deadline: November 6, 2023.
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Held a listening session and tribal consultation on July 27, 2023 to begin the process to update FEMA’s tribal mitigation planning policy.
Comment deadline: November 30, 2023.
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IHS Health Information Technology Modernization
Announcing an opportunity for interested Tribal and Urban Indian Organization sites to become directly involved in the collaborative planning for the new IHS enterprise electronic health record (EHR) solution.
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U.S. Department of Treasury
Holding consultations on the tax status of Tribally chartered corporations. These consultations were held virtually on June 21 - 22, 2023. Tribal governments have requested guidance on the tax status of Tribally chartered corporations to provide certainty for Tribal economic development to support the generation of Tribal government revenue.
Comment deadline: August 18, 2023.
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Department of the Interior (DOI)
Accepting Tribal input on the development of draft regulations for the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act. Comment deadline: August 25, 2023.
Comment Deadline: August 25, 2023
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The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families
Formally proposed to amend the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations (45 CFR Part 98) through a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register.
Comment Deadline: August 28, 2023.
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
Intending to prepare an updated Bison and Elk Management Plan (BEMP) and environmental impact statement (EIS) for the National Elk Refuge.
Comment deadline: August 31, 2023.
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The Indian Health Service
Requesting comments on the information collection rule, “IHS Forms to Implement the Privacy Rule.”
Comment deadline: September 1, 2023.
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The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP)
Accepting Tribal input on the development of the National Nature Assessment. USGCRP is a federal interagency research program charged with informing the Nation’s response to climate and environmental change, including changes to nature and the benefits it provides to society.
Comment deadline: September 11, 2023.
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The Indian Health Service
Initiating a Tribal Consultation on the updated draft of the Indian Health Service (IHS) Tribal Consultation Policy (Consultation Policy). Comment Deadline: September 11, 2023
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The Department of the Treasury
Hosting a listening session with Native CDFIs to learn more about financial services in Indian Country to support Tribal and Native economic development. The consultation will take place on August 18, 2023.
Comment deadline: September 15, 2023.
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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Hosted a virtual tribal consultation on May 4, 2023, with Tribal Nations to discuss the 2017 Tribal Declarations Guidance. An In-Person Consultation will take place at the Inter-Tribal Emergency Management Coalition Conference on August 15-17, 2023 in Tulsa, OK.
Comment deadline: September 17, 2023.
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The Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Requesting additional input from interested parties on how to enhance NOAA's delivery of climate data, information, science, and tools (“climate services”) and ensure that this delivery is equitable and accounting for the needs and priorities of a diverse set of user communities as they engage in climate preparedness, adaptation, and resilience planning.
Comment deadline: September 21, 2023.
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Department of Labor
Inviting interested parties to provide information relating to the disclosure of confidential wage records under the Department's regulations governing the confidentiality and disclosure of State Unemployment Compensation (UC) information. The Tribal Consultation is August 28, 2023.
Comment deadline: September 25, 2023.
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The White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA)
Hosting a Tribal consultation to receive input and feedback on its draft, “Best Practices Guide for Federal Agencies Regarding Tribal and Native Hawaiian Sacred Sites” (Sacred Sites Best Practices Guide). Tribal consultation will be on August 31, 2023 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (ET).
Comment deadline: September 29, 2023.
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Indian Health Service (IHS)
Hosting a series of consultations on the Health Information Technology (IT) Modernization Program. virtual consultations will take place on November 8, 2023 and will cover different aspects of the Modernization effort.
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Health and Human Services, Office of Child Care
Requesting public comment on the rules and regulations of the Tribally administered Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program as part of the Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) commitment to creating partnerships with Tribal Nations to identify and implement solutions that transcend traditional program boundaries.
Comment deadline: January 2, 2024.
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For more information regarding topics provided in the newsletter, please contact NNWO at info@nnwo.org. | | |
Navajo Nation Washington Office | www.nnwo.org | | | | |
