How does Navajo Nation use 2 year old audit

DELEGATE LEONARD PTE
How do we use this audit, 2011? What do we do with it? The water has gone under the bridge.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
How much do investment managers make and how much did they raise? Did they really raise money for us? or is it something Navajo Nation subsidized?
Interesting what did with casinos. Whoever constructed, skipped out before finishing. So forcing Gaming Enterprise to beg for more money. Meantime want true picture of Twin Arrows. Kow Twin Arrows losing money.
All that responsibility thrown to Resources & Development Committee cuz Investment Committee skipped out before Twin Arrows completed.
Should we have Inspector General explain audit numbers to us? We’re getting rosey picture. But look out at real world and see things differently and example is Twin Arrows.
Delegate Pete asked about chapters. When are we going to audit chapters as part of government, including enterprises. Under Title 2, they are part of government but we found convenient way not to audt.
The proposed 2013 budget includes funding for chapters but we don’t audit chapters. I don’t understand that.
$50 m increase from 2010 to 2011 in tribal revenues but see no increase in performance of tribal employees that shows benefit to Navajo people.
All except NTUA, all enterprises falling apart and because not part of audit and hold accountable.
And all CEOs enjoying salaries three or four times higher than president and under their watch, their enterprise is falling apart.
So tells me that we are taking care of Navajo pple’s money.
How can make tribal govt operate better.
Constantly hearing how finance holds up ec development but never look at.
But want to know what tribe is paying investment managers? How much have investment managers generated?

CONTROLLER MARK GRANT
Chapters not audit as part of central govt cuz not part of central govt. Tribal auditor general audits chapter and can get info from auditor general. Auditor general reports to B&F.

Navajo Council padding their salaries

I don’t have enough fingers or toes to count the number of times that I have heard Navajo Nation Council delegates say that MORE tribal revenues are needed for services for the People.

The most recent time was during their debate over renewing Navajo Generating Station’s lease for 25 years.

But unknown to me as I blogged on the actions of the Navajo Council during their five-day summer session the week of July 15, was the Council’s approval of the removal of language from Navajo law that allowed them to be compensated $300 per meeting day for ANY & ALL meetings that they attend.

The removal of that language was in Legislation 0381-13, which changed to CJY-28-13 after the Council unanimously approved it – without debate – on July 16, Day 2 of Summer Session. The vote was 18 in favor, 0 opposed. It was the first legislative item that went before the Council during their summer session.

Delegate Jonathan Hale was the sponsor.

President Shelly vetoed CJY-28-13 on July 29, Monday, but the Council can over-ride the veto with a mandated 2/3 vote, which is 16 or more “yes” votes.

President Shelly’s Press Release on Vetoing CJY-28-13
https://docs.google.com/file/d/1U4bp9psymYVHjrHCZ1OA8R4K-K7KthH7bqcDJkcYCuvLnWG_A3kzLRGAlZBp/edit?usp=sharing

Navajo Council’s Resources & Development Committee meeting TODAY at Navajo Council chamber in Window Rock, Ariz.

One of reports involves responses from Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources regarding questions from local government Livestock Grazing Permit Board members on their responsibilities & authorities.

There’s also a report on US Dept of Energy training and an update report from Navajo Land Dept on right-of-ways regarding cell towers and mapping of approved ROWs.

Today’s RDC agenda

Click to access 30JUL2013_RDC_Reg_Mtg_Agenda.pdf

Navajo Council weekly schedule includes meetings at casino

This week’s schedule for Navajo Natiso Council’s standing committee includes meetings at Twin Arrows Casino near Flagstaff, Ariz., which is about a three hour drive from Window Rock, Ariz., which is heart of the tribal government. The tribal government’s three branches – Executive, Legislative & Judicial – are located in Window Rock.
The committees scheduled at Twin Arrows are the Budget & Finance Committee, the Naa’biki’yati’ Committee’s Gaming Task Force, and the Naa’biki’yati’ Committee’s Government Reform Task Force.
The tribal government’s standing committee should be allowed to hold meetings away from WindowRock, but those meetings need to be held at local government facilities, not tribal casinos and tribal enterprise headquarters.
And President Shelly, as executive branch chief, should not be using his authority to recommend to divisions and programs to hold meetings at Twin Arrows Casino! But he did.
I wonder if the Legislative Branch & Executive Branch are taking advantage of the tribal gambling enterprise, Twin Arrows, or is Twin Arrows Casino being financially compensated. The People need to demand an accounting of their elected officials and their businesses because Twin Arrows is a tribal business that was created to generate tribal revenues and tribal revenues do belong to the People.
I’ve heard elected officials say so many times that tribal revenues are needed for the People. So how much of the tribal revenues actually go to the People?
On the Budget & Finance Committee’s agenda is a report on tribal credit cards. I’ve done numerous stories on elected officials, top administrators and tribal employees abusing tribal credit cards, tribal vehicles, tribal property, tribal enterprises.
The B&F will hear a financial update on Toyei Industries, another tribal enterprise. But what’s interesting about this report is that former Navajo Council Speaker Lawrence Morgan, who is identified as “special advisor,” will be help CEO Anthony Lincoln make his update.
Morgan, like some of the current Council members, still facing civil charges related to alleged abuse of the Council’s discretionary/slush fund, which was create to assist People/Students/Children in need of emergency help. But instead, documents from the tribal Special Prosecutors show that thousands of dollars into the pockets of Council Delegates, including Morgan.
Back to Weekly Schedule:
Resources & Development Committee is holding Public Hearing on the Removal of the local government’s Business Site Leasing Authority today at the To’nanees’dizi/Tuba City Chapter.

Weekly Schedule of Navajo Council Standing Committees
https://docs.google.com/file/d/1_qzG-te7ARBiOXoqLkGvibsE-sne7Dnby1b-NmV118Bx7JgbGeyW0F_9HlIb/edit?usp=sharing

Budget & Finance Committee 7-30-13 Agenda
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7xhIWpNuJXiZlpjRzhSYmdFZms/edit?usp=sharing

Resources & Development Committee 7-29-13 Agenda
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7xhIWpNuJXibnNHUkRfQi1JUTQ/edit?usp=sharing

Navajo Nation Council Website

Home

Is President Shelly acting in best interest of NGS, instead of ALL Navajo pple?

Since March 2013, Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly has known about the alternative proposal to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Best Available Retrofit Technology/BART for Navajo Generating Station.

On Thursday/7-25-13, the Interior announced that a “historic” agreement supporting the alternative proposal was signed by the NGS stakeholders – Interior, Central Az Water Conservation District, Navajo Nation, Gila River Indian Community, Salt River Project, Environmental Defense Fund and Western Resource Advocates.

On Friday/7-26-13, Shelly announced that the “Navajo Nation “ signed the agreement, which was created by a “diverse group of stakeholders” that included the “Navajo Nation, who formed a Technical Workgroup (TWG) actively engaged since March 2013.”

It’s interesting that Shelly stated that the Navajo Nation, not him, formed the TWG. 

“Historic” agreement?! The rest of the story…

JUST GOT THIS WHITE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING “HISTORIC AGREEMENT” TO REDUCE POLLUTION AT NAVAJO GENERATING STATION. ME THINKS THAT THIS WAS THE BUY-OFF FOR NAVAJO COUNCIL TO APPROVE NGS LEASE EXTENSION WITHHOUT PROVISION TO PROTECT NAVAJO WATER RIGHTS AND TO CONTINUE HUGE GIVE-AWAY OF NAVAJO SURFACE & UNDERGROUND WATER FOR USE BY NGS, PEABODY COAL, CENTRAL AZ PROTECT, TUCSON, PHOENIX, SOUTHERN AZ, AND SOUTHERN AZ TRIBES. IT’S ALL CLEAR NOW HOW MUCH PRESSURE THE COUNCIL WAS UNDER AND HOW VERY MUCH ALONE THE NAVAJO PPLE WERE STANDING TO PROTECT OUR HOMELAND. BUT ONCE AGAIN, THE NAVAJO PPLE AND ALL OF LIFE ON OUR HOMELAND WERE SACRIFICED FOR LOW COST ELECTRICITY & WATER FOR CORPORATE AMERICA, SOUTHERN AZ, AND OUR SO-CALLED TRIBAL NEIGHBORS.

BUT WE ENDURED A LONG WALK, FORCED FEDERAL RELOCATION, TERMINATION OF OUR GOVERNMENT/LEADERSHIP/VISION, FEDERALLY FUNDED CHILD ABUSE, STERILIZATION, THEFT OF OUR CHILDREN, LAND, WATER, LANDGUAGE/CULTURE AND EXPLOITATION OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES…SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENDURE/EXIST AS DINE’! AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND UP & SPEAK FOR LIFE, NOT DOLLARS!

I’M NOT HEADED TO NAVAJO CUONCIL ENERGY TASK FORCE MEETING AT NAVAJO MUSEUM, WINDOW ROCK, WHERE I HOPE TO CONNECT TO MUSEUM WIFE.

MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON MOTHER EARTH!
=====================================================================

Date: July 26, 2013
Contact: Jessica Kershaw (DOI) 202-208-6416

Historic Agreement Reached for Navajo Generating Station
Plan Proposes Collaborative Path Forward for Reduced Emissions, Continued Power Generation, and Clean Energy Development

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of the Interior today announced it is part of an agreement reached that will allow for the continued delivery of electricity from the Navajo Generating Station (NGS) in Arizona while achieving significant air pollution reductions.

Will Navajo Council’s Naabi Committee support reduction of federal regs?

Navajo Nation government remains in Corporate America mode – On today’s Council Naabi agenda is Speaker Naze’s legislation “Supporting the “Native American Energy Act” H.R. 3973 A U.S. Congressional Bill to Facilitate the Development of Energy on Indian Lands by Reducing Federal Regulations that Impede Tribal Development of
Indian Lands”

If the Navajo Council chamber wifi is on, I’ll be blogging today on Naabi Committee debate & actions.

I was at Navajo Council Resources & Development Committee on tuesday, 7-23-13, which was meeting in Council chamber, but couldn’t blog cuz wife was not on… If anyone has any ideas on how to inexpensively connet to wife, plez share! Thx.

PROPOSED NAVAJO COUNCIL NAA’BIKI’YATI’ COMMITTEE AGENDA
https://docs.google.com/file/d/1Y7qe0jCtDduDOBY0FDaijiTg_IvLRnCo0Vg9-MNAmgTICx61PemPVbsLcNeb/edit?usp=sharing

Fighting over crumbs…

Navajo Nation includes Boadawy, Cameron, Chilchinbeto, Coalmine Mesa, Coppermine, Dennehotso, Kaibeto, Kayenta, Lechee, Navajo Mt., Oljaito, Shonto, Tonalea, Tuba City, Ts’eh Bii Kin

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
Wat does this mean? This is only providing financial assistance to certain groups of Navajos. This resource belongs to all Navajos. Wat benefits are these NGS chapters receiving?

DELEGATE WITHERSPOON
clarification of NGS community chapters and source of energy is Forest Lake which impacted by water withdrawn and coal transported. Families impacted by fuel source so don’t understand why Forest Lake not included.
Does Tuba City have transmission line going thru?

DELEGATE EDMUND YAZZIE
I asked Mr. Nez to also consider not just ones he names but all chapters. Only fair. talk about gaming and host chapter were to get certain amount.
We can’t forget Thoreau, Whitehorse, Alamo, Churchrock, Bahaliin, Crownpoint.
Open this up to all 110 chapters cuz eastern delegates will vote for lease.

DELEGATE NEZ
This was okay with SRP. Coal not there forever and help NGS workers transition into other jobs. Just asking help for affected regions.

DELEGATE TSINIGINE
Even if chapters not listed, i wud make kown that they better help. SRP told me that they wud help frmr Bennett Freeze. Kow pple drive from Chilchinbeto. Be respectful, NGS provids revenues to general fund for all 110 chapters.

DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
this list was given to negotiating team and Navajo Mt shud have included, maybe oversight. And gaming chapters get 5 percent, while these chapters receive 2 percent.

DELEGATE CULREY
point of order: integrity is that there is no 5 percent.

DELEGATE TSOSIE
first mislead with language and now divided and conquer. Now we’re fighting over the money. Is this not interesting. We have 15 chapters against the others.
But wat doing is earmarking. this resource belongs to all Navajo pple and by taking away and rechanneling to certain chapters is unfair.
We are all affected one way or another.
I cud argue that we are already backstabbed. and now little crumbs scattered before us, we are fighting over.
most workers from these areas and benefiting and now amounts to million cuz more than 2 percent. Benefiting to detriment of other chapters.
multiply by years. NGS has been there for 50 yrs.
I think we shud refrain from earmarking.
Let’s not fight over the crumbs. Allow Navajo Nation receive money for all.

VOTE – New deadline for SRP to walk, not make accrued payment

Council voting on Delegate Witherspoon amendment to change deadline for SRP and non-US owners to walk and not pay accrued payments of $119 million by Dec. 22, 2013 and not Dec. 2019.

VOTE WAS 11 IN FAVOR, 11 OPPOSED AT 9 PM
Speaker Naize breaks tie with YES vote
12 in favor, 11 opposed

SRP can walk in 2019 and no accrued payments

DELEGATE BATES
Ask Council disapprove amemdment cuz there are so many uncertainties facing NGS such as environmental regulations, etc…

DELEGATE RUSSELL BEGAYE
They gave us one day to approve this. i support this amendment. Yesterday it was stated that NGS wanted deadline date of July 18, 2013.
they have been developing this Lease for five years.
this provision was assurance for continued employment beyond 2019 for Navajo pple and enjoy that. Right now, we will not receive additional money.
Let’s put arm to fire and have deal in place this year and not five years.

DELEGATE EDMUND YAZZIE
I’m voting against amendment but give my time to Delegate Witherspoon

DELEGATE WITHERSPOON
Lease protects them and not us. if drag out to 2018 and decide get out, no money but also really hurt to adapt. We wud only have one year to adapt to loss of money.
if not go forward then we can go after transitioning into other opportunities including renewables.
One year does not protect us if they jump ship. they only need one of non-US participants not to agree.
So use scenario, Bates used with livestock. They get to use animal five years before you get to use for one year and life of animal is five years so possibility of animal dying really high and loss of revenue.
So holding them to accountability for our future.

NGS lease loophole “big as Boulder Dam”

DELEGATE DWIGHT WITHERSPOON
AMENDMENT On page 3, line 20 ADD AMENDMENT TO EXHIBIT A, SECTION V, LEASE PAYMENTS, SUBSECTION C(1), last sentence shud read:
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if this amendment is not approved and executied by all of the non-US participants on, or before Dec. 22, 2013, then no accrued lease payments shall be due by the non-US participants to the Navajo Nation.

DELEGATE WALTER PHELPS
this is section I wanted to ask about during main motion. If you can follow along, page 44, section 22, so understand this lease is agreement and go back to page 2, item C and D, it talks abot Los Angeles Power and Water that they end partnership before or earlier than 2019.
Witherspoon creates window where unclear of committments of non-US participants. If amendment not approved by all US then no accrued lease payments due.
Big question mark here. So is this agreement intended to fail.

NAVAJO NATION DEPT OF JUSTICE ATTORNEY GOMEZ
As lease written, after the nation approves the lease, a liability for lease payments starts to accrue and then liability to pay begins 30 days after approval by non US particpants so all except US.
Provision in here states that they have to approve by Dec. 23, 2018, or when all non-US participants have agreed and that payments wud accrue until Dec. 23, 2018. And if not approved they wud not have to make accrued payments but once they do they have to make in 30 days.

DELEGATE WALTER PHELPS
Lease says that ALL non-US participants agree but lease states that LA power will be Exiting before or earlier than 2019.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
talking money but losing money and now agreeing to $11 million in accrued payments. Now we have ambiguity written. WE have to figure way to hold feet and word to fire and this amendment does that.
The other side has made hole as big as Boulder Dam to drive away and this amendment closed so say comite by Dec. 22, 2013.

DELEGATE WITHERSPOON
know LA and Nevad getting and perhaps Tucson so slim that get $119 million in accrused payments.
Why isn’t legal counsel telling us about loop hills.
With this provision if they want to back out of deal, we get nothing.