Navajo Nation Council Delegate Curtis Yanito recently met with Utah’s Congressional delegation to advocate for housing weatherization on the Utah Navajo Strip.

Navajo Nation Council approved an addition of 80 acres to a BIA oil and gas lease in the Red Mesa Chapter, located in San Juan County.
The council passed the resolution in a split vote 14-7, with council delegate Curtis Yanito, who represents the area, voting against.
Council Delegate Curtis Yanito represents Red Mesa Chapter, as well as Mexican Water, To’likan, Teesnospos and Aneth.

By Dana Rhoades
Faculty at Utah State University’s Statewide and Logan campuses have been awarded $500,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for programs to increase retention and graduation rates among Native American students.

Stewardship Utah Foundation and Navajo Utah Commission Apply for $20 Million Community Change Grant from EPA
In November, the Rural Utah Project Education Fund officially submitted a grant for $20 million through an EPA program that is part of the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a $71 million investment in 13 Tribal communities across Indian Country, on September 26.

by David Boyle
News Director
Energy Fuels began and then paused its transport of Uranium ore from its Pinyon Plain Mine in Arizona to the White Mesa Mill in San Juan County last week.
The pause of transport of Uranium came after Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren issued an executive order requiring an agreement to be in place before radioactive materials are transported through the Navajo Nation.

by David Boyle
News Director
Navajo Nation officials celebrated the tribe’s purchase of Goulding’s Monument Valley Lodge and Tours with a grand opening on June 14.
The purchase comes as the property celebrates 100 years in business.

by David Boyle
News Director
Federal land agencies and members of the Bears Ears Commission held another online forum related to the Bears Ears National Monument draft plan on May 2.

The state of Utah is withdrawing its support of a proposed land swap of state trust lands in the Bears Ears National Monument for federal lands elsewhere in San Juan County and the rest of the state.

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the county commission approved a resolution supporting the creation of a Utah Inland Port Authority project area in the county and received a report on water rights at their latest meeting.

Navajo Nation officials celebrated the opening of the Red Mesa Tapaha Solar Farm with a ribbon cutting on August 25.
The 550-acre solar farm located near the Utah-Arizona border is slated to provide 72 megawatts of solar energy and was developed by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA).

by David Boyle
News Director
Members of the Navajo Utah Commission received reports on the Manti-La Sal National Forest, the Restoring Ancestral Winds nonprofit, and a discussion on Traditional Food Program by Utah Diné Bikéyah at their latest meeting.

By David Boyle
News Director
A San Juan County resident is bringing Navajo Language education to life with the use of puppets.
The final product of Navajo Highways will include filmed short episodes. Meanwhile, the group is putting on a live puppet show on Friday, April 28 at Star Hall in Moab.

By David Boyle
News Director
A bill that would make the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Utah state law was passed over in committee in late January. What that means for the future of the bill is uncertain, but the lack of action could delay tribal leaders’ top priority in the 2023 Utah State legislative session.

Mexican Water chapter is holding a special meeting this Sunday, January 29 to fill the vacant Chapter President position.
Previous Mexican Water chapter president Curtis Yanito was elected to represent the area on the Navajo Nation Council in November, meaning there is a vacancy for the chapter president to be filled.