Education

Navajos question trip to NIEA conference in Hawaii

Monday, November 12, 2007

Members of the Navajo Nation, young and old, question why their leaders spent money on a trip to Hawaii for the National Indian Education Conference.

The tribe sent 362 people to the conference. Based on conference fees, hotel and travel fare, The Daily Times estimated the trip cost at least $500,000.

"If I was going, I might be happy with it," 60-year-old Tommie Yazzie told the paper. "But I don't understand how the tribe can afford that much money, especially while they're trying to get a loan for a casino."

Teddianna Hayes, a 17-year-old high school student, wasn't happy either. "They sent people who weren't teachers, and they used the excuse that the Navajo Nation is the largest tribe in the United States, so they had to send a lot of delegates over to Hawaii. But that's kind of wrong because you only need a few people to go and get trained, then bring it back here," she told the paper.

"I think they should have just used the money out of their pockets instead of using our money," added 15-year-old Fralah Yazzie.

Get the Story:
Navajos speak out about Hawaii trip (The Farmington Daily Times 11/12)
Hawaii trip answers remain elusive (The Farmington Daily Times 11/11)

2Relevant Links:
National Indian Education Association - http://www.niea.org