Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. Photo courtesy Navajo Nation Office of President and Vice President

The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2021

Public comments sought for legislation regarding reopening of schools on the Navajo Nation

WINDOW ROCK, Arizona – The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President is encouraging residents of the Navajo Nation to submit public comments regarding Legislation No. 0047-21, a bill that would reverse the Navajo Nation’s current position that supports virtual learning only due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If approved, the legislation would possibly allow schools within the Navajo Nation to return to in-person instruction. 

“The Navajo Nation’s current position supports online learning for all schools. If Legislation No. 0047-21 is approved, it would allow schools to return to in-person instruction in the classrooms. It’s very important that parents, students, teachers, and others have their voices heard on this important issue. We encourage everyone to submit their written comments by e-mail or mail,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. 

Legislation No. 0047-21 will become eligible for consideration this week by the Health, Education, and Human Services Committee, Naabik’íyati’ Committee, and the Navajo Nation Council. 

Public comments may be submitted to the Office of Legislative Services, the 24^th Navajo Nation Council, and the Office of the President and Vice President at the following e-mail addresses:

comments@navajo-nsn.gov

24thNNC@navajo-nsn.gov

navajonationpubliccomments@gmail.com

When submitting written comments, please indicate your first and last name, “Legislation No. 0047-21” in the subject line of the e-mail, and your comments in support or opposition to the proposed legislation. Public comments are accepted up until the legislation goes before the 24^th Navajo Nation Council for consideration. 

“Public comments received by the Office of the President and Vice President will be reviewed by leadership and staff members. Our top priority throughout this COVID-19 pandemic remains the health and safety of all of our people. We encourage everyone to submit their comments to let us know where you stand on schools reopening,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.

A separate bill, Legislation No. 0046-21 is also scheduled to be considered by Council members, which would rescind a previous resolution passed by the Naabik’íyati’ Committee, recommending that all schools, public and private, serving the Navajo Nation, including those operated by the state of New Mexico Public Education Department, the states of Arizona and Utah, and all schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education, to delay plans and decisions to reopen schools for the 2020-2021 school year.” 

Last Wednesday, the Department of Diné Education presented its schools reopening plan to the Health, Education, and Human Services Committee. For more information regarding the plan, please visit: https://www.navajonationdode.org.