Navajo President Calls for Arizona to Establish an Indian Affairs Department

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Opportunities for Job Growth

PHOENIX - Navajo President Ben Shelly said Arizona needs to create a Department of Indian Affairs. President Shelly made his statement during the Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day on Tuesday before a joint session of the Arizona Legislature.

“To enter into a new realm of collaboration, we must create an Indian Affairs Department in the state of Arizona,”

President Shelly said.

President Shelly also reiterated the same message to Governor Brewer in an afternoon round table meeting.

“Too many opportunities for job growth have been lost because we can't communicate to the state's highest leaders,”

President Shelly said in the afternoon meeting that lasted about an hour and a half.

"If we did have a Department of Indian Affairs, we could come to this department with our concerns about gaming, the state budget and economic development,"

the President added.

Earlier in the day, President Shelly was one of three tribal leaders who addressed the joint session of the state legislature. He spoke for 11 minutes.

His message focused on the need for the state to engage in meaningful collaboration with the Navajo Nation.

“We talk all the time about what we want as people, now it's time to do this as leaders,”

President Shelly said.

President Shelly asked the lawmakers for support for some key Navajo Nation issues.

"We need support for Navajo Generating Station," the President said.

"The US EPA is proposing new technologies that could close the plant and put 500 people out of work."

He also asked for support to obtain the necessary permits needed to begin construction of the Big Boquillas Wind Project.

President Shelly also stated a successful project that came out of meaningful consultation. The Diné College, Navajo Nation and Arizona compact has provided Diné College with $1.5 million in infrastructure improvement funding.

"Thank you for your support because our students are now becoming more successful," he said.

Aside from advocating for a Department of Indian Affairs, President Shelly also proposed tax ideas to Governor during his meeting with her.

President Shelly said business growth on the Navajo Nation could be spurred if the transaction privilege tax could be credited for businesses on the Navajo Nation.

Businesses on the Navajo Nation face dual taxes, the transaction privilege tax and Navajo Nation taxes.

"Let's provide a portion of the transaction privilege tax to the Navajo Nation. Perhaps we can create a tax credit against the transaction privilege tax,"

President Shelly commented.

He also advocated for his support to extend the state's one-cent sales tax that is set to expire this in May.

Also, President Shelly asked the Governor Brewer to halt new gaming compacts.

"I respectfully request no further expansion of gaming,"

President Shelly stated.

"We are asking that the state not expand gaming into private interests."

posted January 18, 2011 7:10 am est