Permanent Trust Fund Must Benefit All Navajo People

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

TSAILE, ARIZONA – Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly delivered a power point presentation that outlined his plans to move the Navajo Nation forward.

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly

President Shelly used the 16 slide power point presentation updating the about 110 attendees at the Nation Building Summit held at Diné College. One of the purposes of the summit was to explore ways the Navajo Nation can begin to use interest from the estimated $1.2 billion permanent trust fund.

“A thriving economy starts with infrastructure,”

President Shelly said during his 30-minute presentation. His presentation gave examples of challenges the Navajo Nation faces both internally and externally.

“We don't understand sovereign immunity. Sovereign immunity is often mistaken for sovereignty. Sovereign immunity is the right of a sovereign government not to be sued in any court unless it first gives consent to be sued,”

President Shelly said as he outlined the roadblocks of Navajo prosperity.

President Shelly said nation building is solving social problems, maintaining cultural integrity, managing resources, partnerships with governments, and building an effective government.

He added that businesses on the Navajo Nation are faced with dual taxation, land issues, lack of capital and a complicated business site leasing process.

“The business site leasing process is one of many challenges for economic development on the Navajo Nation. The extensive process undergoes such extreme policies and regulations,”

President Shelly said.

The Navajo Nation needs a bank so people can get loans for home building, education or other needs of a family living on the reservation.

He added that the Navajo Nation has a habit of not saving money.

“We already have spent money that we haven't even seen yet,”

President Shelly said.

However, he said that a plan to spend the trust fund must include all the Navajo people and not just benefit a few.

“The nation needs to revived policies that are innovative, bold, and lively,”

President Shelly said.

posted August 23, 2012 7:40 am edt