Hopi chairman candidate: Harry Nutumya
Hopi Tewa Senom

Harry Nutumya (Courtesy photo).

Harry Nutumya (Courtesy photo).

I want to share legitimate concerns, which have been brought to my attention, and I would like to point these concerns out and where I stand with the issues.

- The employees at the tribal administration are concerned about themselves, why are they never recognized for their efforts? Other issues include: carryover of their leave at the end of the fiscal year, the advisory council being despondent, long overdue cost of living adjustment and how they are uninformed of changes at hand. We must have a council made of employees to stand for the rights of the workforce.

- Why did the council give themselves a pay raise without forethought on the decreasing revenues? Why is it that they continue to make decisions without the input of the Hopi Senom? Can we petition the council to revert back to their original salary? This question is totally up to the people, however with the adoption of a new tribal constitution we can take care of this problem.

- Why is it that the tribe cannot assist me with financial aid for my education? We need to streamline our budgets and leverage funds where it is needed most.

- Why is it that the tribal council continues to decrease funding for our elders and the youth affairs? Services and accommodations should be granted to our elders, some are handicapped and need constant care. We have elderly and youth centers that need funding to maintain their social and education centers.

- Why is it that the village traditional kikmongwis continually to mingle with village governing boards? Why are they evicting residents and wanting to have control on village funds? A new constitution will separate the church and the state. The new constitution will no longer recognize village kikmongwi, government to government relations will only be dealt with recognized governing boards.

- Why do kikmongwis appoint council representatives to council when they can only certify. The new constitution will take precedence.

- Why do the council/task teams continue to purchase properties without the knowledge of the Hopi/Tewa senom? What are the profits and losses on these businesses? This has got to be brought to the public for review.

- Why is the tribal council continually exploring routes to bring in the C-aquifer railway to transport coal to Mohave electrical generating plant. The Hopi Senom has voiced their opposition to water. Alternative revenues have got to be explored to increase revenues.

- Why is it that the Hopi/Tewa Senom is/was not included in the public debates on the Peabody initiating the slurry line? The Hopi Tribal council is looking at pennies on the dollar for our valuable resources and power companies are looking at billions of dollar profits. The mineral resources should not be wholesaled; we need to make feasibility studies on getting maximum returns on our valuable resources.

There are many questions today that need to be addressed and analyzed for solutions. The tribal government has long been corrupt; it is time we start with a clean slate to bring justice back to our council and [to] the Hopi and Tewa senom. A new draft tribal constitution was developed, but never entertained. This constitution must be addressed to our public for review and adopt by referendum.

We must separate the state and church from our village and tribal governing system. In order to make progress, we must sincerely analyze our circumstances and be willing to accept change. Change is inevitable and we no longer can depend on a system that has not worked since 1936. I must add that I am not here to destroy the Hopi religion, culture and traditional ways.

With the upcoming primary election I want you to understand that your concerns matter; we must work together to make the system work for the benefit of all mankind. The democracy should be in your hands and should I be elected, that is how we will change our tribal government. I need your vote and support.

In best regard...

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