Navajo Agricultural Products Industry presents check to Navajo scholarship office

WINDOW ROCK-Navajo students will soon benefit from a $500,000 contribution to the Navajo Scholarship Office from Navajo Agricultural Products Industry (NAPI).

The NAPI Administration, Board of Directors and the Navajo Economic Development Committee approved a $500,000 dividend to the Navajo Nation for scholarships. The dividend check was presented to the Navajo Nation Scholarship Office at a meeting of the EDC at NAPI headquarters in Farmington, N.M., June 6.

"On behalf of the NAPI employees, we wish to share our profit with the Navajo Nation to help our children pursue their higher education endeavors," said NAPI Board Chair Ervin Chavez.

He and NAPI CEO Tsosie Lewis presented the check to the EDC, and credited the Navajo Nation Council for its earlier support of NAPI, which made the profit possible.

"We are grateful for your leadership and support of the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry," Chavez said.

NAPI CFO Colaine Curtis and Rose Graham, director of the Navajo Scholarship Office, presented a memorandum of understanding to show that the scholarship office will provide the committee with a detailed accounting of the funds, the numbers of students served, and their course of studies.

The NAPI board encouraged that funds be awarded to qualified students that are studying agriculture, environment, finance, marketing, accounting and similar pursuits.

The Navajo Scholarship Office will assist NAPI with recruitment for summer internships and long-term employment and that students be informed that funds they are receiving are provided by NAPI, Ms. Graham said.

Navajo Nation Vice President Ben Shelly also expressed gratitude to the NAPI board members and staff.

Economic Development Committee member Tom LaPahe said the contribution is historic because it is NAPI's first dividend to the Navajo Nation. It signifies that our own Navajo people can manage a profitable business, he said.

The Navajo Nation Scholarship application deadline for the 2007 fall semester is 5 p.m. June 25. Application requirements can be found at www.onnsfa.org.