Money for Bennett Freeze homes approved by council
President Russell Begaye's signature needed for final approval of 10 homes in freeze area after Navajo Council approves $225,000

The Bennett Freeze area, highlighted in red, shows the area that was affected by the 1966 freeze on the Navajo Nation. Map from report given to the U.S. General Accounting Office’s Navajo-Hopi Resettlement Program

The Bennett Freeze area, highlighted in red, shows the area that was affected by the 1966 freeze on the Navajo Nation. Map from report given to the U.S. General Accounting Office’s Navajo-Hopi Resettlement Program

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation Council approved legislation that would provide $225,000 from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance to carry out a pilot project to construct 10 homes in the Former Bennett Freeze area.

The legislation would still need to be signed into law by Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye.

Legislation sponsor Council Delegate Tuchoney Slim, Jr. (Bodaway/Gap, Coppermine, K’ai’bii’tó, LeChee, Tonalea/Red Lake), along with the Tonalea Community Development Committee (TCDC) and representatives from the Tonalea Chapter, presented the proposal outlining a project that would begin housing construction in the former Bennett Freeze area.

“We have spent a lot of time planning on how we can get our leaders to begin helping with the former Bennett Freeze area,” Slim said. “It is our goal to bring our people back and change the life of the children in that area. For far too long, our people have suffered in that area and they have been waiting patiently for the Navajo Nation to help them.”

Slim stressed that constructing the houses would encourage Navajo people to return home to their community and begin increasing economic development.

Cindy S. Covey, TCDC chair, said the community has worked for over a year on the proposal to provide new homes to residents in the Bennett Freeze areas, who reside in unsafe, dilapidated homes, and urged the council to support the legislation because it would “return dignity back to the community members.”

“This project is so important to our Navajo people in the former Bennett Freeze area — it’s an emotional issue,” Covey said. “I want the 23rd Navajo Nation Council to go down in history as the leaders that changed the lives for the people in this area.”

In 1966, commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Robert Bennett ceased development of approximately 1.6 million acres of land that was in dispute by the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe, which prohibited families from making any improvements to their homes or to construct new homes in the area for nearly 50 years.

Congress passed the Navajo-Hopi Settlement Act and in 2009 former President Barack Obama officially lifted the freeze on development in the area allowing residents to begin constructing and rehabilitating homes and facilities.

The legislation initially sought $543,000, however, Council Delegate Dwight Witherspoon (Black Mesa, Forest Lake, Hardrock, Pinon, Whippoorwill) informed council that 65 percent of the project’s funding would come from the chapter and other outside sources and the council would only need to fund the difference.

Witherspoon proposed an amendment to reduce the amount from $543,000 to $255,000. Council members voted 15-3 to approve the amendment.

Council Delegate Tom Chee (Shiprock) commended the TCDC and chapter for developing a comprehensive proposal that illustrates that the community is eager to move forward with their own solutions.

“They took the initiative upon themselves and said ‘this is how it should be done,’” Chee said. “There is nothing like building your own home, creating your own cornfield and nothing like educating yourself out of your own pocket. That is the best thing you can give to the next generation — to be a self-supporting individual.”

Covey said one of the primary purposes is to ensure that the homes being built are up to standard and are suitable for families. The proposal states that if the project proves successful, TCDC would seek to begin constructing nearly 450 additional homes throughout the area.

Council Delegate Leonard Tsosie (Baca/Prewitt, Casamero Lake, Counselor, Littlewater, Ojo Encino, Pueblo Pintado, Torreon, Whitehorse Lake) said he supported the housing initiative, but cautioned his council colleagues in using the UUFB rather than holding the Navajo Housing Authority accountable for addressing housing needs.

“(The NHA), that is where the money is, if you want to help this group of people,” Tsosie said. “Yet we are getting the Navajo Nation in trouble and we’re leaving NHA alone. The answer is to take the (Tribally Designated Housing Entity) back from them, redo the Indian housing plan and give them their full funding. That’s holding NHA accountable.”

Council members voted 16-2 to approve Legislation No. 0001-17 with one amendment. Begaye has 10 calendar days to consider the resolution once it is sent to the Office of the President and Vice President.

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