Hopi High School held its graduation ceremony for its 36 graduates June 15 at the football field with Miss Native American Lexie James, a graduate of Hopi High who won state awards for her media work, serving as keynote speaker.

Ethel Branch (Diné) was named Woman of the Year during the 2021 Arizona American Indian Excellence in Leadership Awards after co-founding the Navajo and Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund last March.

Native American writers Louise Erdrich and Natalie Diaz were named winners of the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in the categories of fiction and poetry — also included was Marty Two Bulls Sr. who was named a finalist in editorial cartooning June 11.

The Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Health Command Operations Center, and Community Health Representatives continue to coordinate efforts to deliver water to elders in remote areas.

Following final approval from the Office of the President and Vice President, eight tribal parks will be allowed to reopen.

Navajo ranchers impacted by the pandemic and ongoing drought may soon qualify for assistance to supplement their livestock with hay and grain.

The directors met to provide updates and plan for the upcoming week.

On June 12, the Navajo Nation reported nine new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and six more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,340 as of June 12.

As of June 9, the Hopi Tribe reported zero new active cases of COVID-19, while cases of COVID-19 among Hopi Tribal members increased to 1,281. An active case is defined as a positive test result or symptom onset in the last two weeks.

On June 11, 325 Navajo Nation retirees were recognized and congratulated for their dedication and service.

Permit and food handler’s card are required to be displayed during operation.

In April, the Nez-Lizer Administration hosted virtual meetings with each of the five Navajo agencies to layout the process of submitting feasible/construction ready projects to be considered for funding through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Unlike their peers across the Navajo Nation, Tuba City High School hosted a drive thru graduation ceremony May 29.

Tuba City Regional Health Care Corp. recently reported an increase in new COVID-19 cases in the last month after a major decline in cases over the last few months.

Hopi Health Care Center (HHCC) continues to provide COVID-19 testing on a daily basis, vaccination clinics at least once every week and Community Vaccination Events (CVE) in several Hopi villages to increase vaccination rates.

The Hopi Tribe has issued an executive order announcing its Phase Three reopening.

In partnership with SpaceX, Coconino County is delivering reliable high-speed internet to 45 rural households with the launch of state-of-the-art satellites seen throughout Arizona’s night sky recently.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit Native Americans especially hard. But as the spotlight turned to larger communities, including the Navajo Nation, the White Mountain Apache Tribe quietly battled to save its 15,000 members.

On May 20, the Navajo Nation appointed Elizabeth Begay, former Navajo Nation auditor general, to serve as the acting controller until a new controller is appointed and confirmed.

Seniors at Winslow High School visited Bonnie Brennan Elementary School May 19 for a grad walk.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez attended the 29th Navajo Preparatory School graduation ceremony May 22, to offer his support and encouragement for the 59 graduates and their families.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and First Lady Phefelia Nez attend the Valley High School graduation ceremony May 21 in Sanders, Arizona.

The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the Navajo Nation in the past year and the only remedy to defeat this “enemy” is by getting the vaccine according to Peter MacDonald Sr., former tribal chairman and Navajo Code Talker.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said the Nation’s mask mandate remains in effect, despite the CDC guidance allowing vaccinated people who are two weeks after their second shot to go mask free.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian is releasing the third installment of its online exhibition series “Developing Stories: Native Photographers in the Field” May 18.

Winslow High School students learn how to make solar ovens.

A virtual commencement celebration recognizing Northland Pioneer College’s (NPC’s), class of 2021 was held May 13-May 19.

The Coconino Board of Supervisors unanimously turned down a request for a zone change that would have made a luxury glamping resort at Two Guns, Arizona a possibility finding that the project didn’t meet the criteria for the change.

Some Native American tribes will receive more money from a federal virus relief package approved last year after the U.S. Treasury Department revised its methodology that tribal nations contend was badly skewed.

On April 16, the Navajo Police Department attended a leadership meeting with the Utah Highway Patrol and the San Juan County Utah Sheriff’s Office in Bluff, Utah to resume discussions regarding mutual aid agreements.