PARKS | FROM PAGE 6 Chief of Staff Milton Bluehouse, Jr. also joined the meeting to inform Keable of current pandemic conditions on the Navajo Nation regarding a recent curfew order change. “The purpose of our current health order is to expand the vaccine distribution and contribute to the Navajo Nation’s economic recovery plan. But, it is a balancing act and a race against time,” Bluehouse said. Bluehouse indicated the Navajo Nation leads the country in vaccine distributions with over 2,000 Navajos being vaccinated on the weekend of Feb. 6 alone. The Health Command Operations Center, under guidance from Dr. Jim, is focused on staying ahead of a possible third Covid-19 positive case surge with new variants of the virus reported in surrounding states. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Council Delega t e M a rk F reel a nd ( B e c e n t i , L a k e Va l l e y, Náhodishgish, Standing Rock, Whiterock, Huerfano, Nageezi, Crownpoint) both called for a future work session to communicate Navajo priorities with the
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS | FROM PAGE 7 percent of Republicans and 79 percent of Democrats). “Passage of HJR1 is an important step towards building an accessible, equitable, and coordinated early childhood system in every New Mexico community for all New Mexican families and
NPS that would include OPVP, the Navajo Nation Historical Preser vation Depar tment, the Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources and the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department. Keable concurred and indicated he would bring Grand Canyon Tribal Liaison Mike Lyndon to the meeting and maintain contact. With the Navajo Nation under a level-red declaration, the highest Covid-19 concentration-code level, Begaye said many in-person services, such as tours, have been canceled. Consequently, 15 to 20 of the 75 department staff members have lost their jobs or have been furloughed. Dr. Ji m ex pla i ned the HCOC’s data-driven approach to creating gating criteria for determining the Navajo Nation’s Covid-19 code levels involves an evaluation of the number of positive Covid-19 cases and other factors related to the spread of the virus. Although Covid19 numbers have gone down, Navajo tribal parks are not able to open until the Navajo Nation is in the orange phase. “I am sure indiv iduals like Mr. Begaye (Parks and
young children,” Elizabeth Groginsky, secretary of the Early Childhood Education and Care Department, said. Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Legislature created the ECECD in 2019 to strengthen and coordinate early childhood services previously spread across several state agencies. The agency officially launched on July 1, 2020. “This is great news for
Oljato Monument Valley, a tribal park in Navajo County, Ariz. Photo Credit: Courtesy
Recreation Manager Martin Begaye) receive a lot of criticism, considering the dire impact that Covid-19 is having on our people and economy. But he, too, is doing his best to protect the public by following the heath command oversight,” Nez said. Nez recalled witnessing a Navajo family lose their truck in New Mexico and suggested
a work session with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice be held to address the Navajo Nation’s protections from such seizure laws. “While the border town businesses are thriving, our people are having to choose between an electric bill and their dinner and I feel for them,” Freeland said . “We need to take more steps to consider phase plans to
rebuild our economy. This virus has killed so many dreams and many of these businesses are closing for good.” Council Delegate Kee Allen Begay Jr. (Tachee/Blue Gap, Many Farms, Nazlini, Tselani/ Cottonwood, Low Mountain) reissued the call for a work session to address economic challenges as the Covid-19 pandemic continues.
New Mexico’s youngest learners. We know that quality care and early learning prepare children for success in school and in life, and this measure will assure steady funding for those vital programs,” Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart said. New Mexico has the highest number of per capita
individuals who experienced more t h a n fou r Adver se Childhood Experiences, which can lead to higher prevalence of adult alcoholism, suicide, a nd other ser ious hea lth conditions. “One ef fect ive way to prevent adverse childhood experiences and outcomes is by making a substantial
investment in early childhood progra ms a nd ea rly interventions,” Brian Blalock, cabi net secret a r y of t he Children, Youth and Families Department, said. “This bill does just that and will help New Mexico move forward. T hat is ou r pr ior it y a nd approach at CYFD and why we stand in strong support.”
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Gallup Sun • Friday February 19, 2021
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