Another About-Face!
This has become a strange twisted road to what could be a good thing for the Navajo residents of the Graymountain and Cameron areas of the reservation. Once again, the “leaders” of the tribe are going through more contortions to further muddy the issues, hopefully some positive action will take place soon:
Council overrides Shirley’s veto of wind project
By Noel Lyn Smith
Navajo Times
Window Rock, Nov. 24, 2010
The Navajo Nation Council approved an override of President Joe Shirley Jr.’s veto of legislation that would have started lease negotiations for a wind energy project on Gray Mountain, near Cameron, Ariz.
The override passed, 64-8, during a special session of the Council on Nov. 23. It initially failed but was recalled.
In order to pass the override, the Council needed to muster 59 votes in its favor.
Bobby Robbins (Coalmine Canyon/Toh Nanees Dizi), one of the bill’s sponsors, told the Council that the project has been four years in the making.
“We have been in front of a lot of barriers in getting this initiative off the ground for our communities,” Robbins said in Navajo.
Jack Colorado (Bodaway-Gap/Cameron/Coppermine), another bill sponsor, said the wind energy project would bring much needed economic development to the area, along with revenue for the tribe and scholarships for students.
“Although the action of the president indicates he has disrespect for the delegates who voted on these initiatives,” Colorado said.
Shirley vetoed the bill Nov. 8 after the Council approved it Oct. 21 during the fall session.
I am a reservation born Navajo woman living in the Valley of the Sun. I was born to the Bitterwater Clan for the Edgewater Clan. My grandfathers are from the Deer Water and Towering House Clans.