FARMINGTON — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has backed the tribe’s buy of actual property in Washington, D.C.
Nez accredited on Feb. 14 shopping for the land and its two constructions at 11 D St. SE for about $four.89 million.
Proponents of the acquisition have acknowledged it is going to enhance the tribe’s presence within the capital metropolis and function a cost-saving measure by eliminating month-to-month lease for the Navajo Nation Washington Workplace.
Nez, Vice President Myron Lizer, Speaker Seth Damon and delegates Wilson Stewart Jr. and Rick Nez acknowledged in a joint press launch that the acquisition will assist the tribe’s advocacy to the federal authorities since it’s situated close to the U.S. Capitol.
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Nez and Lizer categorized the motion as a “milestone” in Navajo historical past in a Feb. 14 letter to Damon.
“The Navajo Nation would be the solely tribal nation to personal workplace property a number of steps from Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. A lot of the nation’s work with congressional leaders and govt management takes place in Washington, now the Navajo Nation has a everlasting workplace by which to advocate for our individuals,” the letter states.
The overall quantity for the acquisition – consisting of a zero.15-acre web site, a two-unit two-story mixed-use constructing and carriage home – and shutting prices will likely be paid by the principal of the Land Acquisition Belief Fund.
The location will primarily be utilized by the tribe’s Washington workplace. Santee Lewis, the workplace’s govt director, mentioned within the press launch securing the property will “catapult” the workplace’s work by enhancing entry to Congress.
The discharge additionally acknowledged there have been considerations raised by tribal members about acquiring the actual property.
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Nez defined that the belief fund has its personal coverage and tips for its use, noting it can’t be used for issues like COVID-19 aid or different direct providers.
“Thanks to the Navajo Nation Council for supporting this daring step and for seeing the longer term advantages of this buy. We all know this was a tough choice, however we additionally know this motion will reap rewards for the Navajo Nation sooner or later,” the president and vp wrote of their letter.
Delegate Stewart sponsored the invoice alongside Delegate Nez in council, where it passed in a vote of 16-7 on Jan. 29.
“The council supplied the dialogue on this buy and has accredited this initiative as a result of it gives a long-term imaginative and prescient for these efforts to proceed lengthy into the longer term,” Stewart mentioned.
Noel Lyn Smith covers the Navajo Nation for The Day by day Instances. She could be reached at 505-564-4636 or by e mail at nsmith@daily-times.com.
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