Farmington — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has firmly defended his position on bolstering the Navajo Nation Cares Fund Hardship Assistance Program, a critical initiative designed to provide financial aid to enrolled tribal members grappling with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This defense comes in the wake of criticisms sparked by an internal memorandum concerning the management of unspent federal COVID-19 relief funds.
The crux of the issue arose after the Naa’bik’íyáti’ Committee, in October, established a deadline for Navajo government programs to utilize their allocated portions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds by November 20. The directive stipulated that any funds left unspent by this deadline would be redirected to the Navajo Nation CARES Fund Hardship Assistance Program, aiming to amplify its reach and impact.
President Nez addressed the concerns directly, stating unequivocally, “First and foremost, I support hardship assistance funds for the Navajo people. My signature is on the resolution that approved those hardship funds and to allow other CARES Act funds to be diverted to that pot of money.” His statement, released on December 2nd, aimed to clarify his unwavering commitment to the financial relief program and dispel any doubts regarding his support.
He further elaborated on the initial allocation process when the Navajo Nation received the CARES Act funding. President Nez explained that his administration had put forward a proposal for utilizing the funds, but this proposal underwent amendments by the Navajo Nation Council. Ultimately, tribal leaders decided to allocate a significant portion of the $716 million towards essential infrastructure projects, including water, electricity, broadband, and telecommunication services, all intended to benefit tribal members across the Navajo Nation.
“So far, thousands of our people have received electricity, water systems, bathroom additions, increased telecommunications access and much more,” Nez highlighted, underscoring the tangible benefits already realized through these infrastructure projects. He emphasized the dual approach of his administration: “We are trying to work through the internal processes to help as many people as possible through these types of projects and through the hardship assistance funds.” This approach aims to provide both immediate relief through direct financial assistance and long-term improvements in essential services.
The memorandum from the President’s office became a point of discussion during a Budget and Finance Committee meeting on December 1st, when Delegate Raymond Smith questioned Controller Pearline Kirk about its implications. Kirk clarified that while she reviewed the memorandum, which had a space for her signature, she ultimately did not sign it. Her reason was that the directives in the letter regarding the reallocation of CARES Act funds appeared to contradict the Naa’bik’íyáti’ Committee’s approved plan.
Adding to the context, Kirk had previously informed the committee that the Hardship Assistance Program received approximately 270,000 applications by the November 30th deadline. This overwhelming number of applications underscores the immense need for financial assistance within the Navajo Nation community during the pandemic. Kirk also mentioned that her office is diligently working to verify Certificate of Indian Blood enrollment numbers and is actively contacting applicants to ensure the accuracy of the applications. “This is a huge program that we have undertaken,” Kirk acknowledged, recognizing the scale and complexity of the operation. Despite the challenges, the controller’s office affirmed that the financial relief checks are expected to be distributed this month, providing much-needed support to Navajo families.
Another key point of discussion during the committee meeting was the reallocation of $40.9 million earmarked for water projects to the Hardship Assistance Program. Cordell Shorty, contracting officer with the Office of Management and Budget, assured the committee members that this transfer was slated for completion on December 2nd. “Rest assure, that’ll happen,” Shorty confirmed, alleviating concerns about the timely reallocation of these funds to the crucial hardship assistance program.
President Nez’s firm stance and the ongoing efforts of the Navajo Nation government highlight the commitment to supporting tribal members through the Navajo Nation CARES Fund Hardship Assistance Program during these challenging times. The program represents a significant effort to mitigate the financial hardships imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and provide vital relief to Navajo families.
