Navajo Nation Council Approves Green Jobs Legislation

The Navajo Green Economy legislation will support small scale renewable energy projects; green manufacturing, such as wool mills; energy efficiency projects, such as weatherizing homes; local business ventures, such as establishing weavers' co-operatives and green construction firms; green job training programs; and reviving traditional agriculture.

Navajo Nation Speaker Lawrence Morgan and the Navajo Green Economy Coalition developed the legislation to support the creation of hundreds of green jobs on the Navajo Nation.

Green jobs supporters march to the Navajo Summer Council meeting. (Photo by BMWC2009)

This morning, more than 50 supporters from across the reservation gathered in front of the Navajo Nation Education Building and marched a quarter of a mile in green "Green Jobs" shirts to the Navajo Nation Council Chambers in Window Rock.

The enactment of the Navajo Nation Green Economy Commission was introduced and tabled during the Navajo Nation Spring Council Session in April. After three months of additional work, the legislation was brought up today during the Summer Council and was approved on a vote of 62 to 1.

"This is the just the beginning for Indian Country. We hope our efforts pave the way for other tribal nations to bring local sustainable green jobs to their communities," said Wahleah Johns, co-director of the Black Mesa Water Coalition.

"The science, the technology, the brain power is all here. What is needed is the Navajo Nation's political will to jump start this process," says Enei Begaye, co-director of the Black Mesa Water Coalition.

In the spring of 2008, the Navajo Green Economy Coalition was formed to organize a green jobs initiative for the Navajo Nation. Led by Speaker Morgan, the coalition is made up of Navajo non-profit organizations and citizens who want to help transition and diversify the Navajo economy to one that is long-lasting, sustainable, and healthy.

In the months leading up to today's vote, Navajo Green Economy Coalition organizers visited and presented to dozens of Navajo Nation Chapters and met with numerous Navajo Nation Council delegates who support the Navajo green jobs legislation.

Kelvin Long, a member of the Navajo Green Economy Coalition, said, “Simply put, we are creating an opportunity for Navajo families and Chapters to establish local green businesses. We want our youth, veterans, fathers and mothers to work close to home on the Navajo Nation.”

The Navajo Nation Council debates the Green Economy Commission legislation. (Photo by BMWC2009)

The Navajo Green Economy Coalition received 22 Navajo Navajo Chapter resolutions that support "the establishment of the Navajo Green Economy Commission and Fund" and supporting resolutions from two of the five Navajo Nation Agency Councils.

"A green economy is not a new concept to Navajo," said Tony Skrelunas, the former executive director of the Navajo Nation's Division of Economic Development and a member of the coalition. "There are many green business opportunities that fit perfectly with our culture."

"We must once again hearken to such processes to truly build our own economy that puts high value on our tradition - old and modern economic pursuits. In this way, we will build a vibrant economy for the future generations while honoring our great ancestors. Today's decision is a critical first step towards making this dream a reality," said Skrelunas.

"The passing of this legislation is monumental because it is a catalyst for economic development on the Navajo Nation with Navajo traditional values and community at its core," said David Johns of the Dine' Haatali Association, the Navajo Medicine Men Association.

The Navajo Green Economy Commission and Fund will support Navajo economic self-sufficiency by creating fair wages, promoting Navajo-owned green businesses, training workers in key green industries, and developing local renewable resources.

Although the legislation does not request money from the Navajo Nation for the Navajo Green Economy Fund, the purpose of creating the Fund is to attract grants from federal, state and private sources that can be used to support local green economy projects.

The Navajo Nation Green Economy legislation defines "green businesses" as businesses and industries that contribute to the economy with a minimum or no generation of greenhouse gases and/or with capabilities to counteract the negative effects of greenhouse gases.

"The neat thing about this legislation is that the definition of 'green' is tailored to fit our peoples identity," says Nikke Alex, a recent University of Arizona graduate. "We can combine our traditional practices with our university educations to create a Navajo economy that works for all of us - sustainable ranching and farming along side wind and solar farms - these will be the fruitful seeds for our future generations."

Copyright Environment News Service, ENS, 2009. All rights reserved.