Members of San Juan County and surrounding communities listened in on a forum of candidates running in the Navajo Nation president election on Wednesday night at the Totah Theater.
Ten presidential candidates sat on stage and answered questions submitted by the community surrounding business and economics between the Navajo Nation and Farmington.
Four Corners Economic Development hosted the forum in partnership with the Farmington Chamber of Commerce, the Farmington Small Business Development Center and the Four Corners Clean Energy Alliance.
Linda Rogers, Farmington city councilor, gave a welcoming address while also extending appreciation and respect of mayor, Nate Duckett, to the candidates and attendees.
“We stand today in a region shaped by the enduring strength and leadership of the Navajo people. The connections between Farmington and the Navajo Nation run deep, and they continue to guide how we grow, collaborate, and imagine what is possible together,” said Rogers.
Candidates shared their clans, credentials and community ties while saying opening remarks. Chapters represented included Rock Point, Chichiltah, St. Michaels, and Shiprock.
Each candidate received a question with three minutes to answer, for two rounds. Some also used their time to answer other questions directed at their running mate.
Emily Ellison, of Chichiltah chapter, said the interaction of the economic model in Farmington will be interesting with its ties to mining.
Ellison answered questions about infrastructure collaboration with surrounding cities and how her administration would reform hiring practices that would bring Navajo members back to communities.
“I do believe that we need to regionalize a lot of our core services,” she said. “You can easily pin point that by seeing where the majority of the population interact and do commerce exchange.”
The Navajo Nation should also be receiving 50% of Navajo money in border towns like Gallup and Farmington, Ellison said. That money would then be invested in community and infrastructure.
Ellison said hiring practices should be appointing those with good ethics while holding them accountable.
Johnny Russell Jr., of Nageezi chapter, was asked how low income households will be protected from rising costs. Improved transparency between the Navajo Nation and local city government was his second topic.
For both answers Russell said there needs to be collaboration with the Navajo Nation and City of Farmington. In his second response, Russell suggested there be conversations at the same table with the local government about the issues on and off the reservation.
Tom Chee, of Shiprock chapter, pulled questions on areas that could be an opportunity for joint projects and how his administration would strengthen the Navajo Nation’s ability to negotiate energy agreements.
Public safety was mentioned by Chee who said the jurisdiction of the reservation should not deter law enforcement if there is an emergency.
Chee said the sovereignty of the Navajo people can be used to empower negotiations with those that may undermine the education and knowledge of the people.
Frank Dayish Jr., of Chichiltah chapter, received questions on how he would work with local municipalities to support workforce. Expanding access to capital was his second topic.
Dayish took notice of the absence of Duckett and said the relationship between Shiprock and Farmington is not great. Leveling out the playing field and having discussions is what needs to be done, Dayish said.
Myron Lizer, of the St. Michaels chapter, answered questions surrounding the expansion of economic opportunities for Navajo artists and weavers, and also how he would support farmers and food sovereignty.
Lizer said an artisan showcase could uplift the artists by using a brick and motor location. Collaboration with different bureaus and supporting Navajo owned businesses were suggestions from Lizer on food sovereignty.
Arvin Trujillo, of the Gadii´áhí and To´koi chapter, answered a question regarding the use of water by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority to power the Tier 3 data center completed 10 years ago.
Trujillo said data centers could attract jobs to Navajo Nation and provide not only information but power.
“These are opportunities that could bring our young people back home,” he said. “We’re loosing our young people – the Navajo Nation grew by 100,000 people – all that growth was off the reservation. The reservation lost population from 170,00 to 165,00. We got to bring our best and our brightest back home.”
Justin Jones, of Rock Point chapter, was asked what industry beyond energy can offer the strongest growth potential for Navajo Nation over the next decade.
Jones said his administration would look toward other ways of energy beyond drilling and mining.
“It’s not always going to be renewable as well,” Jones said, who also mentioned investment in real estate.
Alexander Chambers, of Shiprock chapter, who had a question on the expansion of agriculture capacity said international partners could be an opportunity while also considering domestic sales.
“If we position the Navajo Nation for these type of services and e-commerce activity we can expand our products and service not just for agriculture, it’s for every product you can think of,” said Chambers.
Chambers said boosting enterprises like Navajo Agricultural Products Industry should be part of that agriculture expansion.
Crystalyne Curley, of the Tselani and Cottonwood chapter and speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, pulled a question regarding the lack of water, electricity, and broad band in rural chapters and her plan to make those connections for Navajo homes.
The chapter funding, that comes from the economy on the Navajo Nation, needs to be boosted through the market that will then be invested back into the community, Curley said.
“Many of those infrastructure funds are going to be coming from our general funds,” she said.
Curley also mentioned the investment in youth and entrepreneurs who will need opportunity to work on the Navajo Nation rather then bringing in outside partners to provide jobs.
“It has to be us. Give us a chance,” she said. “Many of our Navajo families, our children, are waiting for that opportunity to be invited back home, to provide businesses and that workforce.”
The night ended with words of support and applause from the audience as candidates said their closing remarks that touched on their platforms.