Posted on 11/09/2006 11:31:54 AM PST by Tulsa Ramjet
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) -- The newly re-elected president of the Navajo Nation said he hopes that the Democrats' takeover of Congress will help the nation's largest American Indian reservation, saying it was hard to win federal money from Republicans.
In an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, the day after the Navajo general election, Joe Shirley Jr.'s thoughts were partly on how the political shift in Washington will translate into federal action on his reservation, which is home to about 300,000 people in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
"We're going to have a lot more friends in Washington," said Shirley, a Democrat. "I'm very much looking forward to continuing on with my quest as president and for more funding for our hospitals, for our schools, for our social services, for our health services, for the different things we get help with (from) the federal government."
Shirley compared working with a Republican-controlled House to "trying to get blood out of a turnip."
By treaty, the Navajos are a sovereign nation with their own government and laws. Like other American Indian tribes, they receive money from the federal government for social services, schools and infrastructure.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
I know jobs can be a problem, but there must be an entreprenurial spirit within your people. Casinos are a quick fix, but at what cost to future generations? Invest the monies earned in good, solid enterprises like hotels and condos. Make your place a "secret resort" for rich H'wood types to "get away". If you wnat people to give you their money, you must give them something in return, even if it's just a overpriced luxury suite for a week or two..........
Navajos, and basically all indians in general, would have better luck building self-worth and an entrepeneurial spirit otherwise you end up like a lot of the blacks, stuck on stupid, 3rd generation section 8.
If I was chief, I might go the casino route a bit, then build my war chest up over a couple of decades and then buy back Manhattan slowly. You got to admit, the beads weren't all that great and I think they were made in Shanghai.
Things need to be changed. There is a lot of work to be done to get Native Americans to have greater economic freedom. Too much reliance upon government is not good for any people group.
HA!!
Junior needs to contact Wisconsin's 2-time governor elect "Big" Jim Doyle (D) for a little *help*.
"Big" Jim, he's an expert on Indian matters.
*IF* the price is right ol' "Big" Jim will clear-up any problem(s) Junior has so fast the ol' Chief's head dress feathers will stand on-end & fly off his head.
Just ask the Potawanomi Nation's tribal leaders 'bout that, Junior.
"Big" Jim Doyle, whadda guy, he's great references man!
Best of all "Big" Jim's "Open" for business.
...for the next four years. ;^)
Christian news and commentary at: sacredscoop.com ...
So the corrupt tribal council gets fat rich on the welfare money from Washington, and the rest of the people live in dire poverty. It is time to dissolve the soverign nation status of the reservation, split up the land to the people, and put the council to work like everyone else.
I wonder if they'll start lining up, the night before, to feed at the trough. Maybe the Dims will offer special "bundle packages" for those that pre-ordered.
That's a good start. It will take a change in the mindset of the younger generation and leaders to see that emulating what works is the best way to economic self sufficiency.
If you want to win, emulate the winners, not the losers.........
* Napoleon was asked, Who do you consider to be the greatest generals? He responded, The victors. ....Donald Rumsfeld......
Now now....
Go to the used book store and get all the Tony Hillerman books and read them. They are great detective novels and describe in wonderful detail the tension between being traditional Navajo and modern Navajo.
I almost gurantee you will enjoy the adventures of Lt Joe Leaphorn and Officer Jim Chee as they criscross the vast Reservation...the big Rez, solving crimes.
The books can and do serve as travelogues and will make you want to head for the vastness of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
I don't think they operate casinos.
The Navajo rez is like having North Korea inside America. The council regime drives new ford pickups, and wears new clothes, and live in new nice homes, while the people scratch with the chickens for food and existence.
Until the regime is deposed, the reservation lands divided up amongst the people, so that they have something that is theirs, other than the communist mindset of Joe Shirley, the people will not feel any self worth. The rez is rich with minerals, timber, and has some of the most modern farms in the US in the northern part.
Until the average person has the ability to own a piece of that land and raise his own cattle, or sheep or horses, and sell them and make his own way, then he will not develop a sense of self worth. The image that the woman owns the house and the land and the livestock and that the man is a sperm donor is not helping the Navajo culture to succeed.
"GIMME, GIMME, GIMME!!!!!"
No, they don't. Nor should they. I don't like casinos run by anyone, for religious reasons, but they are legal. They invite crime and corruption. I was trying to get a point across that they should develop more solid investments like hotels and condos..........Navajo Resorts International, so to speak......
Since you're your own nation, don't you all have some industries or businesses to make you self-sufficient? Are other Navajos working in the outside population or do they all stay within the reservation?
However,, it seems to me the quickest way to make money other than casinos is tourism, and I mean the big bucks kind. A resort capitalizing on Navajo culture would attract a lot of people who are interested, and especially Europeans.
I wish I had more ideas, because I truly think your heart is in the right place.
.....I was trying to get a point across that they should develop more solid investments like hotels and condos......
This sort of development might be presently growing. The Town of Chinle is a big tourist attraction and they have similar attractions at Monument Valley Tribal Park.
Window Rock and Farmington are pretty much Navajo towns and seem to be doing pretty well.
HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! What a dumbarse!! The Democrats have SCREWED them every chance they have had to!! HAHAHAHHAHA!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! What a dumbarse!! The Democrats have SCREWED them every chance they have had to!! HAHAHAHHAHA!!
>>>So the corrupt tribal council gets fat rich on the welfare money from Washington, and the rest of the people live in dire poverty. It is time to dissolve the soverign nation status of the reservation, split up the land to the people, and put the council to work like everyone else.>>>
Much like the Civil Rights "Leaders" in Atlanta.
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