LEUPP, Ariz. — Federal regulators have granted Native American tribes more power to block hydropower projects on their land after a flurry of applications were filed to expand renewable energy in the water-scarce U.S. Southwest.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors reaffirmed its opposition against the Pinyon Plain uranium mine at their regular meeting Feb. 20.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Agriculture Forest Service will distribute $20 million in grant funding to help tribes access private markets for forest resilience and climate mitigation that have emerged in the wake of climate change.

Coconino County Health and Human Services Opioid Overdose Prevention program offers free NARCAN kit(s) and training about opioid overdose response.

Around the Rez: Feb. 28

TSE BONITO, N.M. — The Navajo Nation Council met with U.S. Congressman Joseph Morelle (D-NY) Feb. 19 to discuss concerns and recommendations regarding voting and elections issues to build the congressional record in support of the Native American Voting Rights Act.

TSE BONITO, N.M. — The Navajo Nation Council Resources and Development Committee passed legislation Feb. 14 historically approving the Navajo Nation Burial and Cemetery regulations.

WHITERIVER, Ariz. — To increase access to behavioral health and wellness support for students and staff at tribal schools nationwide, the Bureau of Indian Education launched a 24/7 support line for schools and programs funded by the bureau.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — CKP Insurance presented a $13.5 million crop insurance check Feb. 15 to the Navajo Nation for indemnities based on the 2023 crop year. Members of the Resources and Development Committee were in attendance for the check presentation on behalf of the Navajo Nation.

PHOENIX — Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley testified before the Arizona State Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Feb. 13 in support of Arizona Sen. Theresa Hatathlie’s Senate Bill 1655, which aims to strengthen regulations and penalties for operators of residential healthcare facilities who engage in fraudulent activities that have victimized tribal members from various communities.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The sponsor of a proposal to create a trust fund that would’ve given tribes in New Mexico millions of dollars to build education programs said Feb. 14 that he is pulling the bill from the Senate, meaning it is effectively dead.

Around the Rez: Feb. 21

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Lester Yazzie was selected Feb. 14 as the interm Council Delegate for District 6 (Baahaali, Chilchiltah, Manuelito, Red Rock, Rock Springs, Tsayatoh), replacing former Council Delegate Seth Damon who reisnged Jan. 22 to take a position as the deputy secretary of the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department.

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation Council unanimously approved Legislation No. 0259-23, confirming appointment of Sean McCabe, C.P.A., to serve as the Controller of the Navajo Nation on Jan. 24.

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed legislation Feb. 2 to pay Navajo first responders and essential employees $3.5 million for hundreds of hours of accrued annual leave they were about to lose.

Around the Rez: Feb. 14

FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. — The Navajo community of Fort Defiance sits between two mountain ridges, and that’s important to know, Rep. Myron Tsosie explained to his fellow state legislators last month.

Two Native American tribes, the state of New Mexico and the U.S. Army have finalized a restoration plan for a former military installation near Gallup.

SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico legislators would create a unique educational endowment of at least $50 million to help Native American communities create their own student programs, including efforts to teach and preserve Indigenous languages, under a proposal endorsed Feb. 8 by the state House.

NOVA-Diné, a technology solutions provider owned by the Navajo Nation, said it secured a major contract with the U.S. Department of Commerce that could amount to $1.5 billion in revenues over the next decade.