The Law and Order Committee of the 25th Hour Nation Council held a special meeting on May 26, 2026, at the Utah Navajo Health System (UNHS) in Montezuma Creek, Utah, to review public safety matters and behavioral health services. The committee, with four members present including the chair, addressed UNHS's comprehensive services including EMS operations, behavioral health case management, victim advocacy, and traditional healing practices. Key discussions focused on budget oversight, competency examination processes, and the integration of traditional Navajo healing methods with Western mental health services. The committee also scheduled public hearings for Title 17 of the criminal code and discussed the need for competency examination services, noting that IHS does not currently provide these services.
05/26/2026 LOC Special Meeting/Leadership MeetingAjouté :
prayer time >> for now.
So I guess I was on and said she got host.
>> What was that? I'm sorry.
>> Emo, can you repeat that?
Yeah.
Where is it?
I think Okay. So, he's here. Isabelle, our CEO is not here today. Mr. part. So just let us go and he's available.
>> Okay, we're going to go ahead and uh start the meeting.
>> It is now 10:13.
I'm going to go ahead and call this meeting to order.
This is the law and order committee of the 25th hour nation council. Today is a special meeting. Uh it is May 26, 2026.
We are calling this a special meeting and this meeting was this a special meeting.
>> Um good morning madame chair and members of the committee. So um every Monday, first, second, third, fourth Mondays are regular meeting. So it's this fall on Tuesday. So it's a special meeting.
>> Yes, that's right. That's right. So because Monday, yesterday was Memorial Day. Yeah. A lot of the if if the meeting falls on a Monday, it will be meeting the next day. So that's why it's technically a special meeting. So uh this is again Special meeting today is May 26, 2026. Again, I call the meeting to order 10:15 staff assist.
>> Madam Chair, this is roll call for um the law and order committee special meeting uh May 26, 2026.
Madame chair, are you present?
>> I am present. Madam >> chair is present. Uh honorable Titus NZ, are you present?
>> Delegate Naz G is disputes.
Okay. Honorable Titus J is excused.
Honorable Vice Chair Nathan Not.
Honorable Nathan Not is present.
Honorable Herman N. Daniels Jr. are you present?
>> Good morning.
>> Honorable Herman N. Daniel Jr. is present. Honorable Arban Mitchell.
>> Uh good morning. I'm here.
>> Honorable Arban Mitchell is present via Zoom. Uh madam chair you have four members present including recycling from that constitute a quorum.
Thank you for that chain. So we do have four members of the law and order committee who are present. We'll go ahead. So we do have a forum. We'll go ahead and proceed forward at this time to invocation delegation for us this morning which is part of your your recognizing where you're from. I would appreciate if you provided this location for us this morning.
Thank you.
Thank you.
13.
Feeling translucent.
I'm here to get to Delegate Daniel for providing us invocation this morning. Appreciate that.
We're going to go ahead and move to item number two, recognizing the guest and visiting officials. Uh we do have we are here at the UNHS in Mon Creek, Utah.
We're going to go ahead and and I don't know if people actually come up here. U I don't see very many people from the community who are here.
We might have some childare officials who are present, but we'll go ahead and we'll do recognizing guests. Kevin holding dish.
Rhode Island prosecutor for German Irish heritage speak my language and my name is Kevin.
>> Thank you Kevin. Go ahead.
>> Office of the prosecutors.
Martinez, principal victim witness advocate, office of the prosecutor.
Yeah, they sh a uh deputy chief prosecutor for the office at the uh Wendro office.
Welcome. Thank you for inviting us.
with the office of the prosecutor.
Good morning, Stephanie Gutter, a senior attorney with the office of the prosecutor privacy. Thank you for having us here today.
Good morning all members of the LLC and Charles delegate Charles.
Um my name is Lloyd Anderson. I am with office of the prosecutor White Crimes Unit. It's really good to be here all this morning.
Good morning everyone. My name is Sean King with staff assistant nation speaker and I'm assigned to assist with the law committee.
>> Good morning.
Thank you.
>> Good morning. My name is Tmaine Yazi.
I'm with the Office of Legislative Services. Um, temporarily helping the Law and Order Committee.
Person, >> can you I'm sorry. Can you say your name one more time?
You You mean me? Yes. Stephanie Gutterz.
Bethany S with an S. Stephanie.
Stephanie.
Yes. Okay.
Thank you.
>> Madam Chair, Daniel They're on the side.
Singapore area.
>> Yeah.
Good morning.
No thanks.
chapters lakes Mexican Springs and my only my second time here to this area. So it's pretty nice drive to get over here. So yeah, thank you. Good to see you all this morning. Have they been good morning?
I represent white girls.
my chapter.
>> Okay, there. There we go. Now it's working. Uh, good morning delegate delegate Mitchell, thank you for being online.
So, delegate not thank you and delegate, thank you so much for you guys introducing yourself. I think everybody here knows who I am. For the record, this is Chair Charles Newton.
Um, again, today is May 26, 2026. This is a special meeting of the law and order committee. Uh, I'm not sure, looks like we have all the office of the prosecutor who are present, but we don't have any chapter officials and we don't have anybody from UNHS. Do we have anybody on the line who are chapter officials or anybody from UNHS?
>> Mr. NZ is on the line.
>> Titus Nes. Oh, delegate NZ, can you hear me?
Madam chair, I can hear you.
>> Oh, if you want to go ahead and introduce yourself for the record.
I represent the chapters of church rock pine lake and I'm also member of the law and order committee.
Thank you.
>> Thank you for that, delegate. So, we do have all members of the law and order committee who are present. We did have a gentleman who just walked in the door.
Would you like to go ahead and introduce yourself for the record?
>> Thanks, Byron Clark.
I'm administration here. UNHS and the CEO of UNHS mentioned that supposed to come in and say something about UNHS, but I'm not sure. It's just really otherwise I'll be here all day. So, >> thank you for that, Mr. Clark. Byron Clark, the chief operating officer for the record is here in the room. He is here representing UNHS. He will be here throughout the remainder of of the meeting. Lorraine, did you contact the chapter officials?
And they didn't say that they were going to be here. Are they Is there Are there any officials online at this time?
>> Do we have any other delegates who are present?
>> No.
>> Okay. So, we're going to go ahead and then proceed to item number three.
Review and adopt the agenda. if you can go ahead and read the agenda to the director, please.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair and members of the law and order committee. Agenda of the law and order committee of the 25th nomination council special meeting May 26, 2026, 10 a.m. Presiding Arnable Eugene Charles Newton, chairperson, honorable Nathan Nota, vice chairperson.
Location, Utah Navajo Health System, Inc. Montazuma Creek, Utah. One, call meeting to order. Roll call and invocation. Number two, recognize guests and visiting officials. Number three, review and adopt agenda. Number four, review and adopt the journals. There's none. Five, receive reports. A, report from Anna chapter officials regarding ongoing public safety matters. B, report from Utah Navajo Health System, Inc.
UNHS, Montazuma Creek, Utah. Five, old business none. Six new business. None.
Um, none actually new business. A discussion purpose add location to the public hearings and set a date for Tupa City, Chinley, Shiprock, and Elmo. B schedule a date in time for budget hearings.
Budget preparation calendar for FY 2027 budget is on June 15 through 206, 2026 for nomination council oversight committees. C. Public hearing. Purpose of public hearing to inform the public of title 17 of the criminal code to create a safer Navajo Nation and act relating to the law order and Navakia committees and the nomination council amending title 14 and set title 17 of the Navajo Nation code 8 close immediate announcement and adjournment. Madam chair, thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you for that Lorraine. So committee members, the agenda has been read into the record. Can I get a motion and a second?
>> Motion.
>> Motion made by Vice Chair Nathan Not.
Seconds made by Delegate Herman Daniels.
Committee members, are there any questions? Any comments or any additions that need to be made to the agenda at this time?
Not hearing anything. Not seeing any hands going up. We'll go ahead and go to a roll call vote at this time.
Madam chair, this is roll call vote to review and adopt the agenda. Honorable Kites Jes, how do you vote?
>> Uh, I vote green. Thank you.
>> Honorable Kites Jes votes green.
Honorable Nathan Noa, how do you vote?
>> Green.
>> Honorable Vice Chair Nathan No votes green. Honorable Herman N. Daniels Jr., how do you vote?
>> I green.
>> Honorable Herman and Daniels, Jr. votes green. Honorable Arvin Mitchell, how do you vote?
>> I vote green.
Honorable Arvin Mitchell votes green via zoo. Madam chair, you have four in favor, zero opposed and chair not.
>> Thank you. With a vote of four in favor, zero opposed. The agenda that's set before us at this time is the agenda that has passed at the loan and over committee meeting for today. We are now at item number four, review and adopted journals. There is none. Item number five, receiving reports. We do have on the agenda report from the Anith chapter officials regarding ongoing public safety matters. Do we have anybody here from the Anith chapter?
There's nobody here in the room from the Anth chapter. Do we have anybody online from the ANI chapter?
Okay, last and final call. and chapter officials.
Okay, we now move to item uh 5B, report from the Utah Navajo Health System, UNHS from Montazuma Creek, Utah. Um Mr. Clark, I'm going to go ahead and give you the mic. really all all we'd like to hear is the services that you provide um to the people. You can tell us a little bit whether there are services provided for behavioral health or mental health services. We also have victim advocates who are here in the room. Um so if you guys provide services for victim, you know, for victims, what kind of services you guys provide? that way we're all on the same page because I think you guys actually did receive some funding um for victim applicants and then let us know when that grant that grant does go out.
So give you the mic at this time.
>> So we do have Clark. Can I get a motion and a second at this time to hear the report from UNHS?
>> Motion made by delegate Herman Daniels.
>> Second.
>> Second made by Vice Chair Nathan Noa. Uh Mr. clerk just quickly. You got 20 minutes provide your information.
>> Yeah. If you need additional time to miss and we'll give you up to 10 minutes for additional time. We may not need that full 10 minutes, but just know that that is available. Um during this time, I want to remind everybody to make sure your devices are turned off. Upon completion of your presentation, we'll turn back over to the committee to ask questions. Um and then it just kind of like evolved. So we ask questions. It goes back you to answer that. We ask questions, keep those back to you for for answers. Do you have any questions regarding the procedure at this time?
>> And just for house housekeeping rules, the restrooms are just right across the hall. You can't mess it. You walk out.
There it is. Um so we'll go ahead and we'll turn the floor over to you, Mr. Clark, to provide us information. The floor is yours.
>> Welcome to our facility and we're honored to be able to host people committee. Uh thank you for uh coming here and we hope we're good hosts. Um I've been with UNHS for 16 years. I started out as a human resources director in um 2010. It was my second real job I guess after law school. So I guess this committee is is a good place.
I didn't report uh prepare a report but I can speak to most of the issues I think after after hearing what is the concerns and on the agenda. Um so we have currently about 530 employees um relevant departments to this meeting are EMS. We operate ambulances in Monzimma Creek and Maya Valley. We have about, I believe, 40 EMTs, paramedics, uh, drivers that operate. I believe we're at seven ambulances now. We've improved our operations to include, uh, small portions of rescue. So, we have jaws of life equipment. Uh, we've trained our EMS teams to do some small incline ropes rescue, so off shoulders of the road. um they've trained with the county on numerous occasions to develop those rope skills and then um a lot of our EMTs are dually employed with other agencies sometimes with Navajo sometimes with county also with the flight crews.
So um we've worked hard to to grow that program. I think last year we had 570 callouts.
I was just looking at one of the reports and so it was a very busy year. It's been more busy the last 30 years. Every year that seems to increase by 20 or 30%. So for our dispatching service, we use the county system which comes out of Price Utah and uh we collaborate with the county and the ammo nation for fallback services and assists as needed.
We have use with um Natal Rea Mesa area kenta uh San County so out of bluff out of landing and then Cortez and youth tribe.
So um we all help each other do a pretty good job.
Um and so that's the EMS program for behavioral health case management services. We have a large really mature uh program that covers many areas. Um on the emergency services we have an ENCOT agreement team. There's a mobile crisis intervention team. They can go pretty much anywhere in the county. Uh primarily the focus there is going to be getting help of those on the reservation.
Um and we work in partnership with the county on the MCOP response team. So that's been very successful as a therapist on demand and um for those of you unfamiliar MCOT is the first intervention that can go to patient who's having a suicide ideations. So they can go to the residences and then help coordinate the care all the way through to the ER and then uh case managers and therapists can help that person then proceed to inpatient care needed or different types of care. We currently employ two psychiatric APRNs.
So on the medication portion and psychiatry portion, we we have care there that are employed in house. We also have contracts with University of Utah for psychiatry services and we offer that specialty too. Um we have case managements case management teams and uh TV advocate teams not just in this area but in there's office in Gallup and St. Michael's also um that isn't really my department that falls mostly under Michael Jensner as CEO and Rick Handy and maybe I can get them up here but we have grants and contracts within Nation and as far as I know we're fulfilling those and we have office and teams down there. Um we just upgraded the office in Gall Mexico provided um some security cameras incidents there. So, security counters there, better office space. We've even put some money down there to to improve those office spaces.
Um, see, we do mobile outreach, so clinical outreach that is attached to the domestic violence programs. And then we operate the two women's shelters that tie everything together.
the shelter in Shiprock and the shelter here in Blanding, the Gentle Iron Hawk shelter. We're in the final stages of planning a woman's shelter in Shiprock.
The hold up there to completion is funding to build it. So that building would belong to the amination. We're putting forward the design fees and coordinating efforts to get it built of the property, the land and the the building would still remain within the nation. So now we just have operating agreement. In fact, the gentle iron hawk is also property belonging to the abation. Uh we just have the operating agreement for that.
So um any specific questions? Our behavioral health department has about 65 employees. So LCSWs, TV, domestic violence advocates, uh care coordinators, everything that's needed. It seems to be Harvard along with some specialty youth programs. We have uh contracts with the school district to go directly into the schools for youth counseling and um And then I think we have seven um case managers, therapists that go to the schools on a schoolbased contract.
Um there's a university, Utah State University of Landing. We also have an agreement for a therapist to be on site there for the college age youth.
Uh we have Hans incorporated to our Bay program. We employed medicine man and medicine woman and they integrate traditional methods of therapy directly into uh the behavioral health LCSW style of counseling. They work hand in hand.
Um they also work closely with the psychiatrists APRNs. So uh we do ceremonies and the hogons at each site and that program seems to really work well.
Kind of covered a lot. Uh, do you have any questions so far?
>> Are you done with your presentation?
>> Yes. I'll say yes.
>> Remaining time.
>> 12:57.
>> You have 12 minutes and 57 seconds left of the 20 minutes that was given to you for your presentation. Do you wish to wave that time?
>> Yes.
>> Okay. So, for the record, 12 minutes and 57 seconds has been waved. Uh we are going to go ahead and motion was made by deleg Daniel second by vice chair Nathan Nota. Committee members are there any questions uh for the uh for the presenter at this time.
>> Thank you for having members.
Thank you.
Thank you for your report on you.
Um I know that there's other other sites valley and also mountain area there's clinics mountain there's a clinic in mountain but there's also a clinic in the valley and you have to elaborate more on both sides and what kind of type of services you guys do out there also by the state. Thank you.
>> You go ahead and answer the question.
>> Okay.
>> Uh so we have multiple sites. This is our headquarters in Mazuma Creek. It's our largest building. Um probably our prettiest too. If you look around and take a tour, it's a beautiful building.
Uh we're very proud of it. We we grew up in a small stone building over here that was built in the 1960s we think. Um it's very crowded, very cramped. In 2017, uh we had saved up enough third party funds to build this building and the larger clinic in Blanding, which is our second busiest site. Um our third busiest site is Mona Valley. It's was newly renovated just three or four years ago and it uh has all the services of this building. We have a smaller clinic in Maho Mountain. It has only about a dozen staff. It's a small modular building. We designed a plan to build a new clinic there. Um so they'll they'll be receiving a new clinic the next 18 plus to two years. Um that clinic is is pretty small. the community there. Nav Mountain is small, but we do provide services, clinical services there. We try to replicate as much as we can on a smaller scale services out to Navajo Mountain as well. So, you can get quite a quite a few services there and specialties in um other sites, we have just a dental clinic in Monteello.
We have the woman shelter I mentioned in Blanding and then the woman shelter in Shiprock and then couple satellite offices of domestic violence advocate teams in G Mexico and St. Michael's Arizona.
So that is quite a few sites and um we're spread out quite a bit across reservation areas.
Does that answer your question?
>> Okay. Um, I got a quick question. So, I'm going back. Um, so the grants with the Navajo Nation, can you tell me how many grants you have with the Navajo Nation and what those grants are for? I don't know if you can get somebody here to answer those questions. Uh the other one is the mobile outreach that is that's attached to domestic violence. Can you explain to us what that mobile outreach is? And then um your behavioral health I believe you said you have one medicine man, one medicine woman. And did you say there are two hogans?
Two hogans where ceremonies are held.
What kind of ceremonies are held for individuals? you can get somebody to help you answer that question. We can take a short break so that we get those people in here. Um, and this actually these questions and the purpose of you coming to report to law and order committee is because we are aware that that you guys do have grants um through that. Um, we are coming into our budget here now. Uh there is currently a delegate who is pushing to continue to have you know you guys continue to have those events. Um but we can't right now we have split services. So we have victim services that is provided through the office of prosecutor. Um then we have you guys offer victim services as well. Um we basically have to make a decision. um that decision is going to be whether victim advocates are going to continue with the office of the prosecutor or whether we're going to go ahead and we're going to continue to have that service. But um right now, and I hope that you guys take this back, Miss Billy. Um so briefly meet with budget and finance. There's a lot of concerns right now because you guys have been hiring a lot of people for a lot of money that is not within your budget. Um so there's a possibility that you guys have to cut some of your uh positions.
It is not within your plan of operations. Uh we've been requesting that for over two years now from Vernon and we have not provided that to us. So this year we're going to make that decision of um pets that will have to be made. um a lot of the uh positions right now they're overpaid uh and so we need to bring that down and uh we did briefly h I did briefly have a discussion with a few members of budget and finance committee and they are also concerned of that as well because we're going into the budget session um so it's not going to be an easy decision for us to make but we we run into this we we ran into this issue with burden two years ago and we told him, "We need your updated plan of operations. We need your um like your your positions that you already have within your plan of operations and then the one that has already been approved and then the new ones that you've been adding on. We have not received that yet." Uh so right now it is my opinion as chairwoman of law and order committee your department the office of the prosecutor is really taking advantage of and please write this down and reiterate this to to Mr. Jackson. Um we can't have that anymore.
If we're going to give employees raises, it's going to be our law enforcement.
If we're going to be putting more positions out there, it's going to be our law enforcement.
Um, so we need to figure out how to find that that middle route. Um, so budget is coming up. Lorraine, go ahead and put Office of the Prosecutor on the next law order committee agenda to give us a full report on their budget as well as their positions. We want a breakdown of salary information. Of course, no names attached. Salary as in what is what is submitted for budget. Uh we need that information. We need your plan of operations. Uh that also needs to be attached. Um, and then I want job responsibilities for every single position that the office of the prosecutor has at this point. UNHS, if you could also get get us your uh your job responsibility as well for uh the victim advocates. We need to try to figure out how how this whole thing works. I know we have victim advocates uh through the office of the prosecutor.
We've got victim advocates. I think they're kind of spread out right now.
Under social services, I think we have victim advocates and then we have victim advocates with UNHS. We need to figure out how to how to bring that all back together. Um Tatiana, are you do you know any other victim advocates that are out there um aside from is it social services that that victim advocates are also under?
>> Yes. So there's um advocates within the division of children with family services along with other um nonprofits that's going to be victim services for northern Arizona along with the four corners kine search and rescue. Okay.
Okay. So we need to try to try to bring that all back together. So if you can get that information related to the grants because I know you guys have grant right now for your victim advocates. uh we'd like to know when that grant goes out or I guess when when that grant will be will be done say as a federal grant if you guys are receiving those.
>> Yeah, we have our uh CF chief financial officer here Andy Evans.
>> Oh, perfect. Well, if he can help you answer those questions, we welcome him to come on up >> grants portion and then we have our medicine man Ernest Terry Beay. He's on site here. I'm trying to get him to come over here and speak in person to um services he offers. Maybe I can get him back here in time if Ky wants to jump into some of the grants that we have at the tribe.
>> Yeah, >> okay.
Is we'll we'll we'll take a five minute break. That way it'll give you guys Is that going to be enough time to bring the people together to answer these questions?
>> I think so.
>> Okay. Then um we'll call this So we'll take a five minute break. It's 10:51.
We'll come back at 10:56.
Mr. Thank you.
chair.
Yeah. Well, this time I think you can stay.
>> So, we're going to go ahead and call this meeting back to order at 11:5 a.m.
Uh, Termaine, if you can assist us with roll call votes so we know that we have a quorum.
>> Madam Chair, this is roll call vote for return from um recess.
>> Yeah. Um, honorable Charles Moon, are you present? I am present.
>> Honorable chair Charles present.
Honorable are you present?
>> I am present. Thank you.
>> Honorable is present via Zoom. Honorable vice cherry present.
Honorable Nathan is present. Honorable Daniels Jun present. Honorable Daniels Jr. is present. Honorable Arvin Mitchell.
Honorable Urban Mitchell, are you present?
>> Madam say four members present including yourself.
>> Uh thank you. Thank you for that. Uh committee members, we are now back in order. We are we took a short break as there were some questions uh to Mr. Clark regarding behavioral health miss um Clark do you have people who are here present who can answer those questions?
>> Yes I brought some of the specialists in behavioral health for the questions that were asked. Um, first I'll let him introduce himself. Both of them Ernest Pay, our uh, traditional therapist, medicine man. Rick Kendi, our director of behavioral health. Both have been with us for a long time. Rick Kenny has been with us 15 years or so. Um, Ernest M 6, he's a young man with us.
>> They both do fantastic work. I had our human resources print off a list of our full department. They will help. So I'll hand that to and you can kind of ascertain by the work location those that are working in New Mexico areas say New Mexico next to them or St. Michael Arizon but that's no full listing of everything they have with us.
>> Can you tell me just really quickly about how many are um within behavioral health because you said there were 530 employees. coming here within behavioral health.
>> That's the list 65 years old.
Uh so thank you gentlemen both for being here. Mr. Handy, Mr. Beay, this is the law committee of the 25th foundation council. We're getting information right now regarding behavioral health. We're talking about title 17, that's the criminal code. Um, some of the issues that run into with the criminal code deal a lot with behavioral facts, uh, specifically those related to mental health. Um, we also have questions regarding competency, whether the individual is competent enough to stand file or whether they were competent. um you know I guess W mentions competition to staff trial right it so we are trying to get um information about the services that UNHS provides to the Navajo Nation and the reason is we are aware that there is grant money that is given to UNHS um and the way that grant funding works is um Navajo Nation does get first um first the word first priority as a priority.
>> But our nation does get priority um and a lot of these grant funding right now.
I know that that uh I believe um the one that I'm aware of right off hand are those deal victim advocates. So we do have victim advocates who are here in the room but they're employed under office of prosecutor nation. Um, and then we also uh have been made aware that there are also victim advocates that have been hired through UNHS where you guys are receiving I believe it's a federal federal grant you guys are receiving for your victim advocates. Um, so on the Navajo Nation we are we're seeing kind of a victim advocates spread out in different areas. Uh there has been a question of whether the income advocate should be housed under just one unit assisting like all branches as opposed to um you know how they're individually um is issued. Right now we have victim advocates here with the office of the prosecutor who helps in criminal matters um and that's why you know they are here but we also know that UNHS also offers that as well. So we have two services Uh I believe that the grant funding uh does end if it's not this year. It is this year. I think you guys had a two-year grant agreement if I'm if I'm not mistaken that correct. Uh so now we have to decide whether we're going to allow UNHS to continue with that grant funding or whether we're going to take that back and put it back under office of prosecure. If we allow UNHS to keep the funding, uh, then Office of Prosecutors then going to have to decide what they're going to do with their, um, with their victim advocates.
Um, and so there's a lot of issues that are coming up right now. We're trying to streamline, you know, how this whole process works. And we just want to make sure that the services that are being provided to the naval people um are you we have to decide are they the same services or are they different types of services. Uh that's another thing that we're going to have to um we're going to have to look at. Lorraine, can you also put on the next um agenda? Let's get a report from all of the victim advocates.
can you assist Lorraine in putting together that list um so that we can just get a comprehensive um I guess listing of not only who is victim advocates for the Navajo Nation but what kind of services they're providing and then looking specifically at their funding of you know what what kind of funding are they using right now to u you know to be in operation I believe that there's victim advocates as well for the support the judicial branch. I think we might have to look at that um to see how that how that works, but we need to figure out how many how many different groups we have out there. Um and then which ones are receiving grant funding uh whether the Navajo Nation is aware of that and how we're going to proceed forward. So, UNHS are going to be a part of that. The other uh the other issue that was yet forward was um so uh the behavioral health uh the traditional behavioral health that is being offered we have office of the prosecutor's office who are here right now but when they're entering into plea agreements um you know they they can actually work that into their plea um and so we want to make sure that they're aware of the services that are being offered Um, in terms of behavioral health, we know that that nation offers behavioral health. Um, so we we did invite UNHS a couple of times. I believe is it two times Lorraine to present. We never got presentation. Um, and so we did get a presentation from the Navajo Nation. So, at this point, we don't know um behavioral health, you know, how how that um I guess what kind of services are being offered.
And again, we have the prosecutor's office here. Um so, if they're aware of these services, they could easily implement these into their plea agreements. Um and and u you know, working to kind of assist the the individuals who are who are in need. Um, we also asked about the um I think those were the two main questions that I have. So that's why we said if you need it to Mr. to Mr. Clark here if you need to get people here to help them that that would be a good time. So he's brought you both here. So those are basically the questions. So I'll turn it back over to you Mr. Clark. I don't know who you want to recognize first answering the questions.
>> Excellent. Thank you for the context and the information. I I shared my business card. Um for future presentations, we always want to be sharing information transparent. Um so if uh requests to present uh fall through the cracks, you know, give me a call on my cell number, my text always works there and we'll get that arrange. We present down there quite often. So we'd like to present have a chance to to present to our whole behavioral health department as a as a group what we do. Um to start I think we'll begin with Ernest Y and you can address um your work and what you do and then after that we'll go to Rick to speak about the grants and the victimiz advocacy program. um from from our end on the context of that grant coming from the nation um we we didn't really go out and request that as I recall it was we were approached by individuals from nation to take that on but we don't want to be put in a you know adversarial context with the prosecutor's office same team if you we feel like we're helping people and we want that to be viewed collaboratively And so we don't want to approach this from a adversarial. I know funding is always short, but um we don't want to enter into the waters of this being adversarial at all. So uh we'll just share what we do. Um we think we do a pretty good job and we understand that there's cuts to be made. We respect and honor that that money's sacred funds and we don't want it to be source of contention. So with that, um Ernest, do you want to go into the whole gun and ceremonies?
Good to see you.
Good to see you after all these years.
My great great grandmother was of another April 28, 2020.
Before that, I was over four corners regional hospital 2014 to 2020.
Before that, a 1998 to uh 2014 I was with the nation behavioral health all in all 26 years of behavioral health by the way the big question always is what modality do I use what are the methods that I use the I call it the Navajo traditional modalities Navajo traditional methods That's what I use. And and you all know that that's not learned at any university.
Just listening to your dad, your mom, and your grandfather.
I was just going out and listening to people that have traditional knowledge to to get that.
So what's that based on?
Hey, your clan, your clans, they where did your clans come from? Uh where were they created?
Then it is up to the individual to figure out their gifts and talent per their trans origin story.
And then and then then to learn to respect that to respect your clan then to help yourself. How can you help yourself?
How do you care for yourself?
Have oil change? What's your oil change?
So how do you take care of yourself?
just those four but but they have a lot in them and that can be applied to to many things. So uh substance abuse to help them. So traditional substance abuse counseling um I have nine visits with them if there's a need for spiritual help and they request it after you tell them about the spiritual ways that we are there's any imbalance in that then they need to target that those I can take care of then we have a Hog gun. Um um put some humor here. Uh it's election year. So I came here and there was no hogan. Now there's a hogan.
That's humor.
I have a hogan over there. You're welcome to come over and and see. It's near the the river.
We have a touch on this side too.
Although there's a plan to to um make a for the NAC members get a a TP ground down by the river. So then to create a river walk that's a big dream that we have. So talking about funding if you ever on your travels uh come across funding somewhere for for river walks uh tell us but uh MB making one That's where we're at.
We try to keep it as traditional as as possible.
We have some herbs that we keep in our locker.
So, we provide a tobacco ceremony.
One of the ones that I learned was uh to take care of uh miscarriage situations and abortion situations.
Protection ceremonies are never against a human being. It shouldn't be. If someone does it, that is spiritual abuse is what? It is against negative energies.
What are the negative energies?
Laziness, forgetting, stupidity, boasting that goes with bullying, other being pouty, being jealous and envious, other spreading gossip and rumors, other being greedy, other poverty, not being able to conserve.
Then there's the the different varieties of bacteria lice poor diet main problem today everywhere poor diet sickness the common flu all the way it goes into cancer those are the negative energies that were spared by by the by the twins these these negative energies and they they begged and they cried in that way then that that's that's that's what we go against and those are things that are are behavioral issue that boasting and all of that.
So a somehow a a person gets into that and then they begin to have problems that imbalance what upon the one of the the big ones that's there is miscarriage of all of these corrective ceremonies I call them corrective ceremony of all of these if there is a miscarriage that is the first one to be taken care of others abortion because even that chopper issue they look has been taken care of.
And all it goes back to trauma during pregnancy, abandonment, a father saying, "I don't know who you're pregnant for.
It's not me." But allelujah. That baby heard it. Although you heard them jokingly. So the biggest problem that we have is that for a person to take a look at themsel and realize their their trauma and come to terms with their trauma. And if a person has had a trauma and and and they deal with it, you know, they're all right. They're good.
They take care of them through through um nine steps all the way to nine all the way down to, you know, number five. What are the five fingers for?
A baby, a child, an adolescent and a elder. This is what you're born for. These lines, the gold crown, they represent a challenge in your life.
You just going using their body. That's the That's the chalkboard.
Eye level. I will stand or anything with them at on under soy mention so substance abuse. So through that then uh the the part of the the presentation we work with the presence when they when they have served I think the longest that we serve with them that that we that we dealt with a person the longest they serve was 20 years a they a the feds they audited the courty they they send them to us and every month they come here and they have that court over there at at the chapter house the locals that came from prison they go then they come to us then there's also a western side they go over there I I deal with them and then even from the county one county they they they send them to us it took a for them to to to really understand what we do.
They think that what's the modalities what kind is is your is your counselor certified are they licensed all these things they have that so from the traditional side oh we I have to tell them this is how we go about it so then some of them the right way oh this is different this is unique you bet it is this is for us it works for us and our lensure association and I explained to them that they serve like the American Medical Association.
It's good that I serve on the Dali association because then I know what's going on there with all the traditional site. The most recent thing is this is that we heard a person a patient heard that the plasma of the ela monster the plasma that's used as medication for diabetes. So this patient was concerned says so am I using am I going to use the plasma of a lizard and maybe a snake and all of that family know. I said good question I had heard about that. So then I told him about where that came from from that monster. That's why it's yellow and black. I came from there got really excited. So this Saturday the when we meet when we have is there and we're going to tell him show up you know we know about the Gila monster that's where the hands ceremony came from. So based on that can its plasma be used?
These medicine they are full of stories.
You know that we all know that there's a process trust and all of that.
That's a big issue that that we're going to present to them. The patient will be there. So things like that come up.
So it's not only just uh ceremonial help in the form of prayers and songs all of that and and counseling. It's also uh uh just answering questions with them. One of them came in said uh that that was their question. Then you have to work with them and then yes. So the process is that they make an appointment at the front in the AI then when the time comes in they come see me over here at the Hogan. Now at MV Monday and Tuesday every Monday we have the the the counseling sessions all the educational sessions in the office setting because we haven't get a hold over there yet.
No no um Tuesday I'm back to the home visit over there. I go to their homes.
They're originally a traditional uh practice actually go to their home and sit down with them and they work with them.
And then Wednesday is over here at Blanding.
We have a clinic there and there's a couple of guns there.
So that's why I provide services. So traditional substance abuse counseling they did nine visits plus maybe I'd say about three or four ceremonies I've said then then they leave they all of this goes into the charting it's in their chart but I deal with them suicide I work with them again using the traditional story of the the boy the first come to commit suicide in our oral traditions, not oral traditions.
That story how that comes. So then the scenario is that when a person is so saddled, it's that magic boy has come to them picks on their head.
So that's where you have to go in between them say chase them out that way of their clan. Like I said, always goes back to that.
domestic violence that they have a mechanism in place. One of our staff though she's an expert at providing domestic domestic violence counseling through that then using again One of the things in in the states domestic violence is that what weapons do you have in your home just to illustrate to you domestic violence marriage.
We provide that to them.
Some of these people have substance abuse. Substance abuse.
Sometime they're Christians. Sometimes they're NASA, sometimes their traditional confidentiality as you know is there. So they come and then we talk to them.
more or less behavioral object and light instruct area we behavioral health what these monies we're talking about that's what we get from a local herbalist it's found that that's how we have these that's why there's a need for that so then there always comes this how much them they'll come and say how much and I I tell them you have some material here for the ceremonial items if you can afford it bring two yards of material not red any other colors okay you can bring that if you can afford it you don't have to if not we have something here that we can put the ceremonial items.
You don't have to pay anything.
We can't outside of that. If there has to be a we back to them. And that's that's the part that we think man wish we had money for that to to bring in chanters. That that's the official language we're trying to get into that medicine.
So that's where we're at with that.
As you know, there are many diabetics.
Sometimes the uh providers send them over. We give them a diabetes education.
When you chew with your saliva, you grind that food up. Then you swallow it.
diabetes terminology doesn't work right there. There's a lot of education Then they understand the universe within you don't know what's there.
That's what we we tell them. So that education really helps them.
diabetes.
Cancer.
All cells.
cancer blood cell that's battle against that's what cancers that you know and they understand I see The biggest one is this one. Uh when you lose a loved one, when you're told that your relative died, what no your mind's up here, your brain's up here, your blood goes up here, but it's up there. Then you go through the funeral arrangement.
All of that you go through that. Once you get that done, you go right back into life. Yo, your your mind still up here. Your heartbeat still up here.
That part. And then grief. That grief is in you.
It's like a basketball that has come.
You swallow a basketball. It stretches your throat. It's going to hurt.
That's what we tell them.
So to release the inner hurt feeling.
You wouldn't believe this. That when they're in their mother's womb, let's say that their mother and father, they get fighting, they're drinking, all of that that that fetus. Yeah. Just imagine what happens to that stays with them.
Some of them, some of them almost choke them. That's where the thyroid that comes in.
The best term we could come up with was altered sexual behavior. Altered sexual behavior.
There's the molestation and all of that.
We we we go through that with them. The anxiety especially if it's incest.
There's different um creatures that they use that that's what we have to go after.
That's the negative energy there.
There used cleansing purpose but miscarriage abortion we take care of that. So that's what I do. I guess you could say I do that for a living. helping people and uh some of you all know that I was on the council years ago. Some of you know that I used to work with Joe Shirley at the county level. Uh most of you know I used to be chief of step Albert Hill all those years. But then one day I I got into behavioral health and and that's where I was stuck. That's where I stayed and I believe I was born to do this. So that's where then the position calls it you're born to do it.
You have to have the patience.
My mom was raised as an orphan and I learned a lot from her. She's still going today. She lost her mom when she was two and a half, her dad when she was five.
She has the most trauma. You could say try help her along.
So presently and it's very good to have a supervisor.
this very understanding of our of our traditional ways constantly you get to we don't call each other brothers off the bat like that in in in mind and as we go it's like brothers what is the time they come in they will say That's really not the question. The question is you tell the issue to that person.
That's where we start. We go through the the way it goes is they make an appointment or they get referred. They make appointment.
That's how they come in.
Then um after the appointment the first round we have a a an assessment that we have that we use assessment formula.
They're kind of real.
They don't want to cancel once you tell them the story they'll get on to you. I wrote them the appointment is they're set up. So all the sides go together.
So I I I've recently begun to work with the flag uh county court and then the city court.
So the thing that here is that because many of the other clinics and other hospitals they don't provide the services that we do here they all we tell them is just create a shot over here.
So they come in all the way from Toriang the Gallop as they come out here. You could think they make their sacrifice to come out here. So that's what we're doing. And then uh about every month I I go up to uh Navajo Mountain other than uh every month uh I go to Moab too. Oh, and then to Salt Lake and then when we send people to like um oily spirit or sacred path with the sacred circle, I go out there and and as we'll tell you, we are ready and and Byron Clark knows that we are ready to work with a detox center uh in Price, Utah. Detox if anything.
What do you really need? If you don't know, detox somewhere say detox.
So that's why comrad, is that you?
You still look like you're about 20 20 years old.
Go ahead.
>> Oh, answer questions. You guys have have uh all the time you guys need to answer.
>> Good morning, committee. Good morning, everybody attending this meeting. My name is Rick Hendy. I am the behavioral health director at UNHS. I've been in this position about 13 years. My wife and I live in Bluff. My oldest granddaughter graduated from high school in Las Vegas two days ago. So, >> yeah, it's fun. Um maybe I I'll respond first give an overview of the behavioral health department and then going into victim services with kind of a deeper dive into that. But as a behavioral health department uh we provide services in the clinic. We have behavioral health techs embedded in primary care of each of the clinics. Uh in our offices in the clinics, we have therapist, we have psychiatrists, we have uh case managers and peer support and those services for anybody that walks into the clinic can make appointments for those. And Ernest talked about traditional counseling.
uh uh an individual can make an appointment at the any front desk at the earnest to see him. We have some specialized programs that we've worked with San Juan County School District where we have therapists in the schools along with traditional counselors. Two traditional counselors, two therapists.
U and we try to go to all the schools in in the school district.
Um we also provide addiction services and that's where we do work with the courts and probation completing uh either court ordered mental health or substance abuse assessments and then provide recommendations back to the need of officer. Um, we have a specialized program for young people ages 16 to 25 IBP Nina Bea where we we try and help the young people that are in a transition in their life whether that's transitioning out of high school into young adulthood or um they're struggling in high school whether it's helping them with higher education or employment. Uh in that program, we also have therapists, case managers, peer support, and a youth coordinator that kind of coordinates community healthy activities.
Um I'm happy to say we've been able to move into the prevention business a little more in the last year or two. One thing we're doing is called the family listening circle. It's a a researchbased program out of U University of New Mexico Albuquerque and we got to learn about that and we're implementing where we bring families their kids in together. um when like 25 people come at times and they do activities, talking, parenting skills, um with a real focus on what's unique to their community. Uh in terms of community classes, we do classes on uh breathing, uh substance use, um anger management.
So, a lot of this are are services you might find in a behavioral health department working real close with primary care and often the traditional counselors are helping like Ernest was talking about explaining illness, explaining medication, explaining western treatment uh to people. That's incredibly u helpful in the community. We also run a 247, it's called the MCOT team, mobile crisis outreach team where we're able to respond to crisis to crisis. Um whether that be somebody is suicidal, um somebody that's uh been through some incredible trauma just recently and are finding it hard to cope. It's uh a model that we had 10 of our staff trained in.
U they're certified state of Utah as mobile outreach team. Um we've been doing that for a year now and it's very successful. I think we probably prevented some situations that could have gotten bad. Uh a lot of those calls are around people with suicidal ideiation. Uh we work closely with EMS is the call might start with EMS that somebody's harmed themselves or at risk of harm and uh then they may coordinate law enforcement to get a hold of us and get our uh MCOMP team responding.
So again, those I I think those are all really good services. A number of years ago, like 10 years ago, the state of Utah came to us, the victim of crime office, and said, "Would you be interested in providing domestic violence services, advocacy services?"
And at the time, you know, our focus was on mental health, those things. But we thought about it and that there really wasn't those services in our area at the time. So we said yes. So we started out very humble with just a halftime person doing victim advocacy and it it was it seemed helpful. So then we got another grant from the state of Utah and eventually grew to three or four advocates in Utah.
At some point along the line we were approached by the nation and said would you we like your model. We see what you're doing up here in Utah. Uh would you be interested in in applying on behalf of the nation for the federal uh office of victim services grant and then if successful uh use uh victim witness services it's called northern Arizona at the time as a subreient and we put a lot of careful considerations to that. We were also asked if we would work on a nationwide uh needs assessment that was actually in progress. Eventually we came back said yes and so we made the application on a one year basis uh resolution from the tribe for one year for us to do that. Um, we got the money.
It was a fair amount of money and we we worked out. I think the bigger chunk went to victim witness services. Uh, but we try to do everything fairly. Um, and also once we got that grant, we expanded direct services into the state of New Mexico, created offices in Crown Point, Shiprock, Gallery, um, and hired advocates to be in those offices as well as here in Utah in Blanding, Monuma Creek, uh, Monument Valley with coverage grant mountain too.
So we operated those services not and for a year and then there was an ongoing resolution authorizing UNHS to apply for that OBC grant yearly uh which we have done. Um around that time we were also asked by the nation if we'd be interested in operating the shelter in Blanding Gentle Iron Hawk. We said we were and u we opened up her services and then a year later or so asked if we could assist operate the shelter in Shiprock and we've been doing that as well. We just finished the third year with that.
So we call this our victim services within the behavioral health department.
And we've split the victim services into two parts. Shelter services for those two shelters I just mentioned and then the community advocates again with the advocates being based in Utah, New Mexico.
Um, you know, I'm going to respond. It's very unfortunate that we're all put in a position um maybe to be in competition for money or so. Um because what we do, I'm going to call it communitybased advocacy.
We provide services um to victims of crime no matter what. Uh whether they report that to the police, whether they're involved in prosecution with their offenders, we respond with a 247 um victim hotline in both uh New Mexico and Utah. We're able to meet that person that's been victimized where they're at.
We help get them to safety. We can help offer to get them connected to the courts. Uh educate them about uh legal processes like protection orders.
Um we we can help with transportation.
Um we do a lot of case management. Um some some of the these advocates in the community they may some of those victims they work with may or may go into the shelters. Then there's the full array of services they get in the shelters.
uh as I understand things the systembased advocacies like what the prosecutors who work with as I understand these are very well-trained specialized victim advocates who help people that have been victimized and there's following up there's prosecutions and you know I think we've all heard that somebody may be victimized out there but the court processes can be very traumatic and these advocates are wonderful working together with prosecution, law enforcement in a trauma-informed way to help that person through the system. Our advocates are in the community irregardless if there's been a formal police report or not. Of course, we we educate support victims to understand um to understand how they are entitled to to file police report, how they are entitled to have prosecution, how how that might be able to help them, but it's not contingent upon us providing services to them. We understand look at sexual assault. I think um typically it's said 80 90% do not report that. Um and so we're we're able to assist um those victims um at the shelters. We have array of services. We have traditional counselor that's based she splits her time between Shiprock and Blanding. We have a therapist at the shelter in Shipron.
Um so I think people get pretty good services there.
Um going back to one of the first things you had said, you were looking at the laws and um uh the idea of competency.
In the last 13 years, as far as I know, we've only been asked once to help prosecution with competency. It was years ago. There was an inmate in Ken to jail and I went over there and the prosecutor just wanted some observations that I think they filed work on rather than the individual was competent for services or for trial.
questions.
>> Committee members, are there any questions at this time based on the transportation information that has been provided to us here today?
You mentioned uh the aspect of the mental competency and offering assistance. Should that you done that one time? Um do you normally offer this type of assistance?
whether it be trials or whatever the situation might be and how do you get that information out but you do you do provide service where your connections I suppose that's my question so this was a situation I think it was like eight years ago where the prosecutor came to just said could you help out make some observations this individual in jail so no we don't say we provide that service because we really aren't asked. If we were asked, you know, I think we could think about it and respond and I top my head, I would think we would have perhaps the capacity to do that. But there's a lot there's a lot to competency issues as to who does those exams and how the processes work.
But we certainly have uh therapists, master level licensed people as well as psychiatrists.
Would you feel like you have the full services to competency?
Honestly, I while I can speak to it a little bit, I would need to be more familiar with what all the details are on the competency.
I It's a critical service. I understand that. Um I Yeah. So I don't think I could answer without knowing all the criteria that's involved in competency.
>> So just to be clear, so in terms of competency, do you guys accept in those cases where the court gets to decide whether an individual is competent to stat file? Can you guys assist in those cases?
>> We probably could. you'd have to look at statute. Well, you know, is it can we cross borders Utah and Arizona into New Mexico? Um, and all these years I've only been asked once. It was really just to provide some kind of mental health observations of the inmate can and uh generally we don't go to Utah providing mental health services are kind of clinic based uh but we certainly have a lot of people that come in for services from Kent and surrounding areas. Um, I guess the best I could say be open to talk about that if that's >> well and the reason why I'm asking a lot of the service that we provide is across state lines, right? So, you provide services in Shiprock, which is in New Mexico. You guys provide services in Kenta and that's in Arizona. Um, so I'm not really sure what the laws are in terms of operating behavioral health, whether there's jurisdiction and how you uh I guess maybe in terms of your license, whether that's covered on the entire Navajo Nation or if it's covered through the states and only recognizing um Yeah. So, we might need some clarification on that, especially in light of, you know, the fact that you guys are providing services outside of Utah and you send health services. I'm looking specifically at um so right now you guys have a lot of behavioral health or the victim advocates right now. You guys have traditional counselors which I would think apply on the Navajo Nation.
You guys have resident advocates uh that are gentle iron shelter which is in uh >> Fling. Okay. Is that Flaming Utah? But then you also have them at um Northern Tree Shelter in Sherlock. Um and then you guys have peer support specialists.
You have other mental health staff. Um not sure exactly what that means. Other licensed mental health providers, licensed social workers. I know whether social workers. Uh I think our social workers and I could be wrong on this.
They might need to look into this Tatiana to find out because I think MMIW might have an idea on this with their social worker whether they only have to be licensed within the state which they're providing service. Um so we might have to I don't think our victim advocates are are within that guideline of having to only provide within the state where um for your license. Um, so if we can get that information, IHS right now doesn't provide any type of um competency examinations.
Uh, they're kind of hiding under the um is it the uh patients right that uh that they you know it's cat police information to a third party. Of course, even when there are situations where the rape might be involved, IHS refuses to come to provide um testimony on that, they hide behind their their attorney not to do that. I don't know why they would do that. Um it's really unfortunate that they would want to do that. Um but that's kind of what we're running into with you guys separate. Maybe this could help provide.
>> I think so. In sexual assault services, we have the trained sane nurses.
Um, I think they provide testimony as needed.
>> Oh, they do?
>> Yes.
>> IHS won't. Yeah. Okay. Any anything that a person goes to IHS for any type of services that's that funding related to a fine whether it's whether it's um testifying we don't think that's for theation balances to become we've been asking for it. We also have um just so you guys are aware within the the jails. Uh, so Panza does have I think Piana Chinley they do have and Crown Point as well, but they have um offices that are um ready for um health workers but um I just refuses to go there. They said that their services don't extend into detention. Um so we've asked for behavioral health be provided to um to detention these detention boxes to our attention.
I know during the 24th tention, but I believe for the 25th, was it 2019 when we met with IHS?
You guys remember when we talked about the services that they provide to inmates within detention?
>> Yeah, I can't remember what year it was, but um we are, you know, we we that I think that's one of the things that we have been looking as was stated by Mr. gay here. Do you guys offer counseling?
Is it to prisoners who have come back out of prison?
>> Yeah.
>> Um that's not even that's not even provided through HSN.
Uh so we have a lot of uh what do we call um is it the halfway um like re-entry? Re-entry.
>> Yes. Re-entry.
>> Tribal reentry.
>> Tribal re-entry. Yeah. So, so IHS hasn't provided any of those services. Um, so we are lacking a lot of services in which IHS does provide to uh assist in criminal things programs. We don't even have a program at this at this point. Um, so it would be great if we can find that out. I know that there are fundings available and if UNHS is is willing to place those species, I think the law order have an issue with um supporting that idea so that you guys can find these breaths to help assist more people. um since IHS is not willing to do it and right now our own behavioral health service that yeah making sure >> we just know that's critical people coming out of federal prison often they've been locked up for a long long time and you listen to them their families have changed so much has changed they come back you know facing whatever the circumstances that led them there and is done very well. He checks in uh with the federal court and his marshall service, but uh he's able to provide those individuals a path to community.
They're very helpful to many.
>> Are there any other questions at this time? Oh, >> um, Mr. Gay, you have a real extensive program which is a lot to deal with. I can see that and I understand that. Um, when we talked about or you talked about mentioned here about dealing and working with prisons so forth, um, I heard you mention federal prisons in the county.
Um, do you work with um state prisons like the state of New Mexico and Arizona because there's a lot of our our young people that are those those prisons as well. Curious if you do that.
>> Yes, I learned a lot from Louie Barton.
That's what he used to do. Um when when that's the case the family if they have a real concern um they worry about their relative in prison then through the the net of the association license through that then I I take that to the to the prison or to the federal prison um or to the state prison and even the the city jails.
take that there and that that that's honored there a we've yet to come to an agreement with many of them by just telling them about that that that creates green light they would be the expense usually the family will help out with the gas money but it's more like he noticed the family is sincer Yes, it we have done that. I I think that's kind of like one of the next steps that we're going to work on with Rick here, my my supervisor and then the CEO board that you the other thing um is in terms of the uh the information that's shared with traditional counselors. Um we did have a meeting with the FBI. There have been medicine men.
I'm going to say that. Um who have put themsel I think I think it was a there's a recent case right now, right? What is that name? When when did no thing the guy >> Nathan chasing horse >> who >> Nathan chasing horse >> Nathan chasing horse perfect example uh we have had individuals putting themselves out to these um nav acquiring information and uh sharing it with people.
We see this happen all the time.
Happened to me where we go to a medicine man. Well, I'm quote my person's no longer a medicine man in my my opinion. Share information with them and what do they do? They use it against you or they put it out there for everybody to laugh about, you know, everybody out there to to hear about.
So now the FBI is cracking down on this.
Uh they're looking for fake medicine. I know that uh we did have a meeting. I think I was the only one that was in attendance at that time. We believe that the FBI, but it was a um a meeting that they had requested as you know names of individuals who who you know this has happened and I think that's maybe how they came about that Nathan Chase. I'm not really sure, but I know it's like been written here, you know. So, FBI is starting to crack down about US attorney's office as well because I think that they're they're terming that as abusing that relationship. So, a church I guess with church from my understanding when I don't go to church, but I think when you go to your your clipful person, right, that information that you share is is it privileged or confidential? What's the word? Privileged. Um, And so that was the question whether that whole nation had something similar uh with medicine.
Uh and and it was you know really good questions that they were asking because there has been a spike and increase in individuals who have been claiming to be medicine who have been um taking advantage of individuals as they share this information with them. And um I guess victims are themselves to be in a situation that they never they don't feel comfortable being in that situation or that there is a that confidentiality is being shared. So um do you guys have something in place that that protects uh the people the individual who are coming forward because I know it's very complicated right within the legal sense because there's only certain I guess it would feel like I I just know legally it's very complicated depending on who it is that you go to um you know when you share this information with them.
What do you guys have something in place? We do one thing Ernest guy to that all of our traditional counselors are members of the Tatali association.
So we'll ask them at the time they interview if they currently are a member and if they say no we we say we would have an expectation you get that membership within 6 months of employment. It takes a little while to process that. So that's one safety we have. And then our our traditional counselors are under the same degree of privacy uh as if you were going to your medical doctor or anybody else with HIPPA or with substance abuse 42 CFR.
um if they're under the same levels of confidentiality um and their documentation and all that implies >> I don't remember were you on that call with the FBI >> on this issue?
>> Yeah, on this issue with with medicine.
No, >> there was somebody from the prosecutor's was on the call >> because I know that LC prosecutor's office got back and I think out of LP I was the only one that was on the call.
Um we might have to look back at that.
>> Sure.
>> Um because I think that that might be like something that we might have. I don't know if that would be kind of 17.
Um but I think we have something that um I know I said this was two two or three years ago when we had this meeting with K USA and what and all of a sudden just been chasing space came out. So I'm not sure if that had anything to do with um with that meeting that we had but I know that they are starting to crack down. So it's starting to get really really important the way that our medicine men are being put in these situations of confidentiality and um they're not you know they're sharing sharing of information.
Oh, I I think that's a very deep subject and the NA association has received a lot of those complaints.
jeez about three or four a week covering a lot of things at that. So um the data association from there uh one would be to to have a meeting that would be good. Second is that the NPA association what we're doing there we we have a a a a bare minimum skeleton of ethics that we have there that we've been going by and that's what we tell our our lences to go by lure to get lure to meet those things and they put it in there and and many other things there are so many western traditional or western counselor um ethics that they could by very important that that are needed in there.
So we've been working on that and I think uh within the next month I will be fine-tuning that. So based on that then this is my research working on that is that I'll come to you to understand that there's the traditional theology association incorporated and then there's the neo medicine association those two are on the reservation there is a a big discussion going to combine them back into one but that's where we're at with that and there is the ethics that that we're putting together.
So, I've drafted one. I'm working with the IHS and then I have yet to uh uh extend an invitation to the Navajo Department of Bal Health Services, the traditional counselors to go through that and then have that um um finalized give it to Danti to put the stamp on it.
That's the one I think they want to use with access over in Arizona where they get the traditional for reimbursement for traditional services and that can be used uh other places. So there's that big discussion that we have to do and it will include confidentiality. So that's where we're at with that. The important thing to to to note in all of this is that one of the things that there's there's a very glimmer of light that's beginning to go into our traditional ways and into the peyote ways meaning the Native American church North America these have been nation all of these different Native American church organizations in the different states among our brothers and sisters of the plains Indians all of that and then around the world. It's it's it's how should I put it? It's shocking. I guess I'm not going to say amazing. It's shocking to learn that none of them really have ethics to go by then. You don't have that.
Sure. If you are doing good. So that's where then I think we we saw that and then we we challenged them to that from the association. Ever since there's a time that we all got together with these different organizations of many with Native American church that's where then we have to put that down and many of them don't want to because they say that that's not the traditional way. It's not the traditional way but I it's there.
You can't you can't argue with that.
It's not going to be man-made thing. We just have to go by those ceremonic ethics and put them down or put up. So that's where we're at with with that side. And hopefully too I think it would be good to advise the FBI to meet with the coffee also to to discuss this because I think we're we're doing something about it on on our media and that's where the len the lender comes in. If they're not, we get complaints from the court. If they're not uh licensed with us, then we tell them it's it's black and white the law. Just follow the law. Don't come to us if they're not there. But they're if they're ly then we can talk with them and then see where things are at and then uh I believe you could say protect them to an extent of the state object. That's where that's at.
Okay. And um for the prosecutors in the room, so this might be something that we that you guys might want to start thinking about for this 26.
But right now, so there is um there is criminal u laws that are in place right now that charge an individual a who puts themselves out as a traditional medicine man and they use that position of trust to commit crimes.
Some of those crimes are uh sexual abuse and exploitation under the guise of spiritual treatment.
Um and but the the recent cases are Lindreth Hempwald who was a youth medicine man um who was convicted on 15 federal counts of sexual abuse after sexually exploiting multiple women and a child under the guise of spiritual treatment. Cecil Wolf is another one. a self-proclaimed indigenous healer sentenced to eight years in prison for 12 counts of sexual assault committed against patients seeking traditional indigenous treatment and then of course Nathan chasing horse.
Uh so they are it is a call it is the FBI and the US Department of Justice who um tracks and who verifies uh these uh and they do the investigation but they verify the indictments and sentencing or I'm sorry no uh they they are the ones who prosecute investigate uh under federal.
So we might have to look into that to make sure that we don't have that in culmination with a coffee association um and other traditional ceremonies that are put out there. But we are starting to see these faces coming about. Uh so that might also mean um to call upon a medicine man to testify against an individual who is claiming to be a medicine man and questioning their knowledge because you're really scared but this is starting to come about. So maybe something in the next council that you guys might want to add into title 17 that they're currently um working on right now.
>> Okay.
Before I go to the to are there any other questions members?
>> Delegate Mitchell, Delegate Ness, can you guys hear me?
>> Yes, I can. Madam Chair >> does have any questions based on the presentation that has been provided to us here today.
>> No question for me madam chair >> for that delegate delegate Mitchell.
>> Thank you. I hear you on his presentation Mr. Ernest some of the um issues out there regarding behavioral health.
confirming vaccine issues. Yeah, we we can talk about that.
That's it.
>> I just want to ask really quickly. Um so we're coming into budgets, right?
Maybe within the office of class theater, you guys will have a good opportunity at this time to sit down with the Department of Justice to ask that Nation DOJ whether we can enter into a consulting agreement with a physician who can assist the Navajo Nation with these competencies.
Does that make sense? If you guys can can um like DOJ they get consulting money right they have money to they get millions DOJ as for consulting so um that's how David Jordan got hired on who was a consultant so the Navajo Nation department of justice which you guys are under you guys technically get millions of dollars for consulting you guys want to ask now if you could hire a physician as a consultant to serve as a competency examiner. I don't know what what their full title would be, but if if they could be hired under consultant. If not, then maybe during budget would be the time to see if we can put money aside for that um to help with those cases um where somebody could be they have something in place. We know IHS is not doing it. They won't do it. I don't know if any surrounding physicians around are are comfortable with doing that. But we but we do know uh counties actually um consult with physicians to do this so we know it's doable. So it's something to think about as we go into budget. Um yes. Thank you chair. Um and just as consideration um for the prosecutor's office, I think we can discuss that for competency examinations, but the initial examination really needs to come from the courts as a neutral party um because there's redacted information that we are not privy to um regarding those um mental competency exams. What we would do is get that redacted copy and then if we needed to argue it, we would provide our own examiner to do that. um at court. Um but the initial examination really needs to come from either perhaps the probation or some other um entity under the courts to provide that initial nonbias assessment so that both parties um whether it be the defendant or the public defender or u private counsel.
And then we have an opportunity also to um either accept it or argue it if we need to bring our own experts in.
Thank you.
Um remind me remind me during Sean I say this because I'm going to I'm going to forget it.
During budget, would we have detention coming forward? Uh probation, would we have judicial coming forward?
Um let's ask them about how they deal with competency matters.
I I know under Judge Livingston in Crown Point, uh she would always put that burden on the prosecutor's office. That's why I thought maybe it would be OTP that would be responsible. I I think that you know mine madam chair I think that this process um really needs to be worked in a way that um all those particular steps that will be in place to ensure uh the proper pres presentation uh ensure the proper unbiased before it's being issued and all all the different issues necessary to ensure all of the professionals are available to testify all all of that needs to really be worked out and Having an entity who might be able to do it, who might be able to work these cases whether uh funings from funding from the outside or from the naval nation itself would really help to streamline that process as it is right now across the naval nation and this is a big big problem and we talk and I'm really happy to hear that the law and order committee is really aware of this problem. There's so many people throughout all the communities of validation who are incompetent to stand trial and they keep getting arrested over and over and over.
Judge asks for a competency hearing.
They throw it on the prosecutors. Boom.
Boom. It makes us look like we're the ones who are trying to commit the person. And so, uh, to Laura's point, um, I think she brings up a really good point. But I think really what it is just really working system in a way that funding is provided as well as the u uh procedures that we will put in place to uh to make this happen but I think this is an excellent discussion.
I >> think we have to have further discussion. Uh I'm not sure if committee members how you guys want to do this but um competitively basically when a person commits a crime um and this going forward they can argue that they're not mentioning right capacity to stand trial. And so you've seen this at federal level, you've seen this at state level. They always have these competency hearings to determine whether that personally competent stay in trial. Um I think if they're not, they don't have so they get sent to get help.
I think it brings up I think it point.
>> Yes, they can be sent to mental health facilities that like rehabilitation to they would essentially get forced treatment until they were back in their right state of mind or the charges be completely dismissed. At least that's what happened at the state level that I'm aware of and I believe at the at the track nation as well but I don't know what the process would be here if there is a place we have to send them.
>> So right now if an individual is deemed to not be competent to stand file what happens to the case dismissed?
>> No chair um not necessarily. uh what the court would probably do is based on that assessment see if a person can be rehabilitated. So if there's a need for medication or treatment or any type of um need they would go into a facility um go for 3 months 6 months then do another uh assessment. If that person is found to be able to be competent at that time we can proceed with with the trial. Um if they're not, we do have a health commitment act as well. And so um the prosecutors uh could also uh start proceedings for a health commitment. The health commitment would then be an involuntary commitment for uh some set time um or indefinitely. Um and at that point um we would go through a whole civil trial um and we'd have to present evidence at that time that this person is not uh no longer competent and and we would put them in a health commitment.
So really quickly in terms of uh so if we wait if you go ahead and start moving forward on this so terms of competency uh who should be in attendance we have office of investigators judicial branch department of justice public defenders office I'm going to also invite the NHS to this as well I don't think um I don't think that IHS will be an attendant but we can certainly ask IHS to be there and then Department of Behavioral Health.
Is there anybody that you also think of at this point that should be in attendance if we were to call a a meeting?
>> Somebody from NPS also would be Yeah.
Hey, she did say. Yeah.
>> Just another context for that. Sometimes it depends on what you want the ultimate purpose of the case to be. Sometimes you have a case where the defendant has like seven violent criminal charges like intense theft, aggravated kidnapping, battery theft, threatening a family member, and that person you do want to put on trial, and you want to see that uh they're held accountable for that if they're competent. Other times, a person's getting arrested three times a week for petty stuff, stealing, you know, from fast food restaurants, uh costing people, just really petty stuff.
And you know, I I don't really care about getting a $100 fine for that, but this person clearly needs society to step in and get them into a longer term care. And in my experience, a lot of these persons in the latter category uh have severe methamphetamine use disorder. And um you know, even if they've been deprived of it while in custody for months and months and months, it's clear that um it's rewired their brain unfortunately and they are um in need of likely indefinite institutionalized care and it just so happens that the vehicle might be a criminal prosecution. But in that case, it might be more appropriate to file a civil petition for involuntary commitment because using involuntary commitments or or incompetency proceedings uh in criminal cases that's under rule 19 or the rules of criminal procedure, but that's separate apart from a civil petition which we have not the exclusive statutory authority to file. Other people can file it. Nobody else does it in practice. And IHS does refer people to the Kansas prosecutor's office uh when they're saying their family needs to uh you know their family wants them to get committed because they have severe schizophrenia or something and then IHS will refuse to come testify about it. So it's kind of it's kind of really what the purpose is.
>> So just really quickly so this law committee meeting would be on competency and then really the health act right?
Yes. Okay.
>> Does it go hand in hand? Yes.
>> Then we'll go ahead and we'll forward ahead and put that on the order committee agenda right at the end of LC today. We'll go ahead and we'll u um because I do right now you have many farms June 8th St. Michael's the 15th the 22nd we got point and then 29 we got Cameron chapter. So this might be something in July that we might have to put this competency um issue to get a report on it. So we should figure out how to address this.
>> Okay. Are there any other questions?
>> Anything else? Yes, Mr. Fargo.
I know I guess working with the peacemaking program.
Do you have any collaborative efforts on that?
>> Yes.
Association speaking programs their lives.
Thank you. Um so my question goes back to um domestic violence and I wanted to direct the question to Mr. Hendy here.
Um, so there's usually clients, there's maybe a few that we come across who want to file a domestic abuse protection order. And so they're mentally delayed or kind of incompetent to be able to do that. And if you're working with a client through behavioral health, do you step in on behalf of that client to file a protection order? And if so, what kind of response do you get from the courts?
You know, I understand what you're saying. I cannot think of a situation where we had to go in because they weren't really competent. I think the advocates worked with other family members who might be in a position u to to file. But I understand what you're saying, but I cannot think of a situation where we intervene on that person's behalf.
>> Would in your capacity would you be able to >> um I would I don't know the answer to that. I I I know that all victims the information uh the advocates work with them really carefully to help them understand what the processes is. And some have done uh orders before protection orders. Other is brand new. It's so scary. They've just been traumatized.
We have to be careful. We don't coach them one way or the other. Can get in trouble at the courts and we don't want to be doing that. the same hand. We want to try and break it down as as simple as we can. So, I don't really know the answer. When you have somebody that's like talking here, it's maybe not quite competent to do that other than working with their family members and maybe having one of them file if they can.
>> I mean, so and if the family members are suspect family, that's where we're trying to >> Yeah.
>> go through the obstacle. So, we're thinking the power of attorney was one of the things that we could do, but then behavioral health we thought would step in because that's where the client was receiving services. Is that something that's doable?
>> I would think we could certainly step in and you know, say they had gone on and seen a therapist or psychiatrist or so that's where maybe that information assessment would be helpful. you know, the the power of attorney or guardianship, all that's great. It just takes time. And you're talking situations where there's not the time for those processes.
>> Thank you for that. Okay, committee members, are there any questions um regarding the report from UNHS presented to us here?
Okay, I'm not hearing anything. I'm not seeing any hands going up. We're going to go ahead and move to a vote. Motion Daniel, second by vice chair Nathan Middle. This is a vote to accept the report health system if you can call chair members of our committee. This is roll vote for report. Um, honorable Christ, have you vote?
>> I vote green. Thank you.
>> Honorable vot. Honorable Nathan No, >> I vote green.
>> Honorable Nathan Na green. Honorable Herman M. Daniels, Jr., how do you vote?
>> I vote green.
>> Honorable Herman M. Daniels, Jr. votes green. Honorable Arvin Mitchell, how do you vote?
>> I vote green.
>> Honorable Arvin Mitchell votes green.
Madam Chair, you have four in favor, zero opposed, and chair not voting.
Thank you for that in favor of the chair not voting. We appreciate you NHS. We appreciate your assistance during this time in providing sensitive support from both community and contact. Uh when it comes to this issue with our competency fee and the health act, obviously we want to get feedback from behavioral health. Uh we're going to invite IHS federal department of health as well as UNHS to talk about this. Um I think it's important that also kind of open the door to possible grants that would be available IHS is not going to assist. Um then the way that that we usually kind of give our blessings to a nonprofit or to somebody else who wants to assist in those matters. So this is something that all come together to talk about and try to figure out how we want to move forward in this. This deals a lot with our trial 17 which is our criminal code. As I'm sure you guys know, when an individual is arrested, sometimes they'll plead insanity. You know, sometimes folks would say that they're incompetent to stand trial, which affects the public safety in attendance. We're probably going to push that into July, more than likely um be around the budget session. We might have to call a special LOC meeting for that one, but certainly something that we would like to address.
Obviously, we'll be in attendance.
Thank you very much. We appreciate you guys being here answering this question.
Usually we save your >> and we'll review those statutes.
>> Great. That's perfect. Thank you. We now move. I'm going to go back really quick.
Do we have anybody here from Can Chapter?
Okay, for the record, I did go back. Uh, we are now at item five, old business.
There is none. Item six, new business.
Uh we are consecut earlier I did save the question by the plan of operation we are still waiting that we need to know your number of employees.
We also um have been getting concerns from members of budget and finance where talking about your budget being a little bit too too big. Um I was asked whether plan of operations has been submitted or what is that uh I always forget what it's called the all of the employees >> organizational term >> organizational term yes so that's a part of that plan of operation right we've approved that yes >> um my my knowledge right now is no so coming into budget right now and I know We also got an email from a delegate regarding the personnel number of personnel.
I thought I saw I'm starting to get some white now but uh that has come up and we're doing that everyone um to pass and so right now your office we need that we need that we will also be conducting exit interviews uh exit interviews for individual um and we are welcoming them as they're reaching out to other privacy concerns about what's going on in your office. So we're going to do interview those will be conducted in the executive session to give us an idea of what what happening within your department. So that will also be held as well. Um, so I think uh when do we have OTP of the um when I say put them on the agenda?
>> Oh, we're gonna talk about that.
>> Yeah, first.
>> And the reason it's probably going to be more than likely in July because we have um meeting farms, St. Michael and Captain that's just for this month.
>> So just just be aware of that.
>> Okay.
>> Now you should know that uh we did apply for a $3 million grant from BOJ for district. We haven't got a response back as a J yet to provide funding for this process to start. I don't know if they're doing or not, but uh just let me know that.
>> Okay. And I was the salsa. Salsa.
>> I only remember salsa. Yes.
>> But it's salsa. Yes, >> they were asking at this point about just a little bit. We are talking with all the districts. We're working with them right now to establish things necessary protocols to get all of our attorneys recognized us.
So, it's in the process that we will see something within the next 60 to 90 days as far as some kind of agreement and whatnot. But I'm just really tight with them about doing this program and taking our prosecutor away from us spending spending time prosecuting cases in White River and San Carlos. I I don't want that. So, we're working those those issues out, but I think we're going to get to a good place.
>> Okay. So, so just so you know, um, one of the things that I advocated for the salsa to be specific to now.
>> Yes. Yes.
>> And not not any other jurisdiction because now his own probably 3,000. Um, so I do request that we >> I don't know if I'm out of context, but I was trying to say that it's okay.
>> Yeah, definitely.
>> Thank you for that. All right.
>> Okay. So, we are now at the next item on the new business 6.
We have a publication to the largest chapter on the nation.
Right now we have the why I did talk I did talk with speaker you want to say something. Okay. I did talk to Spory really quickly um because she asked for an update following the plot of title 17 um and I told them we're implementing the EPA as well as the um department that's done that their recommendations go and then there's changes that they'll be making. Um Mr. Barnett Vernon.
>> Yes.
>> Very quickly, um we had a discussion in Kay. Uh Mr. Barnett and I bomb the sex offenders.
um that was brought to our attention in um there was a sex offender who was at the school I believe I don't know if he was working at the school I don't know if you remember Mr. Barnett. I brought it up to you, Derek.
>> Yes.
>> He was coming to the school and picking up um either his nephew or one of his his family members's child. So, he was there to pick up a kid.
>> Yes, that's right. Okay. And so, we did talk about it very briefly, but it's Mr. Barnett did say there's nothing in the law that say that is not allowed to be in the school. So the school is bringing it to our attention to say how do we protect the students. So, with that being said, I'm think you guys can go back and maybe make some recommendations on uh the state does have um like laws that say like you can't be within certain is it 50 yards from a school and you can't enter a school um you know unless there's prior consent that's given. So, there's already they're not regulations, they're not policies, they're actual laws. I I looked it up Arizona. Um so we might need something similar to that but we are getting um people who are reaching out of asking those questions. The other uh came out with um children being placed in homes where uh there are sex.
There's nothing in the law that says that they can't do that. Um and so we actually have a judge who's came out to say that. Um, and so we need to start looking at this to have them protect their children.
>> Sure.
>> Specifically, sex offenders. Uh, you know, what are the parameters that we need to set in place? And Mr. Bernett was the one who brought it to my attention. There's nothing in title 17 that says that. So, we might need to go back and we might need to title.
>> Go ahead.
>> That that that particular >> situation. Yes.
>> Issue we might run into is expert laws.
that it could be a right or >> but she I don't think you're saying that we should go back and punish that person for this whatever whatever laws pass >> yeah from this point forward like how do we protect our children who are in school how do we protect children who are being placed in in life homes so it would be from this point forward yes retroactively we can apply it but there should be laws in place that say sex offenders are not allowed in the following places.
>> It sounds reasonable.
>> Yeah. Well, well, there's already laws in place right now in state that that do make that very clear. But our title 17 doesn't have that.
>> Yeah. But I think your point is reasonable in the sense that if there's some harm, some endangerment that is issu that's an issue here. Uh we should look at that way that we could craft some law to capture that. Yeah, >> that's what I'm going to look at it.
Tell me what you guys think. But but it has come out as a request from is one.
There's another school in he that was I think was in Eastern Age if you remember what school that was >> for Eastern Agency.
>> Was it Eastern? I know there was two schools.
>> I think it was Utah actually.
>> Was it Utah? Yeah. Okay. So, just just take a look at it. We need to need to include that inside.
>> Okay.
>> All right. Thank you.
>> All right.
>> Um so, to back to the city. So, July right now, July 20th is 24th council session. So when I was talking about summer because a lot of questions about so um I think we can we can actually uh I think we have a little bit of time but I'm going to go ahead and in fact I should I can do that today emailed speaker to ask her what her suggestions are on um ideas for special session. I guess I can be after the budget.
So if we go into July then um when does budget start for July 2026 start putting in everything in your Yeah.
>> And I know asked that question about whether we're going to still have that work session.
Lorraine, you might have to remind us when that work session of schedules.
>> Um, Madam Chair.
>> Yeah.
>> Excuse me. So, excuse me. The budget hearings for the oversight nomination council oversight committee is on June starting June 15 through the 26 2026 >> June Say that again >> 15 >> all the way through 26.
>> So we got two weeks.
>> Yeah.
So this is FY 2027 budget.
Okay, Lorraine, let's go ahead and let's um like we did last year, let's list all of our the ones that we have over side of over and then let's start um let's start plugging them in I guess in terms of like we know labor commission you know they're pretty quick we know ethics is pretty quick I think the ones that we spend the most time on food and gain judicial >> DPS you know you remember how we always do it so let's start working on that >> so um And then July 20th through the 24th we have um >> summer session.
So we know the 16th is going to be because UG has so technically the 9th and the 23rd would be but you everybody knows.
So the 60 more than likely be meeting and then for LC for LLC we're going to have meeting on July 6th and that's going to be in July 20th.
Are we are we good with that?
>> Hey, how are you?
I thought I just take a bite everybody. Take a bite.
>> Hopefully actually we got Cameron on the 29th.
So if on the 10th I sorry on July 6 10 o' going to be a special LC meeting.
Okay.
>> And that's going to be in the group of July 20th because July 20th is the first day of summer session.
And then the 13th is a regular LC meeting.
And then the 27th is going to be a regular LOC week.
>> What do you have?
>> That's fun. Thank you.
27th and what's the >> the 6th the 13th and then the 27th because the whole week of the 20th is council session but I think we're going to take a recess on the 20th because the 21st is election Washington.
So it's kind of in the middle of both.
Um but I think I think speaker on the 21st I think the 20th we got a recess to the 22 give us one day each Friday.
So we can do so right now we have technically we have two chimley and alen so we could do the 6th July 6th I think we can do that in technically July 4th that's going to be along with the right so if we do the 6th in winter we'll be fine we could do the 13th we could do that in Alamo.
Are you guys good with Alamo on the 13th? Delegate Mitchell, Delegate Naz, are you guys good with July 13th in Alamo?
>> Yeah.
>> Yes, Madam Chair. That's fine.
>> Okay, I'll leave a motion, but we're discussing right now. I need a motion.
>> Motion made by second made by Delegate Herman Daniels.
So, we have the 13th right now, Lorraine. Uh that's going to be in Alamo.
Okay.
Then we have Cooper City and Ship Rock.
We could do the 27th in Shiprock if you guys don't know.
Okay.
And then we go into August.
So right now, part of the budget and finance calendar, we have June 15 through the 26 is the oversight.
July 7th through the 17th of Delegate Mitchell, Vice Chair Nota, the 7th through the 17th right now is budget hearings. I know that the last year you guys don't assisted me. In those days I I couldn't make it, but right now just um I'm not I don't have really anything planned. Um but just be on the be on call in case I can't make BNF budget their budget committee meetings for our budgets. Uh so just be mindful of that.
And >> what day? What day is it?
>> The 7 through the 17th. July 7th through the 17th. We don't know what BNF's calendar is going to be, but we can uh if you guys can assist me during that time.
And then we have the 20th through the 24th. We have summer session.
>> Good.
>> Okay. of August 3rd through the 7th right now. August 3rd through the 7th.
That's not yet budget session.
August. Wow. They're going to try to get it through before September.
So, August 3rd, 7th right now. That's FY27.
hearing and that's going to be at the August 3rd through the August 10th through the 14th. So the next week is going to be council that nation council budget.
Usually council budget is presented the first week of September.
Okay. So right now we have July 27th for Shiprock, July 13th for Alamo.
We're it looks like PERS at BNF and we'll be on standby on this one per BNF.
Uh we probably are not going to have LC on the 10th.
So on the 17th is probably August 17th is probably when we can have um our LOC meeting in Tuba City.
Are we good with that committee members?
>> Thank >> so technically August 10th, 17th and 24th is when we meet but because the 10th right now is going to be council budget. So we would only be only meeting the 17th and the 31st. So the 31st or be in li of the 10th. Does that make sense?
So August 17th is a regular LOC meeting.
August 24th is a regular LOC meeting.
And then August 31st is a special LOC meeting.
And that one is going to be in lie of August 10th because August 10th is when we're going to have our FY27 council budget session.
So on August 17th we can do two and three C.
>> Are we good with that committee members?
Any objections?
>> U Madam Chair for the 24th for August 24th is just a regular meeting.
>> Yes. Because we meet the second, third, and fourth. Yeah. And that will be in Wrath.
>> Okay.
>> Then the 31st is going to be a special LLC that's going to be in the L of the tenant.
>> Okay. If everything works out because that's going to be council budget.
>> Okay.
>> We did the city.
We did >> Alamo.
>> Alamo Chiprock. Oh, we didn't go Chinley. So, we can probably do Chinley on the 24th. On August 24th.
and then that will get invated to September and then that's when I I'll let speaker know whether we can do special council for September for title 7 we already got chewed down July 6th special LOC meeting in blue July 20th.
We have July 13 at 10:00 LC meeting in Alamo.
July 27th at 10:00 LC meeting with Chevro.
August 17th at 10 o'clock to the city July August 24 and then August 31st special LOC in li of the August 10th meeting and that will be in Any questions? Anybody?
>> All right. So, >> who knows?
>> Okay.
>> So, motion was made by vice chair Nathan, second by delegate Herman Daniels. We have date that for city chinley and committee members we'll go ahead and are there any objections to the date to the date.
Okay. Not hearing anything not seeing any hands going up. Uh I'm sorry Charmaine if you can roll please.
>> Madam chair members of the law and order committee this is roll call vote for new business item eight. Um, honorable, how do you vote?
>> I vote green. Thank you.
>> Honorable Titus votes green. Honorable Vice Chair Nathan, how do you vote?
>> Honorable Vice Chair Mason green.
Honorable Herman N. Daniels Jr., how do you vote?
>> Green.
>> Honorable N. Daniels, Junior, votes green. Honorable Arvin Mitchell, how do you vote? I'll vote green. Honorable Arvin Mitchell votes green. Mad in favor, zero to chair not voting.
Thank you for that command for David not voting and we set the date for two city chinley shock and Alamo. We now move to item 6B.
We have a schedule date and time for the budget and hearings. a budget hearing, budget preparation calendar for FY27.
But right now, we're looking at June 15th through the 26th.
Um, for our online meetings, I know for council it has to be in person. Was there anything specific to budget?
Are you sure the legislation?
>> I don't think so.
Let me ask >> you guys remember was the one who who sponsored that.
a virtual attendance.
It's CJA-01-26.
Oh no, that one's the overwrite.
CO-52-25.
Well, technically it would be the budget.
So, it would be the budget council that we would have to be in attendance for.
>> But if we're if we're doing the oversight, I think we're good.
>> I'm asking Chief. He's um looking it up right now.
>> Okay. Okay.
>> All right. So, committee members calendar. What date do we want to hold FY27 budget?
>> Madam Chair, I just have a question. Are you still going to meet with um um prosecutor's office on title 17 in Albuquerque on June 12th?
>> June 12th.
>> Committee members, are you guys aware of that?
June 12th, we have a meeting in Albuquerque with prosecutor's office.
What was that meeting about?
>> Title 17.
>> Title 17.
I have that on my calendar.
>> Okay. Do you think we should move that back since we are looking at uh July being the very last of July?
August because right now Mitchell Mendel we just now got done with assigning on the 17th chuba city August 24th chimply.
So do we want to meet the prosecutor's office after we've done all of our hearings or do we want to meet with them in the middle of our meetings?
That's >> I say after too. Delegate Mitchell, uh, Delegate Daniels, Vice Chair Noa, and myself, we we said that it probably be best to meet with with the prosecutor's office after we've done all of the public hearings, which means that would probably be in September.
Delegate Naz, do you guys have >> I'm good with that.
>> Okay. So, um, let's go ahead and let's cancel that one and let's push it to September. Let the prosecutors know, prosecutor's office know that we're pushing that back because we added three more to the public hearing and that we can meet in September, whatever they are available to meet.
question.
>> So now going back to FY27 budget.
>> Um chair.
>> Yes.
>> Um chief said that he wasn't 100% sure about it, but if it's offered virtually, he doesn't see why why not you guys can't find virtually if it's not an official nomination council meeting, which is the only one you guys think you can get in person.
>> Okay. So, committee members, um, right now I have scheduled on my calendar I'm not available the 14th, the 15th, the 16th, the 17th, and the 18th.
I am available June 19th, June 23rd, June 24th, and June 26.
The 25th, June 25th is Nikia.
So we can't have a budget meeting during that time. So repeating I'm available June 19th, 23rd, 24th, and 26.
>> Vice Chair, >> is is the 19th a holiday?
>> The 19th? No, it's not. It's a June.
>> Yeah, it's Junth is it's a holiday, right?
>> Yeah, Junth is a holiday.
>> It's a great holiday. No, but is that nation? Does that nation recognize it?
>> Yes.
>> Yes. Um, we were discussing that for the DA action plan meeting. That's why we moved it from the 19th to the 18th. So, it's an it's a recognized holiday for an application.
Oh, and uh, since we're on the topic of the DA action plan, they are voting in a new chair for DAP. So, they do need an LLC member to um to be there because I think originally it was going to be >> I haven't had you.
see the the >> recognize holiday.
>> I have June 1st Naval Nation Memorial Day.
>> I don't have June 19th.
It's on the personnel policy >> section.
>> Yeah, I I'm looking at FY26 Navajo Nation observed holidays 2026.
It says January 1st, New Year's Day.
January 19th, Martin Luther King Jr.
day. February 16th, President's Day.
March, there's no holidays. April, there's no holidays. May 25th is Memorial Day. June 1st is Navajo Nation Memorial Day. July 4th is Independence Day.
>> Okay. They might change. Okay.
>> Yeah. So, you guys actually work on Junth. I think they switched out for the Navajo Nation Memorial Day, which is June 1st.
My other validation department of personal management observed holidays.
Are you guys seeing anything different?
>> I see the same thing.
>> Okay.
>> So, so no June June 19th does not have a holiday.
>> Memorial Day. Holiday Nation Memorial Day. June 1st. Yeah. June. June 19th.
Hate holidays.
What what year is that fifth that BPM?
Because I'm looking at 2026 BPM.
>> Is there some policies that have this?
>> Yeah, I think we changed that. So, if you look at the BPM website, we they have the PDF that has the observed holidays that they've listed.
And it says Navajo Nation, Navajo Nation of Dinner Holidays 20 2026.
>> Yeah. See their upcoming dates right now. You have Navon Nation Memorial Day June 1st and then 4th of July.
Uh, Madame Chair, um, if you look on the DPM website, um, there is a it is listed there under paid holidays. Uh, I do know um, when I was a chapter coordinator, um, we did look that up and it is uh, listed on the DPM's policies. Um, if you uh, look on to their website, uh, it does say paid holidays and it does list June 19 as a federal holiday. Thank you.
I tell you N I am looking at that the website.
>> I did the click to view Navajo Nation.
>> I think I think there went a change where um they removed June 19th and it's June 1st. That's Navajo Nation Memorial Day.
Um, I believe the only one that was changed is the one with Naval Nation Police Officer Day. That is CJY-53-20.
That's the recent one. But, um, this is actually under the policies. If you click on the DPM policies manual and go down to employee benefits and then if you go down to in that, uh, you'll see on part B it says paid holidays and it does list the June Junth in there.
>> Yeah, I think they changed that.
>> Um, But if you go to the website, go to the DPM website >> and then if you scroll down to upcoming dates, it says >> if you go to the policy procedures, it does list that uh paid holiday on there.
>> Yeah, I I I think that I think they changed that question. Junth is that holiday.
It's a holiday.
>> Okay. All right. We're discussing the the date for the LC.
>> Okay.
>> I think it's it it's an observed holiday, but it's not a paid holiday anymore.
>> Yeah.
for the um also manual for 2026. It shows paid holidays.
>> Michelle Cook said it's a holiday.
>> Michelle Michelle >> Michelle Cook from our office or directorut >> deputy director.
I tried calling Rodney.
Is Junth the holiday?
>> No.
>> Asking about like if it's a it's a if it's a Navajo Nation paying holiday.
>> Um, yeah, LOC is asking if it's a a Navajo. Yeah, >> I think it was holiday.
So it is foration all all the federal holiday.
Is there a paid holiday?
>> It's a DPN number.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Yeah.
>> What was that?
>> Um, you said it was passed by Congress >> and we appeared to Felicia. This is Delegate Charles Newton. I have a um I don't know if you'll be able to answer my question.
Um we're trying to figure out is June 19th a Navajo Nation paid holiday.
Okay. Okay. And right now on your website it's it doesn't it sh it says it's not a holiday.
Okay. Okay. So, if you guys if you guys need to change your your your website because it says now we go to holiday that when you click that link it says click to view nonation holiday listings it's not on there.
Okay. If you can make that correction that would be great.
All right. Thank you. Byebye.
>> So it is >> I they I guess so they said that there's I don't know.
So I guess Junth and 19th is the holiday.
I know there was a push to get it removed. I thought it was removed in the last bit. You know how they approve the Navajo Nation holidays that get paid for the hours and family? I thought that's where it was removed and that's where they replaced it with June 1st.
But I'll just take you guys this word for it. So now holidays on the 19th. So technically then I have the 23rd, the 24th and the 26.
So if we if we put it on those day that whole week will be the 22nd is an LOC meeting, the 23rd is budget meeting, 24th is budget meeting, and the 26th is going to be budget meeting.
I'm good those days.
>> You're good those days.
>> I'm good.
>> No, that's June June 23.
>> Oh, I'm sorry.
>> Okay.
>> So, it would be June 23rd.
>> June 24th and June 2. Tuesday, Wednesday.
Delegate Naz, do you have any um you have any issues with those dates?
>> Uh Madam Chair, I'm pretty good with those days. So, I'll schedule them if you all approve it. Thank you.
>> Okay, perfect. Perfect. So, committee members, can I get a motion and a second for the FY?
>> Motion made by Delegate Herman Daniels.
>> Second. Second made by vice chair Nathan Nota. So we selected the days Lorine the 23rd, the 24th and the 26th.
>> Okay.
>> And that will be held at LOC building in one.
>> Okay. Committee members, the motion was made by Delegate Herman Daniel, second by Vice Chair Nathan Not. the dates June 23rd, June 24th, and June 26 for budget meetings >> starting at 10.
>> Starting at 10.
And then Lorraine, this time make sure that all budgets are submitted by June 15th.
That way if there's any mistakes, you guys are going to have to review them along with uh Miss West to see if there are any mistakes and it gives them some time to correct them. Yeah.
>> So, budgets will be due June 15th.
Actually, no. You know what?
Because we still have to do they have to be on the five year in the five five day com.
But on the on the schedule, I think they already have that for the about the legislation if it was see.
>> Okay. So, June 12th is the absolutely last day.
>> Yeah, June 12th will be the last day.
>> Yep, that will work. So, all budget legislations need to be completed and gone through the five-day comment period by June 12th, which means they have to submit their budget then one, two, three, four, five. They have to submit their budgets by June 5th.
Does that make sense?
June 5th, submit their budgets.
Then they would have to get their legislations drafted.
Hey call vote.
>> Madam chair and members of the law committee. This is roll call vote for item B new business. Um honorable petty votes.
>> I vote green. Thank you.
>> Honorable James votes green. Honorable vice chair Nathan. How do you vote?
>> Green. Honorable Vice Chair Nathan Noa votes green. Honorable Herman M. Daniels Jr. How do you vote? I vote green.
>> Honorable Herman M. Daniels Jr. votes green. Honorable Arvin Mitchell, how do you vote?
>> I vote green.
>> Honorable Arvin Mitchell votes green.
Madam chair, you have four in favor zero and chair not voting.
>> Thank you for that.
>> Okay, we move down to the public hearing. There's none. Nobody's in here.
So we'll go ahead and move to technically not we have the meeting.
We actually have in attendance here we have um I always want to call you judge judge tuning. I met Miss Tuni when she was a judge so I would have had that in my mind that she judge. So we do have Miss Rhonda Tun who is here with UNHS. Do you want to introduce yourselves?
>> Even though we all know you'll be working on the legislations.
>> Sure.
>> Well, I know welcome to UNHS. Glad you guys had her meeting and hopefully it was productive.
Hello. Okay, good. So, welcome. I'm glad you guys were able to have your meeting here.
I actually come not too far from here from NaO Mexican water area this little stream area called um what is it closes so I'm kind of in this area been representing UNHS as outside legal counsel for about eight years before I joined them in house and so I've been working here for quite some time But we're looking forward to the followup meeting that we would have with you guys regarding our grant and and just the funding issues or questions that you guys may have. And we look forward to continually outside of healthcare. Um, I know usually they always when they first were approached to run the shelters, we were like, "Is that really going to violate our 638 agreement?" And we had to do this deep dive to kind of be like, "Okay." But no matter what, they were like, "We're going to do it anyway." So, which is really great to have out here because we don't really have that much, you know, um, as far as growth goes.
We're kind of working on it and think UNHS is a big part of that. So yes, thank you guys all for coming out and um sadly there's nobody wanting to really talk about I7. I know that's very important and a big project. Um I think one of the biggest ones that I heard earlier was related to our traditional practitioners and um it would be really great to finally be able to regulate that in some way if it can be regulated.
Right? So those are some very interesting questions you guys have to deal with. So good luck and we'll be praying for you guys.
>> Thank you for that.
>> Thank you for that, Miss J. So we do need to talk about the uh we had to cancel our politicians in title seven because we ran out of money. We were we were some of us not me but some delegates were pawning things because they were running out of money. Um so booing as you know he led it I didn't veto a budget since November and uh we got just a little bit under our committee and then that week was it that week before Lorraine where we ran out of money completely with our community. So that was why u I I wanted to point out to TC by myself. Um so I paid for it out of pocket. Um and and so uh it was like kind of scary during that time because we didn't know what was going to happen.
But we do need to reach out for the title seven update meeting and ultimately to start working towards getting some back to committees and I think is the one makes the recommendation. So we'd like to hear from all the tele health conference to see how we can move forward that positions agency. So needed serving on the commission for quite some time. So it would be nice to give it to somebody.
>> Yeah. Okay. So, just kind of keep that in mind. Um, and then I guess on the next bill, let's talk about when to reschedu the title 7 because we're almost done, right? Sale and it would be great if we can get that finished so that we can get that on the July on the summer session.
Um, so um we're going to be looking at June.
Yeah.
one of the weekend.
Yeah, that'll be good. Yeah.
>> Okay. Are there any other questions, comments, or announcement. If not, um I'm open to hearing a motion and second to >> motion made by deleg to adjourn at 1:34 p.m.
Let's go ahead and go to roll call vote on this.
>> Madam chair, members of the law, this is roll call vote by German. Honorable, how do you vote?
>> I vote green. Thank you.
>> Honorable votes green. Honorable vice chair Nathan, how do you vote? Green.
Honorable Vice Nathan votes green.
Honorable Herman and Daniel, how do you vote? Honorable Herman and Daniel green.
Honorable Arvin Mitchell, how do you vote?
I vote green.
Honorable Ardan Mitchell who madam chair you have four in favor zero those in char four in favor zero the chair not voting we hereby journ at 1:34 p.m.
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