Navajo Nation President Nez Signs Master Lease for Birdsprings Elderly Group Home

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, First Lady Phefelia Nez, Council Delegate Thomas Walker,
Jr., Tsidi To’ii Chapter officials, administration, and community members during the master lease signing ceremony on Dec. 15, 2019 at Tsidi To’ii Chapter in Birdsprings, Ariz.

Published December 16, 2019

TSIDI TO’II, Ariz.  Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez was joined by First Lady Phefelia Nez, 24thNavajo Nation Council Delegate Thomas Walker, Jr., Tsidi To’iichapter officials, administration, and community members as he signed the master lease between the Navajo Nation and the Navajo Housing Authority for the Birdsprings Elderly Group Home, located adjacently east of the Tsidi To’iiChapter in Birdsprings, Ariz.

The facility was constructed in 2009 with the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act, which assist Native American tribes in improving housing and infrastructure. The facility has approximately ten units, a kitchen, laundry rooms, living areas, and administrative rooms.

“This has been long overdue. We need to open this facility for our elders, so we can begin taking the responsibility of taking care of our elders on our homelands. Many of our elders live in nursing homes off the Nation and in border towns, and it is emotional to see them missing their natural environment near their families, livestock, and community,” said President Nez.

“During the campaign, we visited the community of Birdsprings and heard their concerns of the elder home and the need to complete the facility. The Nez-Lizer Administration took a proactive approach to honor the community’s request and to move forward the project for our Navajo elders,” added President Nez.

In March, the Administration toured the Birdsprings Elderly Group Home and identified and prioritized the need for construction and renovation of the facility.

In August, the Resources and Development Committee of the 24thNavajo Nation Council approved legislation to support the master lease, sponsored by Delegate Walker, who represents the community of Birdsprings.

Tsidi To’iiChapter resolution dated in Dec. 15, 2019 states, “The chapter for many years sought assistance from various programs and leadership for the completion of the elder group home. The Navajo Housing Authority will have site lease control and initiate the final stages of the building renovation.”

“The Nez-Lizer Administration commends the leadership and community members of Birdsprings, most importantly, the Navajo Housing Authority for taking the lead to support and improve the services and resources for Navajo elders. The master lease took many years to develop and went through a lengthy review process before reaching this point today,” said President Nez, who signed the final lease agreement at the Tsidi To’iiChapter.

“This is another step towards effective partnerships that benefit our Navajo elders. The master lease will serve as a foundation to improve the facility and to have our elders near their homes and families,” said Delegate Walker.

Also in attendance were AZ House Rep. Bob Thorpe, Coconino County Supervisor Jim Parks, Navajo County Supervisor Jesse Thompson, Navajo Nation Division of Social Services Executive Directive Deannah Neswood Gishey, Navajo Nation Department of Health Executive Director Dr. Jill Jim, Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources Executive Director Dr. Rudy Shebala, and Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety Executive Director Jesse Delmar.

The Nez-Lizer Administration thanks the Tsidi To’iiChapter and community members for the opportunity to be a part of Sunday’s chapter meeting.

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