Navajo times. [volume] (Window Rock, Ariz.) 1960-1984, 1962-07-18

"Whnt'S The Fuss AbOut?"
According to Indian Commits ioner Pheo Nash, the
program of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in vogue,
has three major goals. They are: Maximum Indian
economic self-sufficiency; full partic ipation of
Indians in American ife and equal citizenship priv
egeS reSpOnS Utilities for Indians The Tribe could
not agree morei
The recent three day Navajo Economic Development
conference which eruped several times in some heated
straight from -the-shoulder talk from both sides dem
onsrated the constantly recurring theme Of Indian lead
ers that they KNOW the range is overgrazed but they
will not bulge inch stock until decent
Jobs and job opportunities be made available tor
velihoodfor the Navajo stocmen who may be adverse
y affectedby the Range Managementpocies advocated
by the government.
This is not a new position. The range has been over
grazed rs years and Tribal leaders know it, Already
6OO 900 rrevocaby lost to erosion, but'the
Tribe is helpless to stop overgrazlng until at least
subsistence livelihood is provided for the People.
The entire administration of Chairman Paul Jones
has been dedicated to attempts to solve this thorny
problem which there is quick simple solution
Tribal leaders feel that the BA officers hadWorked
toprovide the job opportunities requested the problem
would be the way to being solved This is one
Of the that the Tribe has become disius-
Toned with the Gallup Area Office.
The Naval jos told during the recent conference
that ton eeded now, that it is late, very
ate and that the Navaos should not attempt to dictate
the terms they mightlOse assistance on emergency
grain and other programs.
Boiled down, the theme of government was Lets
start range management and conservation practices
opportunities stockmen will not PERISH THEN,
we'll start solving Overgrazing problem"
We think much good came of the conference and
potential exists for great strides understanding OF
ese problems creates the dynamic action by the
which will allow the Tribe to also take action
to obtain industry and other of employment Of
the Navajo people Since by the of this accom-
plshment the burden of Federal Truseeship will be
lessened.
The Tribes position is not new to the government
evidenced by many many examples Of thepast. One
of the recent examples illustrating the Navajo
position was the statement made by Chairman Paul
Jones before the Presidents Committee Equal En-
poyment months ago. Excerpts from the state
ment follow
"Those of who laboring in the service Of the
Navajo people, assuming continuation of the present
educational program, convinced that before any
substantial progress be made toward developing
permanent job opportunities and economic stability OF
the Indian people, assistance from the Govern
ment must be given in making available to the
vaton Water industrial and municipal, including do
mestic); power; and transportation"
"As heSecretarys Task Force learned, the Indians
have become weary of promises. that each
administration launches grandiose plans for the i'm
provement of the Indians economic plight and his as
similation into the social and competitive str m
vet very little has been ACCOMPLISHED in either