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 at Tsidi To'ii Chapter in Birdsprings, Ariz.
TSIDI TO'II, Ariz.-In December, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez 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'ii Chapter in Birdsprings, Ariz.
The facility was constructed in 2009 with the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act, which assists 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 24th Navajo Nation Council approved legislation to support the master lease, sponsored by Delegate Walker, who represents the community of Birdsprings. 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'ii Chapter.
"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.
