Maricopa mentors Navajo Nation

The city of Maricopa played host to members of the Navajo Nation and its Kayenta township leaders on Wednesday in an attempt to provide some advice on structuring a city. The visit was arranged by Maricopa’s tribal liaison Keith Betsuie, originally from the Nation.

Kayenta Township is the only municipal-style government within the Navajo Nation. It is regarded as a political sub-division of the Navajo Nation and is managed by a five-member elected town board, which hires the township manager.

The township formed in 1985 with the intention of increasing economic development in the area and spurring additional cash resources for the tribe.

However, the township has yet to see much success in developing the area.

One of the reasons for the difficulty in developing the township, described by Navajo Nation Vice President Ben Shelly, is that the policy used to form the community is still viewed by many as a wild horse that needs to be tamed.

We want to learn about land use, planning, state codes and other city planning procedures to help break our ties with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Shelly said.

To help the Nation gear up for the development of their township, several city of Maricopa staffers gave presentations to the group of leaders from the Indian community.

The presentations focused on foundational documents, flexibility, communications and taking assessments about what the public expects from their leadership.

One of the key points in the presentations Kayenta Township manager Jarvis Williams said he enjoyed was the city of Maricopa’s ability to use private firms to focus on providing utilities, trash and water services so that city government can be more clearly focused.

“We have a similar agreement in the township in that the Nation provides police, fire and utility services,” Williams said. “If you compared our communities, you would see a lot more similarities than differences.”

While many of the suggestions and policies heard were helpful, Williams said at times the resistance to change in the Nation is strong, but he added that the Nation’s leaders are beginning to realize they need to let go.

“The things Maricopa is doing here are the things we want to do in Kayenta,” Williams said. “I am going to learn as much as I can today and take it back to my community.”

While Maricopa leadership was providing training and advice to the members of the Nation, city Manager Kevin Evans mentioned a desire to visit the Indian Community to see how their government operates.

“I am a student of government and would like to learn about your system,” Evans said.

The Nation also presented Maricopa Mayor Anthony Smith with a hand-woven Navajo rug and a traditional clock.

“Maricopa is a young city with no limitations, and strategic partnerships with other communities are things we must try seriously to develop,” Smith said.” Today could be a historic day.”

Photo by Michael K. Rich