WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren today signed legislation to pay Navajo first responders and essential employees $3,535,733 for hundreds of hours of accrued annual leave they were about to lose.
Annual leave built up for essential employees from 2021 and 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, the Navajo Nation was under a reservation-wide health state of emergency. Most tribal employees worked from home, schools and businesses were closed and weekend curfews were in effect to keep Navajos sheltered-in-place to avoid infections.
“I heard from some first responders,” President Nygren said. “‘I just couldn’t take leave because I want to be out there for our community and I’m the only person available,’ they said.”
Speaking to 35 uniformed police officers, Emergency Medical Services EMTs, and Navajo Nation Department of Health employees, the President thanked them numerous times.
“You know, if you don’t show up to work, somebody’s not going to get help,” he told them. “You make that decision and you put that above everything else even if your leave is going to be taken from you.”
The deadline to use annual leave from that time was Jan. 12, 2024. Navajo Nation law says that at the end of each leave year, all leave in excess of 320 hours “shall be forfeited, and forfeited hours shall not be paid.”
Navajo Nation Council Delegate Vince James, chairman of the Health, Education & Human Services Committee whose members George Tolth and Helena Nez Begay sponsored the legislation, expressed his appreciation for the dedication these tribal employees displayed in dangerous times.
“Thank you to everyone for the services you provide to Navajo elders and children,” he said. “I appreciate the work that you do, the commitment you have for the Navajo people.”
When the legislation went before Council, it passed unanimously 16-0.
Navajo Nation Deputy Chief of Police Ronald Silversmith said he appreciated the collaboration shown by the Council and President because the money paid to officers who worked longer than normal hours will help their families and the families of those who died during the pandemic.
Dariel Yazzie, manager for NDOH’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, said employees like him and his staff are grateful to be remembered by tribal leaders although pain remains.
“It’s not always about the money, it’s about what we’re doing and who we’re providing for,” he said. “Extra dollars doesn’t take away the scarring, the PTSD.”
Narbona Jim, supervisor of the Teec Nos Pos Food Distribution Program Warehouse, said his operation is considered essential and the work needed to continue throughout the pandemic.
“When COVID first hit, no one knew anything about it,” he said. “It was very scary, a very scary time. The hardest thing about the whole pandemic was actually losing colleagues.”
President Nygren said that today represented a time to honor tribal employees who continue to work at risk in order to help those who needed it. Among them are Navajo Police Department, Emergency Medical Services, Navajo Department of Fire & Rescue, Department of Highway Safety, Department of Corrections, Community Health Representatives, Department of Health staff, legislative staff and division directors.
“We honor you. We appreciate you. And we look forward to the commitment that you have for the Navajo people on a day-to-day basis,” the President said. “I’ve got my team working on this to make sure those payouts happen as soon as possible.”
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