WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — A nursing home for aging Navajo veterans, which is ready to be constructed in Chinle, comes to closer to fruition.
On Monday, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren heard from key officials who’ve been involved with making the nursing home, the Navajo Warriors Home, which will become the first senior center for Navajo veterans in the Navajo Nation once it is completed, into a reality.
President Nygren heard from Navajo Nation Council Delegate Carl Slater (Tsaile/Wheatfields, Lukachukai, Round Rock, Tséch’izhí, Rock Point) and Wayne Claw, CEO of Navajoland Nursing Homes, Inc., who’s been planning the project for Navajo veterans nursing home the last 18 years.
“I’m glad that we’re all together, I’m very happy that we’re all here and that I wanted to make sure that once it came across my desk I was quick to sign them,” said President Nygren.
The President is referring to a grant to receive construction dollars for the project. Now that it is signed, it now goes to the Office of Management and Budget who’ll issue a business number. Once that is completed, funding will be released.
The President said he’d advocate on behalf Navajo veterans and Navajo elders and speak to federal officials about appropriating more funding for the Navajo veterans nursing home when he travels to Washington, D.C.
“I want to make sure that we really work on this together,” said President Nygren.
The President expressed his appreciation to Slater and Claw for the years of work they did before signing and approving the finalized documents that make the project closer to completion.
Slater, who was the vice chair of the Health, Education, and Human Services Committee at the time, sponsored legislation in the 24th Navajo Nation Council, and $29.2 million in Sihasin funds were appropriated.
Not even 100 days into their tenure, the Nygren and Richelle Montoya administration, along with their executive staff assistant, U.S. Army veteran Olin Kieyoomia, have been working nonstop to streamline the complicated process for Navajo veterans who wish to apply
A groundbreaking for the future 60-bed Navajo Veterans nursing home was held in October 2022, on the campus of the Dr. Guy Gorman Sr. Care Home Nursing Home.
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