Navajo Nation left wondering why funding continually denied

SALT LAKE CITY  — Leaders of the Navajo Nation gathered at the Utah State Capitol to discuss their request for funding to build a road that will connect their community to the rest of Utah. Unfortunately, they faced another setback in their long-standing request.

The funding request is for $2 million dollars, which the Navajo Nation is willing to match.

The proposed road aims to reduce travel time down Navajo Mountain in Central Utah. Currently, it takes three hours to travel down the mountain.

“God forbid for any emergency that would happen on Navajo Mountain; police response is at least three hours,” said Crystalyne Curley, a representative from the 25th Navajo Nation Council.

The repeated rejection of their proposal has disappointed the leaders of the tribe’s council. They have been facing rejection for 15 years now, and they keep wondering why. They believe that the road they proposed would not only benefit their community but also contribute to the overall well-being of the state.

“Right in that area there’s the world-famous Monument Valley, that’s a huge gem of the state of Utah,” said Shaandiin Parrish from the Navajo Nation Budget and Finance Committee, “and also Glen Canyon is just right around the corner.” She mentioned that the ease of access the road would give to these areas would be more than worth it.

The Executive Appropriations Committee failed to move the $2 million appropriation request forward this legislative session.

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