EXCLUSIVE: Navajo Council Delegate says ‘Personnel Management discriminates against Educated Navajos’
Weekly Edition | March 29th | By: Editor
Part One.
Dwight Whitherspoon, Navajo Nation Council Delegate.
Tucson, Ariz - Navajo Lawmaker Dwight Whitherspoon said he is sponsoring a bill that will change the ‘equivalency clause’ in the hiring requirements currently used in the Navajo Nation Department of Personnel Management. That particular clause is define as ‘required experience’ he said he would like to change that to ‘preferred experience’
Mr. Dwight Whitherspoon is a descendent of John Witherspoon, who was a state representative from New Jersey, president of Princeton College, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. He currently serves as a Council Delegate for the people of the Navajo Nation; his district covers these following Chapters: Black Mesa, Forest Lake, Hardrock, Pinon, and Whippoorwill.
Dwight, said the Navajo Department of personnel Management discriminates against educated Navajo’s that apply for a position with the Navajo Nation government.
“If a educated Navajo with a college degree applies for a job, the likelihood of them getting hired is slim because of the equivalency clause, which is essentially discriminatory” said Dwight.
Currently, in the required skills or experience section of a Job announcement for the Navajo Nation states you have to have at least one year or ‘other’ experience to even be considered for the position. But, if a current Navajo Nation employee applies for the job they are more likely to get hired as a internal promotion.
Dwight said he would like to see a change in the policy and procedure to streamline the Navajo workforce into a professional business atmosphere. “The initiative is to reform every division to promote growth, customer service, and qualified Navajo people.” said Dwight.
The Navajo lawmaker also expressed a interests in reforming the Navajo education system by partnering with educators like Dine Colleges and Northern Arizona University (NAU) Dwight said “we need to change our policy and procedure’s and educate people about ‘No child left behind’ we need to institute a policy to maintain that position. We need to update our policy and performance, their is no customer service.”
Let’s talk Taxes
Recently, the Navajo Nation proposed a tax increase. Dwight supports this initiative; the 2012 Sales Tax Reform Act Legislation 0513-1. “This tax will invest in our greatest resource, our children and youth through scholarships at ‘.5 or ½’ half cent going toward scholarships” adding “the Nation has around 18 million a year to allocate towards scholarships but need 40-70 million a year to serve all applicants.”
The concerns of many Navajo people may have is for the elderly on a fixed income and the 50% plus unemployed Navajo people who oppose this initiative, Dwight said “as reasons to not support a tax increase of (01.) cent during this economic recovery time frame. However, I strive to make decisions that will benefit Dine’ and encourage our Navajo Nation to consider supporting the 2012 Sales Tax Reform Act Legislation 0513-12.”
This tax increase will be invested into Navajo Communities and through economic development, Dwight emphasized this will bring more tax revenue to recycle back into the communities through the ’50/50 formula’ that chapters receive by agencies.
The director of the economic development division has a list of 41 projects across the Navajo Nation, but only 13 were construction ready. Twenty eight projects were not construction ready and the director stated that he would need about 7.5 million to get all 41 projects across the Navajo Nation construction ready. “This tax would assist in getting all 41 projects construction ready with-in five years at 1.5 million generated off this .25 or ¼ cent.” Dwight said.
Dwight is working on other initiatives and would like to reform Navajo Divisions and Departments to get them at a 2st Century level standard, rather then operating to the 20th Century way of business.
The Navajo Nation is looking to invest in Energy Development, Research, Infrastructure, and Natural Resources.
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Disconnected and poor leadership. That is what Dwight represents. Wearing a turquoise necklace does not make you a leader or an official who cares. Many students have left messages for him to call them back SINCE the chapter officials said he is the only one who can explain why there was a denial on scholarship check issuances and why there is only one-distribution per fiscal year. Chapter officials said Delegates are the ones who made that decision. When we called to ask Dwight for a reason, they said they give him the messages and it is up to him to return calls. HE DOES NOT CALL VOTERS BACK. I’d organize a recall if I had the time, but being a poor student in Phoenix doesn’t allow one to return home to do so. Will Dwight see another term? I hope and pray NOT!
I would like to disagree with the comment from ‘Jackie’. Scholarship opportunities are a privilege and not a right…as with any other scholarship. I too was denied scholarship because I turn in my papers toward the end of the time they are due as it is stated it is offered on a first come first serve bases in which they have to sift through thousands of applications. Yes i was upset that I lost one scholarship however that did not stop me from perusing other scholarship. That small 2000 dollars will not cover tuition these days but it does help out. I am not putting you down, simply stating that denial of scholarship should be a motivation to continue to pursue the opportunity while seeking other scholarship. Some may argue that it is a Treaty obligation but as a college graduate, it was apart of my own initiative to go after that goal.
As the council was cut back from 88 to 24 delegates, once can image the work load cut out for one person. As it is stated Mr. Whitherspoon represents a vast area of people (“his district covers these following Chapters: Black Mesa, Forest Lake, Hardrock, Pinon, and Whippoorwill.”). Everyone wants his attention. Everyone wants him present at their meetings. But that is only his chapters. What about all those other committees they have to sit on? How about his own personal family and children? Perhaps an email could be written instead of a phone call. My council delegate is good about returning emails because phone calls are difficult to make while in a busy day.
As it is taught through traditional ways, you respect your leaders regardless. That turquoise necklace holds power from the Diyin. Any turquoise necklace a person wears, for that matter any turquoise a person wears. It represents in todays world, a person of knowledge and leadership. I believe Mr. Whitherspoon is one of the few delegates making a difference in a positive way. To look out for students in increasing one cent on taxes on the Navajo Nation so that you may have a better chance at getting a scholarship.
To me, that is leadership.
This is my personal reflection of a what I see. Please feel free to disagree with me.
“Anna”: I disagree with you. I’ve been to dozens of council meetings where Council Delegate Witherspoon in on his laptop and checking his email and not even listening to the presenters, or the people who come to talk to him. He is cold, unfriendly and perhaps one could argue this is “traditional Navajo behavior” but I sincerely doubt it. I’ve known many leaders at the tribal, state, Federal level who exhibit better statemanship and are more accessible than this clown.
This is not about scholarships, as we received plenty of funding from other sources, as we are not so stupid as to depend totally on the Navajo govt. or any other form of govt. assitance. Yes, we did have other alternatives and due to good grades, excellent references, and a game plan that will led to graduation on time and with honors, we are doing fine.
This is about leadership of Witherspoon, or lack there of…
Also, myself and six others knew Witherspoon during his time at ASU and he was even a cold fish and non-humourous snob then…and remains on today. How in the heck he got elected left me further disillusioned with the entire Navajo govt. operation.
We agree to disagree. I appreciate you responding with respect and good points, but I disagree and feel you missed my tyrade against Witherspoon, and hope you understand my point of view as well. Ahe’hee.!
I was supported by Navajo Nation Scholarships during my entire college years. After I graduated, I was hired by the Navajo Nation. I’m very thankful. There are some good stories opposite of Dwight’s article. It’s not just the Personnel Dept. It’s up to the Directors also as they get a list from the Personnel Dept.