The Navajo Chamber of Commerce held its first general assembly in Window Rock, AZ,  January 25th, 2012.  It was the first time the steering committee members and the newly appointed board members met. Navajo Nation President, Ben Shelly, and Former Chairman of the Nation, Peter MacDonald, applauded the initiation of the Navajo Chamber of Commerce.

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Weekend Edition | January 27th, 2012 | By: Sam Tsosie

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Cal Nez unveils the Navajo Chamber Commerce webpage in Window Rock, Az, January 25th, 2012. The unveiling of the website was the culminating event at the general assembly.

Window Rock, AZ – The Navajo Nation Museum was the location of the first ever general assembly of the newly formed Navajo Chamber of Commerce.  The event was open to the public and to business owners  interested in doing business on the Navajo Nation.  The event was billed as an introduction and overview of the Navajo Chamber of Commerce, unveiling of the new webpage, a networking mixer and the introduction of the new Board Members, nominated to the serve on the Navajo Chamber of Commerce.

Business owner, Alexander Chambers, newly appointed to the board member, drove from Phoenix to attend the general assembly.  “I am excited to meet everyone, so far everything has been handled using the internet” said Alexander.  Only half of the 14 appointed members attended the event.  The board members were introduced to the crowd and delivered a brief background on themselves and the businesses they own or operate.  Each board member was introduced by Cal Nez, Business Owner and Navajo Chamber co-founder.

Former Navajo Chairman, Peter MacDonald, and board Member, Lester Begay, speak at the Navajo Chamber of Commerces' first general assembly.

President Ben Shelly, spoke to those assembled, suggesting that businesses start networking and begin to value the ‘cash’ customer over the government contracts.  Having been a business owner himself, he related to the crowd his personal struggles with owning and operating a business on the Navajo Nation.

Former Navajo Nation Chairman, Peter MacDonald, also spoke, praising the establishment of the Navajo Chamber, urging Native businesses to support the Navajo Chamber of Commerce.

Navajo Nation President, Ben Shelly, speaks at the Navajo Chamber of Commerces' first general assembly.

Jessica Stago, Steering Committe member, with Pete Nez, addresses the crowd at the Navajo Chamber of Commerces' first general assembly.

Jessica Stago (MBA), is the on the steering committee and had this to say about the origins of the Navajo Chamber of Commerce, “We needed organization, something specifically for native businesses…no one is organizing, it is important to build on it…it’s the only way to have a voice within our government and policy makers.”, referring to the frustration many Navajo nation business owners have with the Nation’s antiquated business policies.

Jessica also referenced the Chamber’s webpage, which was also unveiled at the general assembly.  The page, http://navajochamberofcommerce.com/ Jessica adds, “The website will provide information and have a worldwide reach. We need Navajo minds to change the Navajo Nation.”

People gather in the atrium of the Navajo Nation Museum, awaiting the start of the Navajo Chamber of Commerce general assembly.