For a brief moment in July, I think Farmington, New Mexico businesses were scared of a Navajo economic boycott. And that's if they even heard about it because the Farmington media didn't tell them. Then out of nowhere comes the controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. He shows up in Window Rock, Ariz. and tells the Navajo Nation Council that nothing would become of marches, as tribal leaders were leaning towards marches rather than a boycott. Was the boogey man offering to help? Because he sure would have scared all of Farmington. Instead the Navajo Nation politely rebuffs him.
Personally, I agree that nothing will become of the planned marches unless they are huge - of the likes of Farrakhan's Million Man Marches - which appears unlikely at this point. By the time the marches are organized it'll be Thanksgiving or Christmas and all the drama will be forgotten.
But one good thing came out of the spotlight on Farmington. We need to create opportunities for our own people here on the Rez, one tribal leader said. And so just like that, without any squabbling, the Navajo Council set aside 1,000 acres of land for business development.
While this was all taking place, the number one excuse for the lack of businesses on the Navajo Nation was thrown out as the BIA was eliminated from the approval process for business site leases. That effort began under Kelsey Begaye's administration as his staff got Congress to first change the law. It then took seven years for the Navajo Nation and the BIA to develop and agree on regulations.
Yes, these are exciting times for increased business activity on the Navajo Nation and REZ BIZ Magazine is happy to be a part it. We'd like to believe that REZ BIZ has been a catalyst for discussion about economic development. Perhaps, this explains why our readership continues to grow. In July we finished off at nearly 43,000 hits to the REZ BIZ website - an increase from June's 42,000. We're going to start charging for REZ BIZ real soon, so visit our site at www.rez-biz.com or www.myspace.com/rezbiz for a listing of where you can buy the paper.
Enjoy this month's features on artists which coincide with the Santa Fe Indian Market at the end of this month.
Oh yeah, one more thing: REZ BIZ Magazine will be one year old in October.
- George Joe
gjoe@rez-biz.com |
