Technical Assistance Programs
Teesto Chapter, Navajo Nation Community/Commercial Land Use Planning
Since 2005 , NPTAO has partnered with the Teesto Chapter, Navajo Nation, by providing funding and expertise to supply the Chapter CLUP (certified land use planning) Committee with renderings of a "dream community," representing rehabilitation of the Chapter’s basic infrastructure and moving the difficult land withdrawal process to the next level - community vote (the first and most difficult and critical phase in the Navajo economic development process). The most recent renderings, developed by graphic artist Jeff Del Nero can be viewed here.
Complimentary to the community development aspect of our work there, we developed a feasibility study of the potential for a gas station/convenience store and tourism/cultural center along the well-traveled (but amenities-deficient) route between Winslow, Arizona, and the Hopi Tribe at the crossroads of State Highways 87/264. We are now developing preliminary renderings for a commercial site along State Highway 87, which will include elements gleaned form the community’s land use planning process. View renderings by Jeff Del Nero here.
Dilkon Chapter, Navajo Nation Masterplanning
As our reputation in Navajo communities grows, the requests for assistance in other chapters have increased correspondingly. The Dilcon Chapter, also located along State Highway 87, requested our assistance with their water supply and other basic infrastructure problems. Through contacts made via membership in the Arizona Association for Economic Development, NPTAO was able to locate an engineering firm in Phoenix, Arizona, to work with the Chapter in analyzing and developing masterplanning for infrastructure issues. NPTAO is of the opinion that this type of planning is the number one critical issue facing Indian communities across the state. The Chapter has entered into a contract with the firm to perform this assistance.
Leupp Family Farm
Word of mouth brought the Leupp Family Farm organization in contact with NPTAO. After visiting the site, we were able to relay the farm’s critical and time-sensitive agricultural and technical needs to Dr. Joe Hiller, Native Cooperative Extension Director at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, who promised to get his Navajo agent to the site.
With only three extension agents currently assigned to the vast Navajo Reservation (a third extension agent was recently assigned to the Tuba City region), many members of the 110 Navajo Chapters have not had the opportunity to work with the UA field agents. Dr. Hiller and NPTAO will continue to work closely to address agricultural-based technical assistance needs in these remote communities.
The Hopi Tribe EDA Mapping Project
Long-time NPTAO consultant, cartographer and graphic artist Jeff Del Nero, developed this map at the request of the Hopi Tribe's Economic Development program. The tribe has agreed to share the map with its village governments across the reservation as needed.
Pathways into Health
Pathways into Health is an innovative, grassroots collaboration of more than 150 individuals and organizations dedicated to improving the health, health care and healthcare education of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) in this country. The partnership includes the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, Diné College, The University of Alaska, Indian Health Services, Tribes, Tribal organizations, and other institutions. By combining resources, Pathways is developing culturally-responsive, team-focused and geographically accessible professional health education to American Indian/Alaska Native students in order to address the increasing healthcare needs of Native communities. The 2007 conference in Chicago brought together national partners and committee members to focus on “Uniting the Vision” for Pathways and for Native students. For more information, please visit Pathways Into Health’s website, www.pathwaysintohealth.org.
ArizonaNativeNet
ArizonaNativeNet Rolls Out Distance Learning Program for Tribes (February 6, 2007)
Read the April 19, 2006 Press Release
This virtual university outreach and distance learning telecommunications center is devoted to the higher educational needs of Native Nations in Arizona, the United States and the world through the utilization of the worldwide web and the knowledge-based and technical resources and expertise of the University of Arizona. It is a vital resource for collaborating Native Nations seeking to strengthen their nation-building efforts through telecommunications-based higher education, leadership and management training, and distance learning partnerships with the University of Arizona. A state-of-the-art higher educational telecommunications network of on-reservation distance learning centers owned and operated by Arizona Indian tribes (Phase I) and selected native Nations throughout the United States and world (Phase II), served by the University of Arizona through its state-of-the-art broadband broadcasting center located in the Rogers Rountree Hall Building, which will serve as the home of ArizonaNativeNet. Sponsoring units include: The University of Arizona Vice President for Research, Graduate Studies and Economic Development Indian Outreach Committee (VPR Indian Outreach Committee); The University of Arizona College of Law Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program; the Udall Center for Public Policy and Native Nations Institute; the Native Peoples Technical Assistance Office; the American Indian Studies Program; and the College of Medicine.