Quality of LifeA. Community Planning: The Navajo Nation’s Community Development Planning Department offers community-planning assistance for Navajo communities (or chapters) to build local capacity for economic opportunity. The Community Planning Department in conjunction with the States of New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah jointly assist Chapters in community and regional planning as well as land use planning. In the Navajo Nation’s Tribal Code, Title VI, Chapter 7, under the Planning and Zoning section, states that each Chapter of the Navajo Nation has the authority to plan and develop comprehensive plans for their community. With the passage of the Local Governance Act, Navajo chapters will exercise local governmental authority over local matters. Thus Navajo Chapters improve community decision-making by allowing communities to excel and flourish and enable Navajo leaders to lead towards a prosperous future.
Retention & expansion: The Navajo Nation's Project Development Department offers a retention and expansion program to help communities interested in assessing business needs and successes for the purpose of retaining and expanding their existing business base.
The Indian County Federal Tax Incentives: Employers on the Navajo Nation are allowed federal income tax credits based on the number of Navajo employees and are allowed accelerated rates of depreciation on capitalized building and equipment. A summary of the Indian Investment & Employment Tax Incentives is included in the Navajo Nation's promotional packet.
Q. What is the crime rate on the Navajo Nation?
A. The Nation’s Department of Law Enforcement six priority goals are to: 1) reduce violent crimes on the reservation; 2) reduce drug and alcohol related crimes; 3) reduce the consequences of crimes for individuals, households, organizations, and communities; 4) develop household, school, business, workplace, and community crime prevention programs; 5) improve the effectiveness of law enforcement, criminal justice, correctional, and service system’s responses to offenses, offending, and victimization; and 6) develop, promote, and use criminal justice research, evaluation and technology.
The Navajo Nation Police Department serves fifteen (15) counties and three states. The Department has seven district offices within the Navajo Nation.
Q. What recreation is available?
A. The Navajo people enjoy their homeland where wind, water, and volcanic activity have sculpted the land into spectacular canyons, mesas, and craggy stone monoliths. The environment ranges from arid desert to forested mountains. Tribal members feel a strong attachment to their land, which is cradled amid four culturally sacred mountains.
Trout and bass fishing are available on reservation lakes and rivers, while boating can be enjoyed on Navajo lake in New Mexico and Lake Powell in Arizona. Hiking and camping facilities are located in Arizona, throughout New Mexico, and southwestern Colorado. Grand Canyon National Park forms part of the reservation’s western border. The Navajo Nation permits hunting of deer and small game in season.
Monument Valley Tribal Park, Canyon De Chelley National Park, and Chaco Canyon National Monument are just a few of the parks and monuments located within the Navajo Nation. Cities bordering the Navajo Nation have public golf courses with sunshine over 300 days per year.
Q. What is the cost of living on the Navajo Nation?
A. The cost of living is relatively comparable to other rural communities in the Southwest.
Q. What is the religious profile?
A. Most denominations are represented on the reservation either by formal congregations or missionaries as well as the Native American Church and Traditional Navajo Culture.
Q. How many churches and synagogues are there on the Navajo Nation?
A. A number of churches are represented on the Navajo Nation. For a specific community, please look in the Chapter Images 1996 publication compiled by the Division of Community Development. They can be reached at (928) 871-6442.
Q. What advantages do the Navajo Nation's communities offer?
A. Throughout the United States, small towns are disappearing, and are being replaced by expanding cities. On the Navajo Nation, the largest community is Shiprock, New Mexico, with a population of 8,156 (2000 census). Within the Navajo Nation's sparsely populated landscape, the amenities and opportunities offered by Navajo communities are a welcome addition and provide opportunities for business. Our Navajo communities have low crime, mild climates, affordable housing, educational and cultural activities, health care, and one of Nature's greatest playgrounds.