SA•P Partnership with the Navajo Nation
February 14, 2013
Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the University of New Mexico to help bring Native American students to assist the tribe with designing and planning projects on the Navajo Nation.
The MOA allows for the two entities to collaborate and plan projects using the UNM's Indigenous Design and Planning Institute (iD+Pi), an initiative in the School of Architecture and Planning. The institute incorporates Native American cultural aspects into architectural design and planning.
"Since we have ongoing projects on the Navajo Nation, it makes sense for us to partner together to bring experience to students while providing a service to Navajo communities," President Shelly said before nearly 20 people in attendance.
UNM President Robert Frank signed the MOA for UNM.
"This is just a beginning for the many things we can do for the Navajo Nation," President Frank said.
Some of the projects the two parties plan to explore together are developments along Hwy. 550 and U.S. Hwy. 491, Chaco Canyon Resort Project, community planning and zoning projects along with several other projects.
"By working together, we bring to life our vision for our young children, just like what our grandparents did for us," President Shelly said.
The Agreement was signed in October of 2012.
