Huntsman visits Navajo leaders

Tsosie, who helped organize Monday's meetings, said Huntsman's visit will go a long way toward ending the trend of states working against Indian tribes. "This means a lot to Utah Navajos," he said.

The state and the tribe expect to reaffirm and strengthen a 1996 memorandum of understanding that has fallen dormant.

"That's a real key thing," said Clarence Rockwell, Navajo Utah Commission executive director, who lives in the tiny town of Aneth. "It's an instrument to improve delivery of state resources and services to our area."

Education, economic development and basic infrastructure are areas in which Navajos are most lacking, he said.

Utah Navajo leaders asked Huntsman to appoint a Navajo to the Utah Highway Commission and the Walker Housing Trust Fund board. Huntsman said he would consider those requests.

Expectations for the governor are apparently high among Utah Navajos.

"I think you're going to outdo Bill Richardson," council delegate Francis Redhouse told Huntsman. Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, has been a staunch advocate for American Indians since his days in Congress and the Clinton administration.

Rockwell said it's too early to pass judgment on Huntsman. "Given some time, I think he'll be able to do some significant things for our people," he said.

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