Gov. Gary Herbert vows help for Indian country

OGDEN — Gov. Gary Herbert told leaders of Utah's Indian tribes on Thursday that he is committed to help them improve job development, education and health care.

He also wants to expand Internet access and cell phone coverage and fix roads and bridges in remote reservations.

All of that amounts to "brothers and sisters working together," Herbert said at his fifth annual Native American Summit, an event he began when he was lieutenant governor.

After five years of summits, he said, "It's time to do more than just talk about it. It's time to get going. It is time to do. We want to make sure we measure our successes. Maybe we are just in the mode of making some baby steps, but I want to make sure we are moving, not just standing still ... I don't think we are where we want to be yet. I think there's a lot of things we need to do and do better. But I do believe we're on the right road going the right direction."

Some tribal leaders praised Herbert for what he's already accomplished.

Navajo Vice President Ben Shelly, who is running for tribal president, said Herbert had helped his tribe apply for and receive millions of dollars in federal funding to provide internet access into remote areas. He said that will allow high school students to earn up to a year's worth of college credit when they graduate high school.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is progress," Shelly told the general session of the summit at Ogden's Eccles Conference Center.

Herbert said his highest priority is to improve economic development and create more jobs in the state and in Indian country. He said Indian education needs to improve to help students obtain better jobs. He vowed to help create more clinics and hospitals in Indian country and to improve health instruction.

After a private meeting with Herbert, leaders outlined some challenges their tribes face — and some help they seek.

For example, Rupert Steele, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation in Ibapah, said most members of his tribe must drive three hours to Salt Lake City for health services such as X-rays or dialysis, and would like to see improved health clinic offerings.

He said his remote reservation on the Utah-Nevada border also has limited cell phone services. "And most accidents happen in remote areas." He told of a car accident where a survivor had to walk 10 miles before he could call for help, and a trapped passenger in the car died before help arrived.

Steele said his tribe is also working on creating a reservoir to supply much-needed hydropower and improved water supplies, and hopes for state assistance.

Jason Walker, tribal council member of the Northwest Band of Shoshones in Portage, said air pollution from the Wasatch Front — and resulting restrictions on new factories and emissions even in his area — may limit what sort of economic development his tribe might be able to allow on its 188-acre reservation in Box Elder County.

Besides seeking state help on that, he said the tribe is concerned about decreases in state hunting permits, which could impact tribe members who rely on hunting for food.

Shelly, meanwhile, said Navajos hope their large reservation will become a home for alternative energy — such as large wind and solar energy projects — that could provide more jobs and help the environment. He said he hopes Herbert and Utah can also help the tribe to overcome obstacles as it pursues that.

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