Native America Issues
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The completed conceptual master plan calls for using renewable energy and energy-efficient design elements such as passive solar, a cooling tower, and native vegetation.
Shonto Governance: The road to self-sufficiency
Several years ago, the Navajo Nation’s Shonto Chapter asked Grand Canyon Trust how to approach achieving self-sufficiency. We went to work. First, we co-hosted a strategic planning retreat that brought focus and follow-through to the community. As with all our work with indigenous peoples, we set out a strategic template that would allow members to set a vision, identify critical values and goals, and gain commitment from resource partners. This template would guide future growth and development.
In just 3 years, substantial progress has been made, and many of the goals outlined in the plan have been achieved. We also witnessed major progress on...
- The adoption of a more traditional form of local government (“Council of Nat’aa”)
- Development of a master plan for a sustainable, mixed-use real estate project
- A new artist / visitor plaza and a 10-acre sustainable marketplace
- Rural electrification
- Tourism planning
The Chapter Governance has also created a community development corporation. The Trust is currently helping with two projects in Shonto, including starting up a retail / installation business for renewable energy systems and a sustainable, 10-acre marketplace.
Retail development
Shonto has already made major progress with a 10-acre retail development to create locally owned business opportunities, jobs, and tax revenue. With newly constructed turnout lanes, infrastructure, and other preparation, the site is ready for business. We partnered with Arviso Business Consultants, Tom Parker, and Northern Arizona University to develop a feasibility study and a business plan for the retail portion of the site, which would contain a café, shops, visitor center, and other amenities. We continue to play a business advisory role as required for this truly unique development.
Your donations and membership dues make our work with the Navajo and Hopi Tribes possible.
