Navajo president pledges to walk road to true sovereignty

Wed, May 13, 2015

Economy

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The new president of the Navajo Nation was sworn in Tuesday at a ceremony in which he outlined a pro-business agenda and signed an agreement that includes moving forward with a tram that would shuttle tourists from cliff tops to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Russell Begaye drew repeatedly on his campaign slogan, "Awakening of a New Dawn," after he took the oath of office in Fort Defiance and signed a document that outlines eight projects he agreed with his predecessor, Ben Shelly, to push forward. On the list is a rail port that would export crops and coal from the reservation, the pursuit of clean coal technology and completion of the controversial Grand Canyon Escalade project.

Tags: Arizona, Grand Canyon, Navajo Nation, Russell Begaye