Federal Funds Deliver Internet Access To Navajo Nation Schools
Aug 20, 2020, 12:17 AM | Updated: 12:21 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Better internet access is on the way for students in San Juan County as part of $475 million in CARES funding that was approved by Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer.
The announcement Wednesday from the Navajo Nation earmarks $4 million toward better internet access in the San Juan School District.
“(For) our schools that serve predominately Navajo students, that will be very exciting and be a game-changer for them,” said San Juan School District Superintendent Ron Nielson.
There are 12 schools in the district and Nielson said six of those predominantly serve Navajo children. He added nearly half of the 1,300 Navajo students in the county don’t have access to reliable internet, and some have none at all.
“I think this is the first time that we’ve had hope that we might really be able to solve the problem,” Nielson said.
The $475 million in federal funding comes from the CARES Act. Leaders approved the money for improvements to things like water, power, telecommunications and broadband expansion.
“The administration had to prioritize projects and services that reflect the immediate and essential needs of our people to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency,” Nez said. “Through the teachings of K’é (kinship), Nitsáhákees (thinking), Nahat’á (planning), Iiná (life), and Sihasin (stability of restoration of balance and harmony through reflection), we can help each other to overcome any obstacle to restore Hozhó, balance, and harmony.”
With the money approved, the process to provide better internet is underway. Nielson said some students will see improvement this quarter, with the goal to have the project completed as soon as Dec. 31.
