WASHINGTON – On Thursday, January 5, U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Michael L. Connor will meet with leaders of the Navajo Nation in Arizona to announce a milestone and highlight the work accomplished by the Obama Administration to strengthen tribal sovereignty, reduce fractionation and provide new opportunities to tribal communities through the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations (Buy-Back Program). The visit is part of Secretary Jewell and Deputy Secretary Connor’s nationwide tour highlighting Interior's progress for managing America's public lands, water and wildlife.
The Buy-Back Program implements the land consolidation component of the Cobell Settlement, which provided $1.9 billion to purchase fractional interests in trust or restricted land from willing sellers at fair market value.
The Navajo Nation played a significant role in Program progress, both in government-to-government coordination and in the engagement of individual landowners.
Who:
Michael L. Connor, U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior
Russell Begaye, President, Navajo Nation
What:
Remarks and brief media availability
When:
Thursday, January 5, 2017
10:00 a.m. MST
Where:
Navajo Nation Museum Auditorium
Highway 264 & Post Office Loop
Window Rock, AZ 86515
Media:
Credentialed members of the media who are interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP here.
Source: Department of Interior
