To: Navajo Nation Band Members and Supports
Fr: Anthony K. Billy, Director of the Navajo Nation Band
Date: July 15, 2008
Re: Update on Dulce, NM Trip

It has been brought to my attention several concerns regarding the
upcoming trip to Dulce, New Mexico this coming July 18th and 19th.
Lodging is being provided to the Navajo Nation Band, but first
priority will be given to band members who elect to ride the Navajo
Transit Bus. The Jicarilla Apache Nation will be accommodated the
band with 15 rooms (1 for the bus driver and 14 for the rest of the
band). The 14 rooms will be split amongst those members who jump on
the bus either at Window Rock AZ, Gallup NM, or Shiprock NM. I
understand there are members who want to travel on your own, but the
current FY 2008 band budgets can not accommodate everyone's travel
needs for this performance. This performance was not on the original
band schedule, but added later on. Through the assistant of Lorraine
at DHR, it was agreed upon to accommodate the bands needs DHR and
Jicarilla Apache Nation have agreed on the following: Meals and
lodging provided by Jicarilla, admittance to watch and perform at the
Friday night Rodeo, participation in the Little Beaver Parade on
Saturday, transportation and the $50.00 per diem provided by DHR/Band
office.

The intent to show, display, and hear the "Pride of The Navajo Nation"
at Dulce, NM, it was determine to have the best group represent the
Navajo Nation, members would utilize the Navajo Transit System. The
reason why a request was made to have members ride the bus is:
Transport members as one unit,
Deflect members from using personal vehicle,
Accommodate our sponsors,
Admittance to the rodeo grounds and where every else,
Give members a chance to rest and freshen up,
Save money on gas or other vehicle maintenance, and
Opportunities for members to interacted with each other.

I know there has a few requests for over night room accommodations
when traveling in your own vehicle. I am going to be firm that if you
do travel on your own, it will be at your own expense. My first
priority is to accommodate those who are traveling on the bus. There
will not be a 100% guarantee for those members traveling on your own
that you will have the same luxury as those riding on the bus. I will
try my best to accommodate everyone's needs. We are a (band) family
so let's all take this time to travel as a group and have some fun
with our (band) family.

Those riding on the bus or traveling on your own, we all have a job
and responsibility, which is to represent the Navajo Nation and People
with some respect, dignity and pride.

-Anthony