Latest news with #Yazzie
Indian Express
06-08-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
4 people die in crash of medical transport plane on Navajo Nation in northern Arizona
A medical transport plane crashed and caught fire Tuesday on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, killing four people, the tribe said in a statement. The crash involving the CSI Aviation company out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, occurred near the airport in Chinle, about 300 miles (483 kilometers) northeast of Phoenix. Those on board were medical personnel who were on their way to a hospital to pick up a patient. The Beechcraft 300 crashed in the early afternoon while landing at the airport, Federal Aviation Administration officials said in an email. 'They were trying to land there and unfortunately something went wrong,' district Police Commander Emmett Yazzie said. Yazzie said the crew was planning to pick up a patient from Chinle Hospital. He declined to offer other details about the crash, saying he was waiting on federal investigators. The cause of the crash wasn't known, the tribe said. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said in a social media post that he was heartbroken to learn of the crash. 'These were people who dedicated their lives to saving others, and their loss is felt deeply across the Navajo Nation,' he said. In January, a medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia, killing eight people. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the crash, has said the voice recorder on that plane was not working.
Daily Mirror
06-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Four dead in Arizona plane crash horror as aircraft erupts into fireball
Four people died after a medical transport plane crashed and caught fire yesterday. The victims were all medical personnel who were on their way to a hospital to pick up a patient, it has been confirmed. The Beechcraft 300 crashed on approach to land at an airport near Chinle in Arizona, US. Police said "something went wrong" as the aircraft tried to arrive at the base in the Navajo Nation, an American Indian reservation of land. The reservation, governed by a Native American tribal nation, expressed its sadness at the tragedy, which follows a medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia earlier this year. Federal Aviation Administration officials the cause of the crash in Arizona is not yet known. District Police Commander Emmett Yazzie said: "They were trying to land there and unfortunately something went wrong." He confirmed the crew was planning to pick up a patient from Chinle Hospital, a small facility with around 60 beds. But District Police Commander Yazzie declined to offer other details about the crash, saying he was waiting on federal investigators. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said in a social media post that he was heartbroken to learn of the crash. He said: "These were people who dedicated their lives to saving others, and their loss is felt deeply across the Navajo Nation." Eight people died in the crash in Philadelphia earlier this year. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the crash, has said the voice recorder on that plane was not working. Nurses at hospital had thrown a party for the six-year-old patient hours before she died in the air disaster. And last month, three people died after a small plane crashed off the California coast of Monterey County. The twin-engine Beechcraft, which originally took off from San Carlos airport and had three people on board, crashed approximately 200 to 300 yards off of Point Pinos. A USCG helicopter, three Cal Fire rescue boats, and personnel from the Pacific Grove Police Department, Monterey County Sheriff's Office, San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, and Monterey Fire Department were among the multi-agency rescue effort. Flares flying into the air from the area around the plane disaster were seen in harrowing footage. The crash's debris washed up on the shore and on rocks. An oxygen tank and pieces of metal which ended up down the coast were captured on camera during the tragic incident.
New Indian Express
06-08-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Four killed as medical transport plane crashes, catches fire on Navajo Nation in Arizona
CHINLE: A medical transport plane crashed and caught fire Tuesday on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, killing four people, the tribe said in a statement. The crash involving the CSI Aviation company out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, occurred near the airport in Chinle, about 300 miles (483 kilometers) northeast of Phoenix. Those on board were medical personnel who were on their way to a hospital to pick up a patient. The Beechcraft 300 crashed in the early afternoon while landing at the airport, Federal Aviation Administration officials said in an email. "They were trying to land there and unfortunately something went wrong," district Police Commander Emmett Yazzie said. Yazzie said the crew was planning to pick up a patient from Chinle Hospital. He declined to offer other details about the crash, saying he was waiting on federal investigators. The cause of the crash wasn't known, the tribe said. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said in a social media post that he was heartbroken to learn of the crash. "These were people who dedicated their lives to saving others, and their loss is felt deeply across the Navajo Nation," he said. In January, a medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia, killing eight people. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the crash, has said the voice recorder on that plane was not working.
Business Upturn
29-05-2025
- General
- Business Upturn
'Infinite Prayer' the Latest American Indian College Fund Student-Designed Pendleton Blanket is Now Available for Purchase
Denver, Colo., May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The 2024 winning Tribal College Blanket Design, Infinite Prayer, designed by Jenabah Yazzie (Diné), is now available for purchase. Chosen from over 40 submissions, the blanket is the latest addition to Pendleton Woolen Mills' American Indian College Fund collection. The heritage brand has created wool blankets in partnership with the College Fund for more than 20 years. A portion of the sales from the blanket collection provides approximately $50,000 in annual Native student scholarships. Pendleton also contributes to a scholarship endowment that, combined with the total of scholarships disbursed, exceeds $2.5 million. Yazzie is a psychology major at Diné College focused on behavior and the functions of the mind. She decided to enter the design contest after seeing the blanket of a previous winner online. Her late father's passion for making art served as her inspiration, and the love of her ancestors is referenced in the design itself. 'By creating this I hope it instills the warmth and prayers that our grandparents put down for us,' Yazzie said. 'Let this be a reminder that they are still here amongst us, their spirits can be felt while we pray.' Through her design, Yazzie honors the morning time: the time of day when Navajo are taught to give offerings before the sunrise. The colors of the blanket represent hayoołkááł (dawn). The white border of the blanket represents the strength of prayer with the black and white design along the border depicting the love and protection of the Holy People. The four rectangles in the center of the blanket symbolize the thoughts and prayers of the people with the stars in the center of each rectangle representing the Star People, to remind us that we are never alone. Yazzie explained that prayer is always in motion which led to the name Infinite Prayer. Learn more about Yazzie's blanket design at As the winner of the Tribal College Blanket Design Contest, Yazzie received a $5,000 scholarship, $2,000 for books and incidentals, and six blankets for her design portfolio. 'I want to thank the American Indian College Fund and Pendleton for this amazing opportunity not only for myself but for all of the little rez kids out there waiting to live a big dream and pursue something in life,' Yazzie said. The Tribal College Blanket Design Contest is an annual contest open to all Native TCU students. Applications open every November on the College Fund's website at The contest seeks to create greater recognition for promising Native student artists' work, to provide valuable design experience working with an internationally known brand, and to give students scholarships and cash awards to assist with college costs. The program also helps the College Fund and Pendleton honor the richness of Native arts, cultures, and stories by sharing original Native student designs with the public. 'Infinite Prayer' can be purchased online at and in select Pendleton retail stores. About Pendleton Woolen Mills Pendleton Woolen Mills is a heritage lifestyle brand and the leader in wool blankets, apparel and accessories. Weaving in Oregon since 1863 and located in Portland, Oregon, Pendleton weaves iconic designs in two of America's remaining woolen mills located in Pendleton, Oregon and Washougal, Washington. With six generations of family ownership, Pendleton is focused on their 'Warranted to Be a Pendleton' legacy, creating quality lifestyle products with timeless classic styling. Inspiring individuals from the Pacific Northwest and beyond for 160 years, Pendleton products are available at Pendleton stores across the US, select retailers worldwide, and on About the American Indian College Fund — The American Indian College Fund has been the nation's largest charity supporting Native higher education for 35 years. The College Fund believes 'Education is the answer' and provided $20.5 million in scholarships and other direct student support for access to a higher education steeped in Native culture and values to American Indian students in 2023-24. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $349 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of programs at the nation's 34 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators. It earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a Gold Seal of Transparency from Guidestar, and the 'Best in America Seal of Excellence' from the Independent Charities of America. The College Fund was also named as one of the nation's top 100 charities to the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit Reporters: The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund. Photo 1: Jenabah Yazzie with her award-winning Pendleton Blanket Design. Photo 2: Infinite Prayer blanket design. Attachments Infinite Prayer Blanket Jenabah Yazzie with Infinite Prayer Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Santa Fe judge finds state out of compliance with Yazzie/Martinez education ruling
You make the mess, you clean it up. That was the message Tuesday from a state district judge in Santa Fe who ruled the New Mexico Public Education Department has continually failed to comply with a landmark 2018 court order to provide a sufficient education to certain groups of at-risk students. Judge Matthew Wilson of the First Judicial District also ruled it was the department's job to fix the problem. He ordered the agency to develop a "comprehensive remedial plan" to comply with the ruling in Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico and set several deadlines. His ruling followed a hearing on a motion filed by plaintiffs in the lawsuit, asking the judge to assign the job of improving services and student outcomes to the Legislative Education Study Committee rather than the education agency. Nearly seven years after another state judge found in favor of the plaintiffs, they continue to decry what they see as a lack of successful solutions from the Public Education Department, even as lawmakers have made significant investments in education. The department argues, however, its mandate to ensure schools adequately educate groups of students cited in the lawsuit — Native Americans, English language learners, low-income kids and students with disabilities — pits it directly against districts that demand more local control. Attorneys for the plaintiffs said Tuesday the Legislative Education Study Committee has more expertise, stability and accountability than the education department and should be tasked with creating a plan to make improvements. Wilson denied that part of the motion, noting the committee is not a party in the lawsuit and he doesn't have the authority to direct it to create the plan. But he said the Legislative Education Study Committee and other stakeholders should be involved in crafting the plan and selecting outside experts and consultants to help. Wilson also laid out deadlines for the state to be in compliance, or risk court sanctions: * July 1: The Public Education Department must file a status report with the court and work with the Legislative Education Study Committee to identify outside experts and consultants to help draft the action plan. * Oct. 1: The state agency, along with stakeholders, must develop a draft plan, 'identifying all the components and elements necessary for a constitutionally sufficient and uniform education for at-risk students." * Nov. 3: The agency must develop a final plan and file a status report for the court's review. * Dec. 1: The Yazzie/Martinez plaintiffs' last day to file objections to the final plan. The state will then have 15 days to file a response, and the plaintiffs will have 15 days to file a reply. Wilson said he "anticipates a final comprehensive remedial plan." "I will bring the PED and the state into compliance with the court's final judgment and will ultimately conclude this litigation,' he said. 'Scattershot initiatives'? The state had one main argument against the plaintiffs' claims of continued noncompliance with a judge's 2018 ruling in the case. Rather, it had one number — 62% — referring to the state's roughly $1.7 billion increase in annual appropriations for public education between 2016, when the budget was $2.5 billion, and 2024, when it was $4.2 billion. 'Plaintiffs argued that this increase in funding makes no difference because PED has no plan how to spend it and no accountability over the districts. That is simply untrue,' said Taylor Rahn, a private attorney with Robles, Rael & Anaya, who represented the Public Education Department and Cabinet Secretary Mariana Padilla. Rahn pointed to examples of the department's oversight, such as education plans that require "school districts to articulate how they intend to spend at-risk funding.' She said the plaintiffs have an 'outright disregard of changes to inputs in the public education system.' Rahn also noted some areas of improvement, such as an increase in graduation rates for at-risk groups and the narrowing of an achievement gap between high- and low-performing students, one that is 'smaller than the national average.' While a boost in performance by economically disadvantaged students between 2022-23 and 2023-24 helped narrow the achievement gap, assessments showed it was also caused by a downturn in the academic performance of students from higher-income families. In a rebuttal to Rahn, Preston Sanchez, an attorney for the Yazzie plaintiffs, called the Public Education Department's efforts 'piecemeal' and 'scattershot initiatives that have had little to no impact' on at-risk student groups. He cited a few dismal statistics — for example, that 12% of special education students achieved scores showing proficiency in reading in 2022-23, compared to 38% of students overall statewide. As for the agency's accountability measures, he called the department's education plan a matter of 'checking boxes and paperwork' rather than a comprehensive means to vet school districts. Asking for overreach? Rahn argued the plaintiffs' request for the department to impose 'sweeping accountability measures' could lead to pushback from districts that oppose overreach. For instance, 54 districts joined together last year in filing a lawsuit against the department's rule requiring all schools to provide 180 days of instruction each year. A judge struck down the rule in February. Padilla said at the time the department was "dissatisfied" with the ruling and still believed "students can achieve better educational outcomes when we maximize learning opportunities." The plaintiffs' attorneys called into question the stability of the agency's leadership — given its five Cabinet secretaries since 2019 and the recent departure of Margaret Cage, director and deputy secretary of the Office of Special Education, after two years on the job. Rahn noted the agency has decreased its job vacancy rate since 2016 and has created 'dozens of new positions, many of which are targeted in at-risk student areas.' She said, ' Plaintiffs make the allegation that PED cannot be trusted to lead or cannot be trusted to comply with court orders because we've had several secretaries since the time of the court ruling. There is no court relief that could change that. People are allowed to change positions; people are allowed to seek different positions." She also pointed to the plaintiffs' request for remedies to teacher vacancies in at-risk areas — saying they were "suggesting that the state must force teachers into certain at-risk classrooms." ' The court does not have the power to override teacher union agreements," she said. Wilson did not address the plaintiffs' calls for such specific actions but noted 'the relief sought by plaintiffs is reasonable and within the court's authority.' Martha Pincoffs, a spokesperson for the Public Education Department, wrote in an email after the hearing the state has "substantially increased funding, and taken significant steps" to improve student performance and educator retention.
