WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation’s Law and Order Committee approved amendments to the Navajo Nation Child Support Act on Aug. 19. The amendments increase child support payments and modify the inclusion of in-kind, non-cash contributions and services.

Legislation No. 0195-24, sponsored by Law and Order Committee Vice Chair Cherilyn Yazzie, seeks to amend and update the Navajo Nation Child Support Guidelines and the Child Support Schedule, which have not been updated in approximately 30 years.

“In 1994, the Child Support Act was acted on by the Navajo Nation Council,” Yazzie said. “Since that time, the cost of everything has increased. The current amendments increased...

SANTA FE – Administrative Office of the Courts Director Arthur “Artie” Pepin is retiring after 18 years leading the judicial agency that supports operations of state courts across New Mexico.

“Because of Artie’s innovative leadership, courts have improved an array of judicial services for the public,” Chief Justice David K. Thomson said. “He embodies all the characteristics of a true leader — integrity, vision, compassion and an ability to inspire and collaboratively work with other people to achieve common goals.”

Pepin’s retirement is effective Oct. 1. Karl Reifsteck succeeds Pepin as the new AOC director. Reifsteck joined the AOC as deputy director in January...

SANTA FE —The Forest Stewards Guild’s Forest Stewards Youth Corps wrapped up a successful summer season in which 24 young adults from across New Mexico took a hands-on role in conservation projects with the US Forest Service, National Park Service, Pueblo of Jemez, and other land managers.

The nine-week program put these young crews to work in a wide range of disciplines including ecological monitoring, forest thinning, watershed restoration, rangeland improvements, and wildlife surveys. Over the summer, program participants gained a deeper appreciation for the effort required to steward our forests and watersheds, developed interpersonal skills as they navigated the challenges of...

A new tile wall mural, entitled “Reactions to Hweeldi (place of suffering),” is now open as an outdoor exhibit at Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site. The mural is a collection of over 1,200 tiles that were created by students who have visited the site since 2007.

Bosque Redondo Memorial acknowledges the tragic events of the 1860s when Diné (Navajo) and Ndé (Mescalero Apache) people were forcibly removed from their traditional homelands and interned at Bosque Redondo Indian Reservation. The Memorial strives to teach people of all ages, but especially youth, about this dark chapter in U.S. and Indigenous history in a way that is age-appropriate, engaging, and...