WINDOW ROCK, AZ – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer recently met Navajo Area Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Regional Director Gregory Mehojah, a member of the Kaw Nation of Oklahoma, who was recently appointed to oversee the Navajo Area BIA under the U.S. Department of the Interior. He replaces former Regional Director Bartholomew Stevens, who now serves as the Deputy Bureau Director for the BIA’s Office of Field Operations.
Prior to his most recent appointment, Mehojah served with the BIA Southwest Region, first as the Deputy for Trust and Indian Services and later as the Deputy for Trust Services. He has also served as an attorney at the Southwest Regional Solicitors Office. His other previous roles include Acting Regional Director for the South West Regional Office, Acting Deputy Regional Director for the Eastern Region, Special Assistant to the Director for International Affairs, and Program Manager under the Bureau of Indian Education.
“We congratulate Mr. Mehojah on his new role and we thank him for visiting with us to discuss priorities for the Navajo Nation,” said President Nez. “We hope to build off of the progress we’ve made working together with Mr. Stevens the last few years on right-of-way matters, land status issues, and many other priorities. There is much work still to be done and we look to Mr. Mehojah to be a strong partner to move us forward. We also thank Mr. Stevens for his dedication and commitment over the last three years and we are pleased to continue our work together in his new role with the BIA Office of Field Operations.”
During the meeting, President Nez and Vice President Lizer spoke about several key issues including BIA land transfers, right-of-way clearances, public safety facilities, potable water distributions, economic development opportunities, forest management and wildfire mitigation/prevention, road maintenance, and other priorities.
“We built a strong partnership with former Director Bart Stevens and we wish him and his family the very best in his new role,” said Vice President Lizer. “As we move forward, we now look to Mr. Mehojah’s experience and expertise to move us all forward on many of the issues. We have many priorities, but we all share the same goal and that’s to improve the quality of life for our Navajo people. We have to forge a strong partnership and work through the policies to make that happen.”
