Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Photo courtesy Navajo Nation Council

Over the last year, the Navajo Nation Council has been investigating what happened to the $24 million in COVID relief allocated for ZenniHome, a failed housing initiative.

A week-long public hearing on the matter got off to a slow start Monday when subpoenaed witnesses failed to show up on the advice of the tribe’s justice department.

KJZZ’s Gabriel Pietrorazio reports.

Those witnesses included Navajo President Buu Nygren, but the tribe’s Department of Justice (DOJ) sent a same-day memo advising all government employees to not attend or testify.

“The Department of Justice is not here to hinder the process and our main emphasis is that we protect the attorney-client relationship.”

Acting Deputy Attorney General JoAnn Jayne says the best way to do so is in executive session.

“We can advise you as to what can be disclosed and what cannot be disclosed, and so the sooner that we do that, you know, then the legislative branch can move on.”

Budget and Finance Committee Vice Chair Carl Slater questions whether the DOJ is operating in good faith.

“It’s very difficult to ascertain – between the politically appointed leadership of the department and the rank and file employees – what the position of the department is with respect to trying to quash this whole endeavor.”

Meanwhile, Nygren himself has filed several motions to stay the public proceedings.

If you have spent time in Ketchikan, Alaska, you have likely seen the work of Israel Shotridge.

The Tlingit Master Carver passed away in Washington state in April at the age of 75.

Shotridge is being remembered for his artistry, gentleness and love of family.

KRBD’s Hunter Morrison spoke with two of Shotridge’s loved ones about his life and legacy, and has this story.

Shotridge’s Tlingit name Kinstaádaál (The Bear That is Standing up) is also the name of a song he wrote for and sang with his mother, Esther Shea. They were members of the Bear Clan of the Tongass Tribe.

Born Howard Jackson in 1951, Shotridge was raised in Ketchikan and later changed his name.

Growing up, he excelled in school and sports, but Shotridge’s passion was for the arts.

Willard Jackson, his older brother, says Shotridge liked to draw at a young age.

“Creativity for him came easy, but he was good at it.”

After going to college in Seattle, Wash., Shotridge returned to Ketchikan and eventually began carving.

His first major project was to carve a replica of the 55-foot Chief Johnson totem pole. It was the first pole in over 50 years to be carved and raised in Ketchikan, and still stands downtown today.

Shotridge also met his wife Sue around that time.

“He was friendly to everybody, and I just fell in love with him. He was fun to be around. We laughed. We both had the same interest in the culture, it was a fun journey.”

In addition to his totem work, Shotridge carved bentwood boxes, masks, and other ceremonial pieces.

In the 1990s, Shotridge and his wife moved to Washington state, where they opened their shop The Shotridge Collection, but art was not Shotridge’s only interest. He had a love for music and was also a family man who loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

His wife says this, his art, and cultural preservation, will be Shotridge’s lasting legacy.

“He was the humblest and most modest artist that I ever knew.”

Willard says Shotridge’s carvings, and legacy, can be found all around the globe.

“You can’t go through town or anywhere else without seeing his artwork. It’s there. And every time I see it, I know it’s his.”

His wife plans to return Shotridge’s ashes to Southeast Alaska next year for a canoe journey from Wrangell to Ketchikan. She says Shotridge wanted to do that, but never had the chance when he was alive.