Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance
committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports
if they are used for other purposes.
Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are a vailable on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).
Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and
attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.
F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Ryan
ORIGINAL DATE
LAST UPDATED
02/14/07
HB
SHORT TITLE
NAVAJO HISTORY & CULTURE TEACHING
GUIDE
SB 1041
ANALYST Weber
APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)
Appropriation
Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY07
FY08
$150.0
Recurring
General Fund
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Indian Affairs Department (IAD)
Public Education Department (PED)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 1041 appropriates $150 thousand from the general fund to the Indian Affairs
Department
to contract for the research, development and dissemination of a cross-curricular teaching
guide on Navajo history and culture for secondary school students. The appropriation shall be used for a
teaching guide that meets New Mexico academic content and performance standards and utilizes an
existing popular culture feature film based on the Navajo culture.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $150 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general
fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of Fiscal Year 2008 shall
revert to the general fund.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
Indian Affairs notes that the bill supports the New Mexico Indian Education Act by developing
and implementing culturally appropriate curricula designed to educate all New Mexico students
pg_0002
Senate Bill 1041 – Page
2
about Navajo history and culture. Further, the scope of the bill allows non-Indian secondary
school students to learn about Navajo history and culture in a manner that meets New Mexico
academic content and performance standards.
PED adds that the Navajo Nation Office of Dine Culture, Language and Community Services
currently has the following resources in Navajo (Dine) Studies:
•
Curriculum Guide for Dine Government
•
Navajo Nation Education Standards with Navajo Specifics
•
Dine Cultural Standards for Students
•
Dine Language Standards for Students.
These resources are based on the Navajo traditional philosophy and worldview approach to
education. These resources are currently available to public schools in New Mexico.
The Indian Affairs Department would have to communicate and collaborate with the Navajo
Nation Division of Dine Education to research, develop and disseminate a cross-curricular
teaching guide on Navajo history and culture for secondary school students.
PED continues that the use of an existing popular culture feature film based on the Navajo
culture to develop and disseminate a cross-curricular teaching guide on Navajo history and
culture does not fully provide an in-depth resource on Navajo culture. Furthermore, most
popular feature films do not fully capture the Navajo traditional philosophy and worldview.
Most feature films on Navajos are developed by non-Indians and non-Navajos.
Navajo traditional educational philosophy does not always align with western educational
standards.
ALTERNATIVES
Indian Affairs indicates that since this is an education oriented appropriation regarding curricula
for secondary schools consideration should be given to making the appropriation to the Public
Education Department.
MW/nt