OLJATO, UT – The 25th Navajo Nation Council strengthened economic opportunity and tribal sovereignty with the grand opening of the tribe’s Goulding’s Monument Valley Lodge and Tours.
During the 2023 Fall Council Session, the 25th Navajo Nation Council approved Legislation 0156-23, supporting the $59.5 million purchase of the Goulding’s Monument Valley Lodge from the principal of the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed the resolution into law on October 31, 2023.
At the ceremony, Council Delegate Herman Daniels Jr., who sponsored Legislation 0156-23, thanked all of the tribal leaders and departments that worked together to finalize the Goulding’s purchase. “This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity that has the potential to expand the assets included in the property,” said Delegate Daniels.
The 670-acre property includes a Monument Valley tour business, an RV campground with rental cabins, a gas station and convenience store, a grocery store, and an airstrip. Council Delegate Otto Tso said that the grand opening of the property under the ownership, management, and operation of the Navajo Nation has given many employees and residents a sense of hopefulness. “We’re providing them with opportunity, and we need to continue to build on this,” said Delegate Tso.
According to Speaker Crystalyne Curley, the Goulding’s purchase strengthens the Nation’s ability to reclaim valuable properties while underscoring its capability to manage and operate these developments. “Many of our young ones look to our leadership and ask when the Nation will reclaim what truly belongs to it,” said Speaker Curley. “Our children are waiting for these opportunities. Hopefully in the next 30 years, this lodge will grow into a resort. I thank my colleagues for having this vision to give back to our Nation.”
The Goulding’s Lodge is now managed and operated by the Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise (NNHE). Members of the NNHE Board attended the event. The grand opening of the Goulding’s Monument Valley Lodge and Tours positions the Navajo Nation to develop a tourism property and expand its potential revenue generation while developing the local and regional economy.
