Navajo Tribal Council
Encyclopedia
The Navajo Nation Council is the legislative branch of the Navajo Nation
government. As stipulated in the Navajo Nation Code, "The Legislative Branch shall consist of the Navajo Nation Council and any entity established under the Navajo Nation Council. The Legislative Branch shall not be amended unless approved by majority of all registered Navajo voters through a referendum."
It has 24 elected members from the 110 chapters
that make up the Navajo Nation. It is presided over by a Speaker
who is elected by the council. The council meets at least four times a year in the capital of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ. The council delegates represent their respective chapters and when council is in session; issues pertaining to their chapters are discussed and new legislation is passed.
. During its first meeting, the council acquiesced to U.S. pressure to grant the oil companies use of the land. In return, the Navajo Nation was promised more land that could be used for subsistence farming and sheep grazing. This first council was headed by Henry Chee Dodge
. After refusing to adopt Commissioner of Indian Affairs
John Collier
's Indian Reorganization Act
in 1934, the Navajo Tribal Council reformed in 1937. The name Navajo Nation Council or sometimes Navajo Nation Tribal Council came into use in 1989. The name change occurred with the Title II Amendments of 1989 which established a three branch government system. This created a clear division of Executive and Legislative powers by introducing two new positions as leaders of the executive branch, the President and Vice-President, and the new title of the leadership of the council, the Speaker of the Council.
Until 1984, the Council and Navajo Nation had been supported by funding from the wealth of natural resources
on the reservation but in 1984 the council established the Permanent Trust Fund in which 12% of all revenue
each year were deposited. It wasn't until 2004 that funds from the trust fund could be accessed.
Two term Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, Lawrence T. Morgan
ran for a 3rd term as Speaker of the Council, while running against Fort Defiance Council Delegate Harold Wauneka in a run-off. Speaker Morgan captured a 3rd consecutive win, as Speaker of the 21st Navajo Nation Council.
In 2009 Speaker Morgan once again won re-election to lead the Navajo Nation Council. Speaker Morgan has now serve a total of 4 terms as a Speaker, making him the first to ever do so.
Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr.
addressed the Navajo Nation Council in the annual State of the Navajo Nation Address on January 24, 2005 and presented his conviction to develop a new governing document for the Navajo Nation. President Shirley, who campaigned to return government to the Diné by government reform, stated that the document must establish the structure and authority of a central government.
A 2007 tribal audit found that OnSat had overbilled for service and that the tribe didn’t comply with procurement rules or a competitive bidding process in selecting OnSat. OnSat placed its participation in the federal E-rate program in grave jeopardy. The program reimburses between 85 percent and 90 percent of the costs for Internet services to the tribe’s chapter houses, which operate like city governments. The chapter houses lost service through OnSat in 2008 over issues of nonpayment.
Biochemical Decontamination Systems, "BCDS," was considered another failed Navajo Nation venture. The tribe invested $300,000 in the company in 2003 and held a 51 percent ownership stake. A loan guarantee to the company for a planned expansion ultimately cost the Navajo Nation $2 million. The loan came from a tribal fund used as collateral for small businesses.
The council, and the Office of the President and Vice President
receive millions of dollars a year through supplemental budget appropriations to dole out to elderly Navajos on fixed income, college students, organizations in need or Navajos looking for emergency funding.
Allegations of improper payments from lawmakers to family members of legislative branch employees had raised serious concerns about whether a few elected officials have betrayed the public’s trust, according to the Navajo Attorney General. The Navajo tribal auditing office also initiated a comprehensive review of all discretionary funding by the council and president’s offices.
Council
originally called for a special prosecutor in 2009 to look into the Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr.'s
relationship with two companies that had operated on the reservation. Attorney General Louis Denetsosie mandated that the investigation would focus on the tribe's contractual relationship with a Utah-based satellite Internet company, OnSat Network Communications Inc., a $2.2 million loan guarantee to BCDS Manufacturing Inc., and payments from the Navajo Nation Council's discretionary fund to family members of several legislative branch employees.
The Special Division of the Window Rock District Court named the prosecutor by January 2010 and began work in early February of that year after the three-judge panel reviewed three applications January 20, 2010. Alan Balaran was hired as the Special Prosecutor and began performing his duties. Balaran, who served as the court-appointed special master in the Cobell trust fund case, will be under the jurisdiction of the special division, Denetsosie added.
Later, those obligations were expanded to include a tribal ranch program, and discretionary funds given to the tribal president's and vice president's office.
On November 4, 2010, the Council voted 42-0 with two delegates abstaining to order legislation terminating Attorney General Louis Denetsosie and Deputy Attorney General D. Harrison Tso.
On December 23 the council opposed the removal of the Deputy Attorney General in a 3-65 vote. A separate bill to remove the Attorney General was never introduced for discussion.
Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory covering , occupying all of northeastern Arizona, the southeastern portion of Utah, and northwestern New Mexico...
government. As stipulated in the Navajo Nation Code, "The Legislative Branch shall consist of the Navajo Nation Council and any entity established under the Navajo Nation Council. The Legislative Branch shall not be amended unless approved by majority of all registered Navajo voters through a referendum."
It has 24 elected members from the 110 chapters
Chapter house (Navajo Nation)
A Chapter house is an administrative, communal meeting place on the territory of the Navajo Nation where residents have a forum to express their opinions to their Navajo Nation Council Delegate or to decide on matters concerning their chapter. As of January 2004, there were a total of 110 such...
that make up the Navajo Nation. It is presided over by a Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
who is elected by the council. The council meets at least four times a year in the capital of the Navajo Nation, Window Rock, AZ. The council delegates represent their respective chapters and when council is in session; issues pertaining to their chapters are discussed and new legislation is passed.
Naachʼid
The created the ceremonial gatherings called which met every 2–4 years or on emergency basis. The traditional Navajo government was organized around the principles of or the nurturing and protection aspects of governance. Clans chose two representatives to attend these assemblies. The purpose of this ceremony was to protect and nurture the . An individual who was selected to participate in that council was called . , translated as war chief, protected the people from any harm, from negative powers and from themselves as they moved away from the principles of . , or peace chief, nurtured the individual, assisting the people to live in accordance with the principles of , to aide the community to maintain their relationships with all creation.Modern Council
The Navajo Business Council was created in 1922 by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in order to certify mineral leases on the Navajo reservationIndian reservation
An American Indian reservation is an area of land managed by a Native American tribe under the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs...
. During its first meeting, the council acquiesced to U.S. pressure to grant the oil companies use of the land. In return, the Navajo Nation was promised more land that could be used for subsistence farming and sheep grazing. This first council was headed by Henry Chee Dodge
Henry Chee Dodge
Henry Chee Dodge , also known in Navajo by his nicknames ' and ' , was chairman of the Navajo Business Council from 1922 until 1928, and chairman of the then Navajo Tribal Council from 1942 until 1946. Thereafter, he became the first and only Navajo politician elected vice-president who died...
. After refusing to adopt Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Indian Affairs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is an agency of the federal government of the United States within the US Department of the Interior. It is responsible for the administration and management of of land held in trust by the United States for Native Americans in the United States, Native American...
John Collier
John Collier (reformer)
John Collier was an American social reformer and Native American advocate. He served as Commissioner for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the President Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, from 1933-1945...
's Indian Reorganization Act
Indian Reorganization Act
The Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934 the Indian New Deal, was U.S. federal legislation that secured certain rights to Native Americans, including Alaska Natives...
in 1934, the Navajo Tribal Council reformed in 1937. The name Navajo Nation Council or sometimes Navajo Nation Tribal Council came into use in 1989. The name change occurred with the Title II Amendments of 1989 which established a three branch government system. This created a clear division of Executive and Legislative powers by introducing two new positions as leaders of the executive branch, the President and Vice-President, and the new title of the leadership of the council, the Speaker of the Council.
Until 1984, the Council and Navajo Nation had been supported by funding from the wealth of natural resources
Natural Resources
Natural Resources is a soul album released by Motown girl group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas in 1970 on the Gordy label. The album is significant for the Vietnam War ballad "I Should Be Proud" and the slow jam, "Love Guess Who"...
on the reservation but in 1984 the council established the Permanent Trust Fund in which 12% of all revenue
Revenue
In business, revenue is income that a company receives from its normal business activities, usually from the sale of goods and services to customers. In many countries, such as the United Kingdom, revenue is referred to as turnover....
each year were deposited. It wasn't until 2004 that funds from the trust fund could be accessed.
Powers
The Navajo Nation Council reserves all powers delegated and all powers not delegated. The Navajo Nation Council shall have all powers to discipline and/or regulate the conduct of its members, including removal. The Navajo Nation Council shall have the authority to promulgate rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of its meetings and that of its committees. The Navajo Nation Council shall confirm the appointments of all division directors upon recommendation from the appropriate oversight committee. The Navajo Nation Council shall establish standing committees of the Council and delegate such authority to such committees as it deems necessary and proper for such committees to execute the purposes delegated.22nd Council (2011-2015)
On January 24, 2011, Delegate Johnny Naize (Blue Gap-Tachee/Cottonwood-Tselani/Low Mountain/Many Farms/Nazlini) was named speaker, a two-year position.21st Council (2007-2011)
The 21st Navajo Nation Council convened immediately after the 6th President of the Navajo Nation, Joe Shirley Jr., was sworn in as President for a 2nd term, with Vice-President elect Ben Shelly.Two term Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, Lawrence T. Morgan
Lawrence T. Morgan
Lawrence T. Morgan is the current Speaker of the Navajo Nation Tribal Council.He was first elected in January 2003 by then the 20th Navajo Nation Council. Current Navajo law requires a Speaker to serve two years per term...
ran for a 3rd term as Speaker of the Council, while running against Fort Defiance Council Delegate Harold Wauneka in a run-off. Speaker Morgan captured a 3rd consecutive win, as Speaker of the 21st Navajo Nation Council.
In 2009 Speaker Morgan once again won re-election to lead the Navajo Nation Council. Speaker Morgan has now serve a total of 4 terms as a Speaker, making him the first to ever do so.
Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr.
Joe Shirley, Jr.
Joe Shirley, Jr. is a Native American politician who was the previous President of the Navajo Nation. He is of the Navajo Tribe and is from Chinle, Arizona...
addressed the Navajo Nation Council in the annual State of the Navajo Nation Address on January 24, 2005 and presented his conviction to develop a new governing document for the Navajo Nation. President Shirley, who campaigned to return government to the Diné by government reform, stated that the document must establish the structure and authority of a central government.
Navajo Nation Council Reduction
On Dec. 15, 2009, Tribal members voted to reduce the Navajo Tribal Council from 88 to 24 members, and the Navajo Nation Supreme Court ordered immediate implementation of the redistricting in a May 28, 2010 decision. On January 11, 2011 the 24 member Council took office and began restructuring of the legislative branch.Probe of the Council's Discretionary Funds
In October 2010, Navajo tribal other officials, were charged in an investigation of slush funds just weeks before the November election. Not guilty was what the Councilmen charged pleaded, to those tribal charges of fraud, conspiracy and theft. Each misdemeanor count carrying a penalty of up to a year in jail and $5,000 if convicted.Background
The Navajo Nation entered into a $1.9 million contract with OnSat Network Communications Inc., "OnSta," in 2001 to provide Internet services to all 110 chapters that ballooned to $32 million by January 2006.A 2007 tribal audit found that OnSat had overbilled for service and that the tribe didn’t comply with procurement rules or a competitive bidding process in selecting OnSat. OnSat placed its participation in the federal E-rate program in grave jeopardy. The program reimburses between 85 percent and 90 percent of the costs for Internet services to the tribe’s chapter houses, which operate like city governments. The chapter houses lost service through OnSat in 2008 over issues of nonpayment.
Biochemical Decontamination Systems, "BCDS," was considered another failed Navajo Nation venture. The tribe invested $300,000 in the company in 2003 and held a 51 percent ownership stake. A loan guarantee to the company for a planned expansion ultimately cost the Navajo Nation $2 million. The loan came from a tribal fund used as collateral for small businesses.
Discretionary funds
Any member of the Navajo tribe can seek financial assistance from a single Navajo lawmaker every six months, according to the policy, which has been amended over the years to exclude a limit on how much an individual could receive.The council, and the Office of the President and Vice President
Ben Shelly
Ben Shelly is the President of the Navajo Nation. Since serving as vice-president for the Nation under the last administration, Mr...
receive millions of dollars a year through supplemental budget appropriations to dole out to elderly Navajos on fixed income, college students, organizations in need or Navajos looking for emergency funding.
Allegations of improper payments from lawmakers to family members of legislative branch employees had raised serious concerns about whether a few elected officials have betrayed the public’s trust, according to the Navajo Attorney General. The Navajo tribal auditing office also initiated a comprehensive review of all discretionary funding by the council and president’s offices.
Investigation
In December 2009, the Navajo NationNavajo Nation
The Navajo Nation is a semi-autonomous Native American-governed territory covering , occupying all of northeastern Arizona, the southeastern portion of Utah, and northwestern New Mexico...
Council
Navajo Tribal Council
The Navajo Nation Council is the legislative branch of the Navajo Nation government. As stipulated in the Navajo Nation Code, "The Legislative Branch shall consist of the Navajo Nation Council and any entity established under the Navajo Nation Council...
originally called for a special prosecutor in 2009 to look into the Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr.'s
Joe Shirley, Jr.
Joe Shirley, Jr. is a Native American politician who was the previous President of the Navajo Nation. He is of the Navajo Tribe and is from Chinle, Arizona...
relationship with two companies that had operated on the reservation. Attorney General Louis Denetsosie mandated that the investigation would focus on the tribe's contractual relationship with a Utah-based satellite Internet company, OnSat Network Communications Inc., a $2.2 million loan guarantee to BCDS Manufacturing Inc., and payments from the Navajo Nation Council's discretionary fund to family members of several legislative branch employees.
The Special Division of the Window Rock District Court named the prosecutor by January 2010 and began work in early February of that year after the three-judge panel reviewed three applications January 20, 2010. Alan Balaran was hired as the Special Prosecutor and began performing his duties. Balaran, who served as the court-appointed special master in the Cobell trust fund case, will be under the jurisdiction of the special division, Denetsosie added.
Later, those obligations were expanded to include a tribal ranch program, and discretionary funds given to the tribal president's and vice president's office.
Criminal complaints against the Navajo Tribal Council
The complaints were announced during the Tribal Council's weeklong fall session in Window Rock and just ahead of the Nov. 2 election in which nearly three dozen lawmakers are on the ballot. Police served some delegates with the complaints just before they convened for the fourth day of their 2010 fall session in the tribal capital of Window Rock.Reaction
In November 2010, The Navajo Nation Council, unhappy with the special prosecutor's focus on legislative branch slush funds, is organizing the removal of several people it holds responsible in some way.On November 4, 2010, the Council voted 42-0 with two delegates abstaining to order legislation terminating Attorney General Louis Denetsosie and Deputy Attorney General D. Harrison Tso.
On December 23 the council opposed the removal of the Deputy Attorney General in a 3-65 vote. A separate bill to remove the Attorney General was never introduced for discussion.
Past Speakers of the Navajo Nation Council
- Nelson Gorman Jr. (ChinleChinle, ArizonaChinle is a census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States. The population was 5,366 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Chinle is located at ....
) - Kelsey A Begaye (KaibitoKaibito, ArizonaKaibito is a census-designated place in Coconino County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,607 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kaibito is located at , at an elevation of 5,810 feet ....
) - Edward T. BegayEdward T. BegayEdward T. Begay is a Native American politician who served as the Speaker of the Navajo Nation from 1999 to 2003. He also served as Vice-Chairman in 1983 under the Chairmanship of then Chairm Peterson Zah. Begay has been a major influence in the community, and is still active within Chapter...
(Churchrock)
Notable council delegates
Orlanda Smith Hodge (Cornfields, Greasewood, Klagetoh and Wide Ruins Chapters)- Leonard Tsosie (Whitehorse/Torreon//Pueblo Pintado)
- Kenneth MaryboyKenneth MaryboyKenneth Maryboy is an American politician for San Juan County, Utah, and the current Navajo Nation Council Delegate for the Utah Navajo Section. Kenneth is also one of three San Juan County Commissioners who oversee the needs of the county's residents and the Utah Navajo Element...
(AnethAneth, UtahAneth is a census-designated place in San Juan County, Utah, United States. The population was 598 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Aneth is located at ....
/Red MesaRed Mesa, ArizonaRed Mesa is a census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States. The population was 237 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Red Mesa is located at ....
//Mexican WaterMexican Water, ArizonaMexican Water is an unincorporated community in Apache County, Arizona, United States. Mexican Water is located on the Navajo Nation west of Red Mesa....
/Sweet Water/ TeecNosPos) - Davis FilfredDavis FilfredDavis Filfred is an American politician for the Navajo Nation Council Delegate in the Utah Navajo Section.Davis Filfred succeeded the position of retiring Navajo Councilman, Mark Maryboy in the Navajo Nation election process. Davis Filfred serves the same Navajo Nation districts along with Kenneth...
(AnethAneth, UtahAneth is a census-designated place in San Juan County, Utah, United States. The population was 598 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Aneth is located at ....
/Red MesaRed Mesa, ArizonaRed Mesa is a census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States. The population was 237 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Red Mesa is located at ....
//Mexican WaterMexican Water, ArizonaMexican Water is an unincorporated community in Apache County, Arizona, United States. Mexican Water is located on the Navajo Nation west of Red Mesa....
) - Young Jeff Tom (Mariano Lake/Smith LakeSmith Lake- Australia :* Smith Lake, a lake and village in the Mid North Coast, New South Wales, Australia* Smiths Lake, New South Wales, often mistakenly called Smith Lake- United States :* Lewis Smith Lake, a lake in North-Central Alabama* Smith Lake...
) - Lorenzo Bates (Upper Fruitland)
- Larry Anderson Sr. (Fort DefianceFort DefianceFort Defiance may refer to:Canada*Fort Defiance , winter quarters for American Captain Robert GrayUnited States* Fort Defiance, Arizona, an unincorporated community* Fort Defiance , formerly Roop's Fort, located in Susanville...
) - Councilmen George Arthur (San Juan, Burnham, Nahenezad)
- Ray Berchman (St. Michael/Oaksprings)
- Ervin Keeswood (Tse Daakaan)
- Hope MacDonald-Lonetree (Tuba City/Coalmine Canyon)
- Johnny Naize (Tselani/Cottonwood/Nazlini)
- Harold Wauneka (Fort DefianceFort DefianceFort Defiance may refer to:Canada*Fort Defiance , winter quarters for American Captain Robert GrayUnited States* Fort Defiance, Arizona, an unincorporated community* Fort Defiance , formerly Roop's Fort, located in Susanville...
) - Lorenzo Curley (Nahata Dziil/Lupton/Houck)
- Katherine Benally (Dennehotso)
- Mark Maryboy (Ret.)Mark MaryboyMark Maryboy was an American politician for San Juan County, Utah, and a former Navajo Nation Council Delegate for the Utah Navajo Section of the Navajo Tribe. He is the brother of Kenneth Maryboy who currently serves in the positions he once stood...
(AnethAneth, UtahAneth is a census-designated place in San Juan County, Utah, United States. The population was 598 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Aneth is located at ....
/Red MesaRed Mesa, ArizonaRed Mesa is a census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States. The population was 237 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Red Mesa is located at ....
//Mexican WaterMexican Water, ArizonaMexican Water is an unincorporated community in Apache County, Arizona, United States. Mexican Water is located on the Navajo Nation west of Red Mesa....
)
External links
- http://www.navajonationcouncil.org
- http://www.navajo.org/history.htm
- http://www.westernindian.org/nav_gov.htm