Editing Navajo Nation (section)

==Government==
[[File:Tom O'Halleran with Navajo leaders 2020.jpg|thumb|Vice President Myron Lizer, Congressman [[Tom O'Halleran]] and President [[Jonathan Nez]] in 2020]]

The Title II Amendment of 1989 established the Navajo Nation government as a three-part system (changes to the judicial branch had already begun in 1958). Two branches are independent of the council (where all government decision making was centralized before the change).

The president and vice-president are elected every four years. The Executive nominates judges of the District Courts, and the Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navajocourts.org/Tit7.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120163528/http://www.navajocourts.org/Tit7.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=November 20, 2008|title=Title 7 Navajo Nation Code|website=Navajocourts.org|access-date=13 October 2017}}</ref> The nation consists of several divisions, departments, offices, and programs as established by law.<ref>2 Navajo Nation Code §§ 1001, 1002, 1003, 1005 (1995)</ref>

===Constitution===
In 2006, a committee for a "Navajo Constitution" began advocating for a Navajo constitutional convention. The committee's goal was to have representation from every chapter on the Navajo Nation represented at a constitutional convention. The committee proposed the convention be held in the traditional ''naachid''/modern chapter house format, where every member of the nation wishing to participate may do so through their home chapters. The committee was formed by former Navajo leaders [[Kelsey Begaye]], [[Peterson Zah]], [[Peter MacDonald (Navajo leader)|Peter MacDonald]], Ivan Gamble (a writer/social activist), and other local political activists.<ref>Lee, Tanya. [http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/28209789.html "Navajo group begins process of crafting a constitution"], ''Indian Country Today''. 19 June 2006 (retrieved 5 Oct 2009) {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917082620/http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/28209789.html |date=September 17, 2009 }}</ref>

===Judiciary branch===
{{see also|Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation}}

Prior to [[Long Walk of the Navajo]], judicial powers were exercised by peace chiefs ({{spell-nv|Hózhǫ́ǫ́jí Naatʼááh}}) in a mediation-style process.<ref name="Yazzie">Yazzie, Robert (11 February 2003) {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928005523/http://www.navajocourts.org/history.htm "History of the Courts of the Navajo Nation"]}}, Navajo Nation Museum, Library  &  Visitor Center, archived 3 November 2010 at {{usurped|1=[http://www.freezepage.com/1288813551HLABUIRMVQ?url=http://www.navajocourts.org/history.htm FreezePage]}}</ref> While the people were held at Bosque Redondo, the [[U.S. Army]] handled severe crimes. Lesser crimes and disputes remained in the purview of the villages' chiefs. After the Navajo return from Bosque Redondo in 1868, listed criminal offenses were handled by the US Indian Agent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs with support of the U.S. Army, while lesser disputes remained under Navajo control.

In 1892, BIA Agent David L. Shipley established the Navajo Court of Indian Offenses and appointed judges.<ref name="Austin-21">Austin, Raymond Darrel (2009), "The Navajo Nation court system", pp.&nbsp;1–36, [https://books.google.com/books?id=LsLpgeXbj5UC&pg=PA21 page 21] ''In'' Austin, Raymond Darrel (2009) ''Navajo Courts and Navajo Common Law: A tradition of tribal self-governance,'' University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota, {{ISBN|978-0-8166-6535-8}}</ref> Previously, judicial authority was exercised by the Indian Agent.<ref name="Austin-21" />

In 1950, the Navajo Tribal Council decided that judges should be elected. By the time of the judicial reorganization of 1958, the council had determined that, due to problems with delayed decisions and partisan politics, appointment was a better method of selecting judges.<ref>[http://www.navajotimes.com/news/2010/1010/102910judges.php "Former justice, legal historian lists problems with electing judges"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103015158/http://navajotimes.com/news/2010/1010/102910judges.php |date=November 3, 2010 }}, ''Navajo Times'' 29 October 2010, accessed 3 November 2010</ref>

The president makes appointments, subject to confirmation by the Navajo Nation Council; however, the president is limited to the list of names vetted by the Judiciary Committee of the council.<ref name="French-151">French, Laurence  (2002) ''Native American Justice,'' Burnham, Chicago,  [https://books.google.com/books?id=_HVlL-gBmRQC&pg=PA151 p. 151], {{ISBN|0-8304-1575-0}}</ref>

The current judicial system for the Navajo Nation was created by the Navajo Tribal Council on 16 October 1958. It established a separate branch of government, the "Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation Government", which became effective 1 April 1959.<ref>Navajo Tribal Council Resolution No. CO-69-58 (16 October 1958)</ref> The Navajo Court of Indian Offenses was eliminated; the sitting judges became judges in the new system. The resolution established "Trial Courts of the Navajo Tribe" and the "Navajo Tribal Court of Appeals", which was the highest tribal court and its only appellate court.

In 1978, the Navajo Tribal Council established a "Supreme Judicial Council", a political body rather than a court. On a discretionary basis, it could hear appeals from the Navajo Tribal Court of Appeals.<ref>Navajo Tribal Council Resolution No. CMY-39-78 (4 May 1978)</ref> Subsequently, the Supreme Judicial Council was criticized for bringing politics directly into the judicial system and undermining "impartiality, fairness and equal protection".<ref>Advisory Committee of the Navajo Tribal Council (9 November 1983) "Recommending the Rescission and Repeal of Resolution CMY-39-78, Which Established the Supreme Judicial Council, and Revocation of Any Inconsistent Authority" available as an attachment to {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110722222925/http://www.navajocourts.org/Resolutions/CD-94-85%20Judicial%20Reform%20Act.pdf Navajo Tribal Council Resolution CD-94-85]}}</ref>

In December 1985, the Navajo Tribal Council passed the Judicial Reform Act of 1985, which eliminated the Supreme Judicial Council. It redefined the "Navajo Tribal Court of Appeals" as the "Navajo Nation Supreme Court", and redefined "Trial Courts of the Navajo Tribe" as "District Courts of the Navajo Nation".<ref name="CD-94-85">Navajo Tribal Council {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110722222925/http://www.navajocourts.org/Resolutions/CD-94-85%20Judicial%20Reform%20Act.pdf Resolution No. CD-94-85]}} (4 December 1985)</ref> Navajo courts are governed by Title 7, "Courts and Procedures", of the Navajo Tribal Code.<ref name="CD-94-85" />

From 1988 to 2006, there were seven judicial districts and two satellite courts. {{As of|2010}}, there are ten judicial districts, centered respectively in [[Alamo, New Mexico|Alamo (Alamo/Tó'hajiilee)]], [[Aneth, Utah|Aneth]], [[Chinle, Arizona|Chinle]], [[Crownpoint, New Mexico|Crownpoint]], [[Dilkon, Arizona|Dilkon]], [[Kayenta, Arizona|Kayenta]], [[Ramah, New Mexico|Ramah]], [[Shiprock, New Mexico|Shiprock]], [[Tuba City, Arizona|Tuba City]] and [[Window Rock, Arizona|Window Rock]].<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120905180757/http://www.navajocourts.org/districts.htm "Judicial Districts of the Navajo Nation"]}} Navajo Courts webpage, 29 May 2010, accessed 3 November 2010</ref> All of the districts also have family courts, which have jurisdiction over domestic relations, civil relief in domestic violence, child custody and protection, name changes, quiet title, and probate. {{As of|2010}}, there were 17 trial judges presiding in the Navajo district and family courts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navajocourts.org/publicguide.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722223137/http://www.navajocourts.org/publicguide.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 22, 2011|title=Public Guide to the Navajo Nation Courts|website=Navajocourts.org|access-date=13 October 2017}}</ref>

===Executive branch===
{{main|President of the Navajo Nation}}

The Navajo Nation Presidency, in its current form, was created on December 15, 1989, after directives from the federal government guided the Tribal Council to establish the current judicial, legislative, and executive model. This was a departure from the system of "Council and Chairmanship" from the previous government body.

Conceptual additions were made to the language of Navajo Nation Code Title II, and the acts expanded the new government on April 1, 1990. Qualifications for the position of president include fluency in the Navajo language (this has seldom been enforced and in 2015 the council changed the law to repeal this requirement). Term limits allow only two consecutive terms.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dine.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/heritage/people/dine/organization/government/branches.htm |title=San Juan Heritage: Three Branch Government|access-date=2014-12-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105031352/http://dine.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/heritage/people/dine/organization/government/branches.htm |archive-date=2015-01-05 }}</ref>

===Legislative branch===
{{main|Navajo Nation Council}}

[[File:Navajo Nation Council Chambers 6809.jpg|thumb|[[Navajo Nation Council Chamber]], a [[National Historic Landmark]]]]

The Navajo Nation Council, formerly the Navajo Tribal Council, is the legislative branch of the Navajo Nation. {{As of|2010}}, the Navajo Nation Council consists of 24 delegates, representing the 110 chapters, elected every four years by registered Navajo voters. Prior to the November 2010 election, the Navajo Nation Council consisted of 88 representatives. The Navajo voted for the change in an effort to have a more efficient government and to curb tribal government corruption associated with council members who established secure seats.<ref>[http://navajotimes.com/news/2009/1209/121709elex.php "Majority of Diné vote for 24-member council, line-item veto for president"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313100252/http://navajotimes.com/news/2009/1209/121709elex.php |date=March 13, 2016 }}, ''The Navajo Times Online''</ref>

====Chapters====
{{see also|Chapter (Navajo Nation)|List of Navajo Nation Chapters}}

In 1927, agents of the U.S. federal government initiated a new form of local government entities called [[Chapter (Navajo Nation)|Chapters]], modeled after jurisdictional governments in the US such as counties or townships. Each chapter elected officers and followed parliamentary procedures.

By 1933, more than 100 chapters operated across the Navajo Nation. The chapters served as liaisons between the Navajo and the federal governments, respectively. They also acted as voting precincts for the election of tribal council delegates. They served as forums for local tribal leaders but the chapters had no authority within the structure of the Navajo Nation government.<ref>[[David E. Wilkins]], ''The Navajo Political Experience,'' 1999, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., pp. 81–82.</ref>

In 1998, the Navajo Tribal Council passed the "Local Governance Act" (LGA), which expanded the political roles of the existing 110 chapters. It authorized them to make decisions on behalf of the chapter members and to take over certain roles previously delegated to the council and executive branches. This included entering into intergovernmental agreements with federal, state and tribal entities, subject to approval by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the council. As of 2006, 44 chapters were LGA certified.<ref>{{cite web |title=LGA Certified Chapters |url=http://www.navajoauditor.org/lgacertified_01.html |website=Navajo Nation Office of the Auditor General |access-date=7 April 2021 |language=EN |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426050459/http://www.navajoauditor.org/lgacertified_01.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
====Agencies and chapters====
The Navajo Nation is divided into five agencies. The seat of government is located at the Navajo Governmental Campus in [[Window Rock, Arizona|Window Rock/''Tségháhoodzání'']]. These agencies are composed of several chapters each, and reflect the five [[United States Bureau of Indian Affairs|Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)]] agencies created in the early formation of the Navajo Nation.

The five agencies within the Navajo Nation are Chinle Agency in Chinle, Arizona; Eastern Navajo Agency in Crownpoint, New Mexico; Western Navajo Agency in [[Tuba City, Arizona]]; Fort Defiance Agency in [[Fort Defiance, Arizona]]; and Shiprock Agency in [[Shiprock, New Mexico]]. The BIA agencies provide various technical services under direction of the BIA's Navajo Area Office at [[Gallup, New Mexico]].

Agencies are divided into chapters as the smallest political unit, similar to municipalities or small U.S. counties. The Navajo capital city of Window Rock is located in the chapter of [[St. Michaels, Arizona]].

The Navajo Nation also operates executive offices in [[Washington, DC]] to facilitate government-to-government relations and for lobbying services and congressional relations.

====Departments and divisions====
=====Law enforcement=====
{{main|Navajo Nation Police}}

Navajo law enforcement consists of approximately 180 tribal police officers as of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-17 |title=This Max Series Offers An Unflinching Look At A Unique Police Department |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/navajo-police-class-57_n_65292538e4b03ea0c004b9f8 |access-date=2024-06-23 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>

Certain classes of crimes, such as capital cases, are prosecuted and adjudicated in Federal courts. However, the Navajo Nation operates its own divisions of law enforcement via the Navajo Division of Public Safety, commonly referred to as the Navajo Nation Police (formerly Navajo Tribal Police). Law enforcement functions are also delegated to the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife: Wildlife Law Enforcement and Animal Control Sections; Navajo Nation Forestry Law Enforcement Officers; and the Navajo Nation EPA Criminal Enforcement Section; and Navajo Nation Resource Enforcement ([[Navajo Rangers]]).

Other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies routinely work on the Navajo Nation, including the BIA Police, [[National Park Service]] U.S. Park Rangers, [[U.S. Forest Service]] Law Enforcement and Investigations, [[Bureau of Land Management]] Law Enforcement, [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] (DEA), US Marshals, [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] as well as other Native American units such as the Ute Mountain Agency and the Hopi Agency plus [[Arizona Highway Patrol]], [[Utah Highway Patrol]], [[New Mexico Department of Public Safety]] (State Police and Highway Patrol), Apache County Sheriff's Office, Navajo County Sheriff's Office, McKinley County Sheriff's Office.

=====Other agencies=====
* Transportation
* Health
* Education
* Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation

====Regional Commissions====
Regional government functions are carried out by the "District Grazing Committees" and "Off-Reservation Land Boards", "Major Irrigation Projects Farm Boards", and "Agency Councils".<ref>[[David E. Wilkins]], ''The Navajo Political Experience'', 1999, Chapter 9.</ref>

===Politics===
====Notable Navajo politicians====
<!-- Please add and maintain in alphabetical order by surname; notability needs to be supported by cite from RS or existing Wikipedia article with cites -->
* [[Henry Chee Dodge]], first chairman of Navajo Tribal Council (1922–1928, 1942–1946)
* Tom B. Becenti, tribal judge and chapter official from Eastern Navajo Agency. WWII veteran. He is known to have helped develop the Navajo Tribal Court System while preserving traditional Navajo Fundamental Law.<ref>[https://www.abqjournal.com/8004/retired-tribal-court-judge-dies-at-90.html Tom Becenti, World War II vet, peacemaker, served Crownpoint Judicial District until he retired in 1977], ''[[Albuquerque Journal]]'', April 1, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2019.</ref>
* [[Peter MacDonald (Navajo leader)|Peter MacDonald]], Navajo Tribal chairman convicted for cause (1971–1983, 1987–1989)
* Jacob (JC) Morgan, first chairman elected by the tribe, serving 1938–1942
* [[Lilakai Julian Neil]], first woman elected to Navajo Tribal Council, serving 1946–1951
* [[John Pinto]], New Mexico state senator (1977–2019), [[code talker]] and military veteran, teacher and National Education Association organizer<ref>[https://www.nmpoliticalreport.com/2019/05/24/nm-mourns-long-time-state-senator-john-pinto/ NM mourns long-time state senator John Pinto] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525003928/https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2019/05/24/nm-mourns-long-time-state-senator-john-pinto/ |date=May 25, 2019 }}, ''The NM Political Report'', Andy Lyman, May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.</ref>
* Amos Frank Singer, early Council delegate from Kaibito and designer of Navajo Seal<!-- Could not find RSS basis for notability. -->
* [[Joe Shirley Jr.]], oversaw the reduction in seats on the Navajo Council
* [[Annie Dodge Wauneka]], Navajo Tribal councilwoman and philanthropist (1951–1978)
* [[Peterson Zah]], chairman and first president of the Navajo Nation (1983–1987, 1991–1995)

====Infrastructure====
The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority provides utility services for houses. By 2019 it was conducting a campaign to electrify remaining houses without electricity. {{Asof|2019}} about 15,000 houses, with 60,000 residents, did not have electricity; at that time the authority electrified, on an annual basis, 400–450 houses.<ref name=Nolongerindark>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc15.com/news/state/no-longer-in-the-dark-navajo-nation-homes-get-electricity|title=No longer in the dark: Navajo Nation homes get electricity|publisher=ABC 15|date=2019-05-18|access-date=2019-05-21|archive-date=May 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519204135/https://www.abc15.com/news/state/no-longer-in-the-dark-navajo-nation-homes-get-electricity|url-status=live}}</ref> The Navajo Nation has 13 grocery stores, 12 health facilities, 170 hospital beds, 13 [[intensive care unit]] beds, 52 isolation rooms, and 28 [[Ventilator|ventilators]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=#NavajoStrong campaign launches to help fight COVID-19 on Nation |url=https://www.nhonews.com/news/2020/may/12/navajostrong-campaign-launches-help-fight-covid-19/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Navajo-Hopi Observer News |date=May 12, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209180204/https://www.nhonews.com/news/2020/may/12/navajostrong-campaign-launches-help-fight-covid-19/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

Coconino County installed a [[Hotspot (Wi-Fi)|Wi-Fi hotspot]] between the Page Magistrate Court Buildings and Coconino County Health and Human Services Northern Region Office at 467 Vista Ave. in Page, Arizona.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coconino County announces wireless hotspot in Page {{!}} Arizona Emergency information Network |url=https://ein.az.gov/emergency-information/emergency-bulletin/coconino-county-announces-wireless-hotspot-page |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502081224/https://ein.az.gov/emergency-information/emergency-bulletin/coconino-county-announces-wireless-hotspot-page |archive-date=May 2, 2020 |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=ein.az.gov}}</ref> While remaining in a vehicle, this hotspot, named CountyWi-Fi, is freely accessible and does not require a network password.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Free wireless hotspot now available in Page |url=https://www.nhonews.com/news/2020/may/05/free-wireless-hotspot-now-available-page/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Navajo-Hopi Observer News |date=May 5, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> [[Northern Arizona University]] (NAU), with clearance from Navajo and Hopi officials, extended free Wi-Fi signals to parking lots on the Navajo Nation for any college and K-12 student.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northern Arizona University creates Wi-Fi hotspots on Navajo and Hopi reservations to help students continue classes |url=https://www.nhonews.com/news/2020/apr/14/northern-arizona-university-creates-wi-fi-hotspots/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Navajo-Hopi Observer News |date=April 14, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209180036/https://www.nhonews.com/news/2020/apr/14/northern-arizona-university-creates-wi-fi-hotspots/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NAU Broadband/Wi-Fi Resources |url=https://nau.edu/access/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Northern Arizona University |language=en-US |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018170154/https://nau.edu/access/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Coconino County offers assistance for rent and utilities based on income eligibility. Assistance may be granted for electric, gas, wood, water, propane, rental, or utility deposits when moving.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coconino County offers utility and rent assistance for qualified applicants |url=https://www.nhonews.com/news/2020/mar/25/coconino-county-offers-utility-and-rent-assistance/ |access-date=2020-05-28 |website=Navajo-Hopi Observer News |date=March 25, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209180208/https://www.nhonews.com/news/2020/mar/25/coconino-county-offers-utility-and-rent-assistance/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 10, 2020 |title=Application for Service |url=https://coconino.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3160/Social-Services-Intake-Fillable-Integrated-Application--Related-Forms-MA-041120?bidId= |access-date=May 27, 2020 |website=Coconino County Community Services}}</ref>

====International cooperation====
In December 2012, Ben Shelly led a delegation of Navajo overseas to Israel, where they toured the country as representatives for the Navajo people. In April 2013, Shelly's aide, Deswood Tome, led a delegation of Israeli agricultural specialists on a tour of resources on the Navajo Nation. The visit by Israelis was criticized by some indigenous people who believe that Palestinians in Israel have a status similar to their own.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/4/28/palestine-israelnavajo.html|title=Palestinians, Israelis occupy Navajo consciousness|website=America.aljazeera.com|access-date=13 October 2017|archive-date=March 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320215721/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/4/28/palestine-israelnavajo.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, [[Ireland]] donated to the [[Navajo Nation|Navajo]] and [[Hopi]] Nations during [[COVID-19|Covid]] in a program called "pay it forward".<ref name=":1" /> A [[GoFundMe]] page was created to help the Hopi and Navajo tribes fight Covid. It raised over $4 Million dollars, tens of thousands coming from Irish donors. At the time, the Navajo and Hopi tribes had the highest rates of Covid outside of [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[New Jersey]].<ref name=":0" /> The communications director for the fundraiser, Cassandra Begay, attempted to spread awareness through [[Twitter]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=O’Loughlin |first1=Ed |last2=Zaveri |first2=Mihir |date=2020-05-05 |title=Irish Return an Old Favor, Helping Native Americans Battling the Virus |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/world/coronavirus-ireland-native-american-tribes.html |access-date=2022-10-27 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Chief of the Choctaw Nation, [[Gary Batton]], responded to these donations, saying "We have become kindred spirits with the Irish in the years since the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Irish potato famine]]. We hope the Irish, Navajo and Hopi peoples develop lasting friendships, as we have."<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Kaur |first=Harmeet |date=2020-05-06 |title=The Irish are sending relief to Native Americans, inspired by a donation from a tribe during the Great Famine |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/06/world/ireland-native-americans-choctaw-gift-trnd/index.html |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>