Navajo Nation needs more reform options

Amidst this political climate in Window Rock, I find it rather odd that the Navajo people are not given any options in regard to government reform.

[Kewl]

Very good-thoughtful letter. Compare the NN govt with the govt of the US, not much different. Our representatives and senators make decisions every day without counsel of the people and/or despite the opinions of the people. You are correct the reduction of the council will not make govt more responsive, but in my opinion will make it more aloof. Cant get their attention now, wait till it is smaller, will be impossible. You guys have your work cut out. Good Luck.

[sweetsie]

Kewl wrote:

Very good-thoughtful letter. Compare the NN govt with the govt of the US, not much different. Our representatives and senators make decisions every day without counsel of the people and/or despite the opinions of the people. You are correct the reduction of the council will not make govt more responsive, but in my opinion will make it more aloof. Cant get their attention now, wait till it is smaller, will be impossible. You guys have your work cut out. Good Luck.

I truly agree with this comment. Reduction does not necessarily make a gov't more accountable and responsive to the people. At least not a drastic reduction such as 88 to 24. The person in the president's office can put his/her own people in those positions and really have a hay day. And unfortunately on Navajo that is not an impossible feat to put your family, friends and supporters in those positions.

[Lawer]

Excellent article. Another issue that the young people of the Nation will be dealing with is the growing US national debt. The FED is borrowing enormous amounts of money from the Chinese government, in order to capitalize on these loans they are listing natural resources and land. In the case that the US is unable to repay these loans the NN needs to be sure that the Chinese will honor the independence of the NN.

[Dapoleesh]

While a centralized government may be true with 24 Council delegates. At the very least 24 representatives would equalize the voter standard deviation from 160% to hopefully somewhere around 4%..meaning those smaller reservaton communities with 100-500 voters wouldn't be able to elect CD's in the NN government, who then become the CD run legislative branch political stalwarts against economic reforum and projects for the larger Navajo communities i.e. Shiprock, Window Rock, Tuba City, Chinle, Kayenta.

[ponee]

your crazey. yes we nedd a reduction of the council 88 is too many and nothing gets done. if we trim the useless ones first all the DUI's, embezzlers, spouse abusers and cheaterz and then reduce the rest to 24 we would save the tribe 3,200,000.00 $$$ in wasted salaries which could go to build domestic violence shelters, elderlies, kids programs. too many coyotes on the council . they have lost the trust of the navajo people that they are suppose to serve, promote, and take care of.

[fmj]

Kewl wrote:

Very good-thoughtful letter. Compare the NN govt with the govt of the US, not much different. Our representatives and senators make decisions every day without counsel of the people and/or despite the opinions of the people. You are correct the reduction of the council will not make govt more responsive, but in my opinion will make it more aloof. Cant get their attention now, wait till it is smaller, will be impossible. You guys have your work cut out. Good Luck.

I could tell for some that this a time scholarly-quarterbacking. I like to hear some options first. For the time being this intiative is on the fast track and it is a start of reform and many more reforms. I know many CD's that have been in too long and some should read what they say about public criticism behind closed meetings. The power is located in chapter meetings which equates to power in masses but sometines we only get a quorum and sometimes none at all. Be active in local chapters meetings and share your imput there. 24 can be controlled more by the chapters who inturn can make their performance criteris and respective qualifications PLUS expextations.

[ponee]

on the online vote on the navajo times 3800 navajos voted and 76% are in favor of council reduction. it will happen.

[Bernie]

ponee wrote:

your crazey. yes we nedd a reduction of the council 88 is too many and nothing gets done. if we trim the useless ones first all the DUI's, embezzlers, spouse abusers and cheaterz and then reduce the rest to 24 we would save the tribe 3,200,000.00 $$$ in wasted salaries which could go to build domestic violence shelters, elderlies, kids programs. too many coyotes on the council . they have lost the trust of the navajo people that they are suppose to serve, promote, and take care of.

I agree. Trim the fat and reduce the council delegates to 24.

[FED UP]

gov't is meant to be a self operating machine controlled and surveillanced by the people (who are responsible citizens and voters).
Its just stupid for the people to say, hey my machine is getting smarter than me and is taking over and not doing what I want! i.e. Kewl and Sweetsie.
Its just poor and arrogant citizenship to think that what you voted for (what you want) is what everyone else wants OR that is automatically for the public good.

[j0hnnyut4h]

I disagree. I say do away with sovereign laws and slowly phase out the Navajo reservation over time. That will bring the Navajo people the much needed economic boost and end the corruption of a failed govt system.

[ponee]

johnny ut your retard.... ill start a relief fund for a one way ticket to europe for you and your mormon thinking. we are navajos and we are tired of lying cheating ass council and a weak spineless president that just kisses the white ass. the only good thing about you and joseph smith is havinf multiple wives...lol...are you even a tribal member thats a registered voter?????
the lates polls show 76% in favor of reducing the coyote council. all you council people get out your silver plate and be prepared to get your asses handed to you. we shall cut off all the embezzlers, liars, spouse cheaters, DUI's, first.as for redistricting council jsut cut the rez in 24 pieces like a pie . simple.

[FED UP]

ponee and johnnyut4h
aw bummer. you two are on here too.
I got to find a blog that you both haven't been too.
>:(

[FED UP]

LOL. Im kidding, just felt like adding some humor.

[FED UP]

As well thought out as Nikke Alex's letter seems, I would like to know where are the facts to these prominent points Alex's is giving. I guess it hasn't been obvious to Alex how the NN govt IS ALREADY centralized, and not by the NN Pres/ExecBranch but by the Legislative Branch. Yes we know our current Centralized gov't is dangerous the way the Council is running it.
Alex's names council as a business council that is suppose to negotiate our mineral and land leases. But let me ask Alex this, are 88 doing so? And if they are why isn't that money coming back to the people and chapters?
Respectively I think Alex's well thought out stance to keep the 88 is non-progressive and not well researched. What are your sources and what are your facts Nikki Alex.

[FED UP]

The fact is the current 88 Council hasnt been focusing on those mineral and land leases. Interestingly enough though, I see that the executive branch has been. And no it hasn't been the way you would see fit but there are others who are in agreement with some of the choices Shirley has made. As stated in my previous comment your way isn't the only way. Im not a shirley groupie but I can respect that he is looking to other alternatives to conserving Navajo Nation's precious and valuable coal and mineral reserves.

[FED UP]

argghh, it scares me to think that the currently elected council would have full control on how NN negotiates our mineral and land leases.
I Just want checks and balances, and I also want my Grandmother's voice to matter at the chapter level. I would gladly take out those 88 mobsters and start all over again to make that happen.
Waiting planning and waiting and planning as Alex recommends. That's the current delegate mentality. Meanwhile money is being mis-spent while we wait and plan. NO! vote 88 to 24.

[FED UP]

I want the chapters to regain their rightful authority over the Council.
I am optimistic to make 88 to 24 work.
The FACT now, is that Council Delegate Maryboy is threatening my Grandmother at chapter meetings saying he has the support of three other chapters and her voice doesn't make a difference.
Nikki Alex suggests reform options, well pitch one to us, not just pessimistic rhetoric.
88 to 24 may seem "elementary" to Nikki Alex but to others its "common sense" heck its better than WAITING for a violent revolt.

[WhatMeWorry]

The People had a broader choice in an earlier Referendum effort (early 2000's) and they chose to reduce to 24 delegates; the Referendum failed. As far as complaints of a centralized government in WR; what has the Local Governance Act done to heighten the responsibilities of the local Chapters and cause improved management of Chapter and local community governance? I believe that local reforms initiated by the local people could result in strong Chapter and local governance (meaning electing good "managers"); you don't need to worry about a centralized govt in WR. Sadly, everyone blames WR before cking in their own backyard first.

Strong Chapter governance and an active electorate in the Chapters can make for a more effective council delegate - no matter if you have one delegate or have to share one delegate with four other Chapters.

[WhatMeWorry]

What I am saying is that there is already a decentralized system of governanace in place, but there has been and continues to be too much emphasis on power based in WR. Why are there only a handful of Chapters that have attained LGA certified status?

This power imbalance is largely the fault of the locals who do not demand and then maintain good leadership at the Chapter levels - at the local level the people get the government they deserve, and of course this plays out at the NN Council level. By the way government is suppose to serve the People; but that does not mean that government exists solely to provide hand outs to a dependent electorate. It would be nice to see Navajo Chapters wrestling appropriate powere from WR, and doing the job of providing opportunities for entreprenuership and self initiative, as well as the hand outs to the less fortunate.

[ponee]

thats becuase mac donald gave away our mineral rights and this council gave away our water rights along the san jaun river which was a dumb move. the navajo nation couldve had thier own bottled water plant and water treatment plant and sell water to evryone and evry state but they are too stupid and greedy... the navajo get 3 cents per ton on thier coal. per ton. 3 cents...now tell me is that looking out for your people???