Naat’ájí Nahat’á Hane’
Legislative Branch News
23rd Navajo Nation Council
Summer Council Session - July 2015
Navajo Nation leaders sign historic “One Nation, One Voice” agreement
By Jared Touchin
On the opening day of the 2015 Summer
Council Session, the Navajo Nation’s three branches
of government came together to sign a historic document known as the “One Nation, One Voice” agreement that officially establishes nine priorities for the
Navajo Nation.
Speaker LoRenzo Bates, President Russell Begaye, Vice President Jonathan Nez, and Acting Chief
Justice Eleanor Shirley signed the one-page agreement on the floor of the Council Chamber on July 20.
The written agreement outlines nine priorities,
with particular emphasis on water rights/projects, economic development, and infrastructure. Other areas
included were housing, education, human services,
governance, public safety, natural resources and judicial needs.
In a statement to Council, Speaker Bates
thanked the chairs of each of the Council’s Standing
Committees, which include the Law and Order Committee, Health, Education, and Human Services Committee, Resources and Development Committee, and
the Budget and Finance Committee for meeting with
the respective programs, divisions, and departments
that each oversees.
“This Council met with the President, Vice President, and the Acting Chief Justice to talk things out
See “ONE NATION, ONE VOICE,” Page 2
Photo (above): Navajo Nation Branch chiefs signing the One Nation, One Voice Agreement on July 20.
Council’s progress highlighted in Speakers Report
By Jared Touchin
Photo (above): Speaker LoRenzo Bates addresses a crowd outside the Council Chamber on the opening day of Council.
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Speaker LoRenzo Bates presented a report on
the opening day of the Summer Council Session, in
which he highlighted the Council’s progress and accomplishments in regards to issues including the “One
Nation, One Voice” agreement, New Mexico Gaming
Compact, Sίhasin Fund Subcommittee, Transportation
Stimulus Act, Energy, State Task Force, Navajo Indian
Irrigation Project, Land Buy-Back Program, and the Title II Reform Subcommittee.
The report was presented to Council following the signing of the “One Nation, One Voice” agreement between the three branches of government on
July 20. The agreement outlines and establishes nine
priorities for the Navajo Nation.
“I commend my colleagues for our progress
thus far and I look forward to upholding and carrying
out the ‘One Nation, One Voice’ agreement,” wrote
Speaker Bates in the 10-page report. “The agreement
ought to be upheld and not become a simple symbolic gesture that is swept under the rug, as we previously
experienced.”
One significant accomplishment highlighted
in the report is the Navajo Nation’s Gaming Compact
with the State of New Mexico, which gained final approval from the federal government and took effect on
June 22.
See SPEAKERS REPORT, Page 2
Office of the Speaker
P.O. Box 3390
Window Rock, AZ 86515
Phone (928) 871-7160
Fax (928) 871-7255
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1
“ONE NATION, ONE VOICE” / cont. from page 1
in order to move things forward. Provided that there
are many needs in our communities, we need to start
somewhere to help the Navajo People,” said Speaker Bates, adding that the priority listing is inclusive of
the public’s input and the four pillars of President Begaye’s administration.
President Begaye called the signing of the
agreement a historic event and thanked the three
branches of government for coming together and es-
tablishing the priorities.
“We’re coming together to say that we’re going to work together to accomplish these priorities,”
stated President Begaye. “We’re going to demonstrate
that the Council can work together with the President’s
Office and the Judicial Branch.”
Acting Chief Justice Shirley said she is hopeful
the Nation will be able to fulfill the agreement and to
work toward each of the priorities while emphasizing
the need for the Nation to have
an independent judiciary system that provides confidence
to the people.
“It is my sincere hope
that this agreement will be
a guiding document for our
leaders as we look forward, not
just for the next four years, but
for decades further and leave
a legacy for our children and
grandchildren of self-sufficiency and sovereignty,” Acting
Chief Justice Shirley said.
The agreement developed after the Council directed Speaker Bates to hold
the leadership meetings with
the purpose of aligning the
Nation’s priorities and to re-establish relations between the
tribal branches of government
Photo (above): Speaker LoRenzo Bates stands with President Begaye, Vice President Nez,
to advocate and lobby more
and Acting Chief Justice Eleanor Shirley, after signing the One Nation, One Voice Agreement.
effectively on behalf of the Na-
Photo (above): Picture of the One Nation, One Voice Agreement.
vajo people at the county, state and federal levels.
The three branches will continue to meet on a
regular basis to continue working toward accomplishing the Nation’s priorities.
SPEAKERS REPORT / cont. from Page 1
“Your efforts and persistence have preserved
nearly 800 jobs for Navajo and non-Navajo families,
with the potential of creating hundreds more in the
years to come,” Speaker Bates stated.
He thanked current and former members of
the Council, Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, New
Mexico State Legislators, Office of the President and
Vice President, and attorneys with the Navajo Nation
Department of Justice for helping to finalize the Compact.
In reference to the proposed Transportation
Stimulus Act sponsored by Council Delegate Dwight
Witherspoon, Speaker said the Council will hold a
work session in the near future to move the initiative
forward.
The legislation requests the Council to refer
the Stimulus Plan to the Navajo people in the form of
a referendum measure that seeks the approval for the
expenditure of a portion of the Permanent Trust Fund’s
principle balance to support the plan. The legislation
was discussed during the second day of the Summer
Session and was referred to the Council’s Naabik’iyátí’
Committee.
The report also acknowledged and commended Title II Reform Subcommittee chair Council Delegate Alton Joe Shepherd and subcommittee
members for bringing forth legislation to amend the
legislative process as it relates to the introduction of
legislation by delegates.
“After several diligent and lengthy discussions, the Subcommittee has recommended legislation to the Council to address changes in the legisla-
2
tive process,” said Speaker Bates. The legislation was
considered on July 22, and failed to receive two-thirds
approval, or 16 supporting votes, for passage.
During the presentation, Speaker also expressed his appreciation to the staff and members
of the Eastern Navajo Land Commission (ENLC) for
their persistent efforts in implementing the federal
Land Buy-Back Program, which seeks to consolidate
fractionated land by offering to purchase allotted land
from Navajo owners at fair market price.
The program is now in the “outreach phase”
which focuses on educating the public while emphasizing that the sale of allotment lands is entirely voluntary.
Delegate Leonard Tsosie, who chairs the
ENLC, said the program is scheduled to begin its outreach efforts with events scheduled to take place in
Crownpoint on August 15, Birdsprings on August 22,
and August 29 in Farmington.
The report also highlighted a July 10 meeting
with U.S. Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin
Washburn, Navajo Area BIA Director Sharon Pinto, and
officials from the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry
(NAPI), in which Resources and Development Committee members and Speaker Bates urged the federal government to fulfill its long overdue obligation of
providing funds for the completion of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project, near Farmington.
NAPI is a Navajo Nation owned enterprise that
farms the NIIP resources which were created through a
1962 Congressional bill, P.L. 87-483, and obligated the
federal government to provide funding for the plan-
ning, designing, and construction of 110,630 acres of
irrigable land to development commercial farming as
a way of promoting economic development.
The NIIP resources resulted from an exchange
of 110,000 acre feet of water from the San Juan basin
for the Chama Diversion Project which has been completed.
“While we urge the federal government to
fund the estimated $700 million to complete the project, a more feasible and timely option is to fund a portion of the NIIP known as Block 9, which is estimated to
cost $290 million to complete,” stated Speaker Bates,
adding that the obligations of the federal government
are long overdue and that the Navajo Nation continues to lose revenue each year due to the lack of funding to complete the project.
During the report, members of Council
brought forth several concerns and recommendations
including the need to take further advantage of technology to increase efficiency, improved coordination
between the legislative and executive branches to
strategize prior to meeting with federal officials, devoting more resources to help those living in the Former Bennett Freeze Area, and publicizing all meeting
agendas and notices for subcommittees and task forces.
At the conclusion of the report, Council unanimously accepted the report with a vote of 14-0. You
may view the full report by visiting navajonationcouncil.org under “Press Releases.”
Annual horse and bike ride kicks off Summer Council Session
By Jolene Holgate
On July 19, the day before the official start of
the Summer Council Session, horse and bike riders
from across the Navajo Nation traveled long distances to the Window Rock fairgrounds as part of the
annual ride to the Navajo Nation Council Chamber
on July 20.
The annual ride is a tradition that Navajo
leaders and constituents have partaken in for many
years, and occurs only during the Summer Council
Session. The historic custom allows Navajo leaders to
bring the needs and concerns of the Diné to Council
from their chapter areas, and more recently, constituents are able to participate in the ride to advocate for
important issues and promote positive messages to
the Navajo Nation.
This year, horse and bike riders came from all
five of the Navajo agencies—Western, Eastern, Northern, Central, and Southwestern areas of the Navajo
Nation.
The Dusty Trail Riders began their ride from
Navajo Mountain, as well as the Tour de Rez bike
riders, who were led by Vice President Jonathan Nez.
Council Delegates Herman Daniels,
Jr. and Tom Chee also accompanied
the group.
Council Delegate Edmund
Yazzie arrived with horse riders from
Mariano Lake and Council Delegate
Walter Phelps rode in with riders from
Leupp.
“We almost did not do the
horse ride from Eastern Agency because our work schedules have been
incredibly busy, but I had some community members encourage me to
continue this tradition and ensure that
Eastern Navajo were represented,”
said Delegate Yazzie. “I am very happy
to see that all agencies made an effort
this year to be present.”
Photo (above): Speaker LoRenzo Bates greets the Dusty Trail Riders who rode from
the Western Navajo Agency that started at Navajo Mountain.
Council Delegate Alton Joe
Shepherd rode into Window Rock from
to Council.”
Twin Arrows with the Sih Hasin Bike Riders, who were
Also in attendance to this year’s annual horse
comprised of Navajo youth and adults from Leupp,
and bike ride was Navajo Nation President Russell
Dilkon, and Tolani Lake
Begaye. According to Speaker Bates, it was the first
Photo (below): Horse and bike riders rode to the Navajo Nation Council Chamber the morning of July area.
time in years that a Navajo Nation President attended
20 to deliver the official agenda to Council.
Joining the
the Council festivities.
horse and bike riders
President Begaye acknowledged the importhis year were motortance of continuing to bridge the gap between the
cyclists from the NavaLegislative, Executive, and Judicial branch, in terms of
jo-Hopi Honor Riders,
collaboration, communication, and support.
who were in the Win
President Begaye also encouraged horse
dow Rock area helping
and bike riders to continue the tradition of riding to
a fellow veteran, who
Council, and to spread the message of healthy living.
recently passed away,
See HORSE RIDE, Page 4
complete renovation
work on their house.
Speaker LoRenzo Bates
recognized their participation in this year’s
event.
“We have
our four-legged horses,
and now we have our
iron-horses. We thank
you for participating
in today’s event,” said
Speaker Bates. “We invite our iron-horse riders
to join us next year and
Photo (above): Council Delegate Edmund Yazzie rode in to the
fairgrounds with his daughter Kaylen Yazzie, and thanked all the
expand the annual ride
participants in this year’s horse and bike ride to Window Rock.
Delegates urge President Begaye to approve $3 million for Navajo youth
By Jared Touchin
Council Delegates Amber Kanazbah Crotty
and Nathaniel Brown are encouraging Navajo youth
and the general public to urge President Russell Begaye to sign into law Council Resolution CJY-34-15, a
bill that would designate $3 million from the Nation’s
Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance for the 110
chapters for summer youth employment, scholarships, and educational assistance.
The Council approved the resolution on July
23, with 12 supporting votes and three opposing.
During the discussion on the Council floor, Delegate
Crotty strongly urged her colleagues to support the
youth and to make them a priority over other proposed projects that also sought funding from the
UUFB.
“We have to be courageous enough to say
that our children are the priority. Every time the
Health, Education, and Human Services Committee
receives a report it’s the children asking us to listen
and to provide opportunities,” stated Delegate Crotty.
Council Delegate Kee Allen Begay, Jr. also
advocated for the funding and introduced an amendment to include language in the resolution to allow
up to 50 high school students from each of the Nation’s 110 chapters to receive up to $300 each.
Prior to introducing the amendment, Delegate Begay read aloud a letter from a student worker
from Oak Springs Chapter. In the handwritten letter,
the student explained that she is the child of a single
mother and is working at the chapter for the summer
to earn money for books and supplies for school.
“The purpose of my letter is to ask the Navajo
Nation Council to relook the summer youth employment legislation and this time approve it. More funding gives myself and other summer youth workers
See SCHOLARSHIPS, Page 4
3
Council confirms appointments by the Office of the President and Vice President
By Jolene Holgate
On the final day of the Summer Council
Session, members considered three legislations that
confirmed the appointment of individuals by the
Office of the President and Vice President, who would
serve in high-ranking management positions for the
Navajo Nation Washington Office, the Navajo Nation
Department of Justice, and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety.
Presenting the appointments to Council
was Vice President Jonathan Nez, who said he and
President Russell Begaye received many resumes to
consider and narrowed their selections down to a few
candidates that they felt would be right for the jobs
ahead of them.
“President Begaye and I selected individuals
who we believe exceed the qualifications of the positions and we are encouraged that they will meet the
needs of the Navajo Nation,” said Vice President Nez
Photo (below): Attorney General Ethel Branch answers questions from Council members (from left to right: Vice President
Jonathan Nez, Delegate Dwight Witherspoon, and Ethel Branch.)
following the meeting.
Speaker LoRenzo Bates sponsored legislation
to confirm Jackson Brossy, to serve as the executive
director of the NNWO, which was supported unanimously with a vote of 20-0.
The NNWO is a permanent fixture at the U.S
Capitol Hill, which strives to advocate and pursue
initiatives that are in the best interest of the Navajo
Nation.
Brossy is Tó’aheedlíinii (Water That Flows
Together Clan), born for the Bilagáana (English/
French), his maternal grandfather is Bit’ahnii (Folded
Arms Clan), and his paternal grandfather is Bilagáana
(English/French). He is originally from Wheatfields/
Lukachukai, Arizona.
Brossy earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Public
Policy from Stanford University and his Master’s Degree in Public Policy at Harvard University.
His professional experience includes serving
as a Senior Associate for Upper Mohawk, Inc., board
member for Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, Senior
Strategist for Blue Stone Strategy Group, and as a
Legislative Fellow and Legislative Associate for the
National Congress of American Indians.
Council members emphasized the need for
increased communication and coordination, particularly in formulating position statements and strategies
prior to meeting with Congressional members and
other groups in Washington D.C. Additionally, Council Delegate Walter Phelps said one major challenge
the new administration must resolve is retaining staff
at the NNWO.
“High turnover is a problem and we often
lose that institutional knowledge when staff leaves,”
Photo (above): Newly confirmed executive director Jackson
Brossy (center) of the NNWO poses for a picture with Speaker
LoRenzo Bates (far left) and Vice President Jonathan Nez (far
right).
See APPOINTMENTS, Page 5
SCHOLARSHIPS / cont. from page 3
a chance to purchase books, school supplies, and
clothing for ourselves without having to rely on our
parents,” wrote the student.
The letter was one of six from students from
the Oak Springs Chapter that wrote in support of the
funding. In addition, Ts’ah Bii Kin and Tółikan Chapters also passed resolutions in support.
The legislation, sponsored by Council Delegate Jonathan Hale, was originally intended to fund
summer youth employment only, however, Council
Delegate Benjamin Bennett recommended including
“educational assistance” as well to provide flexibility
when chapters expend the funds to youth.
Photo (below): Speaker LoRenzo Bates welcomes horse riders
from the Western Navajo Agency.
Delegate Brown recalled a recent chapter
meeting in which a Navajo student requested financial assistance for school and explained the difficulty
he had in explaining to the student that there was no
funding available for students.
“I ask my colleagues to support this legislation to help our youth,” stated Delegate Brown.
Once the Council resolution is sent to the
Office of the President and Vice President, President
Begaye will have 10 calendar days to consider the
resolution.
Delegate Crotty and Delegate Brown are
urging the youth to write letters to the Office of the
HORSE RIDE / cont. from page 3
“We need to really defeat obesity and diabetes, and
all the illnesses that cause bad health in our Navajo
people. Healthy living should be a part of everything
that we do as Navajo people. Thank you all for riding
in and promoting this cause because you are setting
the standard, especially for Navajo youth,” said President Begaye.
The Navajo Nation Office of the Speaker provided food and entertainment to the horse and bike
riders.
“We have with us today individuals who have
4
President to urge President Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez to sign the legislation into law to
support Navajo youth.
“We want our Navajo students and youth to
benefit from the action of Council in approving the
funds and we strongly urge President Begaye to sign
the bill into law,” stated Delegate Brown.
Letters in support of Council Resolution CJY34-15 can be mailed to the Office of the President
and Vice President, PO Box 7440, Window Rock,
Arizona 86515.
done this ride for over ten years from Navajo Mountain, and we have the kids here on their bicycles. If
you look at this picture, you can see the past and
future generations coming together to support each
other. This will continue on, and we especially thank
the youth for being here,” said Speaker Bates.
The following day, the riders rode to the
Council Chamber and brought the official agenda to
the Summer Council Session, and were greeted by
Navajo leaders and citizens who were in attendance
to witness the opening day of Council.
Council approves Alcohol Tax to be collected from gaming facilities
By Jolene Holgate
On Thursday of the Summer Council Session,
the Navajo Nation Council approved Legislation No.
0084-15, which seeks to amend Navajo Nation Code
Title 24 by enacting the Alcohol Tax. If signed into
law by President Russell Begaye, the tax would derive
from gross receipts from all alcoholic beverages sold
in Navajo gaming facilities and multiplying the gross
receipts with the applicable proposed alcohol tax
rate, set at 3.25%.
The tax revenue would be retained in a
special fund entitled “The Division of Public Safety
Alcohol Tax Fund” to be administered by the director
of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety.
According to the legislation, the tax imposed
is a legal direct tax on the retailers and distributors.
However, alcoholic beverages sold would be individually taxed at the rate of 3.25%, so the responsibility
of payment would be at the consumer level.
Legislation sponsor Council Delegate Edmund Yazzie stressed to Council members that the
Division of Public Safety is depending on the funding
to combat drunk driving on Navajo land.
“These funds will be used for sobriety checkpoints in each police district on the Navajo Nation.
It is going to send a message to individuals that are
drinking and driving that our Navajo Police will be
out on weekends and holidays to conduct sobriety
checkpoints,” said Delegate Yazzie.
He added that the Alcohol Tax would not
interfere with the recently enacted two-percent sales
tax on unhealthy foods and beverages because it
would only tax an individual who consumes alcohol
within a casino.
In opposition of the legislation, Council
Delegate Seth Damon raised concerns regarding
the costs associated with collecting the tax and the
potential strain it could impose on the Navajo Nation
Tax Commission.
“The real root of the problem is the internal
process. $4 million was reverted last year, according
to a memo from the [Navajo Nation Office of the Controller] in regards to the NNDPS. That’s something
that the division director needs to look into. I mean,
$4 million is more than enough than $73,000,” said
Delegate Damon, referring to the annual tax revenue
of $73,000 that the Alcohol Tax is projected to create.
Delegate Damon added that if additional
personnel would be hired, it could potentially exceed
the $73,000 and could total over $80,000.
Council Delegate Otto Tso said that voting
against the legislation may illustrate that council
members appear to be against law enforcement
initiatives and urged his colleagues to vote in favor of
the bill.
“$73,000 might not sound like a lot to you,
but it means a lot to the officers who want to put up
their DUI checkpoints,” said Delegate Tso. “We need
to get dollars to them so they can continue to save
lives.”
Delegate Yazzie said that outside law enforcement entities operate DUI checkpoints with budgets less than $45,000 and that the amount that the
Navajo Nation Police Department would receive from
the Alcohol Tax could be sufficient enough for their
purposes.
The legislation directs the Division of Public
Safety to develop a Fund Management Plan, and
states that the tax would take effect no later than October 1, 2015.
Council members voted 10-9 to approve
Legislation No. 0084-15. Once the resolution is sent
to the Office of the President and Vice President, President Begaye will have 10 calendar days to consider
the bill.
APPOINTMENTS / cont. from page 4
Photo (above): Newly confirmed appointees to the President Begaye and Vice President Nez administration (from left to right:
division director for the NNDPS Jesse Delmar, Attorney General
Ethel Branch, and NNWO executive director Jackson Brossy).
said Delegate Phelps.
Council members voted 19-0 in support of
legislation sponsored by Council Delegate Dwight
Witherspoon, confirming the appointment of Ethel
Branch to serve as the Attorney General of the Navajo
Nation.
Branch is Bįįh Bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan),
born for the Nakai Dine’é (Mexican Clan), her maternal grandfather is Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood
People Clan), and her paternal grandfather is Nakai
Dine’é (Mexican Clan). She is originally from Tuba
City, and grew up south of Leupp.
Branch is a graduate of Harvard Law School.
She also earned her Master’s Degree in Public Policy
from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at
Harvard University.
In addition to earning a Juris Doctorate,
Branch is a member of the Navajo Nation Bar Association as well as a member of the bar association in
the states of Washington, Oregon, and Arizona.
Prior to her appointment on May 12, she
served as an Associate for Kanji & Katzen, PLLC in
Seattle Washington since 2012. Her previous experience also includes serving as the co-chair of the
Seattle Human Rights Commission and an attorney
for the Indian Law Resource Center in Washington
D.C. In accordance with Navajo Nation law, the newly
confirmed Attorney General will serve at the pleasure
of the Navajo Nation Council.
Through legislation sponsored by Council
Delegate Otto Tso, the Council consented to the appointment of Jesse Delmar as the Executive Director
of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety with a
vote of 16-0.
Delmar is Áshįįhi (Salt People Clan), born for
the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitterwater Clan), his maternal grandfather is Tł’ízí Łánĺ (Many Goats Clan), and his paternal
grandfather is Táchii’nii (Red Running into the Water
Clan). He is orginally from Navajo Mountain.
Delmar graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Administration of Criminal Justice with a
minor in Psychology. He is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and of
the Federal Law Enforcement Training.
Prior to his appointment, Delmar was the
Chief of Police for the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
Police Department and previously served in several
positions with the Navajo Nation Division of Public
Safety.
“We appreciate our finest Navajo professionals for returning home to help build our Nation.
President Russell Begaye and I thank the 23rd Navajo
Nation Council for their vote of confidence on the
People’s nominees,” said Vice President Nez.
Delegate Daniels participates in his first offcial Council Session
By Jared Touchin
Newly elected Council Delegate Herman
Daniels, Jr. took part in his first Council Session as a
member of the 23rd Navajo Nation Council, following
his swearing-in on July 16.
Delegate Daniels was elected during a special election held on June 30, to represent the communities of Naa’tsis’Áán, Oljato, Shonto, and Ts’ah Bii
Kin.
Daniels is originally from Monument Pass,
Utah. He is Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms People), born for
Tł’ίzί Łánί (Many Goats Clan), his maternal grandfather
is Tó’aheedlίinii (Water Flows Together Clan), and his
paternal grandfather is Hashk’ąą Hadzohί (Yucca Fruit
Strung Out in a Line Clan).
Daniels previously served as a delegate from
April 2010 to January 2011, taking the place of his
late father Herman Daniels, Sr. on the 21st Navajo
Nation Council.
“I’m looking forward to working cooperatively
with the 23rd Navajo Nation Council, the chapters,
and the three branches of government,” said Delegate Daniels.
Delegate Daniels also participated in this
year’s horse ride to the Council Chamber.
5
2015 Summer Council Session
Legislation Results
* Chaired the discussion - only votes in the event of a tie
Legislation 0157-15 Legislation 0023-15
Referring a Referendum
Measure on Expenditure
of Fund Principal Pursuant to 12 N.N.C. § 904,
Permanent Trust Fund to
Support the Transportation Stimulus Plan.
Primary Sponsor:
Dwight Witherspoon
NO ACTION: referred
back to the Naabik’iyátí’
Committee
Amending Title 2 N.N.C.
§ 1002 and the Navajo
Nation Election Code
Title 11 N.N.C. § 6 for
purposes of permitting
a President whose term
has ended to continue
his or her functions as
President pending an
election, certification
and the administering of
oaths for the new elected President and Vice
President
(Required two-thirds or
16 supporting votes from Primary Sponsor:
Council)
Dwight Witherspoon
Vote to refer back:
Yea (12)
*Speaker LoRenzo Bates
Mel Begay
Norman M. Begay
Nelson BeGaye
Nathaniel Brown
Tom Chee
Amber Kanazbah Crotty
Seth Damon
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Jonathan Perry
Leonard Pete
Edmund Yazzie
Nay (11):
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Benjamin Bennett
Davis Filfred
Jonathan Hale
Walter Phelps
Alton Joe Shepherd
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Otto Tso
Leonard Tsosie
Dwight Witherspoon
Not Voting (1):
Lee Jack, Sr.
6
PASSED
(Required two-thirds or
16 supporting votes from
Council)
Yea (17)
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Norman M. Begay
Benjamin Bennett
Nathaniel Brown
Tom Chee
Seth Damon
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Davis Filred
Jonathan Hale
Jonathan Perry
Leonard Pete
Walter Phelps
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Otto Tso
Dwight Witherspoon
Edmund Yazzie
Nay (5):
Mel Begay
Nelson BeGaye
Amber Kanazbah Crotty
Alton Joe Shepherd
Leonard Tsosie
Not Voting (2):
* Speaker LoRenzo Bates
Lee Jack, Sr.
Legislation 0031-15 Legislation 0134-15
Amending Navajo
Nation Code Title 7 By
Requiring Navajo Nation
Supreme Court Justices
To Hold A Juris Doctor
Degree.
Primary Sponsor:
Dwight Witherspoon
NO ACTION: referred
back to the Law and
Order Committee.
Amending 2 N.N.C. § 57,
General Provisions
Concerning The Nation’s
Property.
Primary Sponsor:
Edmund Yazzie
FAILED
(Required two-thirds or
16 supporting votes from
Council)
(Required two-thirds or
Yea (3)
16 supporting votes from Mel Begay
Council)
Lee Jack, Sr.
Leonard Tsosie
Vote to refer back:
Nay (17):
Yea (13)
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Nelson BeGaye
Norman M. Begay
Benjamin Bennett
Benjamin Bennett
Nathaniel Brown
Tom Chee
Tom Chee
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Amber Kanazbah Crotty
Lee Jack, Sr.
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Jonathan Perry
Davis Filred
Leonard Pete
Jonathan Perry
Walter Phelps
Leonard Pete
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Walter Phelps
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Alton Joe Shepherd
Otto Tso
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Edmund Yazzie
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Otto Tso
Nay (8):
Dwight Witherspoon
Mel Begay
Edmund Yazzie
Nelson BeGaye
Nathaniel Brown
Not Voting (4):
Amber Kanazbah Crotty * Speaker LoRenzo Bates
Davis Filred
Norman M. Begay
Alton Joe Shepherd
Seth Damon
Leonard Tsosie
Jonathan Hale
Dwight Witherspoon
Not Voting (3):
* Speaker LoRenzo Bates
Seth Damon
Jonathan Hale
Legislation 0189-15 Legislation 0226-15
Amending Title 2 by
moving the Department
of Personnel Management from under the
Division of Human
Resources to the Office
of the President and Vice
President and amending the Department of
Personnel Management
Plan of Operations
Amending the Navajo Nation Council and
Committee Legislative
Process 2 N.N.C. § 164
creating a new § 165,
and amending corresponding definitions at 2
N.N.C. § 110
Primary Sponsor:
Dwight Witherspoon
FAILED
(Required two-thirds or
16 supporting votes from
Council)
Primary Sponsor:
Alton Joe Shepherd
NO ACTION: referred
back to the Health, Education, and Human Services Yea (13)
Committee and the Law
Norman M. Begay
and Order Committee
Nelson BeGaye
(Required two-thirds or
Nathaniel Brown
16 supporting votes from Tom Chee
Council)
Seth Damon
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Vote to refer back:
Davis Filred
Lee Jack, Sr.
Yea (16)
Alton Joe Shepherd
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Nelson BeGaye
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Benjamin Bennett
Otto Tso
Nathaniel Brown
Edmund Yazzie
Tom Chee
Amber Kanazbah Crotty Nay (5):
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Mel Begay
Davis Filred
Benjamin Bennett
Jonathan Hale
Amber Kanazbah Crotty
Lee Jack, Sr.
Leonard Tsosie
Leonard Pete
Dwight Witherspoon
Walter Phelps
Alton Joe Shepherd
Not Voting (6):
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
* Speaker LoRenzo Bates
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Otto Tso
Jonathan Hale
Nay (4):
Mel Begay
Leonard Tsosie
Dwight Witherspoon
Edmund Yazzie
Not Voting (4):
* Speaker LoRenzo Bates
Norman M. Begay
Seth Damon
Jonathan Perry
Jonathan Perry
Leonard Pete
Walter Phelps
2015 Summer Council Session
Legislation Results
* Chaired the discussion - only votes in the event of a tie
Legislation 0084-15 Legislation 0191-15
Amending Navajo
Nation Code Title 24 by
Enacting the Alcohol Tax
Primary Sponsor:
Edmund Yazzie
PASSED
(Simple Majority)
Yea (10)
Norman M. Begay
Nelson BeGaye
Benjamin Bennett
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Lee Jack, Sr.
Walter Phelps
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Otto Tso
Dwight Witherspoon
Edmund Yazzie
Amending Navajo
Nation Fiscal Year 2015
Comprehensive Budget,
Cs-46-14, And Approving The Appropriation
Of $374,264.00 To The
Office Of The Legislative
Services, Business Unit
101019, And The Office
Of Legislative Services
– Legislative District
Assistants, Business Unit
101034, From Unappropriated Recurring
Revenues
Primary Sponsor:
Speaker LoRenzo Bates
PASSED
(Simple Majority)
Nay (9):
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Mel Begay
Nathaniel Brown
Tom Chee
Amber Kanazbah Crotty
Seth Damon
Leonard Pete
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Leonard Tsosie
Yea (16)
Speaker LoRenzo Bates
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Norman M. Begay
Nelson BeGaye
Benjamin Bennett
Nathaniel Brown
Tom Chee
Seth Damon
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Lee Jack, Sr.
Not Voting (5):
Leonard Pete
* Speaker LoRenzo Bates Walter Phelps
Davis Filfred
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Jonathan Hale
Otto Tso
Jonathan Perry
Leonard Tsosie
Alton Joe Shepherd
Dwight Witherspoon
Nay (1):
Amber Kanazbah Crotty
Legislation 0223-15 Legislation 0225-15
Confirming The Navajo Nation President’s
Appointment Of Jackson
Brossy, As Navajo Nation
Washington Office Director
Appointing Ethel Billie
Branch as Navajo Nation
Attorney General
Primary Sponsor:
Speaker LoRenzo Bates
PASSED
(Simple Majority)
PASSED
(Simple Majority)
Yea (19)
Speaker LoRenzo Bates
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Mel Begay
Norman M. Begay
Nelson BeGaye
Benjamin Bennett
Tom Chee
Amber Kanazbah Crotty
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Davis Filfred
Lee Jack, Sr.
Leonard Pete
Walter Phelps
Alton Joe Shepherd
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Otto Tso
Leonard Tsosie
Dwight Witherspoon
Edmund Yazzie
Yea (20)
Speaker LoRenzo Bates
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Mel Begay
Norman M. Begay
Nelson BeGaye
Benjamin Bennett
Nathaniel Brown
Tom Chee
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Davis Filfred
Lee Jack, Sr.
Leonard Pete
Walter Phelps
Alton Joe Shepherd
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Otto Tso
Leonard Tsosie
Dwight Witherspoon
Edmund Yazzie
Nay (0):
Not Voting (4):
*Seth Damon
Amber Kanazbah Crotty
Jonathan Hale
Jonathan Perry
Primary Sponsor:
Dwight Witherspoon
Nay (0):
Not Voting (5):
*Seth Damon
Nathaniel Brown
Jonathan Hale
Jonathan Perry
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Legislation 0227-15 Legislation 0234-15
Consenting To Jesse
Delmar As Navajo Nation
Division Of Public Safety
Executive Director
Primary Sponsor:
Otto Tso
PASSED
(Simple Majority)
Yea (16)
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Mel Begay
Norman M. Begay
Nelson BeGaye
Benjamin Bennett
Tom Chee
Amber Kanazbah Crotty
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Davis Filfred
Lee Jack, Sr.
Leonard Pete
Alton Joe Shepherd
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Otto Tso
Dwight Witherspoon
Edmund Yazzie
Nay (0):
Not Voting (8):
* Speaker LoRenzo Bates
Nathaniel Brown
Seth Damon
Jonathan Hale
Jonathan Perry
Walter Phelps
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Leonard Tsosie
Approving Supplemental
Funding from the Unreserved, Undesignated
Fund Balance in the
Amount of $31,780 Improving BIA N2 Road
Primary Sponsor:
Walter Phelps
PASSED
(Simple Majority)
Yea (15)
Norman M. Begay
Nelson BeGaye
Benjamin Bennett
Nathaniel Brown
Tom Chee
Seth Damon
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Lee Jack, Sr.
Leonard Pete
Walter Phelps
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Otto Tso
Dwight Witherspoon
Edmund Yazzie
Nay (2):
Amber Kanazbah Crotty
Leonard Tsosie
Not Voting (7):
* Speaker LoRenzo Bates
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Mel Begay
Davis Filfred
Jonathan Hale
Jonathan Perry
Alton Joe Shepherd
Not Voting (7):
Mel Begay
Davis Filfred
Jonathan Hale
Jonathan Perry
Alton Joe Shepherd
Raymond Smith, Jr.
*Edmund Yazzie
7
2015 Summer Council Session
Legislation Results
* Chaired the discussion - only votes in the event of a tie
Legislation 0235-15
Approving Unreserved, Undesignated
Fund Balance in the
Amount of $45,000
for Operating Expenses of the Navajo-Hopi
Land Commission
Office for Fiscal Year
2015
Primary Sponsor:
Walter Phelps
FAILED
(Required two-thirds
or 16 supporting
votes from Council)
Yea (14)
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Nelson BeGaye
Benjamin Bennett
Nathaniel Brown
Tom Chee
Seth Damon
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Lee Jack, Sr.
Walter Phelps
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Otto Tso
Dwight Witherspoon
Edmund Yazzie
Nay (4):
Norman M. Begay
Amber Kanazbah
Crotty
Leonard Pete
Leonard Tsosie
Not Voting (6):
* Speaker LoRenzo
Bates
Mel Begay
Davis Filfred
Jonathan Hale
Jonathan Perry
Alton Joe Shepherd
8
Legislation 0208-15
Approving Supplemental Funding from
the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance in the Amount of
Three Million Dollars
($3,000,000) for the
110 Navajo Nation
Chapter’s Summer
Youth Employment;
$150,000 to reconstruct Teesto Chapter
House
Primary Sponsor:
Jonathan Hale
PASSED
(Simple Majority)
Yea (12)
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Norman M. Begay
Nelson BeGaye
Benjamin Bennett
Nathaniel Brown
Tom Chee
Amber Kanazbah
Crotty
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Lee Jack, Sr.
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Dwight Witherspoon
Nay (3):
Seth Damon
Otto Tso
Leonard Tsosie
Not Voting (9):
* Speaker LoRenzo
Bates
Mel Begay
Davis Filfred
Jonathan Hale
Jonathan Perry
Leonard Pete
Walter Phelps
Alton Joe Shepherd
Edmund Yazzie
Legislation 0229-15
Approving Supplemental Funding from
the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance in the Amount of
$163,372.00 for Wide
Ruins Chapter-Pine
Springs Scattered
Powerline Extension
Project; Waiving 12
N.N.C. § 820(I) and
860(C) Relating to the
Capital Improvement
Process
Primary Sponsor:
Raymond Smith, Jr.
TABLED
(Required two-thirds
or 16 supporting
votes from Council)
Yea (14)
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Norman M. Begay
Nelson BeGaye
Benjamin Bennett
Nathaniel Brown
Tom Chee
Amber Kanazbah
Crotty
Seth Damon
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Lee Jack, Sr.
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Otto Tso
Dwight Witherspoon
Nay (0):
Not Voting (10):
* Speaker LoRenzo
Bates
Mel Begay
Davis Filfred
Jonathan Hale
Jonathan Perry
Leonard Pete
Walter Phelps
Alton Joe Shepherd
Leonard Tsosie
Edmund Yazzie
Legislation 0232-15
Approving Supplemental Funding from
the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance in the Amount
of $400,000 for Black
Mesa Headstart
Facility Construction
Project, Business Unit
Number New
Primary Sponsor:
Dwight Witherspoon
TABLED
(Simple Majority)
Vote to table:
Yea (14)
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Norman M. Begay
Nelson BeGaye
Benjamin Bennett
Nathaniel Brown
Tom Chee
Amber Kanazbah
Crotty
Seth Damon
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Lee Jack, Sr.
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Otto Tso
Dwight Witherspoon
Nay (0):
Not Voting (10):
* Speaker LoRenzo
Bates
Mel Begay
Davis Filfred
Jonathan Hale
Jonathan Perry
Leonard Pete
Walter Phelps
Alton Joe Shepherd
Leonard Tsosie
Edmund Yazzie
Legislation 0238-15
Authorizing a Senior
Unsecured General
Obligation Tax-Exempt Necessary to
Maintain the Navajo
Nation’s New Aircraft
and to Pay Related
Financing and Legal
Costs; Approving
Term Sheet; Delegating Authority to
Negotiate, Execute
and Deliver Final
Loan Documents; and
Related Matters
Primary Sponsor:
Davis Filfred
Legislation 0240-15
Approving Supplemental Funding from
the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance in the Amount of
$200,000 for Navajo
Community Development Financial
Institution, Business
Unit New
Legislation 0241-15
Approving Supplemental Funding from
the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance in the Amount
of $21,117 for Hard
Rock Chapter’s Rural
Addressing System,
Business Unit Number 108017
Primary Sponsor:
Dwight Witherspoon
Primary Sponsor:
Dwight Witherspoon
PASSED
(Simple Majority)
PASSED
(Simple Majority)
Yea (9)
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
NO ACTION: referred Benjamin Bennett
back to the Health,
Tom Chee
Education, and Human Seth Damon
Services Committee
Herman Daniels, Jr.
and the Resources and
Lee Jack, Sr.
Development ComOtto Tso
mittee
Leonard Tsosie
Dwight Witherspoon
Yea (10)
Mel Begay
Nay (4):
Norman M. Begay
Norman M. Begay
Benjamin Bennett
Nelson BeGaye
Tom Chee
Nathaniel Brown
Amber Kanazbah
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Crotty
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Walter Phelps
Not Voting (11):
Alton Joe Shepherd
* Speaker LoRenzo
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Bates
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Mel Begay
Amber Kanazbah
Nay (9):
Crotty
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Davis Filfred
Nelson BeGaye
Jonathan Hale
Seth Damon
Jonathan Perry
Davis Filfred
Leonard Pete
Leonard Pete
Walter Phelps
Otto Tso
Alton Joe Shepherd
Leonard Tsosie
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Dwight Witherspoon
Edmund Yazzie
Edmund Yazzie
Not Voting (5):
* Speaker LoRenzo
Bates
Nathaniel Brown
Jonathan Hale
Lee Jack, Sr.
Jonathan Perry
Yea (12)
Kee Allen Begay, Jr.
Norman M. Begay
Benjamin Bennett
Nathaniel Brown
Tom Chee
Amber Kanazbah
Crotty
Herman Daniels, Jr.
Lee Jack, Sr.
Tuchoney Slim, Jr.
Raymond Smith, Jr.
Otto Tso
Dwight Witherspoon
Nay (3):
Nelson BeGaye
Seth Damon
Leonard Tsosie
Not Voting (9):
* Speaker LoRenzo
Bates
Mel Begay
Davis Filfred
Jonathan Hale
Jonathan Perry
Leonard Pete
Walter Phelps
Alton Joe Shepherd
Edmund Yazzie