Navajo Prez:
Don't drop blood requirement until people vote on it
by Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — President Joe Shirley Jr. has come
out against until the people vote on it in a referendum a proposed law
to reduce the qualifications
for membership in the Navajo tribe.
The matter is one of 14 bills or resolutions remaining on the Navajo
Nation Council's spring session agenda, with the quarterly meeting ending
Friday.
Delegate Ervin Keeswood Sr. (Hogback Chapter), chair of the Government
Services Committee, sponsored the bill which his panel approved 5-0,
with two members
absent, on Jan. 23. The Ethics-Rules Committee, by a 7-0 vote on Feb. 6, also
gave a "do pass without amendments" to the proposed bill.
The bill, No. 0032-04, would reduce the ancestry requirement from one-fourth
to one-eighth to become an enrolled member of the second-largest tribe in population
although Navajo is the largest Indian reservation.
In the summary sheet on the bill, it was pointed out more scholarships, social
programs and consideration of Navajo preference in employment would be required,
as well a more services to be delivered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and
the Indian Health Service.
It also was pointed out the doubling of those who officially are Navajos would
allow more pressure to be applied for a greater share of federal funds while
at the same time leading to a criticism of decreasing the culture, language
and ethnic structure of the tribe.
Shirley's is concerned that, "While the intent appears to be that by decreasing
the blood quantum, there will be an increase in our population, and thus more
federal dollars coming into the coffers, ... the consequence is that the Navajo
Nation may face additional responsibilities to provide the newly enrolled members
with rights and access to the decreasing resources available from our Navajo
Nation government."
The president also is worried deeply about the increased stress the additional
tribal population would put on the constantly decreasing federal dollars which
are expected to take care of a fast-growing population which is much younger
than the U.S. average.
"This scenario is not likely to change with the war going on and more and
more moneys being diverted to that cause," he explained.
Shirley pointed out the tribal council established the requirement in 1951
that at least one grandparent be Din before a person can become an enrolled
member
of the tribe.
The 2000 Census counted about 300,000 Navajos all over the country, with around
167,000 living on the reservation. According to the Economic Development Division,
the growth rate has averaged 1.83 percent a year, which would mean there are
now about 322,000 Navajos.
Currently the Oklahoma-based Cherokees, with a much lower blood quantum than
the Navajos, are considered the United States' most populous tribe.
|
Thursday
April 22, 2004
Selected Stories:
Area
athlete on her way up
Trading
post owner killed by alleged drunk driver
Navajo
Prez: Don't drop blood requirement until people vote on it
Raid for Indian artifacts nets guns
and drugs
Tribal council works scholorship
monies out more and less
Udall:
White House talk of fiscal responsibility is just that — talk
New
police chief: City's finest not the fittest
Death |
