Council gets dirt on land acquistion
Shirley's presence creates a buzz

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley received a rocky welcome from the tribal council Friday and the impact of his appearance may have continued even after he left.

Division over Shirley's appearance began during the usually routine acceptance of the day's agenda. Murmurs from delegates during the special council meeting revealed that some didn't want to listen to the president. Of concern seemed to be giving Shirley the podium to espouse his opposition against taking $33 million from the Land Acquisition Fund.

But Amos F. Johnson (Black Mesa) cautioned the council about how booting the president off the agenda would be perceived.

""We wouldn't want the impression out there that the Navajo Nation Council is afraid to listen to him," Johnson said.

But when Navajo Nation Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan called for Shirley, the president had yet to arrive in chambers. The delegates immediately pushed on to the next agenda item.

Shortly thereafter, Morgan was informed that Shirley was in the building. When Morgan introduced Shirley the majority of delegates rose in applause. The Navajo Nation today owns more than 17 million acres, Shirley said. As tribal leaders they need to be concerned with acquiring land to support the tribe economically and by relieving overcrowded areas, he said.

Landing acreage
The Land Acquisition Fund, established in 1984, has been growing steadily and within 10 years the fund should generate enough capital so that the tribe can spend $10 million annually to buy land, Shirley said.

Following the Treaty of 1868, the Navajos claimed 3,3 million acres. Recently the tribe bought 17 parcels totaling 2,451 acres and is preparing to purchase four ranches totaling more than 18,000 acres, Shirley said. The Land Acquisition Fund now contains $37 million with $5,396,669 currently available for land purchases, the president said. Within 10 years the fund should hold $60 million, he said.

Each year, 2 percent of Navajo Nation revenues is put into the fund, or approximately $3 million. Now, the fund earns $750,000 a year in investment income, Shirley said. Each year the fund grows about 27.6 percent.

Since 1953 the tribe has bought 2.5 million acres at a total of $75 million. Among the purchases were Chischilly (1953), Magnum Sage Ranch (1969), El Malpais (1985) and 16 allotments from New Mexico in 2003.

The Navajo Nation is currently looking at purchasing four parcels Bonds Ranch, JF McDonald Property, Red Cliff Ranch and Thoreau Properties. All except McDonald fall within tribal boundaries.

Shirley's report noted several other parcels that the tribe could possibly make arrangements to buy including Mohamids Development in East Gallup. But the owners are looking for $10 to $15 million, he said.

Voice of dissent
Protecting the fund's balance allows the tribe to buy land, and thus supports tribal economic opportunities, consolidating tribal holdings in "checker board" areas, provides grazing land and helps relieve overcrowding. But some delegates were not swayed.

"I'd like to know which chapter has seen economic gain since the Land Acquisition Fund began," said Wallace Charley (Shiprock). "This is about a 10-year plan, but we want results now."

Charley also noted that recent purchases seem centered around Gallup, and he wondered why attention hasn't been paid to other areas such as Farmington and Durango.

Ervin M. Keeswood Sr. (Hogback) who received a splattering of laughter when he referred to Charley as "Vice President Charley" said the president's report contained no real inventory.

Charley, once a Shirley supporter, was thought to have an inside track on the vice presidency. After that post went to Frank Dayish Jr., Charley has emerged as one of the president's major critics.

Young Jeff Tom (Mariano Lake/Smith Lake) thought the president was grandstanding. He said Shirley's report should have been read into the record long ago.

Over the last three years the big concern has been depleting Navajo Nation revenues, said Francis Redhouse (Teecnospos). "We keep buying land, but see little revenue from it. Why can't we buy stocks? Why can't we use that money so there would be an immediate return to the Navajo Nation?"

"I couldn't agree with you more," Shirley said in regards to generating immediate cashflow.

The Mohamids site, on Highway 66, for example, would bring in money from the hotel and gas station already located there, Shirley said. But the tribe just does not have the money available to make the purchase now, he said.

"Give the president the authority to enter legislation and I assure you we will have a lot to talk about," Shirley said.

60-5
The council accepted the president's report on a 60-5 vote. "The honorable president really failed in some aspects of his presentation," said Keeswood.

"I don't see where the president failed," said Lorenzo C. Bates (Upper Fruitland). "He pointed out what was good for the nation not the individual the nation."

Though he left the chambers, Shirley's shadow may have remained behind to loom large over the remainder of the session.

When the legislation to take $33 million from the Land Acquisition Fund came to the floor, its backers urged passage to help the tribe's immediate needs.

"We need to begin to focus on the Navajo family," said Rex Lee Jim (Rockpoint). "When the family is strong, so is the Navajo Nation."

Larry Anderson (Fort Defiance) also voiced support for the bill, which would take $33 million from the Land Acquisition Fund and give $300,000 to each of the Navajo Nation's 110 chapters.

Angered that Shirley was given time on the agenda, Alice W. Bennally (Nahodishngish/Crownpoint) said supporters of removing the $33 million from the Land Acquisition Fund should be given equal time to present their side.

Keeswood offered an amendment that would let the $300,000 be used to leverage economic projects. That motion passed, 55-17.

Fifty-nine yea votes were needed for the bill's final passage, and it fell two votes short.

Some felt that the president's opponents struck back when they managed to get the 2003 audit tabled once again. It was the third time the audit has failed to gain passage.

"It was retaliation because they didn't get their land acquisition passed," said Bennie Shelly (Thoreau)."That is not a good leader of the people it's just retaliation."

LaVern Wagner (Pueblo Pintado/Torreon/Whitehorse Lake) said land was of tantamount importance and the Navajo Nation needs to keep in mind the words Chief Barboncito said in 1868: "I hope to God you will not ask me to go to any other country, except my own."

"That statement is a strong statement is still very much alive to many of us today," Wagner said. "That Navaho chief lived with hardship and said those words with heartfelt looking into the future for Navajo generations to come."

This generation must be strong enough to look forward, as well, Wagner said.

"We can't just live for today and put a band-aid (on problems). We must strengthen our boundaries, must invest in the land we must think of future generations," Wagner said.