Dilkon land blessed for new court

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

DILKON — The April 4 traditional Navajo ground blessing for a Dilkon District Court multipurpose building was “just the beginning of the (judiciary) committee’s duties and responsibilities of implementing a strong judicial service system for the Navajo people,” according to Judiciary Committee Chairman Kee Allen Begay.

Among the dignitaries to attend the ceremony were Arizona state Sen. Albert Hale and Navajo Nation Vice President Ben Shelly, who thanked the Dilkon community and court officials for working together to bring the new court closer to becoming a reality.

The planned new court building was made possible by a $2 million appropriation by the state of Arizona, through a joint effort by the Judiciary Committee and the legislative, judicial, and the executive branches of the Navajo Nation, Begay said.

The Navajo Nation also provided matching funding to state’s allocation.

The facility will help with the community’s current needs and its anticipated growth. The state of Arizona also plans to utilize some of the space for state court hearings as well.

Other event attendees included the Judiciary Committee members, Judge Louise G. Grant, Dilkon court staff, chapter officials and Navajo County supervisors.

The 14,000-square-foot facility — designed to reflect Navajo customs — will be constructed on 2.3 acres on the corner, just north of milepost 55, along Navajo Route 15.
The purpose of the court facility is to provide judicial services to the people of the Navajo Nation, particularly for residents living in the communities of Dilkon, Indian Wells, Greasewood Springs, Tolani Lake, Birdsprings, Teesto, White Cone, Leupp and Jeddito on the Arizona portion of the Navajo Nation.

“There is endless work that needs to be accomplished and the Dilkon District Court is a prime example of how the Navajo Nation can work in a joint effort with other entities in addressing many issues that the nation faces,” Begay said.

Begay thanked Hale and Arizona State Rep. Albert Tom for spearheading this funding request from the Nation to the state of Arizona.

Navajo Nation lobbyist Katosha Nakai, of the Lewis & Roca law firm, was the liaison between the Navajo Nation and the state — including the governor’s office.

The building is scheduled to be completed by mid-February 2009. An official groundbreaking ceremony will be held next month.

Information: Joshua Lavar Butler,
(928) 871-6384.