The Navajo Council’s Naabik’iyati Committee is officially stared. A quorum was reached at 12:20 p.m. But before a quorum was reached, committee members started listening to a report from the “Save the Confluence” families and Hopi Tribal Chairman Herman Honanie.
Innovation by Delegate Nelson BeGaye.
Announcements and recognitions by several delegates. Speaker Pro Temp LoRenzo Bates recognizes Sam Deloria, former director of UNM American Indian Law Center for 35 years, and his wife, Vivian Arviso-Deloria, who served as Navajo Nation Director of Education. She is also a former Miss Navajo and Miss Indian America.
Naabik’iyati Committee is amending agenda. First amendment is to delete (F) LEGISLATION 0123-14: REFERRING REFERENDUM TO NAVAJO PEOPLE and (G) LEGISLATION 0135-14: CREATING AN INTERVIEWING SUBCOMMITTEE COMP0SED OF FIVE MEMBERS, ONE FROM EACH OF THE COUNCIL’S STANDING COMMITTEES, TO RECOMMEND AND SET INTERIVEW DATES TO FILL ALL 8 POSITIONS OF NAVAJO HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD and correct (A) LEGISLATION 0192-13: NATIVE AMERICAN ENERGY ACT.
VOTE – 9 IN FAVOR, 1 OPPOSED at 12:44 p.m.
DELEGATE DWIGHT WITHERSPOON
Add to Reports, Recognition of Hopi Tribal Chairman Honanie and his comments.
DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
I know we have process here for public discussion but this amendment could create legal issues. And I think I heard from “Save the Confluence” presenter Dee Wilson-Aguirre that this group will be hiring attorney and Hopi Tribe will probably join them. And so to accept report could be viewed/interpreted as supporting legal action.
DELEGATE DWIGHT WITHERSPOON
My request to add Hopi Chairman Honanie was not simply that we are in agreement but gesture on international protocol on treating other dignitaries and allow for comments on record and not about aligning selves with comments but how to we treat each other. So with his presence and his comments, it’s about diplomatic. And concern about reading into it as report is separate matter. We essentially wanted to treat him well. But i’m convinced to withdraw amendment.
DELEGATE DUANE TSINIGINE
Welcome Hopi Chairman Honanie and wish you had brot some Hopi food. So I am treating you as family. but i will abstain cuz i live in Bennett Freeze. Tribal Justice Department told me that Hopi filing lawsuits regarding eagles and other issues, including water. Deputy Attorney General Bobroff said she has seen those legal papers. I heard sheep out there. but there is no people out there. i lived with grandma out there by ourselves. and if i say i don’t suppport, it’s not about disrespecting you. this is about the land. But if Hopi Chairman Honanie were to bring report on entire issues then i would be different. And I’ll write memo regarding my abstention.
SPEAKER PRO TEMP BATES
Mr. Tsinigine, if you choose not to vote then I have no quorum. right now we have quorum and if you don’t vote then we don’t have quorum.
DELEGATE ROSCOE SMITH
