Here at Navajo Human Rights Commission public hearing on Gender Violence and Violence Against Navajo women and Navajo LGBTQs (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders & Queers)

NAVAJO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER JUSTIN TSOSIE
Represent at-large group on commission and I also am an international representative for coal miners.

Navajo Nation employees have right to organize as a union. Navajo law requires that 50 percent sign petition and Navajo Office of Labor Relations certifies.

NHR COMMISSIONER STEVE DARDEN
When Commission first began this process several years ago, domestic violence shelters from across the Navajo Reservation met with Commission and shared stories. The most disturbing was about a woman who was sexually attacked by a Navajo police officer and since no names were shares, that incident is considered an allegation. But we also received information that in the cases of domestic violence involving Navajo police officers that it is very difficult for the victim to successfully prosecute because the officer’s comrades will close ranks.

NHRC OFFICE DIRECTOR LEONARD GORMAN
We tried to do something when NHRC office staff witnessed a man literally throwing around a women like a rag doll. When the staff attempted to intervene, the man left and then the victim. Have people become desensitized?

NHR COMMISSION DENETDALE
Saw vehicle parked along side road after saw man chasing woman. There were children in the car. As a woman, I went as close as possible and asked if she needed help. She didn’t say anything. A man in another vehicle stopped and asked her if she was okay. She didn’t respond. Cars were stopping and I don’t know what happened and don’t know if police arrived. So we do become desensitized.