HERE AT NAVAJO COUNCIL WHERE COUNCIL DEBATING LEGISLATION 0369-12 WHICH IS FOR COUNCIL TO AUTHORIZE REFERENDUM FOR NAVAJO PEOPLE TO ONCE AGAIN BE GOVERNING BODY OF NAVAJO NATION INSTEAD OF COUNCIL.

NDOJ DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL BOBROFF
The language addresses a long time struggle for the Navajo people to have their inherent right over their lands recognized and respected.

NDOJ ATTORNEY GENERAL HARRISON TSOSIE
As a nation, we always claim to be sovereign nation and we will continue to exert that and the more control we have over our land, water, skies is a direction that Navajo Nation pursuing. But unfortunately reality is that we have to do one step at a time and we are doing that right now. There are numerous bodies, including United Nations Rights of Indigenous People that upholds that Indigenous people have right to govern lands. So we are moving towards more solid Navajo nation. True lands are in trust but exact definition of what that is, is difficult cuz comes from US Supreme Court decision of 1800s. We want clarification so Navajo Nation can have greater control over resources.

DELEGATE PHELPS
Shud we name all our treaties. I’m concerned about language that allows Navajo people to have full authority over assets. Does this mean that Council wud have to get consent from people to use Reserves. If approve this we cud be approving the tying up of our hands to get anything done.