Committed votes on Legislation 0015-18, which is the Navajo Nation’s opposition to the Curtis bill, which would reduce the size of Bears Ears National Monument into two smaller national monuments, Shash Jaa National Monument and Indian Creek National Monument.

DELEGATE DAVIS FILFRED, SPONSOR OF 0015-18, says 2018 is the 150 years anniversary of the US – Navajo Treaty and Bears Ears is part of that Treaty. When President Begaye and I went to testify before House Committee on Curtis Bill, we were not allowed to testify. They are pulling people off the street that are in support of Curtis bill. There is another bill that opposes reduction of Bears Ears and there are

DELEGATE SETH DAMON sponsors amendment:

DELEGATE RAYMOND SMITH questions language that “Trump unlawfully” reduced Bears Ears and whether nation should be using that kind of language.

ATTORNEY GENERAL BRANCH says this amendment reflects lawsuit and Trump not modifying but retracting Obama’s designation of Bears Ears as National Monument.

DELEGATE FILFRED says only Congress under Antiquities Act can retract an presidential national monument designation.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE said nation can take a postion because Navajo is trying to protect Bears Ears. I have no problem with language because it is unlawful. We have to take a position. there are only two positions – either lawful or unlawful. Obama created. let’s say unlawful and let lawyers take the case. i was going to suggest additional language to call on United Nations.

NAABIK’IYATI VOTES ON AMENDMENT ONE, 3:39 PM, 11-1

VOTE ON 0015-18, NAVAJO NATION OPPOSES CURTIS BILL TO REDUCE BEARS EARS NATIONAL MONUMENT INTO TWO SMALLER MONUMENTS – SHASH JAA NATIONAL MONUMENT & INDIAN CREEK NATIONAL MONUMENT, IS 12-0 AT 3:42 PM

NAABIK’IYATI COMMITTEE ADJOURNS AT 3:46 PM