Navajo Government

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Navajo Government

The Navajo Nation’s government is the largest tribal government in the country. Governing it are 88 tribal council members whom are elected every four years by popular vote by the Navajo people. The tribal council created 12 “Standing Committees” which oversee all workings in the Navajo Nation.
The Navajo have a tribal council that was formed in 1922 when oil was discovered on the Navajo reservation. The Standard Oil Company of California wanted oil rights, but the United States government could not lease the Navajo land without Navajo consent. Until that time, there was no central Navajo government, instead there were many different local headmen spread across the large reservation. The United States government called a meeting of the headmen to discuss the leasing of the land, but they all rejected the proposal. The Secretary of the Interior created a Navajo “Business Council” made up of three council members to sign and approve the lease. This Business Council was the predecessor of the Navajo Tribal Council which was created in 1923. In the 1930’s, the Navajo Tribal Council was organized with a membership of 12 officers. Today, the Navajo tribal government consists of 88 members.
The Navajo Nation has the right to tax tribal members and non-Indians operating a business on the Navajo reservation. Non-Indians are taxed for farming or grazing on the reservation and for extracting oil and gas. The Navajo Nation imposes “land use ordinances in an attempt to preserve and protect their land. They can also regulate hunting and fishing for Indians and non-Indians on the reservation. The United States government makes non-Navajo traders to obtain permits before they can open businesses on the reservation. The Navajo, unlike most tribes, do not receive a check from the United States Government simply for being Indian. The reason the Navajo do not get a check simply for being Indian is tha...