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39-564: The council is composed of 24 district delegates, or councilors, chosen by direct election , who represent 110 municipal chapters within the states of Arizona , New Mexico , and Utah . Delegates must be members of the Navajo Nation and be at least twenty-five years of age. Delegate offices are at the Navajo Nation governmental campus in Window Rock. The council selects a speaker , chosen from among all delegates, to preside over

78-519: A ranch to the Navajo Nation at a $ 7.2 million profit. These actions resulted in the Tribal Council putting him on administrative leave. MacDonald however refused to step down, and after a five-month standoff, an interim Chairman was appointed. The situation grew confusing as there were at times up to three men claiming the title of Tribal Chairman. On July 20, 1989, rioters from competing group clashed outside an administrative building, resulting in

117-407: A redistricting plan. On January 11, 2011, the new, smaller 24-member council was seated, and the restructuring of the legislative branch began. On January 24, 2011, Delegate Johnny Naize (Blue Gap-Tachee/Cottonwood-Tselani/Low Mountain/Many Farms/Nazlini) was selected as speaker. In May 2011, President Ben Shelly signed council resolution CAP-10-11, sent to him by the council, amending Title II of

156-408: A small group of electors, through methods determined by each state, to elect the president. Thus in practice this represents a form of indirect election. Bolstered by opposition groups, institutional and constitutional change in the 1980s and 1990s led to direct elections of presidents in many South American countries. These changes created centralized power in presidential positions, often blurring

195-435: A speaker was selected by the council to serve a two-year term. Council delegate Kee Allen Begay, Jr. (Low Mountain, Many Farms, Nazlini, Tachee/Blue Gap, Tselani/Cottonwood) was elected speaker pro tem by a coin toss after he and former Speaker Pro Tem LoRenzo Bates each received 12 votes. Begay served as speaker pro tem until the start of the winter session on January 26, 2015, after which former Speaker Pro Tem LoRenzo Bates won

234-739: The Judicial Branch , the reforms were meant to separate the powers of the Tribal Council (the legislative branch) the President (the executive branch) and the Supreme Court (the judicial branch) with a checks and balances system similar to that of the U.S. Constitution . The resolutions were adopted by the Council on December 15, 1989 and became law on April 11, 1990. The Navajo Nation has an uncodified constitution , so

273-556: The Senator from Arizona Barry Goldwater . He delivered 90% of Navajo votes to elect a Democratic Governor of Arizona , and Goldwater retaliated by supporting the Hopi in a land dispute, causing Navajo citizens to lose their homes. He was often referred to as "the most powerful Indian in the USA". MacDonald faced accusations of corruption involving kickback schemes, such as selling

312-589: The Navajo Code instructs that should vacancy occur in the Office of President and Vice President, the Speaker shall serve as President of the Navajo Nation until a special election is held. The Code further states that the Speaker shall then act concurrently as Speaker and President, and that the speakership shall not be considered vacated. On January 10, 2023, the delegates of the 25th Navajo Nation Council took

351-441: The Navajo Code. Among the changes in the law was the reorganization of existing standing committees to match the 24 vote membership. In January 2013, the council reelected Speaker Naize to a second term. The newly elected 23rd Navajo Nation Council was inaugurated on January 13, 2015, in Window Rock, Arizona. Following the inauguration, delegates convened in special session to select a speaker pro tem to serve in that capacity until

390-666: The Navajo Nation. Shirley had campaigned to return government to the Diné by government reform. At the meeting of the council on January 13, 2010, Council Delegate Jonathan Nez announced changes to Title 22 of the Navajo Nation Code that would take place in the wake of the majority of the tribe's membership voting to reduce the size of the council to 24 members. In a decision on May 28, 2010, the Navajo Nation Supreme Court ordered immediate implementation of

429-642: The Navajo Tribal Council and Navajo Nation had been supported by funding from the wealth of natural resources on the reservation. In 1984, however, the council established the Permanent Trust Fund , into which 12% of all revenue each year would be deposited. Funds would first become available in 2004. The name Navajo Nation Council (sometimes called the Navajo Nation Tribal Council) came into use around

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468-531: The Philippines is the only head of state elected by popular vote. Although classified as a semi-presidential system, South Korea in political reality has a strong presidential system as well based on changes in 1987 to its constitution. The first major European country to use direct elections was France (1848). However, if no candidate received a majority of the vote the National Assembly chose

507-539: The Tribal Council has the power to change its own operation with simple resolutions. The executive of the Navajo Nation was previously the Tribal Chairman , and they possessed a lot of power. Peter MacDonald was the 7th Tribal Chairman, and he had an interest in wielding his expansive political power. He was a member of Richard Nixon's Committee to Re-Elect the President . He had a strained relationship with

546-701: The Tribal Council looked to the case of Chairman MacDonald and decided that the constitutional crisis resulted from a lack of oversight and too much power vested in the executive. In 1998, the Tribal Council adopted the Navajo Nation Local Governance Act, giving the dozens of local Navajo chapters some ability to make their own decisions. The size of the Council was eventually reduced to 24 members from 88. The Title II Reforms and subsequent changes have been criticized as being handled entirely by leadership, rather than via referendum or ballot initiative . Some have also requested that

585-738: The day-to-day functions of the council for a two-year term. As codified in Section 101 of the Navajo Nation Code: (2 N.N.C. § 101(A)) The Legislative Branch shall consist of the Navajo Nation Council and any entity established under the Navajo Nation Council. (2 N.N.C § 101(B)) The Legislative Branch shall not be amended unless approved by majority of all registered Navajo voters through a referendum. (2 N.N.C. § 102 (B-G)) The Navajo Nation Council reserves all powers not delegated and supervises those that are delegated; has

624-680: The deaths of two MacDonald supporters. His supporters claimed that the Navajo Police Department was brutalizing them as an attempt to remove MacDonald from power. A group of Tribal Councilmen managed to gather enough political support to remove MacDonald, and he was arrested and put on trial with some of his supporters. Chairman MacDonald served 8 years of his 14-year sentence in federal prison, having his sentence commuted by Bill Clinton on his last day in office . Out of 32 men originally indicted, only 10 (including MacDonald) were sentenced. In deciding what reforms should be made,

663-416: The dynamics of the council in 2011. In January 2009, Speaker Morgan was reelected speaker, to a fourth term. The election made him the first speaker to serve eight years in that capacity in the Council's modern history. President Shirley addressed the Council in the annual State of the Navajo Nation address on January 24, 2009. Shirley spoke of his conviction of the need to develop a new governing document for

702-499: The first youngest member at age 28, Shaandiin Parrish, who is also a former Miss Navajo (2019-2021). This council will have a 66% (16/24) of freshmen whom have never been elected under previous councils. 33% (8/24) will retain their seats in council. Then a historic moment will occur, when the council will have a 37.5% (9/24) representation of females, which has not been that high in previous councils. The 25th Navajo Nation Council from

741-416: The inaugural event, the 24-member council convened for a special session to consider Legislation No. 0001-19 to select a speaker pro tem. Through a simple majority vote by Council members, Council Delegate Seth Damon (Bááháálí, Chichiltah, Manuelito, Tsé Lichíí’, Rock Springs, Tsayatoh) was selected as speaker pro tem. On January 28, 2019, opening day of the 2019 Winter Council Session Speaker Pro Tem Seth Damon

780-633: The legislative body. Many African nations have moved from parliamentary to presidential systems. Regardless of constitutional structures, presidents often have immense power over other political decision-making bodies. Given this power, much of the political violence around elections stems from the elections of presidents. Additionally, recent coups and conflict have postponed direct presidential elections in several African countries. The overwhelming majority of democracies in Asia are parliamentary, rather than presidential systems. Based on constitutional design,

819-531: The line of separation of powers and making them powerful decision-makers over the legislature and cabinet. A common political debate, particularly as countries consider governmental reforms, is whether or not direct elections of heads of state strengthen democratic practices among citizens. Selection mechanisms for heads of state can lead to varying outcomes in terms of voter interest, turnout, and overall engagement. For example, some scholars argue that direct elections will mobilize voters and increase their trust in

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858-473: The middle of 1989. The name change occurred with the Title II Amendments of 1989 which established the three-branch government system used at Window Rock today. This created a clear delineation of executive and legislative powers, vested leadership of the executive branch in the President and Vice President, and created the offices of Speaker of the Council and Speaker Pro Tem. The 17th council

897-498: The oath of office. 25th Navajo Nation Council committees and subcommittees as listed at the Council website. The Diné (Navajo) created the ceremonial gatherings called Naachʼid which met every 2 to 4 years, or on an emergency basis as needed. The traditional Navajo government was organized around the principles of Hózhǫ́ǫ́jí dóó Hashkééjí , the nurturing and protecting aspects of governance. Each Navajo clan chose two representatives to attend these assemblies, with

936-414: The officeholder in question. In a double direct election , the elected representative serves on two councils, typically a lower-tier municipality and an upper-tier regional district or municipality. The idea that heads of state be elected directly by the people progressed slowly throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This differs from parliamentary systems where executives derive power from

975-467: The political process, particularly in emerging democracies. Others note that frequent direct elections may decrease turnout due to voter fatigue and apathy. 1989 Navajo Nation Council reforms The 1989 Navajo Nation Council Reforms , also known as the Title II Amendments were a series of Constitutional changes to the government structure of the Navajo Nation . Following 1985 reforms to

1014-432: The power to discipline and regulate the conduct of its members; has the authority to promulgate rules, regulations, and procedures for the conduct of its meetings and of its committees; confirms the appointments of all division directors upon recommendation from the appropriate oversight committee; and shall establish standing committees and delegate such authority to such committees as it deems necessary and proper. §1006 of

1053-605: The principles of kʼé (peace and friendship) and to maintain relationships with all creation. The Navajo Business Council was created in 1922 by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in order to certify mineral leases on the Navajo reservation . At its first meeting, the Council acquiesced to U.S. pressure to grant oil companies use of the land. In return, the Navajo Nation was promised more land that could be used for subsistence farming and sheep grazing. This first council

1092-506: The promotion of democracy around the world. In terms of direct elections, former British colonies are less likely to hold direct elections for heads of state. Additionally no monarchies have direct elections for head of state since by definition the head of state is unelected. The conceptual origins of direct presidential elections stem from the U.S. Constitution (1787) through the Electoral College . The Framers intended for

1131-456: The purpose of protecting and nurturing the Diné . An individual selected to participate in that council was called naalchʼid . The Hashkééjí Naatʼááh , translated as war chief, protected the people from any harm as they moved away from the principles of Hózhǫ́ǫ́jí . The Hózhǫ́ǫ́jí Naatʼááh , or peace chief, nurtured each individual, assisting the people to live in accordance with

1170-497: The restoration of democracy (in 1871 and 1949, in West Germany , respectively). Currently, Europe has a mix of parliamentary republics , presidential republics , where the president is elected directly by the people, and semi-presidential republics - including contemporary France - which have a president elected directly and a prime minister responsible to the parliament. A major debate exists regarding colonial legacies and

1209-613: The speakership, after a runoff election with Alton Joe Shepherd (Jeddito, Cornfields, Ganado, Kinlichee, Steamboat) where each received 12 votes, after which Shepard withdrew his candidacy, "for the council to unite and work together". On January 15, 2019, the 24th Navajo Nation Council took their oath of office at noon during the 2019 Navajo Nation Inauguration at the Bee Holdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center in Fort Defiance, Ariz. Following

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1248-517: The start has been full of historic moments, now electing the first Woman as the Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, Honorable Crystalyne Curley. Speaker Curley assumed office January 23, 2023 during the Winter Session in 2023. Direct election Direct election is a system of choosing political officeholders in which the voters directly cast ballots for the persons or political party that they wanted to see elected. The method by which

1287-478: The winner from the top five candidates. As the so-called Second Republic only lasted for one presidential term, this never happened. Germany (the Weimar Republic ) was the first European country to use direct election of a president without intervention by the legislature. Both these systems were replaced by authoritarian systems within a number of years, with indirect presidential elections instated with

1326-414: The winner or winners of a direct election are chosen depends upon the electoral system used. The most commonly used systems are the plurality system and the two-round system for single-winner elections, such as a presidential election, and proportional representation for the election of a legislature or executive. By contrast, in an indirect election , the voters elect a body which in turn elects

1365-590: Was elected Speaker of the Council. In 2005, Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan was elected for his second term as Speaker of the Council. The 21st council was seated in January 2007. Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan was elected for a third term after winning a run-off election against Delegate Harold Wauneka of Fort Defiance. On April 29, Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. proposed reducing the Navajo Council from 88 members to 24 members. The election would change

1404-454: Was headed by Henry Chee Dodge and consisted of one delegate elected from each of the five agencies, along with one alternate delegate. After refusing to adopt Commissioner of Indian Affairs John Collier 's Indian Reorganization Act in 1934, the Navajo Tribal Council reformed in 1937. The Navajo voters would ultimately reject three attempts at establishing a constitutional government over disagreement of lasting legal language. Until 1984,

1443-402: Was seated in 1991. The 18th council was seated in January 1995. The 19th council was seated in January 1999. In 2001, the council approved a service agreement with OnSat, a Utah-based Internet provider. OnSat was to receive $ 1.9   million in the first year of contract to provide the 110 chapters with satellite bandwidth . The 20th council was seated in January 2003. Lawrence T. Morgan

1482-439: Was sworn in as Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council until January 10, 2023. On January 10, 2023, the 25th Navajo Nation Council will take their oath of office during the 2023 Navajo Nation Inauguration at the Bee Holdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center in Fort Defiance, Arizona. Following the inaugural event, the 24-member council will join for a special session to select a speaker pro-tem. The 25th Navajo Nation Council will have

1521-434: Was voted in as Speaker of the 24th Navajo Nation Council. In July 2019, Delegate Nelson BeGaye resigned for health reasons. Following a special election, Carl Roessel Slater was elected to the seat. Legislation No. 0219-22 was introduced to select a new Speaker of the 24th Navajo Nation Council until the new 25th council due to former Speaker Damon resigning from the position. On November 16, 2022 Honorable Otto Tso (Tuba City)

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