Navajo Nation

LA Times on Navajo Nation and the Coalition for Navajo Equality

Kate Fort

Here.

New Mexico has seen celebrations across the state since its highest court 10 days ago unanimously ruled it was unconstitutional to deny a marriage license to same-sex couples. Not so for the sovereign Navajo Nation, whose borders spill over into the northeast part of the state and where tribal law is clear: Such unions are banned.

Some Navajo hope to change that, buoyed by the cultural climate shift underscored when the U.S. Supreme Court in June struck down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Gay marriage is permitted in the District of Columbia and 18 states, the most recent being Utah, although officials there plan to appeal a federal court decision that overturned the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-navajo-gay-marriage-ban-20131230,0,5735043.story#ixzz2ozClvTgO

Hopi Tribe Objection to Interior’s Intention to Enforce Stricter Air Quality Standards at Navajo without Hopi’s Input

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

Hopi Letter to Secretary of the Interior

An excerpt:

On September 4, 2013, the Hopi Tribe (“Tribe”) wrote to you expressing its serious concerns regarding the Department oflnterior’s (“DOl”) decision to join with the Salt River Project (“SRP”) and others to develop and endorse a proposed Altemative (“SRP- Altemative”) to the pending EPA rulemaking that would set stricter air quality standards and require the Best Available Retrofit Technology (“BART”) for the Navajo Generating Station (“NOS”), a coalfired power plant located on the Navajo Reservation in northeastern Arizona. In our letter, we also informed you that the Tribe would be hosting DOl attomey, Letty Belin, for a meeting (on September 5, 2013) that she had requested in order to discuss the proposed SRP-Altemative to the EPA rule, including the Tribe’s exclusion from  the process. As a result of the Tribe’s meeting with Ms. Belin, the Tribe now has greater  concerns regarding DOl’s explanations for its decision to exclude the Hopi Tribe from the  process and its support of the proposed SRPAlternative. Rather than satisfying the  concerns expressed by the Tribe, Ms. Belin’s explanation of the basis for DOl’s decisions  merely senred to underscore DOI’s disregard of the Tribe’s interests as a major  stakeholder in this matter and its violation of the trust responsibility it owes to the Hopi Tribe.

Ninth Circuit Briefs in Challenge to Navajo Labor Jurisdiction over Window Rock Unified School District

Matthew L.M. Fletcher4 Comments

Here are the briefs in Window Rock Unified School District v. Reeves:

Reeves Opening Brief

Navajo Nation Labor Commission Opening Brief

Navajo Nation Supreme Court Amicus Brief

Window Rock Answer Brief

Navajo Nation Labor Commission Reply Brief

Lower court materials here.

Navajo Nation Dept. of Justice — Div. of Natural Resources Job Posting

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

2013-10-28 DOJ NRU Attorney Position Ad

WaPo Article on Shut Down and Indian Tribes

Kate Fort

Here.

Some tribes intend to fill the gap in federal funds themselves, risking deficits of their own to cushion communities with chronic high unemployment and poverty against the effects of the budget battle.

“Do we just throw kids onto the street, or do we help them? Most likely we’re going to help those families and do whatever we can until this is unresolved,” said Tracy “Ching” King, president of northern Montana’s Fort Belknap Reservation.

But for other tribes, basic services stand to take a direct hit. That includes programs heavily subsidized by federal agencies and others paid for with tribal money that is suddenly unavailable because it’s being held by the Department of Interior, tribal leaders said.

Tenth Circuit Briefs in Challenge to EPA Decision re: Four Corners Power Plant at Navajo

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Here are the briefs in Wildearth Guardians v. EPA:

Wildearth Guardians Opening Brief

Arizona Public Service Co. Brief

EPA Brief

Wildearth Guardians Reply Brief

Arizona COA Rules State Sex Offender Registration Does Not Apply to On-Reservation Residents

Matthew L.M. Fletcher2 Comments

Here is the opinion.

News coverage.

Navajo Nation Press Release on Chastity Bedonie

Matthew L.M. Fletcher
Navajo Nation Washington Office
Thursday 19, September 2013
Contact: Jared King
Communications Director
Navajo Nation Washington Office
Cell 202-200-0625
For Immediate Release
Navajo Nation Washington Office Issues Statement on the Passing of Native Advocate Chastity Bedonie
WASHINGTON—The Navajo Nation Washington Office is deeply saddened by the loss of Chastity Bedonie, a citizen of the Navajo Nation and a long time resident of Washington, DC. She died Sept. 15 in Baltimore, Md., following a brief illness.
She was born August 20, 1975 in Tuba City, Ariz., and was raised in Farmington, N.M. She was Todich’iinii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Nashashi (Bear Clan). She was 38.
“We extend our condolences and deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Chastity. She was a remarkable attorney and a staunch advocate for Native issues,” said Navajo Nation Washington Office executive director Clara Pratte.
She obtained her bachelor’s of arts degree in Physics from Bryn Mawr College, and her juris doctor from the University of California Los Angeles School of Law.
At the time of her passing she was an attorney at the U.S. Department of the Interior in the Office of the Secretary. Prior to her role at the department, she served on the staffs of former Rep. Brad Carson, D-Okla., the National Indian Gaming Commission, the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. Chastity was a former treasurer of DC’s Native American Bar Association. Chastity was also a Morris K. Udall Native American Congressional Intern.
“Chastity Bedonie was a highly regarded and widely respected professional who was deeply committed to helping Indian Country. I gained a deep appreciation for her through our many opportunities of working together on important legal and legislative issues. On behalf of all Indian Affairs employees, I want to extend our deepest condolences to Chastity’s family at this difficult time,” said Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Kevin K. Washburn.
Bedonie is survived by her mother Hilda Greyeyes of Kayenta, Ariz., brother Theo Bedonie; and sisters Michelle Bedonie, Sherrie Bedonie and Brielle Bedonie, all of Farmington, N.M.
Bedonie was preceded in death by her father Timothy Bedonie of Bellemont, Ariz.
Late in the afternoon Friday, Sept. 20, 2013 the friends and co-workers at the Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Affairs will host a Memorial Ceremony to honor Chastity and her many years of hard work for Indian Country and our Nation. For more information about the memorial contact the Navajo Nation Washington Office at 202-682-7390.
Funeral arrangements will be made by Desert View Funeral Home in Shiprock, N.M. Donations and messages to the family can be made at this website.
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NPR: Sequestration and Mental Health in Indian Country

Kate Fort

Here.

Previous coverage of sequestration here.

NYTs Coverage of Navajo Nation’s Fight over the Wild Horse Population on the Reservation

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here.