Naat’ájí Nahat’á Hane’ Legislative Branch News 23rd Navajo Nation Council Summer Council Session - July 2017 Council amends criminal code to combat human traffi cking By Jolene Holgate The 23rd Navajo Nation Council unanimously giving priority to the investigation and prosecution of Human traffi cking offenses include forced prostitution, approved Legislation No. 0117-17 on the third day of traffi cking offenses, and protecting and providing jus- forced marriages, sweat-shop labor, slavery, and har- the Summer Council Session, which amends the Navajo tice to victims. vesting human organs from unwilling donors.” Nation Criminal Code Title 17 to enact the 2017 Law The legislation defi nes human traffi cking as Council Delegate Nathaniel Brown (Chilchin- Against Human Traffi cking. “the illegal recruitment, transportation, transfer, har- beto, Dennehotso, Kayenta), who sponsored the leg- According to the bill, it states that the intent boring, or receipt of a person, especially from anoth- islation, said that in his query to fi nd human traffi cking of the law is to deter human traffi ckers by criminalizing er country, with the intent to hold the person captive data on the Navajo Nation, he was unable to gather certain offenses, prescribing appropriate punishment, or exploit the person for labor, services, or body parts. the information because there has never been a human See “TRAFFICKING”, Page 2 Council approves funding increase for Navajo Technical University and Diné College By Jolene Holgate On July 18 during the Summer Council Session, distribution states that NTU receives $3.5 million, Diné lishing itself as a successful college, and it’s obvious the 23rd Navajo Nation Council considered Legislation College $4.2 million, and ONNSFA $3.5 million. that they will continue working towards being inno- No. 0032-16, which seeks to amend the Diné Higher Legislation sponsor Council Delegate Jona- vative and create new educational opportunities for Education Grant Fund to increase the distribution fund- than Hale (Oak Springs, St. Michaels) said the funding Navajo students,” said Delegate Hale. “Increasing the ing for Navajo Technical University from $3.5 million to increase is needed for NTU to expand its academic, fund distribution allows them to stay at the top-tier of approximately $4.2 million. vocational, and technical education programs, develop quality education.” In July 2004, the Navajo Nation Council estab- additional advanced degree programs, and to increase Delegate Hale said the university is seeking na- lished the grant fund through Resolution CJY-39-04 to and improve classrooms, dormitories, and faculty hous- tional accreditation, has an award-winning culinary pro- distribute an annual allocation to NTU, Diné College, ing. Delegate Hale also serves as the chair of the Coun- gram, and seeks to establish the Navajo Nation’s fi rst and the Offi ce of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Finan- cil’s Health, Education, and Human Services Commit- police academy in Chinle. He added that enrollment cial Assistance. tee. has grown to over 2,000 students in which 98-percent According to the legislation, the current annual “NTU has come a long way in terms of estab- are Navajo, and graduation and retention rates at NTU See “FUNDING INCREASE”, Page 3 Offi ce of the Speaker If you would like to receive Like us on Facebook: Post Offi ce Box 3390 press releases, news, and other information Window Rock, Arizona 86515 www.facebook.com/navajonationcouncil via email, please email: Phone (928) 871-7160 Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: [email protected] Fax (928) 871-7255 @23rdNNC www.navajonationcouncil.org 1 TRAFFICKING / cont. from Page 1 trafficking law that would require the tracking of data. although there is a lack of data regarding human traf- Family Programs and University of Colorado Boulder to “In doing some research, I found that since the ficking on the Navajo Nation, the cases that NNDFS discuss a proposed plan to evaluate sex trafficking on time of colonization human trafficking has always been is reporting is alarming. He said that when the federal the Navajo Nation, and ultimately develop a plan to present in Indian Country. We heard of stories of the courts fail to prosecute the perpetrators, it is the re- combat the problem. Long Walk in which women and children were forced sponsibility of the Navajo Nation to ensure justice is For nearly two years, the CFP and CU Boulder into sexual acts and heinous crimes. We have never ad- served. have assisted the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation dressed this because we didn’t create laws up until this “What bothers me is how the federal courts are in developing a comprehensive strategic plan to ad- point,” said Delegate Brown. interpreting that tribes have no legal ability to enforce dress sex trafficking on their land, and have developed Delegate Brown who worked with the Navajo trust law. There is no accountability on the federal gov- a policy paper that contributes to a comprehensive ap- Nation Department of Family Services found that the ernments’ part. We know there are non-[American] In- proach to sex trafficking, data management, and policy lack of human trafficking laws resulted in several po- dians on Navajo land committing these crimes and the recommendations, said Delegate Brown. tential trafficking instead offenses being classified as federal government has allowed these prosecutions to “We met with CFP and CU Boulder regarding sexual abuse or prostitution. fall through the cracks,” said Delegate Tsosie. the MHA Nation’s “White Paper,” to develop a strate- NNDFS reported that they had cases in which Delegate Tsosie recommended an amendment gic plan. They compiled their data from their social ser- girls under the age of 18 were being trafficked for pros- stating that since the federal government is failing to vices and researched how many kids were involved in titution and came under the services of their depart- prosecute non-Indian traffickers, the Navajo Nation will sex crimes and prostitution. I did forward this paper to ment. They stressed that the crime should not fall on assume jurisdiction to do so within the Navajo Nation the Council and I encourage my colleagues to review the victim and that children cannot consent to sex while courts. it and aid in developing our own strategic plan,” said being forced to solicit, and that Navajo Nation laws Council members voted 14-0 to approve the Delegate Brown. need to be shaped to fit the actual crime to prosecute amendment. Council voted 16-0 to approve Legislation No. traffickers. This month, Delegate Brown who serves on 0117-17 with two amendments. The President will have Council Delegate Leonard Tsosie (Baca/Pre- the Health, Education, and Human Services Committee ten calendar days to consider the bill once it is sent to witt, Casamero Lake, Counselor, Littlewater, Ojo En- and the Naabik’íyáti’ Sexual Assault Prevention Sub- the Office of the President and Vice President. cino, Pueblo Pintado, Torreon, Whitehorse Lake) said committee, met with representatives from the Casey Council confirms two appointments to the Commission on Navajo Government Development By Crystalyne Curley During the 2017 Summer Council Session, the lani/Cottonwood), legislation sponsor Council approved Legislation No. 0230-17 and Leg- of Dedman’s appointment, stated that islation No. 0237-17, confirming the appointments of the individuals meet the qualifications JoAnn Dedman and Anslem Morgan to the Commis- to serve on the commission. sion on Navajo Government Development. “Dedman has been nomi- Pursuant to Title II section 970 of the Nava- nated by the Chinle Agency Council jo Nation Code, the commission was created by the to reappoint her to the commission. I Navajo Nation Council and given quasi-independent believe she will continue to serve on authority to accomplish the Council’s project of insti- the commission to express the Navajo tuting reforms necessary to ensure an accountable and peoples’ interests regarding our tribal PHOTO (above): Council Delegate Kee Allen Begay, Jr. presenting Legislation No. responsible government. government structure,” stated Dele- 0230-17, confirming JoAnn Dedman (left) to the Commission on Navajo Government Dedman will serve on the commission for four gate Begay. Development, on July 18, 2017. years as the Chinle Navajo Agency representative. She Council Delegate Edmund witt, Casamero Lake, Counselor, Littlewater, Ojo Enci- is currently the secretary/treasurer for the Nazlini Chap- Yazzie (Churchrock, Iyanbito, Mariano Lake, Pinedale, no, Pueblo Pintado, Torreon, Whitehorse Lake) said the ter and employed at the Nazlini Senior Center as the Smith Lake, Thoreau), legislation sponsor of Morgan’s commission and office is ineffective to address govern- manager. appointment, stated that the Eastern Navajo Agency ment reform. Morgan will serve a four-year term on the com- Council nominated Morgan. “The office was created in 1989 with good in- mission as the Eastern Navajo Agency representative. During the discussion of the legislations, Coun- tentions to address government reform, but the com- He is currently the president for Smith Lake Chapter cil members raised numerous issues and concerns over mission and office has fallen short. There are many and a retired Navajo Nation employee. the purpose and progress of the commission and the chapter challenges and issues that need to be ad- Council Delegate Kee Allen Begay, Jr. (Low Office of Navajo Government Development. dressed and the commission or office has not come Mountain, Many Farms, Nazlini, Tachee/Blue Gap, Tse- Council Delegate Leonard Tsosie (Baca/Pre- forward with any policy recommendations to solve the See “GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT”, Page 6 2 FUNDING INCREASE / cont. from Page 1 surpasses other state colleges that serve Navajo stu- Council members to include an additional increase in gate Tom Chee (Shiprock) commended the colleges dents. the fund distribution to Diné College from $4.2 million on the Navajo Nation and stressed the importance of NTU was first established in 1979 as the Na- to $4.7 million.