Shirley initiative divides branches
By Jason Begay
Navajo Times
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President Joe Shirley Jr.'s government reform initiative that would cut the council by two-thirds and give the president more veto power has divided the tribal government.
Shirley's initiative comes in two parts: the first would ask voters to decide if the Navajo Nation Council should be reduced from 88 to 24 delegates; the second would ask voters to decide if the president should have line item veto authority on council-approved legislative bills.
This would be the first time in 20 years that the tribe has undergone any type of government reform, a term which itself has become a nearly empty campaign promise. That is, until now.
"Government reform has been on the Navajo Nation's plate for decades ever since the reorganization of the tribal government system," Shirley said in an interview Wednesday. "The people have been asking for it even before I was president."
However, the legislative branch has branded Shirley's initiative as "confusing" to the public and divisive to the government.
"The president's initiative will cause confusion for our Navajo people," Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan (Iyanbito/Pinedale) said in a statement. "The Navajo people will suffer from this misguided attempt at reform."
Morgan, who did not reply to a request for an interview, also questioned why Shirley would bring the issue up six years after his original election to president, alluding that the initiative was spurred by recent council actions.
Not a matter of timing
However, Shirley said his initiative is not a matter of timing. It is one of several major issues that he told voters his administration would address. The list also includes water, land and religious rights, the Bennett Freeze, gaming and education reform.
"It's a matter of doing what we said we were going to do," he said. "They are all big and humungous initiatives and they take a lot of time. I still have two and a half years to go and now is the time to address government reform."
Shirley said government reform is long overdue. A reduced council would improve government efficiency, deter micromanagement by council committees and balance power more evenly among the three branches, he said.
Mostly, reducing the council would curb spending, both on the council floor where it's common for the legislative body to deplete the tribe's financial stores, and on salaries and per diem and fringe benefits payments.
Delegates are paid $25,000 annually. They also receive regular stipends including $60 for attending each committee and council meeting.
In April, Morgan sponsored a bill increasing the amount delegates are paid for attending chapter, agency and caucus meetings from $250 to $300.
"Wasting money has got to stop," Shirley said in a statement Wednesday. "That's why we have these initiatives, to save money to put into direct services."
Shirley 'retaliation'
Morgan, in a statement released Tuesday, said the initiative was likely Shirley's retaliation against a council that has often voted to override his vetoes.
It's true that the council has overridden most of Shirley's vetoes in the past six years, particularly those concerning spending bills.
The council also voted down a legislative bill in 2006 that would have given Shirley the line item veto power he now seeks in his initiative.
Shirley's initiative is mostly a sign of his own unwillingness to diplomatically work with the council, Morgan said.
He also pointed out that Shirley's plan only targets the legislative branch, just one of the tribe's three governmental branches.
"If anything, the Navajo people will lose their voice in the tribal government under the proposed initiative," Morgan said. "This is not a democratic form of government. Our Navajo people will always desire representation."
Shirley has already submitted language to the Navajo Election Administration that would be placed on a ballot for voters.
His task force now has three months to collect 16,000 signatures of registered voters. Once the signatures are gathered and certified, the initiative would be included in the Nov. 4 election.
New reapportionment plan
If passed in a referendum vote, the council would be powerless to counter the initiative without launching its own petition drive for a separate election, the president's office said in a press release.
In the meantime, the Navajo Election Administration would begin to revise the reapportionment plan to ensure that the proposed 24 delegate positions were evenly representing the reservation's population.
The council would have until August 2009 to approve the reapportionment plan. Under the ballot language, Shirley would have the authority to approve the plan by Oct. 30, 2009, if the council fails to do so.
If passed, the plan would take affect in 2011, when the next administration would take office.
This would, by no means, be the first time the nation has voted on reducing the council.
In 2000, a majority of Navajo voters casting ballots - more than 22,000 -elected to reduce the council to 24 members.
However, election laws at the time required referendum requests to pass with more than 50 percent of all registered voters, regardless of how many cast a ballot.
The Navajo Nation currently has more than 110,000 registered voters. Voter turnout is usually around 40 percent.
However, the council itself voted in 2003 to change that law to make way for a referendum approving gaming on the reservation, an initiative that was also hampered by the election law.
Report: Reduce size
In 2001, the Commission and Office of Navajo Government Development released a report that summarized findings of focus groups and government reform summits. According to its findings, the report concluded that the council should be reduced in size and its powers limited.
The move would "save money on salaries and reduce the potential for corruption and mismanagement," the report stated.
One participant from Shiprock said: "(Eighty-eight) is way too many for people to sit down and have a heart to heart discussion, to make decisions, have a focused vision."
In 2002, more than 200 people representing each chapter and several outside organizations met at the "Navajo Nation Statutory Reform Convention."
The groups drafted 29 amendments that included reducing the council. The amendments were never acted on.
Comment on this story!
19 comments so far (post your own)He's not my president.
Speaker L. Morgan needs to throw some blocks in the President's way. We can't have another Pete McDonald. that's what he wants.
No to a repeat of 1989. That's to dangerous to give Shirley that much power. What is going on with the Navajo constitution project anyway. I know that Speaker Morgan is considering it after President Shirley brushed Ivan Gamble aside like a bug.
We will see what happens.
Posted by Saganitso114 on Friday, 05.9.08 @ 11:24am MDT | #723
I was thinking about years ago when they cut back on the tribal counsel. some of those districts were combined and left voices unheard. Making that the chapter with joint delegate lop sided and left the chapter with no represenative from there district and more voices UNheard. Thinking that 20 of those positions eliminated that's 20 chapters and voices were not heard only half of your point was put across or ignored because the counsel delegate does not come from your district. Knowing the people we are we choose sides, because of our personal feeling toward that person. When you are appointed to a position you have to be the listner, the mediator. the person to put there people in check. "Shoi" What happen to you don't say that.We had left alot of things out from our older people.That you can't be like the ceyote and always be on the winning side. So if you want to be a tribal counsel delegate, put your best foot forward. Don't put your self in the media for the wrong thing. You need to listen to your people at the district you hold. Put your hatered and negativety aside and work for the NAVAJO People. Show solution for every possible problem in a timely manner don't drag it on to the media.That is how you are killing youself. I think we should put those 20+ counsel delegates back in place. Our NAVAJO population is not dwindeling. Ther are more Navajo Children being born everyday look at how many babies there are going to be at your mothers day events with your family. NAS GOH AH NOH SELI DOH.
Posted by WHO IS GOING TO SPEAK FOR US on Friday, 05.9.08 @ 11:18am MDT | #722
THE PRESIDENT IS CAUSING DIVISIONS AND I AGREE WITH SPEAKER MORGAN. MR. MORGAN NEEDS TO BE STRONGER IN HIS POSITION TO BLOCK THE PRESIDENT FROM OVER TAKING OUR GOVERNMENT. ITS BEING DISCRIBED AS THE 1989 EVENTS. THATS TOO SCARY TO BRING BACK. OUR PRESIDENT IS POWER HUNGRY AND NAVAJO PEOPLE SHOULD STOP THIS MAD MAN.
SPEAKER MORGAN NEEDS TO BE STRONGER IN HIS POSITION. THE COUNCIL AND SPEAKER WILL NEED STOP THIS REDUCTION. WE AS NAVAJO PEOPLE WILL LOSE OUR VOICE IN THE GOVERNMENT. SOMEONE BELOW IN THE COMMENTS SAID THAT YOU DON'T SEE THE US PRESIDENT DOING THIS TO SENATORS. WHY SHOULD WE ALLOW THIS. PRESIDENT WANTS MORE POWER. THATS THE BOTTOM LINE. WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW IT. DOO'DA!!!!!!
NO...NO...NO...NO...NO...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PRESIDENT IS POWER HUNGRY!
Posted by Scared Navajo on Friday, 05.9.08 @ 11:17am MDT | #721
Prez is Crazy...
I totally agree with the last comment. How can the prez desire more power when he can barely even act as the rez prez? He acts like we all elected him but I didnt elect or even vote for him. He runs around like all Navajo voted for him. He sould be reminded that nearly 50% of voters voted for him. He's not my prez. I agree that if he really wants to save money he should stay home instead of traveling everywhere with staff each time. Our failed government is falling under his leadership as the rez prez. Get rid of the President's office lets save money that way.
Yadila what has our nation become? Why does the president need all that security anyway? He must be scared of someone. Maybe the Desert Rock people, the Navajo people or maybe the Onsat people. Hes not in touch with the Navajo people.
Posted by Prez Crazy on Friday, 05.9.08 @ 11:11am MDT | #720
Removing the Tribal counsel is a bad idea for the Navajo Nation. We are suppost to be self goverened like the United States. You don't see the President of the United States removing Senators From there positions. The more people you have in the counsil. the better chance you will be heard. the more say you have what is going on in the goverment. I never thought Navajo Nation would cut there own throat. If you should be cutting anywhere it should be the tribal fleet or down size to a more economy efficient vehicles, not the one TOHOE/SUBURBANS per person for every tribal employee. go across the Navajo Nation, you would see one person any given Navajo Nation Enterprise fleets with one person in each of them. Taking the counsel away is not the way to go. are you willing to risk your freedom of speech. The people you have appointed from your chapter are the only say you have. Think about it. This is by far the dumest idea, I have ever heard from some of these commits on this site. If all you have to do is critisize any National to Tribal official Step up to the plate. You won't have a plate to stand on if you take this away. or no plate to eat off of.
Posted by Di Gis Dah Noh Lie on Friday, 05.9.08 @ 10:35am MDT | #719
Stop the waste, reduce the council! Where do I sign ?! (Phoenix resident)
Posted by Todd Francis on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 10:06pm MDT | #718
Effective leadership requires that we have a clear picture of success. Every morning we’re faced with a myriad of things to do, each one competing for our attention. When we have a ton of things on our to do list, we very quickly loose perspective. And without perspective leaders quickly become ineffective. Unless leaders have a clear picture of success, they have no way of deciding between one task and the next. Without a clear focus, our to do lists overwhelm us, creating a passive response to life and knee-jerk reactions to everyday events.
Our leadership at the Navajo Nation Council and the Office of the President is cleary ineffective. Every couple years we elect and intrust leaders from the chapter level to the nation as whole to make careful and accurate decisions for our sovereign nation. Yet these leaders get complacent and start thinking of themselves and their reputations. They don't realize the larger picture.
A clear picture of success and big picture goals help leaders maintain their perspective, keeping their focus on doing the right things, rising above the distraction of political agendas, criticism and "seniority in the chambers". Our big picture of success, keeps the focus on where our nation is headed and what we want it to be. These leaders that have our trust need to get off their high horses and smell the roses in restablishing our nation and to help shape their promises and visions of success they once screamed at the top of their lungs at the Fair parades....Do your jobs....
Posted by Hamburger Mary on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 10:03pm MDT | #717
Most, not all, most Navajo officials have not had any real work experience, subsequently they are left to compete for public offices which is why I see many of these Navajo officials 'turned inside out' as in white underwear being turned outside and eventually thrown away.....They do not have the notion or ability to even consider finding and working a real job....they do not know how. If a public official loses out in one election....he/she only steps back in to 'serve' again the next election or after....BUT, the Navajo Tribal Codes allow this to happen.
Posted by Tom on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 08:12pm MDT | #716
For some calling President Joe Shirley and an "effective" leader all one has to do is witness the 'circle the wagons' mentality in his hunker-down approach to how the Presidential living quarters were renovated
in Window Rock.
The high 10-foot walls, and high 10-feet fencing to keep people out serve only to remind me of 'those who have and those who haven't' particularly to the vandalism and property damage that persists for the vast majority living on the Presidential street in and throughout the Window Rock neighborhood streets.
The ones who do not live within the compound are left to fend for themselves, i.e. fight off vandels and defend their property.....
The Navajo Government officials are fat and soft....
They only do what they do because....THEY CAN AND THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT....there is no other explanation and rationalization to say why, i.e. impropriety by all appearances, un-ethical practices, and abuse of power.
Posted by Tom on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 08:04pm MDT | #715
A 2 year bachelor degree in Management should be mandatory to even think to become a Council Delegate.
The Casino is a good move for the Navajo Nation.
I know alot of the Delegates are not for the idea, would be wise for those delegates to step aside for they do not see pass 2 days.
The Power plant is also a good idea....with better provisions in air quaility.
L. Morgan must step down OR relize he is only the speaker of the house. How can he make comments like this and still be allowed to have the post. L. Morgan must stop his power moves and smell the coffee at some point, he has only degraded himself in public view.
Mr Shirley, finally you have stood your ground and began fighting these BIG SPENDERS, BIG HEADED delegates....
Posted by Chizzie Nabaho on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 07:52pm MDT | #714
GET RID OF ALL DELEGATES! THE SYSTEM WAS CREATED BY THE FED GOV'T AND THE NAVAJOS ALREADY HAVE AGENCY COUNCILS, DISTRICTS, AND CHAPTER LEADERS. THE CENTRAL GOV'T IS NOT OUR CREATION BESIDES THESE GUYS ARE OUT OF CONTROL. SPEAKER MORGAN SAID SHIRLEY IS DUPLICATING GOVERNMENT WITH HIS TASK FORCE BECAUSE LEGISLATIVE SUPPOSEDLY HAS A GOV'T DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, HAH! THAT'S A JOKE! MORGAN AND THE IGRC GUTTED THAT OFFICE AFTER THEY ABOLISHED THE COMMISSION THAT OVERSAW IT. THE OFFICE IS NOW CONTROLLED BY MORGAN AND IGR. THE DELEGATES HAVE MICROMANAGED AND MOVED PEOPLE AROUND AND ABOLISHED SO MUCH, NOW THEY'RE GETTING A TASTE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE. GOOD RIDDANCE.
Posted by NOMO DELEGATES! on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 06:21pm MDT | #713
Government reform is kinda late but, may be necessary - present Navajo tribal government (executive, legislation) is "top heavy" i.e. high salaries, fringe benefits, way too many council delegates, Navajo work force is heavily controlled by NNEPA ("Navajo Nation Employment Preference Act") thus, tribal government lacks "ethics," lacks professionalism, inefficiency, ineffective governmental practices are rampant. One of the principle problem is "NNEPA" it allows, retains Navajo bureaucrats in their respective offices, jobs, positions for longer, longer periods of time - as result you find many Navajo managers, supervisors, or politically appointed leaders (many of them possessed high school diplomas) performing the jobs "intended" for college graduates. As result, many Navajo managers, supervisors become "ineffective" or disengaged and "NNEPA" allows them to keep their jobs for longer periods of time. "NNEPA" outlived its original intent, I propose in changing or "strike" the law - "NNEPA" for good! Within the tribal government, there are two groups of workers (workforce) that exist. The "traditionalists" and non-traditionalists, the traditionalists believe what I call "management by crystal ball" they are the ones who make decisions, gather information or facts by consulting with the stars - use of crystal ball (star gazing, hand trembling) i.e. for negotiations, budgetting or decision making. Conversely, the non-traditionalists are usually the college educated, degreed and use, apply contemporary management styles of leadership, decision making principles, budgetting, etc, in the workforce while in the best interests of the people. There are times "major" decisions involving the welfare, well being or leadership (or future) of the Navajo Nation are made by your neighborhood "friendly" Navajo medicine men or hand tremblers. For the foregoing reasons (or clashes) in the tribal government, Navajo Nation - executive, legislation government bodies, processes, dynamcis are considered ineffective, inefficient. Similarly, there exists resentment, empathy, distrust and/or friction between the two groups - traditionalists and non-traditionalists workforce. I encourage highly motivated, college educated cyber space Navajos to do further "studies" on the latter subject matter.
Posted by "Ineffective Navajo tribal government processes, dynamics" on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 05:38pm MDT | #712
RE:Council Delegate
What ever happen to the J.T.P.A. Was it that because of the WAR, we have no FUNDS for those kind of programs anymore? I know the Hopi tribe still helps their people attend some tech & vocational schools down here in Phoenix.
Posted by NDNDilknFlag on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 05:30pm MDT | #711
If you were to look at how many grant proposals and federal/state/county funding request have been submitted by Council delegates for the past 10 years...i'm sure the number would be unbelievably low! We need educated Navajo people who will be able to write for these grants monies for the agencies (5). We need true leaders who are not afraid to work hard on writing documents. The people running the government are the Community Services Coordinators and secretaries!! These people are the ones having to type up and submit the paperwork to keep the current funds flowing. Forget the council delegates! Let's get the communities united at the grassroots level. Each of the chapters within the agencies would be able to benefit from individual allocation of federal/state/county fundings as oppose to dipping into "our" reserve! Pay the educated Navajo $ 60,000 per year and you'll see results in your agencies. The U.S. government wanted us to be intergrated into their society and we are. We live in their homes, eat their food, live their lifestyle. Why stop now? True change begins with the heart. Quit whining and let's work to make big changes within our communities! The hundred or so council delegates are not making positive changes in their communities. End the crime, hire people that can get the job done...we don't need to vote on it...hire qualified navajo people to work for the people. Make five corporations within the agencies.
Posted by Council Delegate on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 05:20pm MDT | #710
I would agree with reducing the Council. But 24 is still to much. I would suggest 10 council delegates - two from each agency. The tie breaker could be the Vice President. The 5 agencies should function like a county government. The Chapters would function within the region as city governments. Each Chapter within the districts elects their own Mayor or Chapter Governor and also a Lt Governor. Let the locals chapter's Mayor approve city ordinance and laws. Of course the agencies and chapters still should abide by Navajo Nation Laws.
Posted by kromjun on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 04:26pm MDT | #709
This issue is one I will travel 1,000 miles to vote for.
There are Management studies done by Business Sciences in colleges where they have deemed an ineffective organization to be "Top Heavy" administratively. There are too many decision makers that SLOW the process.
This means that with our tribal council of over 100 decision makers the Navajo Government is grotesquely OBESE. We have too many decision makers that slow the process.
When the state of NM want to contract services with the Navajo Nation, it takes months to get an approval to accept the money. By the time the funds are accepted by the FAT tribal council, budgets approved, the state steps in and says "times up, need to give the money back, you didn't spend in a the time it was authorized."
YES WE NEED TO ELIMINATE TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS TO A MERE 5, ONE TO REPRESENT Western Navajo Agency, Eastern Navajo Agency, Central Navajo, Northern and Southern Agency.
The current system is a nightmare and it's amazing that anything gets done. I wouldn't be surprised if some Federal government administrators question the Navajo Nation's ability to efficiently run programs.
Posted by Kathy on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 03:54pm MDT | #708
"If anything, the Navajo people will lose their voice in the tribal government under the proposed initiative," Morgan said. "This is not a democratic form of government. Our Navajo people will always desire representation."
Really????........do we have representation now???....No we don't, just a lame attempt for larry boy to swindle more cash out of our hands before he gets booted out.....24 delegates to represent 24 regions would be logical. And the participant from Shiprock said it pretty good...."(Eighty-eight) is way too many for people to sit down and have a heart to heart discussion, to make decisions, have a focused vision."....the more people you have doesn't always work out for the best all the time. Educated people who have the experience of todays society need to be put in charge. So instead of spending 2,112,000 on salaries we could be paying 576,000 on base salary and still have money left over to quite possibly give a raise here and there. That's saving the tribe a little over 1.5 million dollars in lost productivity!!!!...that could go to improving the road between Ganado and indian Wells...LOL!!....Veterans needs, Drug and Alcohol prevention centers in each district (regional) office not just in Window Rock...(convienience brings about results, in other words, if it's there those that need it will tend to use it)...new jails, more Police Officers or in Cheryl's case, improving the Navajo Ranger Dept. in enforcing Grazing laws..although I find it a little hard to tie in one's abundance of cows and horses with this topic....LOL!!!
Posted by FlagdilknNDN on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 03:14pm MDT | #707
The People of the Navajo Nation said "NO" to gambling and a lot of other issues but the President & The Tribal Council went ahead did what they wanted to do! Why are they asking us now? Just do it. You don't need to ask.
Posted by tired on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 02:46pm MDT | #706
I need to say the problem isn't with the government. Look around while driving down the road. I always see way to many horses and cows. People are overgrazing and blaming the government. I'm sure theres a lot of things to blame them for, but this isn't one of them. When they do the reduction everyone starts pulling trailers around putting cattle and horses else where. I've seen it once to many times, and these same people don't care for their livestock. when they do, they start driving around after them. When the problem was not enough vegetation, then they start driving around on it, "dumb" don't you think. I may be still be to young the way elderlys see me but I know what I see. Everyone start saying there are way to many horses but reality is it's the cows. It goes back to basic science. Cows not use up all the nutrients in the vegetation, most just passes through. Maybe everyone should consider every fact before pointing fingers and people with horses. Also people with horses also always have too many. So please listen to yourselves before starting any argument.
Posted by cheryl on Thursday, 05.8.08 @ 01:52pm MDT | #705