50 Years Ago

The situation between the Hopis and the Navajos over 1.8 million acres of disputed land in the western portion of the Navajo Reservation continued with non-Indian Hopi rangers impounding Navajo sheep almost on a daily basis with the occasional arrest of Navajo livestock owners who “trespassed” on Hopi land to move their sheep back to Navajo lands.

It was obvious to those covering the century-old land dispute between the Hopis and Navajos that the Hopi government was tired of waiting for Congress to come up with a solution to the dispute and decided to take steps to force Congress to take action.

There have been a number of surveys over the years about what was worst problem facing the Navajo people and the conclusion was always alcohol abuse. Not only has it resulted in deaths because of automobile accidents, but it has affected the ability of hundreds of members of the tribe to live a fruitful life.