Letters: Fixing election laws not enough

Thank you for this opportunity to weigh in on the Navajo Supreme Court orchestrated special presidential election results. Now that election is behind us I would like to offer some comments on it as a disenfranchised voter.

The newly elected president is promising he will work to fix the broken election laws during his administration but falls short to mention fixing the judicial system. Many of us will be watching closely to make sure the fixing gets done.

Also, I hope the two disgruntled candidates are satisfied with the special election results. I am wondering if they have been promised a job in new administration. Or will they protest again.

And I have been struggling with this question about the candidates and I can’t fully clear it from my piece of mind. How were they able to afford their attorney’s fee each time?

In a mini research, I found out the legal fee was at least $4,000 each time. Is there a conspiracy?

As far as Chris Deschene is concerned, I wish him loads of luck in his future endeavors. He is more valuable and deserving at the state, federal, and private industry. The high court did a lot of damage to him due to fear he will uncover a lot of scandal if he is elected.

He might have cheated on his paperwork for the presidency, but didn’t the other candidates do likewise about their fluency in the English language?

Fluency in the English language is prudent in dealing with issues at the state and federal level. Chris might have cheated realizing the presidential hopefuls were down-to-earth liars and cheaters.

I would like to state to the president and vice president-elect, in fixing the broke election laws. I would like to request of you to fully support and approve the initiative to remove the chief justice and the associate justice.

Additionally, support a referendum to make these positions and the attorney general elected positions.

Thank you for affording me this opportunity to address this important matter and other related issues of concern.

Vern Charleston
Farmington, N.M.

Hoping for calm to prevail

I was sadly mistaken thinking the outcome of the election would move us forward, but our bad political state of affairs continues. Government officials are making accusations and mountains out of molehills. Our people are tangled up in this mess of having vote of “no confidence” as a result. We must admit we lack accountability in our Navajo Nation government. We have a problem with “enforcement,” when really we should exemplify ourselves regaining stability as a top priority.

When a situation that affects the survival of any organization gets out of hand, it usually goes back to violation of policies and/or regulations. Who wrote those regulations? Who is responsible and accountable to make sure they are read and studied to ensure some kind of order for a society to live by?

Two weeks ago in the Times opinion section, two people (current and former council delegates) wrote opposing opinions. When opinions are shared –one is right and one is wrong — because they could be factual or false. If both are wrong, it’s not worth an acknowledgment. If both parties are right, there should be no opposition and support should result and we move on. If they are half right, then those in official capacity need to find a solution or the situation continues. The question is, will the outcome benefit the greatest number of people? If not, our judicial system is there to interpret the law to protect the rights of people.

Let’s go back in time to when the tribal council approved the election laws and any amendments thereafter on Election Committee. Specifically, a clarification about the use of “fluency” of the Navajo language under qualification. Do they question or give a small test? Like a simple “Can you translate this word in Navajo?” Or, do they take for granted every candidate can speak fluent Navajo?

If the law is followed, a candidate can be disqualified if he/she failed; we move on. Still, if they felt, as a candidate, this is unlawful; then, it is their right to get an attorney and let the court decide at that time, not when two candidates find out after the fact.

I have been asked if I am bilingual and answered “yes” without any follow-up. If that is the case, it is left up to my honor and personal ethics. Knowing this, if I was ever to be questioned or tested, I wouldn’t stone-wall in court. On the other hand, what if I felt very uncomfortable about this and thought about what a true leader should do; I think I should apologize to the election committee and my people and make things right with my integrity intact. I would strategize about the next presidential race because then, I would be a strong force to contend with. Of course, that’s just me.

Voting rights is not the issue, instead we clouded rights with language “fluency” and upset a democratic process. We opened Pandora’s Box. No enforcement of rules set for the Election Committee working within our tribal government caused the demise of one candidate. However, establishing a political career should have been done with prudence on the other.

Now a pandemic is running wild. Some delegates have split and running around putting out fires because of public outcry and our chief justice is caught in the crossfire.

It is a mess when one delegate believes himself to become the mouthpiece for all elected officials; that means for all of us voting people as well. I hope my delegate knows he wasn’t elected to let others speak for us. A true leader will admit his mistake and not boast of “no confidence” about a government that you might lead someday. If you push it, I guarantee when you take center stage and find you are not great a lot of people will be let down. Don’t set yourself too aloft; you are using “Deeshchiinii” as a surname, my clan name.
Our language should never have been made a political scapegoat (referendum). You are asking a lot of us to vote against our own conscience, between the youth against their grandparents and future grandchildren. This should never be done and this letter is heard throughout every chapter. It has been said, “Language is the first to go.” We best look up the word “heritage” to know what we will be losing.

We need to turn the page as new leadership has come onboard and must have confidence in them to heal the wounds. Let them roll up their sleeves and dedicate their time to work out problems. We need to support and preserve what little we have left of our language or surely we will start seeing an erosion of our culture.

Until we see good results, we, the people hope to experience a calming effect.

Teddy Begay
Kayenta, Ariz.

Begaye ‘was the right choice’

Congratulations to Russell Begaye and Jonathan Nez for their victory! Thank you voters for carrying out your duties to vote. It was the right choice.

With the tribal presidential election over, registered Navajo voters must be prepared and most importantly informed about what is at stake for the next four years. Let’s hope that the Dineh Nation Council will make it a priority to develop a better working relationship with President Elect Begaye and Nez.

We’ve been witness to many unfortunate events and deeds that have caused major damage to our government that will need to be repaired. All of this could have been avoided had the Navajo Election Board done their due diligence at the outset, but did not. I believe Begaye and Nez would be on the right track if they evaluate this segment in our government and make appropriate changes immediately.

Individual Council delegates must be held to the same standards as all others within the Dineh Nation because of the problems it creates. You can’t ask employees to follow the laws and rules and then allow delegates to circumvent them and not be held accountable. Begaye and Nez must work with the speaker and find a balance and not allow this to continue.

A stable and forward-looking government always rank high on a list of issues that Navajo voters want leaders to solve. The Council’s reckless spending on inconsequential projects that have no bearing on nation-building priorities is a major issue that keeps draining our scarce funds, especially when they draw from the trust-funds account. Unemployment and access to high quality jobs are major challenges that Navajo people continue to face. But unless you smooth the working relations across all three branches, especially between the executive and legislative, these and other long-standing issues will continue to remain as they are and not get solved.

Navajo education, tribal government efficacy and increasing tribal revenues are other issues that are perplexing for Navajo voters. With strong leadership from both Begaye and Nez, they must determine their role in addressing these issues. Federal and state governments also have responsibilities in these areas, which Begaye and Nez will need to sort out.

It will be consistent with good large government planning if Begaye and Nez were to develop a strategic plan about how they intend to address the issues and then prioritize them so everyone will know how and what will be addressed. Keeping in mind voters have a right to make their opinions heard. And Begaye, Nez, and the Council would do well to listen.

Wallace Hanley
Window Rock, Ariz.

Landslide indicates tribe wants change

I am very thankful for all that voted. Win or lose, you voted. I am thankful to the members of our Navajo Nation Supreme Court justices.

Every Vietnam veteran served to “oppress communism.” I learned a little about what communism is and the one that strikes out is: a few individuals can initiate laws and rule by it. One example is Cambodia’s Pol Pot “the killing field”.

The recent landslide votes strongly indicate our tribe wants a change, a good message to every member of our tribal council. We, the Navajo people, should approve every initiated law.

Next step to reigning in our tribal government is term limits for the tribal president, vice president, and tribal council.

Only by eliminating bad politics and abuse of our tribal finances can insure the well-being of our tribe into the future.

Many thanks to the voters and to all of our military veterans.

Bobby R. Watchman
Sheepsprings, N.M.

A new beginning

A new beginning is a wonderful thought, which we value and pursue as a footpath for hope, courage, and happiness for our communities and families. We’ve experienced an unprecedented controversial, belated election, in a divided government — branches of government controlled by mixed political interests and factionalists, if not political parties. We have taken a personal part in some political activities and campaign events and have seen first-hand, a relentless crusade, feud, and disputes regarding ideology, tradition and beliefs, between opposing parties, groups and individuals.

At one point I thought we are at the verge of major chaos with our sovereign government. Today, we endured the unrest, polarizing event that has taken a toll in our daily livelihoods. We ask the Creator for forgiveness for the trespasses and the mischiefs. We are Diné people and we are a strong nation. Our ancestors have survived the tragic experience of Long Walk, livestock reduction, and recent uranium mining exploitations.

Together, we will continue to build our nation for the new generations to come. We will continue to be great example to our children and to our neighbors. Let us unify and re-focus on new priorities and opportunities for the Diné living near and far, the young and the old. Let us welcome the new leadership. Together, we can bring great things as we journey into the new era of our great history. Today is a new beginning.

James F. Adakai
Monument Valley, Utah

It is time to heal, for a new beginning

First I would like to congratulate President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez for their victory in securing majority of votes. I am sure they will lead the Navajo Nation in the right direction. It is time to heal the wound and have a new beginning. I have faith that they have a plan to do this in a peaceful manner because they are professional leaders. They have an uphill journey to re-establish the respect and creditability for this great Navajo Nation, which has been destroyed by several.

For Joe Shirley, I want to say thank you and the sun will come up again tomorrow. Life goes on. There are other dreams ahead, which might fit your education and experience. Again, thank you.

Harry Claw
Chinle, Ariz.

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