Letters | Limited justice

Limited justice

Editor,

My name is Sean A. Begaye, a retired captain in the U.S. Army and Navajo veteran who served during the “War on Terror” and have been on three combat deployments to Iraq twice and Afghanistan.

I am also a Navajo Nation presidential candidate. My clans are Tsénahabiłnii (Sleep Rock People Clan), born for Tł’ízíłání (Many Goats Clan).

I grew up in Fort Defiance and have earned a master’s degree. I am writing to you today because of an important subject. High crime rates on the Navajo Nation resulting from alcohol/illicit drugs and to give my recommendations/suggestions to our elected officials, and to let the Navajo people know there might be hope.

Our Navajo Nation has a crime problem, and it seems there is no end in sight to stop the crime. Even though the Navajo Nation is a dry reservation, alcohol/drugs get in from the local border towns. Unfortunately, there is little to be done to stop alcohol from being sold at border towns. The issue of illicit drugs coming to our reservation is another complex problem that never goes away despite all efforts of our law enforcement. The use of alcohol/drugs have led to our current situation where there is drinking and driving, alcohol/drug related accidents, beatings, assault, domestic violence, murder, deaths, etcetera.

One of the most recent alcohol related incidents made national news, an (allegedly) drunk driver named Stanley Begay Jr., 67, drove into a crowd gathered for a Christmas parade resulting in the death of a 3-year-old child.

The Navajo Nation chief prosecutor released a statement regarding Stanley Begay Jr., which states, “the maximum sentence for homicide by vehicle is one year of incarceration and a $5,000 fine, revealing limitations imposed on tribal courts through the Indian Civil Rights Act.” Isn’t this ridiculous and sad?

These limitations are a direct result of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as Public Law 90-284. In 1968, a fine of $5,000 is equivalent to over $48,000 in today’s money. While the Indian Civil Rights Act was amended in 2013 to include limited felony sentencing under the Violence Against Women Reauthorizing Act of 2013, it did not change the maximum sentencing guidelines.

But what does this say about our sovereignty? Our elected leaders (chapters, Council, executive, judicial) speak of sovereignty, but can’t even sentence criminals to make the punishments fit the crime? So, what can our elected representatives do?

They can work with the U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate to amend the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 to increase the fines, penalties, and get some sovereignty back. They also request for more funding to increase the pay and benefits of Navajo Nation police officers. Maybe if these were increased there would be more Navajos willing to go through training and become police officers themselves.

It has been proven with increased police presence there is a decrease in criminal activity, as well as common sense laws to hold those who commit crime accountable. But we are limited because of antiquity laws and must rely on the federal government to make up their mind if they want to pursue these criminals or not.

I am not an elected representative. I am just a concerned citizen of the Navajo Nation who has seen fellow Navajo members go through suffering from the lack of police presence and lack accountability when people are sentenced for their crimes. I am horrified, disgusted and ashamed of our present circumstances.

I also realize this is a complicated situation, however, I believe there is hope. I hope our elected representatives work as a team. If they do, they might achieve the goals of helping improve the welfare of our people by advocating for laws to be changed and increasing the budget for our first responders to mitigate alcohol/drug related incidents. Otherwise, why did we elect them?

Did we elect them to pose in Christmas photos smiling and happy while a family grieves and a community is in shambles? If they cannot improve the welfare of our Navajo Nation, then what use are they? The year 2026 is upon us and soon it will be election season.

To my Navajo people, if you love your people, then hold these politicians accountable. This year 2026, make sure you are registered to vote. Your vote is the only way you can ensure you are represented by the best person to represent you. Do not fall for honey-filled words and repeated broken promises but base it upon reality. Ask yourself what is feasible for your community?

My former mentor, Zah, told me to be aware of promises. In 2027, when the 26th Council takes power and the new president is inaugurated there will be no more ARAPA money, keep that in mind.

Hold them accountable by your vote. Our people do not need elected officials who only hire relatives and waste money by giving $24 million to worthless companies or give their friends $500K to be consultants. Or who make promises of giving homes to the old and to veterans. I may be a candidate, but I tell you I will not back away from speaking to whoever it takes to change laws and to get funding for our police/first responders.

One elected person has attacked people like me personally saying things like, “Join the police, I’ll drop off an application for you.” I say to any of them, “Set the example, resign as a delegate and join the Navajo Police and I’ll join after you do.” Responses like this are a deflection from their own responsibilities.

It’s 2026, 1968 was almost 60 years ago. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of excuses.

To the family who lost their most valuable child, my greatest condolences, may the Creator comfort your family.

Sean A. Begaye
Ret. U.S. Army captain, Navajo Nation presidential candidate
Ft. Defiance, Ariz.

 

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Writing across nations

Editor,

My name is Gunay Aghayeva (Abilzade) and I’ve been independently researching and studying Native American cultures and beliefs for more than a decade. However, in the past two years, I have been focused only on the Diné culture. I live in a country located in Western Asia, on the shore of the biggest lake in the world, the Caspian Sea, and by origin, my people are Turkic from the Oghuz tribe.

The idea of researching the Diné came to me when I started writing my novel. My book, called “The Mountains Can Walk” is primarily about the Diné and their lifestyle within the Navajo Nation. And of course, my main character is a Navajo man. He is the main voice of the book. The plot covers themes such as kinship and support, friendship, the importance of the role of women in the family and society, coincidences in the life of the main character, his struggles and successes when he finally finds harmony within himself and eventually finds justice.

The novel also focuses on social issues such as MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, in my context), poverty and technical challenges that create obstacles in the lives of the characters.

I have seen various portrayals of Native Americans in books and movies that misinterpret their cultures and lifestyles. Sometimes these interpretations were stereotypical and false. Sometimes the Native American characters were voiceless, barely noticeable somewhere in the background, or portrayed tragically, helpless without a “white savior.”

I truly believe that if you want to write about a nation you don’t belong to, then you have to carry it with responsibility and learn it deeply. Being an Azerbaijani, I think that if I want to tell my people about the Diné, then I need to learn to do it carefully and correctly. I need to research, to learn, and to ask for advice and cultural guidance, because my people need to see the authentic images and situations of the Diné. A clear picture of Native Americans, in my case, the Diné, written by an outsider who lives outside the USA, could serve as a small contribution to advocacy and building bridges among people worldwide.

The story behind my literary work is also unique. At the very beginning of my literary journey, I had very limited knowledge about the Diné at all. I started watching many videos about the culture and language, and I understood that it requires much devotion and focus. I began to use Google Maps to visualize the areas I was going to write about. Then I started to research more and more, checking the bloggers with Diné origins, reading and watching their videos. I was also searching for articles on different topics related to the Diné. I truly believe that if you want to understand people, you need to know what they are laughing at and crying for.

It was difficult to find books or any printed material. Unfortunately, in my hometown of Baku, there are neither specialists in Native American studies nor available books on the Navajo or any other Native American culture. So, each time I visited the USA, I made it a point to seek out anything related to the culture that I could read.

The Diné language is one of the most complex languages in the world, and it requires careful study and the guidance of a Native speaker to truly understand. Sometimes, when I encountered an inaccurate translation, I reached out to people on social media who were kind enough to guide me toward the correct meaning.

I also learned that many cultural teachings are not meant to be shared with outsiders. Out of respect, I avoided these subjects, understanding that some things are not to be spoken of directly or publicly. However, I am still learning, and there remain many aspects of Diné culture and beliefs that I continue to explore with humility and respect.

This July, I was fortunate to finally visit the Navajo Nation – to walk its lands, to feel its presence, and to imagine how the characters of my book might “fit” into the scenery. It was an incredible experience to realize that the characters I had been writing about belong to the very lands I was walking through.

Once again, I was assured that whatever you wish for and call for always comes true. The thing is that you should always work on that wish, not only just manifest it, but also take actions to acquire that dream.

The reason why I am touching sensitive topics such as MMIW is that being a woman and a mother, I have also seen many struggles of women in my country. Sometimes their problems also remain invisible and unsolved. These experiences, along with the materials I have read about MMIW, taught me how to shape the characters. The materials I read about MMIW were mostly raw, as if we never knew what was behind the scenes of those cases. In most situations, we do not see how they impacted families, the loved ones of those women, and what consequences they could bring.

While these realities are often left untold and invisible, I decided to portray the issue from the point of view of the family. However, I didn’t want my character to be shown tragically and in pain or victimized; instead, this experience gives strength and resilience to my characters. Moreover, I wanted to highlight the Native women who carry not only injustice and loss but also survival, dignity, and harmony to their families.

My book is not yet published, but I am currently working on its publication, which will be very soon. For me, as an Azerbaijani, it was a hard path to follow, but if I started it, then I need to carry it with responsibility. I hope my book will contribute to spreading the words and voices of women worldwide and help bring advocacy for the serious problem of MMIW.

Gunay Aghayeva (Abilzade)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Caspian Sea

 

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