Navajo government reform proposal raises questions about democracy, language, structure

CHINLE

A public presentation at the Chinle Wildcat Den outlining proposed reforms to the Navajo Nation government has reignited long-standing debate about governance, sovereignty and the role of federal influence.

Harrison Tsosie, the executive director of the Navajo Government Development Office, presented a draft constitution titled Diyin Nohookaa Dine’é Bi Beehaz’áanii Bitsí Siléí. He said the document reflects Navajo values and builds on the separation of powers adopted after the 1989 political crisis.

“Some say this is a constitution. And I say, well, that’s probably what it is,” Tsosie said. “Navajos don’t have a constitution. We’ve always had a constitution—just unwritten.”

Rewriting the lawmaking process

The proposed overhaul of the Navajo Nation government could reshape how laws are made and who holds power, according to Tsosie.

“This is the first time it has ever been drafted by (Navajos),” Tsosie said. “All those prior attempts were drafted by non-Navajos. So this is an exercise of our sovereignty.”

One of the major changes in the draft is replacing the Nation’s current lawmaking system, known as the 164 process. That system requires legislation to begin at the chapter level and pass through multiple reviews before reaching the Council and president’s office. The new structure proposes a more direct and culturally grounded process.

“The theory is with the new government, we’re not going to follow the old 164 process,” Tsosie said. “We’ll develop a new process that’s more Navajo and have the lawmaking process with this new process.”
Tsosie said the goal is to reduce interference between branches of government while still maintaining accountability.

“We want to minimize it because that’s how one house branch controls another branch,” he said. “The Legislative Branch, when they develop the budget, tends to place conditions of appropriations. The Executive Branch says, ‘You need to update your plans of operation.’ So they try to manage the executive branch in that fashion.”

The draft proposes additional changes, including revising how the Division of Natural Resources is structured and adding job protections for commission directors and public service officials. These protections are intended to prevent political retaliation and promote stability.

“It won’t be an outright night and day, but it will be some substantial changes,” Tsosie said.

One of the most significant reforms involves expanding voting rights. Under the current system, Navajo citizens vote only for a president and a Council delegate. The new system would allow voters to elect more officials, including the attorney general and chief fiscal officer.

“If we’re really going to have a government by the people, we should have the ability to vote for more people,” Tsosie said.

The draft would also shift oversight of elections from a commission to a single appointed official.

“You have to take care of everything before the election occurs,” Tsosie said. “And instead of having the Navajo Board of Election Supervisors, the document contemplates a secretary of the Navajo Nation. The secretary will carry out the law. So instead of a commission, there’ll be one person.”

To build awareness and gather input, Tsosie encouraged the public to review the draft document on the Navajo government development’s website. A survey is also available online.

“This is our chance to define democracy in a way that protects our people and reflects who we are as Navajo,” he said.

The document will remain in draft form until March 2026. Community meetings are being planned across the Nation to share information and collect feedback.

“They’re just gonna have to educate themselves,” Tsosie said. “Understanding is the key.”

To read the full article, please see the July 17, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.

Published July 17, 2025     Updated July 18, 2025 at 12:52 p.m.
A correction was made on July 18, 2025: An earlier version of this article misstated the name of the draft constitution. It is “Diyin Nohookaa Dine’é Bi Beehaz’áanii Bitsí Siléí,” not “Yé’ii Nihókáádé Beehaz’áanii Bee Hats’íísání.”

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