Former Arizona Congressman recommended as possible ONHIR commissioner

DILKON, Ariz. — Former U.S. Congressman Tom O’Halleran, who represented Arizona’s District 1, discussed the ongoing challenges faced by relocated individuals on the Navajo Nation during an election rally on Nov. 3.

Drawing from his experiences in Congress and the historical context of the Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Act of 1974, O’Halleran emphasized the need for effective representation for these communities.

O’Halleran condemned the actions taken by Congress in 1988, which he believes undermined the rights and needs of relocated families.

“Whatever happened in 1988, when Congress kind of took the rug out from underneath people, we need to have representation,” he stated, recalling his visits across the Navajo Nation where he witnessed inadequate housing conditions firsthand. “We worked on it when I was in Congress. And now, hopefully, we’ll have a voice again.”

If appointed as a commissioner with the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, or ONHIR, O’Halleran pledged to collaborate closely with current staff and advocate for the interests of the Navajo Nation. He highlighted the importance of unity and collaboration, particularly between the Navajo Nation president and representatives from larger congressional districts.

“It’s crucial that we transcend party lines to focus on what truly matters for our communities,” he added.

Relocation of Diné, Kiis’áanii

ONHIR was established to manage the relocation of Navajo and Hopi peoples due to historical land partitioning by the U.S. government, but the agency has struggled to fulfill its mission. The commissioner position has been vacant since 1994, leaving a leadership void in addressing the complex needs of the affected populations. Christopher Bavasi, ONHIR’s executive director, revealed in 2016 that the agency might close by the end of fiscal 2018 if relocation responsibilities were deemed fulfilled—an assertion contested by Navajo Nation leaders.

Former Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and the 24th Navajo Nation Council opposed this recommendation, asserting that ONHIR’s closure would exacerbate the struggles of those impacted by the relocation process. Amendments to the Navajo-Hopi Relocation Act in 1988, which altered requirements for planning and inter-agency collaboration, have further complicated the execution of relocation support.

Despite ONHIR’s stated mission, critics argue that the agency has not fully used its authority to ensure federal agencies uphold their commitments under the relocation act. The agency is also responsible for certifying eligibility for relocation and managing nearly 387,000 acres of land designated for displaced families, yet it has faced criticism for not adequately addressing the needs of those it serves.

With many families still struggling with the effects of past policies, O’Halleran said he would be committed to fostering dialogue and cooperation could prove vital in achieving a more equitable future for the Navajo Nation and its members.

Ongoing challenges

Arizona State Sen. Theresa Hatathlie, who represents District 6, highlighted the emotional and physical trauma inflicted on those relocated and emphasized the critical need for informed leadership to address the ongoing challenges stemming from the Navajo-Hopi land dispute.

“Delayed justice is justice denied. It’s very important to remember that voting makes a difference. It isn’t everything, but it’s the least we can do to make an impact.”

Recalling her childhood experiences during times of conflict, Hatathlie said she grew up in the Navajo and Hopi land dispute area.

“All of our lands of Coal Mine Mesa were given up by our former chairmen as part of negotiations made without our input. I’ve seen our relatives who were relocated—pushed out by federal agents who employed intimidation tactics.” She detailed a particularly harrowing memory: “I remember them knocking on the door, fully dressed up with guns. My mom didn’t even know how to speak English, and I had to communicate with them. That was my reality as a child.”

The senator said the importance of having representatives who truly understand the historical context of the situation was crucial.

“It’s crucial that we look for individuals who know the impact of the Navajo-Hopi land dispute,” Hatathlie asserted, as well as acknowledging former Congressman Tom O’Halleran’s dedication to the community. She also added, “I would like to have someone else in that office, someone who knows what has happened because many discussions reveal a lack of understanding.”

Divides between families

Hatathlie further criticized the inequities in the relocation benefits process, noting the stark divide between families who received assistance and those who did not.

“Some families were on the ‘A list’ and reaped the benefits, while others on the ‘B list’ faced denials despite hiring lawyers,” she said. “There’s no legitimate excuse for this disparity. Now, we have generations of individuals who lost their land because of those decisions.”

She lamented the ongoing struggles of displaced families.

“Every time they try to get land or any benefits from the tribe, they’re told, ‘Oh, you’re relocating,’ which is why you can’t access these resources. But they didn’t have a choice in the matter. Who’s advocating for them?” Hatathlie asked.

She stressed the importance of addressing the mental and emotional toll of these experiences. “Many of my relatives cry because they miss their home,” she reflected. “Some of that trauma has been passed down. Who’s making sure that they’re healing mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually? These are the issues we need to bring to the forefront.”

As the conversation about leadership and representation in the Navajo-Hopi land dispute continues, Sen. Hatathlie said she remains committed to advocating for those affected, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs addressed.

“We need someone who truly understands what has happened to our people,” she concluded. “That’s a key part of moving forward.”

Historical implications, legacy of relocation

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, alongside key officials including Navajo Hopi Land Commission Chairman Otto Tso and Vice Chairman Casey Allen Johnson, delivered a compelling 14-page letter detailing the historical implications of the 1974 Navajo-Hopi Relocation Act. The letter highlights findings from the U.S. General Accounting Office and a field visit conducted by the Navajo Nation Washington Office that consulted with 130 relocatee families.

The delegation made five urgent requests for reform within the ONHIR, calling for a transformation in leadership and a reassessment of the agency’s ability to meet its mandate.

“For the last two decades, ONHIR has repeatedly reported that it is ready to close,” President Nygren and the commissioners wrote. “The fact is, ONHIR is not ready to close. The Navajo Nation needs a commissioner who will not just carry on the status quo, but someone who will genuinely evaluate whether ONHIR can fulfill its mandate or whether it is prematurely trying to end its mission.”

Nygren emphasized that appointing a capable commissioner is not merely a procedural formality but a crucial step toward ensuring that outstanding critical tasks are completed, allowing affected families to finally receive the justice they have long sought.

“The relocation of Native Americans in the United States is a relic of the distant past, of another century,” President Nygren stated. “It is inconceivable to imagine that a federal law could have ever been enacted to move any group of 12,000 people from homes they’d occupied for generations. But Navajos today are still suffering from one of the most misguided federal laws since the boarding school era.”

The letter emphasizes the ongoing legacy of Navajo relocation, from the 1970s to the present, which represents the largest forced displacement of U.S. citizens since the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. It notes that up to three generations and 16,000 individuals have been uprooted from their ancestral lands, where family members are buried, and culturally significant sites exist.

Relocatees, refugees

According to site visits conducted by the Navajo Nation Washington Office on Oct. 3 and Oct.18, the infrastructure needs of displaced Navajo families within the Former Bennett Freeze Area and the Navajo Partitioned Lands are severe. Several other chapters, including Chinle, Dilkon, Fort Defiance, Ganado, Greasewood Springs, Kayenta, Shonto, Tsídiito’í (formerly Birdsprings), and Whippoorwill, also face significant infrastructure challenges exacerbated by the influx of Navajo relocatees and refugees.

These challenges are particularly dire for refugees, many of whom are homeless or living in overcrowded, substandard conditions, waiting for relocation benefits that have been delayed for years. Even those fortunate enough to receive relocation housing struggle due to limited grazing and housing opportunities on an already strained reservation, with growing infrastructure needs affecting all communities.

Serious issues remain

Despite decades of opportunities, ONHIR has failed to address these pressing needs, possibly due to an extended lack of leadership. Congress had mandated ONHIR to plan, develop, and administer a new community at Nahat’á Dziil Chapter; however, serious infrastructure issues remain.

The community, meant to be a haven for displaced families, instead faces profound challenges. For instance, the water distribution system is grossly inadequate, with small pipes causing dangerously low water pressure. This has stymied housing development, economic growth, and the basic functioning of the community. Aging water tanks, failing pumps, and the absence of fire hydrants for most homes not only hinder development but pose a serious risk to residents’ safety.

The school built by ONHIR at Nahat’á Dziil is abandoned due to structural problems, leaving children without a proper educational facility. Additionally, the community lacks youth, seniors, and law enforcement services, forcing residents to travel long distances for emergency aid—an unacceptable and dangerous situation.

Worse, according to the Navajo Nation Washington Office, the entire East Mills subdivision remains uninhabitable due to ONHIR’s faulty site preparation, a failure that undermines the very purpose of relocation. Nahat’á Dziil is just one example. Communities like Coalmine, Tonalea, Shonto, Hard Rock, Pinon, Teesto, and White Cone face similar challenges, with the Navajo Nation Washington Office directly engaging community members to assess the extent of the crisis.

During these visits—activities ONHIR has not undertaken recently—the Navajo Nation Washington Office witnessed firsthand the struggles these families endure. Data collected from over 130 families reveals the heartbreaking reality: families have been abandoned by the very office charged with supporting them.

Since the 1980s, multiple federal officials have acknowledged the flaws inherent in the Navajo-Hopi Relocation Act, but change remains slow and often inadequate, the NNWO stated.

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