The Navajo Political Experience / Edition 4

by David E. Wilkins

Overview

Native nations, like the Navajo nation, have proven to be remarkably adept at retaining and exercising ever-increasing amounts of self-determination even when faced with powerful external constraints and limited resources. Now in this fourth edition of David E. Wilkins' The Navajo Political Experience, political developments of the last decade are discussed and analyzed comprehensively, and with as much accessibility as thoroughness and detail. The Diné people and their governing leaders have recently experienced a host of events that dramatically affected the shape of the nation – a plethora of effective grassroots organizations that had a profound impact on the structure of the Navajo political system, a dramatic reduction in the size of the legislative branch from eighty-eight to twenty-four members, the introduction of institutional gambling, unresolved battles over water rights, and a tense political crisis that pitted the legislative branch against the judicial branch as the court sought to ensure that the Fundamental Law was to be adhered to by all governing bodies. These and other developments are examined in this new edition, which includes three new appendices : The Navajo Fundamental Law of 2002; The Diné Natural Resource Protection Act of 2005; and Nelson v. Shirley (2010), which add to the book's value as a classroom tool and a primary source.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442221444
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/24/2013
Series:	Spectrum Series: Race and Ethnicity in National and Global Politics
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	330
Sales rank:	1,024,988
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

David E. Wilkins is McKnight Presidential Professor of American Indian Studies and adjunct professor of political science and law at the University of Minnesota.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

PART I
Foundations of Diné Government and Relations
with the United States

Chapter 1
Dine National Government: An Historical Overview

Introduction
Diné Traditional Government
The Naataanii (Headmen and Headwomen of Traditional
Society)
The Naachid
Diné Government: 1700-1846
Diné Governmental Change During the Early American
Period: 1846-1921
Treaty of 1849 (also known as Washington’s Treaty)
Treaty of 1868
Importance of the Treaties
The Birth of Local Government: 1922-1936
Chapters
The First Navajo Tribal Council
Navajo Tribal Reorganization: 1936-1938
Diné Tribal Government: 1940-1989
Democratization of the Navajo Nation: Title II Amendments,
1989 to 2002

Fundamental Law to the Present
Conclusion
Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

Chapter 2 A Nation Within a Nation

Introduction
No Universal Legal Definition
A Navajo Understanding of What Constitutes a Nation
The Cultural Side of Navajo National Identity
Theories of Race
The Role of Religion
Language and Identity
Traditions and Historical Experiences
Indigenous Values
The Political Side of Navajo Identity
A Distinctive People
A Defined Land Base
Governing Structures
Sovereignty
Tribal Sovereignty
The Distinctive Tribal-Federal Relationship
The Treaty Relationship
The Trust Relationship
Congressional Plenary Power in Indian Affairs
The U.S. Congress and Indian Affairs
Congressional Committees
The U.S. President and Indian Affairs
The Secretary of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs 28
The U.S. Supreme Court and Indian Affairs 30
Tribal-State Relations 32
Conclusion

Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

Chapter 3
Governmental Structure: Its Form and Function

Introduction
What Is Government?
What Are Politics and Political Science?
Why the Need for Government?
Who Has the Power in Government?
Ideology Within American Politics
Liberals
Conservatives
Three Principal Functions of Government
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Types of Governing Structures
What Is Democracy?
Division of Governing Functions
Subunits of Government
Structure of the Legislature
Conclusion

Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

Chapter 4
Federal Indian Policy: An Historical Overview

Introduction
Indigenous Independence: 1492-Colonial Era
Early United States Independence: 1776-1828
Removal—Relocation—Reservation: 1828-1887
Allotment and Assimilation: 1887-1921
Reorganization and Limited Tribal Self-Rule: 1921-1945
Termination: 1945-1961
Tribal Self-Determination and Self-Governance:
1961-Present
Conclusion

Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

PART II
Institutions of Diné Government

Chapter 5
The Framework of Navajo Government Today

Introduction
Navajo Nation Code: Principles
Navajo Nation Code: Authority
Why Is There a Code and Not a Constitution?
Limits to Navajo Government Power
Attempts at Government Reform
Conclusion

Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

Chapter 6
The Navajo Nation Legislature (The Council)

Introduction
What Is a Legislature?
The Council and Its Delegates
Committees
How a Resolution Becomes Law
Factors Influencing Navajo Lawmakers
Reapportionment—”One Navajo-One Vote”
Conclusion

Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

Chapter 7
The Navajo Nation Executive
(The President and Vice-President)

Introduction
What is Executive Power?
Powers of the Navajo Nation President
Presidential Office and Activities
Vacancies
Gifts of Property
The Executive Bureaucracy
Conclusion

Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

Chapter 8
The Navajo Nation Judiciary (The Courts)

Introduction
Historical Background of the Navajo Nation Courts
Navajo Nation Court Structure
Navajo Supreme Court
Navajo District Courts
Navajo Family Courts
Navajo Peacemaker Courts
Other Related Institutions
Qualifications for Judicial Appointment
Tenure of Judges: Cause for Removal
Salaries
Conclusion

Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

Chapter 9
Local Governing Jurisdictions

Introduction
Chapters
Township(s)
District Grazing Committees
Off-Reservation Land Boards
Major Irrigation Projects Farm Boards
Agency Councils
Conclusion

Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

PART III
Political Dynamics of Diné Government

Chapter 10
Interest Groups and Diné Politics: From Without and Within

Introduction
The Navajo Nation ‘As Subject” to Outside Interest
Groups
The Navajo Nation ‘As Subject” to Inside Interest
Groups
The Navajo Nation “Acting As” an Interest Group
Conclusion

Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

Chapter 11
The Navajo Nation and the Media

Introduction
The Role of the Media
Navajo Nation Media Enterprises
The Navajo Times
MacDonald Shuts Down the Paper
KTNN: The Radio Voice of the Navajo Nation
Conclusion

Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

Chapter 12
Diné Voting, Elections, and Campaign Finances

Introduction
Navajo Voting
Navajo Election Laws
Conclusion

Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

Chapter 13
Diné Political Economy

Introduction
Early Dine Economic Activity
Navajo Treaties & Pawn
Livestock Reduction
The Beginnings of Navajo Nationalism
Contemporary Status of Dine Economic Development
Conclusion

Key Terms
Selected Readings
Notes

APPENDICES