Kendrik Begaye Navajo Government Class

The Navajo government

The Navajo government was first established in 1923, which was created from the needed desire to hold the increasing need from American oil companies to lease land because of the large amount of oil founded on Navajo reservation. The government is one of the largest Native American governments established in recent history. The structural system holds eighty eight council delegates to represent hundred ten chapters or sections of the Navajo reservation. It was in 1993 where the organizing of the three branch system was implemented into thee government; the Elective Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch were created, thus increasing sophistication of the government itself as whole and better increase efficiency. When the council is in session, the delegates will mostly speak in the Navajo Language as a way to show respect to our language and culture. When the council is not in session, legislative work is done with twelve committees of the council.

The structure of the government is comprised of a Three Branch System; the branches are broken into The Elective Branch, The Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch. The Elective Branch is held by the president and vice president of the Navajo people, the elective president holds a 4 year term and steps down for another president to take his/her place. The election is held by popular vote, so people get a say as to who is elected president. The Judicial Branch is led by the Chief Justice of the Navajo Nation. He/she is appointed by the Navajo President, but has to be confirmed or allowed by the council to hold the position.

There are some similarities and differences between the Navajo Government and the United States Government. Like the United States, the president holds a 4 year term in office before the next president takes office. Both governments are large, but the United States is a bigger power than the Navajo Government, since United States government is held in a larger scale. The United States government holds a better sophistication and efficiency than the Navajo Government. The Navajo government is still fairly new, unlike the United States which has been active longer in time. The Navajo government holds more jurisdictions in the Reservation, but the United States hold power over the land

itself. The Navajo Government cant make laws without it going through the United States first. If the law does not get passed, the can negotiate on make the law better to make it become an actual law in the land. Over all, the United States has more power in politics and power in America than the Navajo Nation or any other Native American Government. But unlike the United States, the Navajo government is struggling in order to sustain power over the reservation in a whole. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done to ensure that our native land can grow and stand on its own two feet

The Navajo Government is still a new Government and is still learning and growing, despite it being the largest Native American Government known today. In a personal note, my Grand Uncle is actually referred by his chapter and other organizations to run for Navajo President. It is whether or not he chooses to run or not is the question. In the end the Navajo government holds an interesting place in Native American history.