FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2026
Contacts:
- Avery Denny, Diné Hataałii Association, Inc, (928) 349-1221, adenny@dinecollege.edu
- Leland Grass, Diné Medicine Man Association, (928) 429-1504, sacred4s@hotmail.com
Hataałii groups oppose ONGD 2026 reform proposal
The Diné Hataałii Association, Inc. and the Diné Medicine Men Association, Inc. have reviewed the proposal for a new Navajo Nation constitution, prepared by the Government Reform Committee (GRC).
We are disappointed to say that the proposal is not ready to be advanced to a referendum vote. It has many problems with language, cultural concepts, Fundamental Law, and our traditions. Government Reform should advance our sovereignty by creating a government that is ours and reflects who we are as a People. This proposal weakens our sovereignty and puts in place a dangerous fourth branch government that could override our elected officials without accountability to the People. The proposal would make investors’ rights have the highest status by putting them in our constitution instead of in the Navajo Nation Code. This proposal would transfer the Navajo Nation business to a few individuals, instead of preserving it for the benefit of all. This would create wealth for a few at the cost of the community as a whole. It would also allow the sale of land, and encourage mining and other extraction industries. Land sales and disempowerment of tribal government were things the United States government did to the tribes in Oklahoma to try to eliminate them. We should not do it to ourselves.
Our two medicine men’s Associations will work together to do community outreach and to create a proposal that preserves our culture and traditions, improves government accountability, and protects our sacred land, air, water, plants, animals, and future.
We encourage the Diné to learn about the GRC proposal and work with your delegates to improve it.
Read the full Press Release by clicking here.
