Description
Book SynopsisNative 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 cour
Table of ContentsPreface 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
