Understanding how the Fundamental Laws fits into

the Policy-Making andPolicy-Analysis Processes of

the Navajo Nation

Diné Policy InstituteDiné College

Mission of Diné Policy Institute

Under the traditional Navajo laws, customs andusage, Diné Policy Institute will provide resources

and quality research to facilitate and analyze issuesand educate all people, to enhance and ensure

that well-reasoned policies are developed to protectthe sovereignty and cultural integrity of the

N7’hook11’ Dine’4’, in order to renew the principlesand values of S2’ah Naaghai Bik’4h H0zh00n.

A NNC Council Delegate

sponsors a bill.

The Speaker’s Office determines

which Committee it comes before

Office of Legislative Council generates

a proposed written bill.

Sponsor of the bill must appear before

designated committee (s)and advocate for the bill.

The bill then before the Ethics & Rules Committee

to be placed on the NNC agenda

The bill goes before the NNC for

debate and vote

Current Process of Policy Making in the Navajo Nation

The Fundamental Laws

1. Natural Law:• Nahasdzáán dóó

Yádilhil bitsáádéé’ beehaz’áanii

2. Traditional Law:• Diyin bitsáádéé’

beehaz’áanii

The Fundamental Laws

1. Customary Law:• Diyin Dine’é

bitsáádéé’ beehaz’áanii

2. Common Law:• Diyin Nohookáá

Dine’é bitsáádéé’ beehaz’áanii

Worldview and methods

NavajoWorldview

Navajo Principles, Values,

Philosophies

Navajo Methods for analysis

Source: Te Wananga Raukawa

1. A NNC Council Delegate sponsors a bill.

3. The Speaker’s Office determines

which Committee it comes before

2. Office of Legislative Council generates a proposed

written bill. Fundamental Law

and k’é must be considered explicitly

4. Sponsor of the bill must appear before designated committee (s)

and advocate for the bill.Fundamental Law and k’é

must be considered explicitly.

5. The bill then before the Ethics & Rules Committee

to be placed on the NNC agenda

6. The bill goes before the NNC for debate and vote. F.L and k’é

explicitly considered

Normative Policy-Making Process for the Navajo Nation

Developing a Navajo Policy Analysis Model

• A model based on Navajo thought is necessary to fully utilize the principles articulated by the fundamental law.

• Without a model, the principles of the fundamental law is used cosmetically and not culturally appropriate.

NavajoWestern

Balancing the worldviews

Navajo Thinking:

I am SNBH. I knowk’e. I treat mother

earthand all living things with

reverence and respect.

Western Thinking:I am an individual.I treat people with

respect so long as it fits into my plans. I treat the earth with respect insomuch as

I can benefit

How do you “mesh” these two worldviews?

Define the ProblemJiní and Bee eí dahozin

Data Collection and Analysis

“Think it through”:Spiritual, Economic,

Social, Environmental

Formulate Goals:Hozhooji and Naayeeji

(Long-term and Short-term)

Decision with “consensus”:

Talk with Traditional experts

Implementation: Spiritual, Economic,

Social, Environmental

Evaluation

Recommended Policy Analysis based on Navajo values and ExperienceModel 1

Define an1hot’9

Data Collection and Analysis

Findingsbee 4í dah0zin

Statement of ProblemAnáhot’ 9 Nabik’iyát’ 9

Nahat’ah

Solution by consensus

Implementation and Evaluation

Normative Policy Analysis Process baa hw77n7t’9 Model 2

Reflection

Ahxe’hee