Navajos Warn of Secretive Tribal Government Reform

Dr. Michelle Cook, Wendy Atcitty and Joey Tsosie read a statement of opposition to a secretive tribal government reform proposal, in front of the Navajo Nation Council's winter session on Tuesday. Screenshot by Censored News.

Navajos Warn of Secretive Tribal Government Reform 

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, Jan. 27, 2026

Navajos warned of a secretive Navajo government reform that is underway that would change Diné life, and silence the voices of the people for generations to come.

"The proposal creates a bureaucratic framework that would treat our land as a commodity for business, and bypass the fundamental necessity of Navajo consent in matters of energy, water, and land use," the Dine' Grassroots Coalition said.

Wendy Atcitty, Joey Tsosie and Dr. Michelle Cook, Dine', read the following statement at the rally at the Navajo Council Chambers. 

Dr. Cook said the massive and complex government reform document includes a replacement of the Navajo Bill of Rights. She pointed out that the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ensures free, prior and informed consent in matters that affect Dine' rights and land, and the proposed government reform violates these rights.

Calling it a "dangerous and risky proposal," Dr. Cook said it is problematic because it requires large concessions of Dine' rights. Within the document is an investor bill of rights which gives corporation and investors over-broad access to Dine' infrastructure, water, and energy without limitations.

The proposal creates a new branch of government and prevents the Navajo Nation Council, employees and elected officials from challenging bad business, she said.

Dr. Cook said the cost of business should not cost Dine' their cultural survival or Treaty Rights.

Herb Yazzie, retired Chief Justice of the Navajo Nation, pointed out that powerful proposals are being presented inside the Navajo Nation Council Chambers, and there is talk of sovereignty -- but the people are not being informed of the proposal.

Yazzie urged Dine' to oppose the government reform proposal, calling it a "replication of foreign ideas, based on foreign values."

"The laws must be developed by the people themselves," Herb Yazzie said.

Chili Yazzie, former Shiprock Council Delegate and Chapter President, said proposing the government reform as a "yes or no" question for the Dine' voters on the ballot in 2026 is "an abuse of our people."

Duane 'Chili' Yazzie speaking at the Navajo Nation Council session on Tuesday.
Watch video of today's press conference. https://www.facebook.com/tonizhoniani

The Office of Navajo Government Development has produced the 108 page document of 45,000 words. Grassroots Navajos say the draft keeps changing, and few ' are aware of it. The name placed on the document is in the Dine' language, and this is meant to mislead the people. The name is a misappropriation and it is actually aimed at the commodification of Mother Earth. 

This government reform would create a fourth branch of the tribal government to replace the Navajo Bill of Rights and Dine' Fundamental Law. The process violates the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which ensures free, prior and informed consent.

The government reform plan is Diyin Nohookáá Diné’é Bi Beehaz’áanii Bitsí Siléí. https://ongd.navajo-nsn.gov/

Today, Dine' demanded an end to the giveaways to corporations with their banner, "National Sacrifice Zone: NO MORE!"

Speaking in front of the Navajo Nation Council session this morning, Dine' spoke of the need to protect their children and their future, and their water, air and land. Dine' spoke of the bribes, backdoor deals and tribal government corruption involved in the tribe's deals with energy companies.

Calling for an end to burning fossil fuels -- coal, oil and gas -- Dine' called for fossil-free energy in order to mitigate climate change, during the morning's press conference in front of the Navajo Nation Council's winter session.

Declaration of Navajo Voter Objections to Proposed Government Reform Proposal

Diné Defend Land and Water at Navajo Nation Council 

Watch recorded videos of today:

Tó Nizhóní Ání 

https://www.facebook.com/tonizhoniani

By Chili Yazzie, Censored News

Contact: chili_yazzie@hotmail.com

A group of grassroots organizations convened in Dec 2025 to discuss concerns related to the Navajo Nation, these concerns have been formulated into position statements to be presented to the Navajo Nation leadership including the Navajo Nation Council and the Office of the President and Vice President. These positions will be presented at the Press Conference to be held in front of the Navajo Nation Council Chambers on January 27, 2026, at 9 am. 

• The proposal to reform the Navajo government drafted by the Office of Navajo Government Development has been analyzed and is found to be replete with foundational issues, we are recommending that the proposal not be presented to the Navajo people as a referendum initiative as proposed by the ONGD

• The proposal by the Trump administration to expedite natural resources extraction with little or no environmental review is a critical concern

• The depletion of the waters of Navajo lands and the continued lost of water rights must be consciously and deliberately addressed by our Navajo Nation leadership

• The uninhibited incursion by the federal Immigration and Custom Enforcement agency on Indian lands and arrest and abuse of Native American citizens is greatly concerning  

Diné Grassroots Coalition is a coalition comprised of Diné community members concerned about the state of the Navajo Nation.  

Copyright Brenda Norrell, Censored News