President Yellowhair Meets with Navajo Nation President to Discuss Treaty
On May 31st, President Carlene Yellowhair met with Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez to discuss ratification of the treaty between the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and the Navajo Nation. The Treaty would establish a reservation for the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and would finally resolve decades of litigation between the two Tribes over territory northwest of Tuba City and near Navajo Mountain, Utah. While the Tribes signed the treaty in 2000 and amended it in 2004, it must still be approved by the United States Congress to be finalized.
"I am encouraged by the conversation that President Nez and I shared regarding the importance of respecting the Treaty between our two Tribes," President Yellowhair said. "Establishing a Reservation for the Tribe is a top priority of the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribal Council and we hope to move forward with Congressional legislation as soon as possible. Establishing a Reservation will be a critical step in providing public services to our Tribal Members, including providing housing assistance and ensuring that our Tribal Members have reliable access to healthcare and social services."
At the meeting, President Nez agreed to meet with the Navajo Nation Tribal Council to brief them on the Treaty with the goal of providing support for Congressional legislation in the coming months. Navajo Nation Council Delegates Thomas Walker Jr. and Otto Tso also attended the meeting.
For more information on the history of the treaty, click here.
