By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. signed to historic
pieces of legislation Friday one to close the book on the past and the other to
begin a new chapter in Navajo history.
Flanked by First Lady Vikki Shirley and Delegate Nelson Begay
(Lukachukai/Tsaile/Wheatfields), the president signed into law the Hopi-Navajo land
agreement and the creation of a tribal gaming enterprise.
"I thank the council who passed this, and it went through the chapters,
too," Shirley said. "The councilors who passed this had the people at heart."
Last July 8 marked the 40th anniversary of the Bennett Freeze, which
prohibited any new construction or improvements on existing buildings on the land
claimed by both the Navajo and Hopi tribes.
"It's been too long, the people have suffered," Shirley noted. The present
lamented the fact that so many of the elders have gone on and couldn't share
this special day. He spoke of the medicine people, and, mostly, the people who
lived in the area, and said they all had suffered.
And maybe the land freeze played a role in so many of the young people
leaving the reservation. Unable to build homes in the area, maybe they moved off
to a city, Shirley suggested.
But that was a dark, bygone time. The president saw a new beginning. Soon,
Shirley said, the once-disputed freeze area will shine with new homes, gas
stations and stores.
"It's a historic day," Begay agreed.
The first lady also hailed the special day.
"I'm excited for the people," she said. "I've heard some of the elders
talking about it."
She and the president feel for the people who suffered through the freeze,
Vikki Shirley said.
"Many of them have no water, no electricity," Vikki Shirley said. "There was
a time when the president and I lived with no water. We lived in a hogan. I
had to haul water; I know how difficult it is for the people."
Vikki Shirley said she hopes the Hopi council also approves this agreement.
Once both sides have agreed, the pact goes to the secretary of the Interior
for a review and he has already said he supports it, the president added and
then back before the judge overseeing the case.
"Then, that's it, the land is thawed. It's over." Joe Shirley said. "Then
people can move back on the land."
Under the agreement, the Navajo retain ownership of the land, but the Hopi
and Navajo agree to recognize each other's traditional, religious rights.
The gaming enterprise is another albeit, important step forward for the
Nation, Shirley said.
"We should have had this 20 years ago," the president said.
With the enterprise in place, Shirley said the next step is to select a deve
loper.
How soon before the Navajo Nation opens a casino?
"I hope, this side of six months," Shirley said. The present said the Nation
was looking to open a temporary casino, while construction on a permanent
facility continues.
John Christian Hopkins can be reached at hopkins1960@hotmail.com or by
calling 505-371-5443.
http://www.gallupindependent.com/2006/sept/093006jch_pressgns.html