Diné Policy
Institute
University of New Mexico
October 8, 2007
History

2005 Navajo Nation Council and Diné College create
“Diné Policy Institute” to research and examine
contemporary problems from a Navajo Perspective

We work to research how the “Foundational Laws of
the Diné” could be better incorporated into the Navajo
Nation governmental process
Diné Policy Institute’s
Mission and Purpose
Through Sa’ah Naaghái Bik’eh Hozhóón, the
Diné Policy Institute provides quality
research and well-reasoned policy
recommendations to the Navajo Nation
government.
DPI framework
Siihasin
Environmental
Policy Research
Bik’ehgo
Da’iinaanii
Research in Navajo
Ethics and
Spirituality
Alhaánaá’ooniil
Nihigáál
Social, Educational
and Family Policy
Research
Economic Policy
Research
Key DPI assumptions
1.
2.
3.
Problems exist within current system of
research and analysis.
Research must be based in Dine’ thinking
Dine’ bintsekees.
Research based in Dine’ thinking is
culturally appropriate.
Theoretical Assumptions

Dominant ‘western’ ontology and epistemology
does not fit with Dine’ thinking.


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Western ontology is unconsciously utilized in many analysis
processes within the Navajo Nation.
Dine’ ontology and epistemology based on key
concepts such as K’e can inform analysis processes
in the Navajo Nation.
Using such foundational concepts as K’e in the
analysis process can be called culturally appropriate.
Balancing the worldviews
How do you “mesh” these
two worldviews?
Navajo Thinking:
I am SNBH. I know
k’e. I treat mother earth
and 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
‘Cultural Appropriate’
Myth: If a Native American does it, it is
culturally appropriate.

DPI examines this notion of cultural
appropriate and seeks to move beyond the
current understanding.
Cultural Appropriate
1.
2.
3.
Identify driving assumptions of the process
or method being used.
Identify the world view that motivate those
particular assumptions.
Ask, “Does this fit with indigenous notions
of the world?”
Cultural Appropriate cont’d
4.
5.
6.
Identify particular indigenous worldview.
Identify key assumptions that motive and
inform that worldview.
Ask, “Are these values/assumptions being
sacrificed? If so, to what extent?”
Research Areas


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Economic Development
Social/Governmental Development
Educational Development
Environmental Development
Past Projects




Response to Desert Rock Environmental
Impact Statement--from the perspective of
the “Foundational Laws of the Diné”
Wal-Mart Position Papers
Navajo Values vis-à-vis uranium mining
Extension of Council Delegate term.
Economic Policy:


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
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
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Navajo notions of ‘taxation’ and ‘poverty’
Elimination of sales tax on Food
Assessment of Navajo Nation Tax system
Economic Development Workshops
Sustainable Development Conference
Waivers of Sovereign Immunity
Intellectual Property Rights
Creation of Economic and Market Union
‘638’ contracting
Social and Governmental Policy

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Government Reform Project
Females in the Navajo Work Place
Assessment of Gaming Initiatives
Health issues
Family issues
Partnership Project with other institutions
Research in Foundational Laws

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Foundational Paper on K’e
Democratic notions in Navajo
Navajo Policy analysis methods
Foundational Paper on SNBH
Environmental Policy




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Desert Rock
Uranium in the Navajo Nation
Land and grazing issues and reform
Water rights and resources
Global Warming
Internship Program
Purpose:
1. To provide experience to Native students in
working in Indian country;
2. To help students utilize skills in culturally
appropriate ways;
3. To help students identify ways to come back
to their Nations.
Interns


Internship will include research and analysis
of issues pertinent to SNBH, and how
current Navajo decision-making processes,
Navajo society (including sub-sets), and
Navajo government are affected by external
influences.
This will include working with the Navajo
governmental, educational, religious, and
economic systems of the Navajo Nation.
Government
Reform Project
Slides prepared by Wendy Greyeyes, University of Chicago
History of the project

Mandate from speaker, 8/07

Recommend for NNC an “Alternative Government”
that reflects Navajo culture, Navajo values, and
Navajo political character
Due: 12/07
What’s in the Recommendations?

Present several “alternative governments” to the
Speaker by December 15, 2007

The models must be backed-up by research and built
to consider:

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Historical Transitions
Contemporary Challenges
Other Government Forms
UNM’s Role


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The Native American Studies program at
UNM offers an opportunity for collaboration
with DPI on this project
Research Interns will assist in developing
several models of “Alternative Government,”
participate in Nation building
Interns will participate in the research design
and conduct field work
Other Collaborators

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Dine College student interns
BYU graduate student Interns
University of Chicago Researcher
UCLA American Indian Studies graduate
students
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Research Outline

There are 5 segments of the research design

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
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Historical Transitions: An Evolvement of NN
Government
Contemporary Challenges to NN Government
Comparing Our Government: An Examination of
Other Government Forms
The Alternative Government Models
Implementation
Research Outline

UNM students will assist with the following:


Segment I: Historical Transitions: An Evolvement of NN
Government
Segment II: Contemporary Challenges to NN Government
Contemporary Review
Perspective Research Topics

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What are some challenges to the current government?
What are the demographics of the existing population
affected by the current government?
Are the Foundational Laws meaningful for the Navajo
Nation government?
What are some failures and/or successes of the
Foundational Laws of the Diné
What is the role of civil society in our current government
Diagram Current Gov.

Show in an image of sources of power

Show how power and decisions are made

Show where the constraints are in the system
Segment 2: Contemporary
Review
Incorporate Final Report with Segment 1


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Submit to DPI by end of Spring Semester
Final Report should be clear and concise
Citations should be clear
How this will look?
Team Meetings
 For questions regarding the research pursuit
contact: Andrew Curley
apcurley@dinecollege.edu

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Weekly team meetings will be done via
conference phone
Full Reporting all efforts of research and
accomplished sections
Axhe’ hee’
If you have any further questions contact
Diné Policy Institute
Diné College, Tsaile AZ--86556
(928) 724-6945