Diné Policy Institute
Presentation to the Education
Committee of the Navajo Nation
Council
From Concept to Reality
• 2002 the 19th NNC approved amendments
to Title I of the Navajo Nation Code.
• The resolution stated:
– …more work is required to elucidate the
appropriate fundamental principles and values
which are to be used to educate and interpret
the statutory laws already in place and those
that may be enacted.
Concept to Reality
•
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Navajo Nation then partnered with Diné
College to establish a research facility to:
Develop policy for Council and committees.
Create a the policy making and analysis
process culturally relevant
Research futuristic aspects of practices
Incorporate cultural values into contemporary
methods and practices.
Concept to Reality
• With this partnership, Diné Policy Institute
was conceptualized.
• DPI was then established, through a grant
from the Administration for Native
Americans, and funding from Diné
College.
• Fall of 2005, DPI is established.
Grant Requirements
• The grant establishing DPI is a three year grant. Each
year has specific objectives and goals that must be met.
• For example in Year 1, DPI was to “establish baseline
data through surveys and analysis.”
• This task is enormous. Since DPI is evaluating the
effectiveness of its research on the entire Navajo Nation,
a survey of the entire Nation is required.
• Normally a task of this size, has 2 or 3 researchers who
understand survey methodology, and 3 or 4 people to
develop and administrate the survey instrument. DPI has
one analyst familiar with this methodology and 2 staff
who assist with the administration of the survey.
Grant Requirements
• DPI cannot deviate from the goals and
objectives of the grant. DPI is therefore
bound to complete the grant requirements.
• DPI has:
• 18 projects for Year 1. 5 still need to be
completed.
• 19 Projects for year 2
• 12 Projects for year 3
Other requirements
• In order to complete the projects for the
grant with quality, a functional policyanalysis and research process based on
Navajo Thinking must be developed.
• It must be functional without compromising
the holistic integrity of Navajo Thinking.
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.
Navajo
Western
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
Navajo Policy Analysis Process
•
1.
2.
3.
4.
To create a process, requires extensive research into
BOTH the western and Navajo ways of knowing. Asking
the following questions”
What does traditional Navajo philosophy say about
decision-making?
Where does this concept come from?
What story is used as the guide to interpret that
concept?
Where else is the concept used in the stories, prayers
and songs? Do these usages agree with each other, if
not what are the differences, and how can those
differences be useful?
Worldview and methods
Worldview
Principles, Values,
Philosophies
Methods for analysis
Source: Te Wananga-O-Raukawa
Diné Process Nitsahakees
Identify the issues and think it through.
1. Hozhooj7 – Think about the positive side of the
problem.
• Positive externalities
• Ask: What good has resulted from this?
2. Nay44j7 – Think about the negative side of the
problem
• Negative externalities
• Ask: Who is concerned about the problem?
Why? What are the stakes in the issues?
What is the extent and magnitude of the
problem?
Nahat’ah
Plan different ways to solve the problem
a. Hozh0oj7 – Plan in a way that highlights the
positive aspects of the alternatives.
a. List possible resolutions
b. Nay4ej7- Plan in a way that ameliorates the
negative aspects of the problem.
a. Always list no action (maintain the status quo)
Iina
Living and implementing the plans
1. Hozh0oj7 – Ensure that the plans
implemented provide a good to the
community.
•
Monitor and maintain the policy to ensure it is
having its intended affect.
2. Nay4ej7 – Ensure that the ill effects are
mitigated.
•
Monitor to assure that it does not change
unintentionally.
Siihasin
Reflection and Evaluation
1. Hozh0oj7 – Follow through and
measure the post-policy positive
externalities
– Evaluation of the policy to see if the
benefits are coming to the intended
constituents.
2. Nay4ej7 – Monitor to see if the policy is
failing.
– If failing, modify or terminate the policy.
Connections to Fundamental
Law
•
The F.L comprises:
1.
2.
3.
4.
•
Natural
Traditional
Customary
Common
The categorization of these four laws is a
modern development and an attempt to
organize Navajo philosophy into forms useful
for policy analysis and law-making.
Fundamental Laws
• Natural Law
– Y1’1[niineey1n7 bib44 haz’1anii
• Traditional Law
– Diyin Dine’4’ naak7ts’11d1ago naakai bib44 haz’1anii
• Customary Law
– Naak7shch77n d00 nah1sdz11n d00 y1d7[h7[ d00 j0h0naa’47 bib44
haz’1anii
• Common Law
– Y00[gai azd11n d00 Asdz11 n1dl44h7 d00 Diyin Dine’4’ bib44
haz’1anii.
Framework
•
To better understand how the F.L. works in the
policy process, DPI has:
1. Started research on a foundational paper on
k’é.
•
•
•
This will facilitate the further development of the
framework, so that it is usable for both technical and
social issues.
Example: it will be able to adequately address
Fiscal policy that deals with the measurements of
tax elasticities.
Expected Time Frame: 2 months
Framework
2. Descriptive study of how policy is made at the
Navajo Nation.
•
•
This study will help identify areas in Navajo
Government that are more complex in terms of
implementing a Navajo policy analysis system.
Expected time frame: 4 months
3. Develop framework that will be implemented in
stages or phases.
•
Stage 1 – Develop policy analysis process that
utilizes current codified cultural laws.
o
o
Law student intern is researching all case law, and
legislation for use of cultural principles in current law.
Expected time frame: 6 months
Framework
•
Stage 2 – Introduce a modified framework
that is still heavily reliant in western notions
for social policy issues.
o College interns researching issues associated
with gaming, marriage and family issues,
language revitalization, and economic
development.
o Policy Analyst is compiling list of other
indigenous communities around the world that
have articulated policy process that have
indigenous names, but western skeletons.
o Expected Completion Date: 3 months
Framework
• Stage 3 – Develop Policy Analysis process
that is based in Navajo thinking for social
policy issues.
– A policy process for technical issues, such as
tax, budget, economic policy is currently being
studied.
• Current economic policy uses ideas that are
foreign to Navajo thinking.
• Expected completion date: 6 months
Framework
• Stage 4 – Policy Process based in Navajo
thinking introduced.
– This process will not be cosmetic, but a
process that is usable and legitimate to both
the Navajo Nation, the State, and the Federal
government, but “authentic” to Navajo
thinking.
– Expected completion: 10 months