Navajo Nation Laws

The Navajo Nation is a sovereign nation within the boundaries of the United States. The Navajo Nations has its own government and set of laws which have been in effect as long as the Navajo have been a people. However, the Navajo do have to live in our modern-day society, so, out of necessity, some of the laws have been ammended to deal with modern-day problems and situations. The entire code of law encompasses six volumes and 24 titles.

History

Before there was contact with Europeans, the government was run by Na'táanii or headmen picked from the most respected families. The first Navajo Council was formed in 1923. In 1958, the first Court of Appeals was created and the current three-branch system was put in place in 1990.

Government

There are three branches in the Navajo Government. The Executive Branch consists of the president and vice-president who are elected to four-year terms and 10 major divisions and seven offices The Navajo Nation Council is the legislative branch consisting of the speaker and 88 delegates. The Judiciary department is a two-level system consisting of the Navajo Nation Supreme Court and trial courts. Judges in the Navajo court system do not have to be trained in western law, must be able to speak both Navajo and English and have knowledge of Navajo tradition.

Local Government

The local government is one of the 110 local chapters consisting of a president, vice-president and secretary/treasurer, elected from each community. Chapters can issue leases on land, buy, sell or lease chapter property, enter into agreements with other chapters, levy taxes and enter into agreements with state and federal agencies.

Membership Laws

The laws regarding membership in the Navajo Nation state that the only way to be a member is by birth. However, the Navajo Supreme Court recognizes membership from marriage with another tribe.

Marriage Laws

The marriage laws have always been that the parties cannot be from the same maternal clan or biological paternal clan. The laws also state that the two parties must have met and agreed to be married; the groom's parents have to ask the bride's parents for her hand in marriage; the bride and groom eat cornmeal mush from a scared basket; the guests give advice on a happy marriage; and the person performing the ceremony must be legally able to sign the marriage license.