Officials on the Navajo Nation are exploring the possibility of restructuring their local government system. They say the goal is to give local governments more control.
There are 110 local chapter governments on the Navajo Nation right now. Each has three elected officials, but as it stands, their actual governing authority is pretty limited. For example things like home site lease applications are all funneled to the tribe’s central government offices for final approval.
In an effort to change that officials are exploring the possibility of restructuring. Jamie Henio, with the Office of Navajo Policy and Development, said they’re considering grouping the chapters into 22 regional councils.
"You have a bigger voice when you have two, three or four people instead of individually, when you’re trying to scream nobody listens to you," said Henio.
Henio added the proposal would require voter approval to move forward. The department hopes the referendum will make it onto the 2016 Navajo general election ballot.
