Navajo Nation Council delegates recently advanced a measure out of its Law and Order Committee that — if approved by the full council — would’ve led to a November referendum to change the tribe’s official name to the Diné Nation.
But that bill has already died.
Delegate Herman Daniels Jr. sponsored the legislation. It passed on Monday in a split 2-1 decision, but has since been withdrawn by Thursday morning, with Daniels telling KJZZ News that he’s received “several questions” from his Navajo constituents.
He did not comment on their specific concerns.
The committee didn’t deny the financial and administrative costs that would come with updating official signage, documents and materials, if voters had a chance to swap names on Election Day.
Nevertheless, the delegates believed the word Diné is considered to be a more culturally accurate reflection of the Nation’s heritage and identity.
But it has two meanings.
Navajo Word of the Day, a popular online website language resource, defines Diné as the people — or man. The Navajo Nation Council rejected a similar proposal that sought to change its name to the Diné Nation three decades ago.
