Arizona tribal leaders look to sway lawmakers on water settlement at Senate hearing

The U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has invited tribal leaders from across the Grand Canyon State to testify on Capitol Hill. The Northeast Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act is the subject of Wednesday’s hearing.

The historic $5 billion deal would resolve claims for three parties, including the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe. For San Juan Southern Paiute President Carlene Yellowhair, this proposal is not just about securing precious water in the Southwest.

If passed, a provision within the bill would also set aside 5,400 acres, giving the San Jan Southern Paiutes some elbow room. They’re Arizona’s only federally recognized tribe without a reservation to call their own — mostly living in and around Tuba City on the Navajo Nation.

“We want to settle,” Yellowhair told KJZZ ahead of the hearing, “because we want our land, our home, a place to build. We lost all of our elders. They started it and we just want to finish it and that’s our biggest dream.”

The tribe has more than 300 members, including Vice President Johnny Lehi Jr.

“We didn’t have a homeland,” added Lehi. “Elders had fought tirelessly to try to push for this — you know — the land and the water. That’s what we needed to become more sovereign.”

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and Hopi Chairman Lamar Keevama are also scheduled to appear before the Senate committee and offer comments in hopes of swaying Congress to ratify the settlement — first introduced in 2024.