Political ProfileA. The Navajo Nation legislature is called the Navajo Nation Council. It consists of 88 council delegates who represent 110 communities, known as chapters. Some chapters have as many as four delegates to represent them depending on the amount of registered voters.
Q. What is the party structure of the Navajo Nation congressional delegation?
A. Council delegates in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah represent the Navajo Nation. There are considered the governing council of the Navajo Nation and are not affiliated with the State or Federal government. State-wise, Senators and House Members from Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah are typically represented by Democratic and Republican parties.
Q. How accessible is our congressional delegation?
A. The Navajo Nation is very accessible to our congressional delegation through a Navajo Nation Washington office, which is responsible for monitoring and tracking legislation on behalf of the Navajo Nation as well as preparing testimony for Navajo delegates and officials.
Q. How pro-business is the Navajo Nation political environment?
A. Economic Development is one priority of the Navajo Nation. The current administration has wants to accelerate small business development to help the Navajo Nation Council appropriate funds annually for economic development projects. Also, an Economic Development Summit is held annually in June to congregate on issues surrounding the state of the Navajo Nation's economic development.
Q. How sensitive are our Navajo legislators and President to business concerns?
A. The Navajo Nation has a division called the Division of Economic Development with seven departments that address various economic development issues and concerns. It also has an oversight committee called the Economic Development Committee of the Navajo Nation Council which approves all business site leases with the Navajo Nation and other economic development projects to benefit Navajo people. The Economic Development Committee advocates for continued funding from the Navajo Nation Council for projects ranging from infrastructure to economic development feasibility studies. In accordance with the Navajo Nation President’s Office’ initiative on increasing small business, the micro-loan program was implemented to assist Navajo home-based businesses.