WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation Council’s Law and Order Committee finalized significant legislative action during its Dec. 23 meeting, including the approval of over $34.25 million in funding to improve judicial and public safety infrastructure across the Navajo Nation.

Legislation No. 0259-24, sponsored by Council Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton, allocates resources from the Hashkééjí Nahata’á Béeso Bá Hooghan Fund to support six critical projects within the Judicial Branch.

The approved funding will enable the construction of the Aneth Judicial District Court, the establishment of the Administrative Offices of the Courts Warehouse, improvements for the Ramah...

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — In the early hours of Dec. 21, the U.S. Senate voted 85 in favor and 11 opposed to pass the American Relief Act, a stopgap funding bill, to avert a federal government shutdown. The bill, which provides short-term funding for the federal government through March 14, also includes a one-year extension and increase in funding for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project.

The ARA includes a crucial one-year extension for the NGWSP, as well as an increase in appropriations from $870 million to $1.6 billion.

“We are grateful to Congress and President Biden for securing additional funding for the NGSWP, a key initiative that has brought water access to many Navajo...

ALBUQUERQUE — Federal prosecutors have filed six additional charges against Labar Tsethlikai, an enrolled member of Zuni Pueblo, for kidnapping and assault with a dangerous weapon.  The additional charges are part of a larger series of violent crimes committed by Tsethlikai against Native American men across New Mexico between 2022 and 2024.  The added charges correspond to five additional victims.

Tsethlikai, 51, now faces a 17-count second superseding indictment charging him with five additional counts of kidnapping and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon as follows:

Count 5: Kidnapping of a man on or about May 19, 2023, in McKinley County 
Count 11: Kidnapping of a man...

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — During a special session held on Dec. 16, the 25th Navajo Nation Council approved emergency Legislation No. 0263-24 to address anticipated leadership vacancies in several chapters following the January inauguration. This measure temporarily suspends provisions of the Navajo Nation Code to allow the appointment of temporary chapter officials to ensure continuity in governance until special elections are held.

The legislation was introduced in response to candidate disqualifications that stemmed from campaign expense reporting violations during the 2024 elections. These disqualifications created gaps in leadership for positions such as chapter presidents, vice...