Story Published:
Jan 11, 2010
Story Updated:
Jan 8, 2010
WASHINGTON – The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs heard testimony Dec. 9 on a proposed amendment to transfer certain trust authority and resources to the Utah Dineh Corporation, a nonprofit organization made up of Navajos from San Juan County.
Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, explained his offering of S.1690, which he said aims to ease tensions involving a royalty trust fund set up by Congress in 1933.
At that time, Congress transferred state land to the Navajo Nation and imposed a royalty on what oil and gas might be found – 62.5 percent to the Arizona-based Navajo Nation, and 37.5 percent to the Utah Navajos. Utah was designated as the fund’s trustee, which has, at times, led to a whole other offshoot of turmoil.
The senator now wants San Juan Navajos to be their own trustee, managing their own resources by way of a nonprofit organization structure, without interference from the Navajo Nation. The tribe has long argued it should be the trustee, sans any federal or state interference.
“For far too long, the Utah Navajos have been poorly served by a paternalistic system that is often abused,” Bennett testified.
“While no system of trust responsibility is exempt from the potential of mismanagement, I trust that the San Juan County Navajos are capable of acting in the collective good for today’s and future generations of their people.”
Navajo Nation leaders, including Vice President Ben Shelly, are strongly opposed to the legislation, saying it usurps the tribe’s sovereignty.
Shelly said in a letter offered to SCIA that it was inappropriate for Bennett to offer the legislation, and reports of the Navajo Nation acting wrongly in carrying out trust obligations are untrue.
But Kenneth Maryboy, a Navajo Nation Council delegate representing Utah Navajos, testified that the Navajo Nation has previously “failed to be a competent trustee for Utah Navajos.”
“Congress must not now abandon Utah Navajos by ignoring the history of neglect, unaccountability and malfeasance that the Navajo Nation continues to demonstrate,” said Maryboy, a member of the Board of Directors of the Utah Dineh Corporation.
Department of the Interior officials have previously said it was not their business to interfere with the Navajo Nation’s preferences in the situation, but some have mentioned the idea of a nonprofit trust management structure, similar to the legislation Bennett has proposed.
SCIA has not acted to date on the legislation.
Saturday, Mar 6 at 4:46 PM Utah Navajo wrote ...
Whatever happens I pray that the trust fund does not end up in the hands of the Maryboy's, they want to sit in blue smoke in a bar and talk about what they want to do with the trust fund when they get a hold of it. Hear the latest Mark is getting psycho and starting to abuse elderly's.
38795901Thursday, Feb 4 at 7:45 PM radio man wrote ...
this person writes personal comment and doesn't even write its name but uses other people name that's messed up. Must be full of anger.
37020179Thursday, Feb 4 at 7:15 PM radio man wrote ...
I'm still here and I got my ears open.
37018409Thursday, Feb 4 at 7:13 PM Tweety wrote ...
I am a cartoon character I'm glad your laugh out loud. Yes I am tweety bird and I love my name.
37018309Thursday, Feb 4 at 7:11 PM Chow wrote ...
Don't use Chow name to post your comment especially when your in a bad mood...what's wrong with you are you that twisted.
37018212Thursday, Feb 4 at 7:09 PM Chow wrote ...
Chow did not wrote this comment "All you ever do is negative out lash, so who is the child? Radioman: can't you read? who was criticizing anyone's clothing? As for you "tweety" I think of Looney Tunes. LOL"
37018119Thursday, Feb 4 at 7:01 PM Anonymous wrote ...
OH QUIT POSTING YOUR ANGER!!! I DON'T THINK YOUR WORTH COMMENTING TOO.
37017647Thursday, Feb 4 at 12:00 PM Hey Chow wrote ...
All you ever do is negative out lash, so who is the child? Radioman: can't you read? who was criticizing anyone's clothing? As for you "tweety" I think of Looney Tunes. LOL
36986254Wednesday, Feb 3 at 6:10 PM Chow wrote ...
I agree with radio man 110%. Negative out-lash is childish.
36944624Wednesday, Feb 3 at 6:04 PM radio man wrote ...
name calling and criticizing people about there clothing wear, and degrading the place they live is very childish and a cheap shot. your comment is very inappropriate.
36944224Wednesday, Feb 3 at 5:57 PM Tweety wrote ...
I think you got dumped from Utah too. lol. Thank you for your comment it didn't put a dent in the real subject.
36943747Wednesday, Feb 3 at 11:43 AM To: Tweety wrote ...
Your comment landed about 1000 yards away from the subject!!! How does "getting dumped" fit in this dialogue? Your reasoning is way OFF! You must be inbred huh. I disagree that clothing and tennis shoes do not have anything to do with this... Other tribes have oil wells on their reservation and they prosper, like out in Oklahoma. Now those "Indians" have their stuff together. After all these years, maybe the reason they are offering some kind of settlement is because some of the oil wells are running dry and are about to be capped off. Do the math 35% to the tribe and where is the rest going? Where has it been going all this time? The clothing and shoes were probably all donations...Anyway who would actually want to live at Aneth, nothing there.
36915204Tuesday, Feb 2 at 8:18 PM warrior wrote ...
lol
36879744Tuesday, Feb 2 at 8:16 PM Tweety wrote ...
Anybody can comment its not your call to stop anybody and furthermore, clothing and shoes has nothing to do with it. Your way of the subject. Sounds you got dumped from Utah area.
36879644Tuesday, Feb 2 at 6:44 PM TO: warrior, radioman, C something wrote ...
Just keeping it real man...If you're not directly involved then stay out of it. This whole article and other responses let the whole world know about the deplorable, poverty stricken conditions people from Aneth live in. Just driving by the place it is easy to see. Aren't you complaining about money and not receiving any. Chow if you're so smart then why didn't you get do something? GENERIC TENNIS SHOES, AND OUTDATED CLOTHING, THAT IS WHAT YOU SETTLED FOR. If anyone got burned is the people from Aneth.
36873494Tuesday, Feb 2 at 3:10 PM warrior wrote ...
I think Anonymous is a "Troll" heeheehee....
36857312Tuesday, Feb 2 at 3:03 PM radio man wrote ...
anonymous you got burned!!!! I like that answer Chow.
36856894Tuesday, Feb 2 at 2:49 PM Chow wrote ...
11:46 PM Anonymous: Sweet you spoke the truth and thank you for letting the world know that the people of Aneth are living in poverty and the money is not going back to them for their welfare. Now the rest of the world know that their money is being stolen.
36855767Monday, Feb 1 at 7:46 PM Anonymous wrote ...
THE LAST TIME I WAS AROUND SOME NAVAJOS FROM THE ANETH AREA, ALL THEY WERE GETTING FROM THESE SO CALLED ROYALTIES WERE GENERIC TENNIS SHOES AND OUTDATED CLOTHING, SOME OF THOSE NAVAJOS NEVER HAD ELECTRICITY, RUNNING WATER, GOOD HOMES, THAT DIDN'T CRACK, PITIFUL. THEY DID NOT HAVE JOBS FROM THOSE OIL FIELDS, RIDICULOUS.
36796787Monday, Jan 25 at 6:35 PM warrior wrote ...
HANG IN THERE CHOW!!!
36345689Monday, Jan 25 at 6:27 PM radio man wrote ...
true--why is it everytime "Chow" makes a comment people get so uptight. Are other Navajo people from other areas really that jealous of Utah Navajos. It sure sounds like it when I read all these comments.
36345317Monday, Jan 25 at 6:21 PM Chow wrote ...
centralpost, I never said I was getting the money and even if I'm getting any are you jealous?
36344919Monday, Jan 25 at 6:06 PM Chow wrote ...
Here we go with sacastic remarks again. I don't think SLC was not built with the trust fund. Don't be so stupid.
36343994Monday, Jan 25 at 5:50 PM centralpost wrote ...
well i'm glad you're getting some of the money cause them d@mn mormoms took most of it. How do you think they built SLC...by using Utah Navajo Trust funds.
36342827Sunday, Jan 24 at 4:23 PM Chow wrote ...
Herb Steward, not all revenue from resources on Navajoland belong to Navajo Tribe, revenues from allotted land go directly to individuals that have allotments and in the case of Aneth Extension, 37.5% of that goes to Utah Dineh. This was established by Congress.
36267564Saturday, Jan 23 at 1:10 PM Chow wrote ...
I don't know why everyone is so fired up about a non-profit organization that was established by Utah Dineh you people act like your being attack were only talking about a land that was created by Congress in 1933 for certain people of Utah.
36200787Friday, Jan 22 at 8:41 AM HERB STEWART wrote ...
THE NAVAJO LANDS,AND RESOURCES BELONG TO THE NAVAJO`S.LET`S HOPE THAT NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION IS NON PROFIT.IF WHAT IS FOUND BENEATH THE SOIL DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT THOSE LIVING ON IT.HEALTH,EDUCATION,FAMILY,AND INDIVIDUAL ARE TO BE THE UNIFYING NEEDS TO PERSUE.NO OUTSIDER ADVISORY SHOULD HAVE INFLUENCE IN TRIBAL
36118844Thursday, Jan 21 at 7:43 PM Chow wrote ...
Hattie you and your trolls keep saying I am getting paid and interfering with your comments; well I got as much Right to post my comments so don't try to shut me up. I will be here.
36092984Thursday, Jan 21 at 7:38 PM Chow wrote ...
Hattie: I feel sorry for you in depending on your Navajo Nation. Why don't you wake up to the real world and read about them are you even embarassed unless your one of the staff member over there.
36092627Thursday, Jan 21 at 7:35 PM Chow wrote ...
Hattie: You say Utah Dineh do not have the right to self-determination what kind of BS is that you must be a gimmie gimmie person throughout your whole life. gov't to gov't is whiteman system to keep natives under there control. Our ancestors had strong self-determination something that you don't possess.
36092482Thursday, Jan 21 at 7:30 PM Chow wrote ...
All the people that have a problem with dealing with what happened with the Utah Dineh are probably Navajo Tribal employees just getting paid to post their ignorant comment about the success of Utah Dineh.
36092222Thursday, Jan 21 at 7:28 PM Chow wrote ...
Hattie: I wish I was getting paid for posting my comment and how do you know that I'm a troll just because other people are saying or are you the same person thats using different names. I believe in self-determination but its seems that some of you people are against that so deal with it.
36092102Wednesday, Jan 20 at 7:11 PM Hattie wrote ...
I guess you know what is “meant to happen,” Troll Chow. Good for you. But that shows you’re ignorant about what self-determination is. Especially self-determination for the “people of Utah” who do not have that right. I guess the people paying you to be a troll don’t care if you know what you’re talking about or not as long as you interfere with the comments and put down the self-determination of the Navajo Nation.
36021522Wednesday, Jan 20 at 6:36 PM chow wrote ...
Alice: If it wasn't meant for anything to happen for Utah Dineh to gov't why did it happened. I guess you don't believe in self-determination.
36019469Wednesday, Jan 20 at 6:27 PM Alice wrote ...
Well “Chow” you would know. In the meantime, the government to government relationship between the federal government and Indian nations is the sacred commitment for those two, and is not meant to do anything “for the people of Utah.”
36018912Wednesday, Jan 20 at 6:16 PM Chow wrote ...
oops...you got caught Ray, better behave.
36018104Wednesday, Jan 20 at 5:57 PM Ray Begay Yazzie Tsosie wrote ...
Hi, Ray, it sounds like you are a gay man, leave it to the Utah Navajos to build a good system and leave them along. Utah is were the real men live.
36016924Wednesday, Jan 20 at 5:45 PM Chow wrote ...
My hats off to Utah Dineh in winning their lawsuit and soon they will be getting their money from their UTNF holding account.
36015999Wednesday, Jan 20 at 5:37 PM Chow wrote ...
Ray: If you people knew of a great gov't to gov't relationship all these years where were you people when Utah Dineh were fighting for their money. You could have encouraged Navajo Tribe (somebody is going to get hurt over this word again) to give Utah Dineh technical assistance in their lawsuit. Now they got their $$$$ Navajo Tribe wants it and U!!!
36015354Wednesday, Jan 20 at 5:19 PM Chow wrote ...
Ray it takes one to know one (Troll). Your gov't go gov't has done nothing for the people of Utah.
36013939Wednesday, Jan 20 at 10:40 AM Ray wrote ...
Troll "Jesus Perez", it is so good to know that Troll "Chow" is your good friend. It is also good to know where you eat when you’re traveling. It is also good to know that you are being paid to attempt to undermine government-to-government relations between the federal government and Indian nations. You are nothing new.
35980909Tuesday, Jan 19 at 10:37 PM Jesus Perez wrote ...
The Utah Navajos are nice people, on our way back to Mexico we always stop to eat and rest at Hatch,Utah. The hell with Government to Government BS, support S1690 and give them the entire money, why give the money to a stupid government in Window Rock, AZ. Give them hell Chow and hang in there.
35955574Tuesday, Jan 19 at 7:08 AM oldtimer wrote ...
I think what we have to get over is that Indian nations have to do the right thing all of the time and make no mistakes. No governments in the world can do that! Mistakes may happen. What we can do is try to find and encourage and support the right leaders to come to the right decisions most of the time. That ultimately strengthens sovereignty, not some crazy desire for perfection that turns our rights over to non-Indians in the hope they are more perfect and more just. Don’t we know history?
35898149Tuesday, Jan 19 at 6:58 AM Ray wrote ...
Audit, you could be right. However, this is clearly complicated and must be handled by the nation, itself. If factions of Indian nations go running to state government or Congress for “persuaded” solutions, this side versus that side, as we know from the “court” system, the most persuasive lawyer wins, not necessarily the most just. This is not a “good mind”. Outsiders cannot know all the facts of a situation within an Indian nation, and it is patronizing for them to pretend they do!
35897839Monday, Jan 18 at 4:53 AM Audit wrote ...
There needs to be an audit of all the chapters that Maryboy represents. According to several chapter members, they never received the funds that were earmarked for their water and electricity. They say that Maryboy has pocketed this money. It is a well known fact that Maryboy infidelity has caused many problems in the surrounding communities as well. The Utah Navajos need to submit a State of Utah resolution to direct Bob's funds elsewhere and see what he thinks of that!
35832054Saturday, Jan 16 at 10:35 AM Hattie wrote ...
Hi Sharon, Your post is great! Legally the government can neither give or take away human rights. Human rights are inherent and the government can either RECOGNIZE them or not recognize them, RESPECT them or not, or PROMOTE (which means let the people know about them)them or not. The Navajos already have inherent and inalienable water rights. The government has not respected them in the past and the jury is still out as to whether this government will be different.
35749309Saturday, Jan 16 at 2:01 AM sharon corby wrote ...
The govt needs to give the Navajos water rights and help them out instead of making them live like people from a third world country! It is riduclous the way people are being forced to live on the reservation! We send our money out to other countries and our troops over to die in other countries, but do not help people in our own country! What happened to "We the people", ?
35739162Friday, Jan 15 at 8:46 PM BlackMesaSanii wrote ...
Nearly half of Navajo Nation's general funds is royalty derived from Peabody Coal. There is no special regard for the people of Forest Lake Community (on Black Mesa) even though our land provides tens of millions of dollars in royalties- for over 30 years! So, Utah Navajos hang on to your trust money!!
35727242Friday, Jan 15 at 7:50 PM Chow wrote ...
Native wrote: Chow writing under various names I don't think so. That's a joke...I guess another joker making comments.
35724569Friday, Jan 15 at 7:02 PM Native wrote ...
What all trolls share in common is their goal of disrupting the comments sections of each article they're paid to troll, bringing doubt and judgment upon the unsuspecting masses as we unwittingly share our thoughts and opinions on subjects that matter to us most. The troll, "Chow" is posting under various names. Here's a recruitment link to one such right-wing company who hires these soulless, robotic people: http://www.netvocates.com/index.html
35721909Friday, Jan 15 at 1:55 PM Chow wrote ...
Okay another person got hurt about the name Navajo Tribe. I am so so so sorry, please please accept my apology.
35633909Friday, Jan 15 at 1:43 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Well, the President and Congress both recognize the government-to-government relationship of Indian nations and the federal government, so you don’t have to take it seriously. And the Navajo Nation’s name is the Navajo Nation, not the Navajo Tribe. So if you want to laugh about a nation’s name, that’s on you. Some Indian nations call themselves ‘tribes’, but not the Navajo.
35632907Friday, Jan 15 at 1:31 PM Chow wrote ...
facts are facts wrote: I'm not trying to change the subject your the one with an attitude trying to go off the deep end so settle down.
35632107Friday, Jan 15 at 1:26 PM Chow wrote ...
facts are facts wrote: mmmm....Navajo Nation that is a laugh. Now your getting to sound more ridiculous. Have a good day your remarks are getting pointless. gov't to gov't huh?
35631744Friday, Jan 15 at 1:24 PM facts are facts wrote ...
Chow, name calling is just another aspect of a troll to change the subject and distort the facts. It is not racist of me to affirm “that indigenous peoples are equal to all other peoples, while recognizing the right of all peoples to be different, to consider themselves different, and to be respected as such” according to international human rights law as articulated in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
35631547Friday, Jan 15 at 1:17 PM Chow wrote ...
facts are facts wrote: People like you talk and never get anything done effectively but just criticize. Whether we all like it or not were all Americans unless you know something that we don't know about.
35631054Friday, Jan 15 at 1:15 PM facts are facts wrote ...
Chow, that’s just it. Non-profits do not have the right of self-determination. Indigenous peoples or nations do. Citizens of the Navajo Nation determine their government and who speaks for them. If they don’t like the results of their choices, they can choose differently next time. They don’t need outside interference which is actually a human rights violation.
35630897Friday, Jan 15 at 1:13 PM Chow wrote ...
facts are facts wrote: I sense your the one that is racist so deal with your racist attitude maybe then you will be a positive person.
35630779Friday, Jan 15 at 1:06 PM facts are facts wrote ...
Further, Chow – posting an entry on a national newspaper website is hardly behind closed doors. Indian people know a lot about “closed doors”, since Presidential and Congressional interference frequently has been plotted behind such doors. Also, it is paternalistic of you to attempt to tell me how I feel. I am not “furious” at all, but tired of non-Indian trolls trying to take over Indian blogs.
35630264Friday, Jan 15 at 1:04 PM Chow wrote ...
facts are facts wrote: Little do you know-Congress does not have to decide for the future of the trust fund. This is strictly between the former trustee and the trustee to be which is Utah Dineh Corporation. You talk about self determination isn't that what the Utah Dineh Corporation are doing without the help of Navajo Tribe.
35630157Friday, Jan 15 at 12:56 PM facts are facts wrote ...
Chow, it may be that the non-profit is exactly the right way to go and that they do all the right things. However, self-determination is self-determination, not members of Congress deciding what is best for a nation that they are not a citizen of. That’s paternalism and since Congress is composed primarily of European Americans it is also racism. As someone else said, the Navajos are capable of figuring things out for themselves. They can determine their own future, without interference.
35629534Friday, Jan 15 at 12:37 PM Anonymous wrote ...
Non of the Utah Dineh Corporation member has ever been mentioned in the Nelson report for mismanagement so I don't know where that is coming from.
35628027Friday, Jan 15 at 12:32 PM Chow wrote ...
The non-profit has communicated effectively for their people than Navajo Tribe. If the term Navajo Tribe upsets you so much why can’t you do something about it since you’re so highly intelligent? Getting furious & telling people where to go is not necessary. No one is misleading anybody so stop being so sarcastic & if you feel that the non-profit corp. or Senator Bennett is doing something wrong voice your opinion to them instead writing your comments behind closed door.
35627617Friday, Jan 15 at 10:18 AM Hattie wrote ...
The only respectful solution is for all parties to be invited to the table for "full and effective" participation - that is, everybody puts their cards on the table and talks constructively for as long as it takes. The Navajo people can come to their own solution without the help of "big daddy." Government paternalism has no place in Indian country.
35617282Friday, Jan 15 at 10:02 AM Ray wrote ...
Hungry mountain lion - Collective ownership of lands has existed from before contact with Europeans who cut Indian land into tiny pieces “for their own good”. We see how much “good” these impositions did, and say to you, the majority of non-Indians have not sat through Indian history if you think this “is a communist slant”. Oh, forgot. You are the ones who outlawed “potlatch” because sharing is politically threatening. And collective ownership might call for respect of collective rights.
35616094Friday, Jan 15 at 9:48 AM facts are facts wrote ...
Chow, there is no such thing as Navajo “Tribe”. That is just learned misuse of language to put down Indian “nations”. And no matter what monies have been paid or received the relationship by law to respect is government-to-government, not Congress-to-non-profit. No one is spinning or twisting this law except you, so please take your troll rewriting of law back under the bridge on your way out and stop misleading those who might fall for this pompous mischaracterization of facts.
35615197Thursday, Jan 14 at 9:20 PM Anonymous wrote ...
The Utah Dineh Corporation is filled with the same people who mismanaged the trust fund in the first place and brought about the lawsuit against the State of Utah
35589822Thursday, Jan 14 at 4:39 PM hungry mountain lion wrote ...
what navajo nation govt has practiced on navajo people who have natural resources is public ownership of the means of production. this is a communist slant. unfortunately, the majority of navajo have not sat through polical science 101.
35571649Thursday, Jan 14 at 4:05 PM MeBe wrote ...
I think the Utah Navajos should manage their own funds without it going to Window Rock. People in Aneth have to drive 50 miles to have access to clean water. The oil companies & etc. have ruined their environment so I think only the Aneth people know what they need and they can begin from there without Navajo Nation's interruption. They need to select an honest non-profit group to manage it not some people in a coyote's outfit.
35569189Thursday, Jan 14 at 12:12 PM Chow wrote ...
Navajo Tribe are already getting their share so it does not have to be gov’t to gov’t. Utah Sen. Bennett & Congressman Matheson have every right to appoint a trustee & they don’t have to seek Navajo Nation’s opinion or approval. The royalties coming out of Utah has given Navajo Nations millions since 1950’s so were not about to give our 37.5% to them now. You can spin it & twist it anyway you want to to have NN gain access but it will not happen.
35549774Wednesday, Jan 13 at 5:49 PM Black Mesa resident wrote ...
Right on Black Mesa Sanii! Utah residents need to keep the monies to help themselves.
35497512Wednesday, Jan 13 at 12:57 PM Conservative Navajo wrote ...
No, I not a Republicans, but a Democrat. Utah Trust Fund should remain in Utah among the Navajos. I trust that they can hande their own accounts and utilize the fund met for them. They need dire economic development, free homes for Utah Navajo, free electricity and water to their residence. No it is not welfare, but they got their minerals being extracted right from uder their feet. In exchange, they deserve a lot of freebees. I only recommend starting from the poorest of the poor.
35471484Tuesday, Jan 12 at 10:48 PM BlackMesaSanii wrote ...
Let Utah Navajos keep trust, and not the central Navajo government. Peabody Coal pays the largest royalty to Navajo but the people on Black Mesa are lucky to see maybe a couple of thousands from its own coal. There is absolutely no economic development to speak of there and still w/out indoor plumbing and few have electricity! The Utah Navajos know what their communities need not someone in Window Rock!
35431102Tuesday, Jan 12 at 9:03 AM Ray wrote ...
"Department of the Interior officials have previously said it was not their business to interfere with the Navajo Nation’s preferences in the situation" Neither is it the business of the House or the Senate to come up with new solutions without the free, prior and informed consent of the Navajo Nation. Congress does not know what is best for Indian nations. They should get off their patriarchal and racist pedestals saying they do. Govt to govt relationahip, not govt to non-profit.
35370366Monday, Jan 11 at 10:14 PM skinWalker wrote ...
divid and make new address from name brand Indian then let state by state invent navajo mormon (christan stuff) so as BYU or fort indians more populatly known get first in line welfare. The sick part about it is non-profit it a status all indian reservation status is structured by united states indian policy (BIA). Navajo is a patient brand name owned by the treat of 1868 after the death march our grandpatents survived. Enfected washington DC manifest destiny goes all over the world as terror
35348951Monday, Jan 11 at 4:48 PM Navajo Mountain walker wrote ...
the facts show that the group who call themselves navajo nation govt is actually not navajo govt by navajo people. in this case, the private propert of navajo clans has to be respected. besides, navajo nation govt has shown itself to be a poor manager of money.
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