Chapter (Navajo Nation) facts for kids
A Chapter is like a local community center and government office for people living on the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation is a large area of land where the Navajo people live. It's divided into five main areas called "agencies." Each agency has many smaller parts called chapters.
Right now, there are 110 local chapters. Each chapter has its own building, called a chapter house. These chapter houses are important places where people meet. Chapters can make many decisions about their own local community. They are like small, self-governing groups.
People often meet at the chapter house to share their ideas. They can also talk to their Navajo Nation Council Delegate. A delegate is like a representative who speaks for the chapter. Even though the opinions shared are important, they don't always become official rules right away.
As of 2004, there were 110 chapter houses. Today, 24 delegates represent all 110 chapters. This number of delegates was changed from 88 in 2010.
How Chapters Started
The idea for chapters began a long time ago. John G. Hunter helped start the chapter system in 1922. He was a superintendent at the Leupp Agency. He wanted to help the Navajo people have more control over their own communities. This was a way to support local self-governance.
By 1933, more than 100 chapters were active. These chapters helped connect the Navajo people with the United States government. They also served as places where people could vote for their tribal council delegates. However, at that time, chapters did not have official power within the Navajo Nation government.
In 1998, the Navajo Tribal Council passed a new law. It was called the "Local Governance Act." This law gave the 110 chapters more power. Chapters could now make decisions about local issues. These decisions had to follow existing Navajo laws, customs, and traditions.
How Chapters Are Organized
The Navajo Nation is divided into five main agencies. Each agency has a different number of chapters:
- The Central Agency has 14 chapters.
- The Western Agency has 18 chapters.
- The Fort Defiance Agency has 27 chapters.
- The Northern Agency has 20 chapters.
- The Eastern Agency has 31 chapters.
