Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Arizona) plans to introduce a bill to ensure Navajo and Hopi families who live on formerly disputed land can make improvements to their homes.

Renzi said the $50 million currently being used by the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation shouldn't go away. Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) was trying to eliminate the office but his bill was met with opposition.

But now that the Hopi Tribe and the Navajo Nation have settled their dispute, they can receive money to make improvements. The tribes had been subject to a 40-year-old ban on construction imposed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

In related news, a Navajo Nation court is hearing a petition to banish a paralegal who has been working with some of the Navajo families who live on formerly disputed land. Marsha Monestersky is being called an "agitator" who has disrespected the Hopi and Navajo governments.

Get the Story:
Navajo corner to finally get utilities (AP 12/7)
Official wants 'agitator' banned (The Gallup Independent 12/6)

Relevant Documents:
Hopi-Navajo Intergovernmental Compact

Relevant Links:
Hopi Tribe - http://www.hopi.nsn.us
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org
Black Mesa Indigenous Support, Navajo family support site - http://www.blackmesais.org

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Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe to sign agreement (11/3)
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Navajo president signs Hopi land agreement (10/2)
Navajo-Hopi land agreement moves forward (9/27)
Navajo-Hopi land agreement up for review (9/26)
Deal to settle Navajo-Hopi dispute rejected (08/24)
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Navajo Nation moves to fight land dispute bill (07/27)
Navajo-Hopi land conflict still stirs hard feelings (07/07)
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Listening Lounge: Hearing on Navajo-Hopi land act (6/21)
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McCain prods tribes, government on tribal land dispute (07/22)
Senate hearing on Navajo-Hopi land settlement bill (7/21)
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