Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. vetoed a bill that would have changed the way disputes are handled under Dine Fundamental Law.

The bill would have required Dine Fundamental Law disputes to be resolved through a peacemaking process rather than than the tribal court system. Shirley said the change would hurt tribal culture.

Dine Fundamental Law has been a source of contention on the reservation. Tribal courts appear to have taken a liberal approach in interpreting the tribe's unwritten traditions. One decision against the Navajo Nation Council in a high-profile case involving Shirley.

Get the Story:
Navajo President Vetoes Bill Amending Traditional Laws (AP 2/18)

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