A view of the Navajo Nation Council chambers in Window Rock, Arizona. Photo from Facebook

The Navajo Nation Council voted 10-4 on Friday to pass the Healthy Diné Nation Act.

The bill imposes an additional 2 percent tax on sugary foods that are deemed to have little or no nutritional value. Revenues would go into a special fund to promote farming, gardening, wellness and other projects to address diabetes and obesity on the reservation.

“The Healthy Diné Nation Act is the beginning of addressing the dominate culture of unhealthy foods on our Navajo Nation, while creating opportunity for health and wellness initiatives across all chapters,” Denisa Livingston of the Dine Community Advocacy Alliance, a group that pushed for the bill, said in a press release. “This bill was created by the people for the people and we are immensely grateful for this opportunity.”

The council passed a similar bill earlier this year but President Ben Shelly vetoed it. Lawmakers were unable to override the veto.

Get the Story:
Navajo lawmakers approve junk food tax (AP 11/15)

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