Some Navajo Nation council delegates don't think the tribe's Washington, D.C., office is adequately representing Navajo interests.

Some delegates criticized Sharon Clahchischilliage, executive director of the office, for negotiating the tribe's water settlement with Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico). One delegate claimed she is agreeing to positions not held by the tribe, such as the removal of $372.8 million in federal funding for Navajo projects. Domenici and other lawmakers say the cost of the settlement is too high.

Another delegate was upset that the office didn't take care of tribal members who went to Washington for the opening of National Museum of the American Indian last month. Clahchischilliage said her staff of nine had no way of knowing when everyone was arriving and didn't have a way to distribute tickets to the opening.

Get the Story:
Navajo committee, Washington office clash (The Farmington Daily Times 10/16)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org

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