Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. says a proposal to lower the tribe's blood quantum standard should not be left to the Navajo Nation council alone.
Shirley says tribal members should be allowed to vote on the issue in a referendum. He expressed concerns about the burden on tribal services that an expanded population might have.
The Navajo Nation council is considering lowering the blood quantum requirement from one-quarter to one-eighth, a move that could double the tribal rolls to around 600,000.
The tribe is already the largest in the nation, in terms of enrollment.
Get the Story:
Tribal question: Who is a Navajo?
(The Arizona Republic 4/22)
Navajo Council to hold executive session (The Farmington Daily Times 4/22)
Navajo president wants public vote on blood quantum
Thursday, April 22, 2004
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