The House Resources Committee is holding a hearing today on S.1003, the Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Amendments of 2005.

The bill would end the relocation of Navajo and Hopi families from land that was the subject of a long-running dispute between the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe. The program has cost over $480 million and has taken more than 30 years to complete.

Navajo officials have opposed the bill, saying it places a greater burden on them. Hopi officials say it's time for Navajos who have resisted relocation to be removed or agree to Hopi jurisdiction.

The witness list follows:

Panel I
William Pat Ragsdale
Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs

Mr. Christopher J. Bavasi
Executive Director, Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation

Panel II
Mr. Ivan Sidney
Chairman
Hopi Tribe

Mr. Joe Shirley
President
Navajo Nation

Mr. Roman Bitsuie
Executive Director
Navajo-Hopi Land Commission Office

The hearing start at 11am. It should be available online at http://resourcescommittee.house.gov

Get the Bill:
Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Amendments of 2005 (S.1003)

Relevant Documents:
Hearing Before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on S. 1003, Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Amendments of 2005 (July 20, 2005)

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

Related Stories:
Navajo woman refuses to leave home on Hopi land (02/06)
McCain prods tribes, government on tribal land dispute (07/22)
Senate hearing on Navajo-Hopi land settlement bill (7/21)
Navajos oppose McCain bill on Navajo-Hopi settlement (7/15)