Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. signed a bill into law that authorizes a study of racial discrimination in border towns and makes a one-time payment to the family of Navajo man who was shot and killed by a border town police officer.

The Navajo Nation Council authorized $300,000 for the study and for legal expenses of Clint John's family. John was killed after a domestic violence incident in Farmington, New Mexico.

The shooting death, and the beating of a Navajo man at the hands of three white males in Farmington, has raised concern about racism in border towns. The Navajo Department of Justice will study discrimination Navajos face in these communities.

Get the Story:
Navajo council seeks border study (The Farmington Daily Times 7/7)

Civil Rights Commission Report:
The Farmington Report: Civil Rights for Native Americans 30 Years Later (November 2005)

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

Related Stories:
Racial tension in Farmington prompts meetings (6/29)
Farmington Mayor: City sensitive to Navajos (6/29)
Navajo leaders angered by incidents in Farmington (6/26)
George Joe: Battle lines drawn over Farmington (6/26)
Three suspects arrested for attack on Navajo man (6/19)
Navajo man attacked by white males in Farmington (06/13)
Paper examines Indian race relations, civil rights (03/24)
Paper examines Indian race relations, civil rights (3/23)
Paper examines Indian race relations, civil rights (3/22)
Editorial: Race relations improving in Farmington (03/02)
Navajo race relations subject of Civil Rights report (3/1)
Navajos turn out for civil rights commission hearing (05/03)
Civil rights panel to hold hearing in Farmington (4/29)
Racism still a sore subject 30 years after murders (4/27)
Navajos see bias in New Mexico city's justice system (4/26)
Navajo homeless men claim assault by white youth (4/23)
Navajos recall discrimination by local businesses (4/22)
1974 murders of Navajo men stir strong feelings (4/21)