The Navajo Nation Council is joining Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. in opposition to a bill that seeks to end the Navajo-Hopi land dispute.

Navajo leaders say S.1003, sponsored by Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), is unfair to the tribe. They want further study on the impacts the dispute has had on tribal members who live on the Hopi Reservation.

The Hopi Tribe supports the bill. The tribe says Navajos who remain on their land should agree to Hopi jurisdiction or move away.

McCain's bill would do away with any future relocation efforts. He said the cost of the program, once estimated at $40 million, has grown to $480 million and has taken much longer than expected.

Get the Story:
Freeze amendment opposed (The Gallup Independent 7/26)

Senate 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-Hopi land conflict still stirs hard feelings (07/07)
Hopis, Navajos divided over land dispute measure (06/23)
Listening Lounge: Hearing on Navajo-Hopi land act (6/21)
House Resources hearing on Navajo-Hopi land bill (6/20)
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)