The agreement would have lifted the Bennett Freeze that has prevented infrastructure improvements on certain lands. It would have ensured access by Hopis and Navajos to traditional and religious sites.
No land would have exchanged hands. Some Navajo Nation Council delegates, however, said Navajos would be giving up more than the Hopis. One delegate questioned why the Hopis would be allowed to collect 18 eagles while the Navajos would get 12. Get the Story:Panel rejects deal settling Navajo, Hopi land feud (The Gallup Independent 8/23) 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:
Deal reportedly near on Hopi-Navajo dispute (8/18)
Navajo Nation moves to fight land dispute bill (07/27)
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)