New judge is OK'd, chapter name changes

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — District Court Judge Louise Grant was approved for permanent appointment by a unanimous vote of the Navajo Nation Council.

Grant is assigned to Dilkon District Court.

"(She) received outstanding probationary performance evaluations from the Chief Justice, the Navajo Nation Bar Association, through public testimony, and from the Judiciary Committee at her two-year probationary evaluation hearing," said Judiciary Chairman Kee Allen Begay Jr.

Grant's hearing was on March 9.

Begay expects to offer three more judges for confirmation during the council's summer session.

In other business during the council's spring session last week, three chapters Inscription House, Burnham and Breadsprings had requests to change their names approved.

"Burnham was the name of a trader," said sponsor George Arthur. "He's no longer there; the trading post is no longer there."

Burnham will return to its original name of T'iistoh Sikaad, which was adopted in the 1890's by Navajos returning to the area from Fort Sumner. The chapter became known as Burnham in 1926 when a Mormon missionary established a trading post across from the current chapter house.

T'iistoh Sikaad is a certified chapter.

Breadsprings, a local governance certified chapter, will now be known by its Navajo name, Baahaali. The legislation was sponsored by Delegate Charles Damon II.

Inscription House community members approved changing the chapter's name to Tsah Bii Kin, said bill co-sponsor Evelyn Acothley. Delegate Lena Manheimer also co-sponsored the legislation.

Tsah Bii Kin is the traditional name for the area; it was known by the name prior to becoming Inscription House, Acothley said.

John Christian Hopkins can be reached at hopkins1960@hotmail.com or by calling 505-371-5443.