Speaker will be chosen today

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — The winter session of the Navajo Nation Council begins today with the first order of business being the selection of a new speaker.

The candidates include the last speaker, Lawrence T. Morgan, Budget & Finance Committee Vice Chairman Harold Wauneka and delegates Johnny Naize, Rex Lee Jim and Leonard Chee.

Speaker Pro Tem Ervin M. Keeswood Sr. will open the session and continue to run the meeting until the new speaker is elected.

Among the items on the agenda are the approval of committee assignments for the delegates, reports by the speaker, Chief Justice Herb Yazzie and by the regional director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Under old business are bills to increase the Nation's sales tax by one cent with the money set aside to help construct facilities for the judicial and public safety departments and legislation to amend the election code.

Two pieces of legislation involve the Kayenta Township. One measure would repeal the enabling legislation creating the township; the other bill would amend the township commission's plan of operations.

Gaming will be a topic of discussion as both the Tohajiilee and Shiprock chapters seek approval to form tribal gaming enterprises.

Other items scheduled for action include a $299,075 grant to the North American Technical College and amending the sovereign immunity act.

Both gaming enterprises need to approve a limited waiver of sovereign immunity to pursue their gaming interests. Also on the agenda is legislation to amend the Nation's Cemetery Act.

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