Council backs casino booze
First drop of alcohol OK’d for Navajo casino restaurants

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — In a decision sure to be controversial, the Navajo Nation Council narrowly approved limited alcohol regulations Thursday.

It is important for people to understand the Council did not approve allowing liquor on the reservation, Delegate Ervin M. Keeswood Sr. said. Rather, the Council approved regulations for the sale, consumption and transportation of alcohol at tribal casinos, Keeswood explained.

The final vote was 38-36.

The legislation was sponsored by Delegate Ernest D. Yazzie Jr., and co-sponsored by Delegate Young Jeff Tom Yazzie represents Churchrock, where the first casino is expected to be located.

A casino would be able to sell alcohol on a strictly limited basis inside the facility — if the chapter approves it via resolution.

The Churchrock and Le Chee chapters have already passed resolutions to allow such sales.

Liquor would only be sold in dining areas, and not allowed on the casino floor, Gaming Director Robert Winter said.

“No one will be able to have liquor unless they’ve ordered food,” Winter said. “There will be no free-standing bars.”

The Nation is eying the possibility of a resort type gaming facility around Flagstaff, and liquor needs to be allowed for diners for the facility to compete in the market, Winter said.

Delegate Edmund Yazzie, with a background in McKinley County law enforcement, said that alcohol often leads to other problems. He expressed concern that no money was set aside for alcohol abuse programs.

“Alcohol has had a devastating impact on our people,” Delegate Amos F. Johnson agreed.

Winter said he would recommend that funds be set aside for treatment programs.

“Passing this law doesn’t mean Mr. Winter can begin selling alcohol from a trailer,” Chief Legislative Counsel Ray Etsitty said. “This merely legalizes it.”

Delegate Leonard Anthony reminded the Council that the use of alcohol is against traditional Diné teaching.

“The Navajo people have lived with alcohol for years,” Keeswood said. “My grandfather used to bootleg it.”

Delegate Katherine Benally wanted to give the Economic Development Committee oversight responsibilities over alcohol regulations.

The Tax Commission already has oversight, and that board seems to be better able to handle the situation than the EDC, Delegate Leonard Tsosie said.

Giving shared authority to EDC would create a clash between the committee and the Tax Commission, Keeswood said.

“Not that such a power struggle could ever happen in Navajo,” Keeswood added, tongue firmly in cheek.

Benally’s amendment regarding EDC was defeated overwhelmingly.

In other business:
Delegate Pete Ken Atcitty introduced legislation to prevent spending riders from being attached to emergency bills.

Often those amendments are of “questionable” emergency nature, Atcitty said.

In essence, this practice simply is a way for delegates to get bills on the Council floor without going through oversight committees, Atcitty said.

“This is one of the ways that we maneuver,” Delegate Tom Lapahe said.

Atcitty’s bill would just erect more barriers to Council business, Delegate Roy Laughter agreed.

“I understand that this is a tool, but, Mr. Speaker, tools can be misused,” Tsosie dissented. If a bill is legitimate, it should be able to stand up to oversight, he added. “The Navajo people expect us to safeguard their money.”
Atcitty’s legislation failed, 33-46.

John Christian Hopkins can be reached at hopkins1960@hotmail.com