Evicted Diné families caught in tangled web

Delbert Gordon readjusts his daughter's couch while her family is being evicted Monday from their Churchrock Estates home in Churchrock. — © 2009 Gallup Independent / Diego James Robles

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Bill Donovan
Independent correspondent

CHURCHROCK — Officials for the Churchrock Chapter were scrambling Tuesday to find temporary housing for as many as 12 Navajo families who were evicted by Navajo tribal police Monday evening for nonpayment of rent.

The chapter is using some of its emergency funds to put the families up at the Sleep Inn in Gallup but Chapter President Johnnie Henry Jr. said the chapter only has enough funds available to do that for two nights. Funding is now being sought to allow families to stay in motels an additional five days to give them more time to find lodging with friends or find a new place to stay.

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