| MEMORANDUM
TO: Louis Denetsosie, Executive Director Navajo Nation Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General FROM: Kee Allen Begay Jr., Council Delegate Many Farms / Round Rock Chapters DATE: July 18, 2008 SUBJECT: Requesting for an Opinion on the Two Navajo Nation Initiative Petition Activity: • Reduce the Number of Navajo Nation Council Delegates • Authorize the President of the Navajo Nation to Exercise Line item Veto Authority I’m requesting for your Legal Opinion as Navajo Nation Attorney General of the following question: The Navajo Nation President has been designated as Chair of the Initiative Petition Committee and he made it know that he is moving forward with this petition as a Navajo registered voter (Not as a Navajo Elected Official). • QUESTION ONE: Should have the President, Vice-President, Division Directors and those listed on the Initiative Petition Committee “step down” from their official position to fully implement this initiative? § This initiative literally has to be achieved as a fulltime day to day activity if they are to collect 17,000 signatures with only 30 petition committee members and with a time frame of only 180 days. • QUESTION TWO: Does the President have the privilege to utilize Navajo Nation “Resources” to get signatures and to conduct informative meetings at chapter house? § President travels with Division Directors, Security Details, and Appointed Staffs with him for this initiative and utilizes Navajo Nation Tribal Vehicles. § Navajo Nation Executive Branch Office is utilized as central office § Navajo Nation Executive Branch Press Officer utilizes his position on behalf of the President to disseminate information regarding the initiative, “Official President Press Releases”. § President utilizes his weekly radio addresses which suppose to be utilized for “Official” Navajo Nation address to our Navajo people. § How appointed staffs are considered they are officially on leave. • QUESTION THREE: What are potential Ethic Violations if the Initiative Petition Committee had utilized the Navajo Nations funds “Resources” and they didn’t take an official leave to conduct this initiative activity? § Petition Committee are all top level Executive Branch staff including President and Vice-President. • QUESTION FOUR: Can we or any Navajo individual request for their financial activity? § Detail of funds paid for the full page newspaper ad, radio advertisement and live radio remote. § How much money was raised and balance § List of contributors § Food being provided to lure people to sign the petition. • QUESTION FIVE: Can the petitioners collect signatures anywhere / off Navajo Reservation? § Signatures were being collected at Ellis Tanner in Gallup, NM (July 3, 2008 and with a staff not listed on the committee) § Signatures were being collected at Navajo Traditional Ceremony activity. • QUESTION SIX: If majority of local Chapters oppose the initiative by chapter resolution, will this halt the Initiative process? § Presidents Office faxed out template of supporting resolutions to all 110 chapters. § My understanding is that some chapters are opposing the resolution. Thank you. |
| Below is a copy of a Memo I've Submitted to the Navajo Nation Department of Justice on July 18, 2008. NO RESPONSE AS OF TODAY!! |