Navajo chapters object to idea tribe would own their casinos

Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004 | 9:11 a.m.

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. -- Navajo council delegates from chapters that want to open casinos are objecting to assertions that the Navajo Nation would own the casinos rather than the individual chapters that put them in.

Delegates from Shiprock, Hogback and To'Hajiilee criticized statements by tribal Controller Mark Grant, Chief Legislative Counsel Ray Etcitty and the justice division's Danielle Her Many Horses that the tribe would own and operate the businesses.

Delegates attending a two-day study session last week repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with tribal officials' interpretation of the term "Navajo Nation" as excluding the chapters, the local government divisions of the tribe.

Chapters pursuing casinos are To'Hajiilee about 25 miles west of Albuquerque, Shiprock and Hogback west of Farmington, Manuelito near Gallup, Nahata Dziil in Arizona on Interstate 40 between Gallup and Holbrook, Ariz., and Leupp, whose Twin Arrows at Canyon Diablo would be just east of Flagstaff, Ariz.