Show - 4B d q The Salt Lake Tribune Sunday June 24 1990 11 DEMOCRATS MI -- Navajos Find Trail To Political Clout :'''-- " " ' ' -- ' tfztiix11"si'-- ' 'N:'' 4 ' ' :' ' - ': ' :: '' - :':p that trust fund money cannot be tuition How spent on can we build a society if our children are not allowed to have the best education available?" Getting Navajos to the ballot box will raise other concerns First the general election is the same day as tribal elections meaning they must vote at two polling places Few reservation Navajos read English and since Navajo isn't a written language all ballots will be in English Ms Melton said The Justice Department has demanded that interpreters be available at each polling place And they'll be allowed 4- - t :''" :' '' k1 ' ':::: :ot ' :::1?"14- - - ':ik' " "11:t:? !'1: ' ri l': a5 ii ::: :i:r:::::: - - 4-- :::::::::::::: - zt " :' NidOkkt " ''°':''''''''?' g Nt — :1 'f'''' :c itiL lit: : - :":4'40g::-- 777 - — :: I ' : 5 citt ' 1 - I fu I - ::- ' 1: r gP:A :::::: ' ''"::!:! f '''''':"ll:l e: I ''r:'''''''''''''::'4'''''-''- Nellie Tsosie ' I ':':f4 - ":: iv:9t IrZ11' 1 :'i'4 ' - ' - : 1:-t -- :::::::::lE::::::::::i:ii::!'':11:::: ::::::: ye14-' t --1- - : left and sister Ann right care for their mother Mary in old home without power or running water ld ' '41:'' ': t'Nk- 44A' ': '" - - 14fi:: '" 1- ::: - ::::::::: :: :: - :: V'' ' '' " '' :7":' - ' They fear Mrs Tsosie's failing health and their substandard living conditions could force their mother to enter a nursing home Family Hopes Political Seeds will Sprout Better Lifestyle SKULL VALLEY — A shack with outdoor plumbing is home to Ann and Nellie Tsosie who drive their battered truck 10 miles along a dirt road to haul bardrinking water in rels Within those walls they care for their ailing mother Mary without running water or electricity They cook her meals on an indoor butane gas stove or outdoors on wood walk her to the outhouse and use the limited water to help her bathe The elder Mrs Tcosie is weakening and her daughters fear they will have to place her in a nursing home something Navajo people don't believe in doing to their revered elders "Navajo elders are highly respected and taken care of at home unlike the dominant society which confines them to nursing homes and doesn't consider their judgment and opinions" explained San Juan County Commissioner Mark Maryboy "With Navajos their opinions are always consulted before making decisions" A small bedroom where Mary Tsosie napped as her daughters spoke adjoins the home's main room which includes a kitchen table beds around the edges and the butane stove against one wall They live about 10 miles south of Bluff on the south side of the San Juan River existing as 75 percent of San Juan County's approximately 6500 Navajos do on the 16 million acre reservation without modern conveniences And as many Navajos are doing the Tsosie family supports the election of five Navajos and one Cherokee to county office "What we wish is water that's two-roo- the main thing and electricity for our lights and the road" Nellie Tsosie said "I'd hate to admit my mother to a nursing home so I would like an adequate house to take care of her This was built a long time ago We need a house" The Tsosies hope that a special service district can be formed to provide at least some of those necessities They've had no luck with tribal government headquartered in Arizona or with county government Now they hope to gain power by electing Navajo people to county office "My mom no one will care to provide services to her if we do not vote" Ann Tsosie said through an interpreter While Nellie speaks English Atm relied upon Mr Maryboy to translate a reporter's questions into Navajo and her replies into English Mary and Ann Tsosie have always voted in both tribal and local elections Nellie joined them four years ago government "Some people have never cared to vote and some never knew they could In this particular location there are some youth who are not registered" Ann said "A lot of people feel voting is useless because they really don't understand the purpose of county government and what it is supposed to do Some of us have an idea why we should vote" Individuals can't benefit from government services unless they vote Ann Tsosie continued "By not voting we are just defeating our purpose and remaining poverty-stricken" Nellie asked Mr Maryboy if the county really could provide housing electricity and water "If we - ' 104 i- ':1'' x '- ?'' ' 1407"' ie'''':4k-''17sti- L f4'4)AP7 i1171:7""" 0 '''w'y '' krtr a' zitv ' ::: support the Navajo candidates will they provide that?" she asked "I think the candidates can coordinate with various agencies and work closely with the tribal chapter houses" he replied "The Utah code says counties can establish a service district to provide municipal services or the tribal chapter houses can" The service district would need tax money probably obtained from the oil wells white-owne- d companies drill on Navajo land he said Most days the Tsosies' children come by pick up the barrels and 'drive over bumpy dirt roads to the highway and on to Bluff where they pump water from a community well "My kids are agonizing over hauling water every day" Nellie said "As far as I can remember we've had hardly any assistance from county government" Ann added "We never saw the county people before either" said Nellie "When Mark came to the county commission it seems like some things are getting better But before we never saw anyone I think the main thing is for some help with the road here" The Tsosie women will be voting twice on election day once at the Red Mesa Chapter House in the tribal election and once in Bluff for county and state offices Their community gets its name from a Navajo named Big Beard who used to drop animal skulls into a nearby wash Ann Tsosie explained Some people also call it Bury Springs because one man was buried by the natural spring :: - '' ::: ': ::::: '':"-1- 7' $1e- ' - "' i'''''''''''''' t-- '1" L 4'''''' - ::4 4:::: : "::: Itf) ''''' ::": :: ' ' Louis Tapaha takes brief break from conducting drive on Navajo Reservation He hopes tribe can elect 6 Navajos to San Juan County offices voter-regis- tration Stories by Carol Sisco Photos by Al Hartntann I - - v 4(Itti :' - -- - ' l'': f 7 '2''''' '11:::: 4 :' ir- 4 ijio' - :4 i' 44"' '': ' ) ':k :A 7:: ''': ' & NN :::' t 1! A i Rep David M Adams calls election complex situation f' :! :- "" " " :: :: :: 1: - ' 1:"-- :: :: :: " :: :: :::::!--- ::: ' s:s: ' :::::'::::':::::'":'::::'":::::::::'::"e'::: way" "We have the complex situation of a nation within a nation" said state Rep David M Adams "We haven't really resolved it and we don't know how long it will take to resolve" Privately some Republican incumbents say they are afraid to address issues of qualification for office because they will be branded racist by the Navajos "They're forcing Anglos against the Indians" one officeholder said "The Democrats here don't have much choice but to allow it then turn around and vote Republican" A Blanding refrigeration contractor who supports the Navajos sees it differently "The Navajos here are kind of where black people were at the time s of the movement" said Sosa Gary "Change is coming but it has taken active lawsuits by the Justice Department to result in the election of one Navajo and equal representation for all of them" Most elections raise issues of experience and philosophy Rep Adams said "We're not sure how that's going to come into play this time or if it will be just an issue of race" he said "Certainly no one I've talked to has felt that they're not entitled to serve in office "But when one of their de facto 41 :!iftifE-1-- : white society to form one government hasn't always been smooth "Most people seem to feel it is going to be a racial issue" said Lynn Lee College of Eastern Utah Blanding campus dean "But there is a real desire of most of the people I know that they don't want it to be that :?::q-'::::::::: ' 1: ? gotten older I'm become more concerned about my children's future and decided to vote for them" Mr Maryboy the only Democratic county official is being challenged by Republican Leonard Howe The other Indian candidates and their Republican opponents include: Ruby Nakai against Gail Johnson Claudia Keith and for clerk-auditLouise Jones for recorder Dan Nakai and Bruce Bunker for assessor Julius Claw and Marian Bayles for treasurer and Nelson Begay for sheriff against the winner of a primary election between incumbent Claude Lacy and Mike Halliday SAN JUAN COUNTY — Two cultures are clashing here as a political battle divides along racial lines rather than political ones pitting six Democratic Indians against incumbent Republican county officials Five Navajos and one Cherokee saying they've been ignored by both tribal and county government are seeking office on the Democratic slate The meshing of their culture civil-right- : ':!'':t4o- - 'l1-0-- ''W :1 ::::if?''?''':':::iii4:i:::!iTN:::':::!::!:4 'il L114 ci s C1: ''''' l'' 411':i65i3114: ' 'i" 'ile"- ---- '4:::- 4 : "'''' : - with the traditionally dominant 77'il - sJi 1''''1' ' - 4 xvI070t"6-1 Politics May Take Back Seat In Indians' Election Drive — 1t1"- ' '' ''' :A '''t skr ' -- grif'-- 741111111!r1°7 into the voting booths to read ballots to voters Travel also can be a problem because many Indians will have to drive several hours over dirt roads to reach polling places she said Navajos have usually voted in tribal elections but ignored county govermnent said Stella Johnson a teacher with a master's degree who will vote in her first county election this fall "I always thought how could one of me make a difference? Now I feel I should get in and vote because one of me really counts" Mrs Johnson said "I've probably matured As I've l''' nt'iiiftntj''f:'::':'::::::::::': 4''':—: :' i :":441r ''4 'Nt‘i' ) r mp "::7:'1:'nr::':''::':::::::::: kft:NOta-- Likieli":4'": v----- '''''''' z14ay '' iq11yi&N o!'e'1:1' 4' 4v: c' :: 13 i' I ''9t7t--:- :31'' :: :'-- -- : a4 - Ai 1" 6'!!i" A f 't1 Z tiy 4:i$10:11t14'7?t Igl4 14f14N' te ft 7r 443?4 — -- -- 7 l'- -' t ' K' 'I '41:''''' r dt se4 -- --- 4-a- 43 tyy iiil 1 1- tr11tvor0- 'L'- tx -- ::i::::':::11::i':':criri?7vTt-- 040"144444:i - " - ''''5 tl -7 - ''1- l'''''::e:::1'!ii l' ''' : )ie:::: )°"-'l11-"''- 11 :4”- ' :::::?ii'::1::'::litZer1': - ' 11'7': 7 ii ''''''' — k4 kA7- 44' - '' 44:12! 'i'''' -k- 1114' 'i k :::'::::'i:1:::::::TQ::::': ! '0 ::: it':::''-'41"-:1- - - ' 1t : - - J Ini ::':t-- -- 1: : " It '''' :4'ii?'''V' ': J:t":"::ii:1:':--t'!744I- - :: 4tar 14 ' - :':: '' ":2 ::t:&::'4 ''''' t 4'4cfi4i‘: - ' :::::: ' ' -: '' ::r-7z7- ' - ' :::::::::::ii:::::::J::i:: and the state of Utah "When we go to the county they say the tribe had the funds The same thing happens when we go to the tribe They say the county had it" Mr Tapaha said "We're moving on to a new phase of government" Mr Maryboy said "Louis and I are at a crossroads a classic example of old and new working together" What Mr Tapaha knows from his grass roots organizing has tremendous stability and has made the Navajo nation strong Mr Maryboy believes "What he has to offer combined with education and youth will make us move mountains" he said Both sides feel royalties from vast oil fields in the Aneth area haven't been properly directed toward Utah Navajos Managed by the state Division of Indian Affairs 375 percent of mineral royalties were reserved by Congress in 1933 for Aneth Extension Navajos But the money has been used for "roads airports and water projects for the white residents of the county" Mr Maryboy said Royalty funds also were used in Blanding to provide a museum for preservation of Anasazi Indian artifacts "How does this preservation of ancient Indians help the 75 percent of San Juan County Navajos who still live without running water or electricity?" Mr Maryboy asked "There is also a state junior college in Blanding which has received millions of dollars from the trust yet It has failed to graduate Navajos who can go on for a bachelor's degree" he said "while the parents of bright talented Navajo students are told " l::: ?: - ::!2:::: Rock Ariz and ignored by both San Juan County F11:115'S' ':'!r7f!- ::: quarters in Window Continued From B-- I ed drive to register Indian voters As the second phase of their voter registration drive ended Fridays approximately 2300 Navajos were registered up from 1000 last May Approximately 50 college students from the Salt Lake City area joined 30 Navajo volunteers going from home to home and hogan to hogan across vast stretches of the sparsely populated reservation Coordinators missed their goal of 2800 Navajo voters by 500 but they have until 20 days prior to the November election to add them "The good news is we've discovered about 1700 more people in the Monument Valley area and 1600 in a Creek area the who are on tribal records but not registered in the county" said Jean CoMelton of the Utah Inter-Tribalition "We didn't know they existed" Student volunteers registered 500 people in May Navajo activists added 300 more and the most recent effort netted 500 more Navajos could have a real strong voice in county politics if everyone registers and votes Mr Tapaha said "The way the county does it now is if we request a county road they say not that many people use it If others ask they get it right away Nobody really goes out and fights for us" he explained "Maybe it's because not all our people are registered" County government is a first step Mr Tapaha believes He hopes the Navajos will elect a state legislator following the next reapportionment and that federal congressional representatives will begin paying attention to tribal members Utah Navajos say they live in "No Man's Land" far from tribal head p::::1::!::''1:::: :'!Y1?:i:!:::!:: Hi - - 77777 :'"""'":' :: -- Ilk ' rkiti li tlit 011 IIII PEk40Etta'S': : eo7izorsy!!f!!!!rFr!-::::::::::: bkttINVII -: :": "':: ''''::: ::':: !::: - ::::::::::::"::::::::1: :!::''''''':: :: ::: - t1k M):i(tAA11)(0:f fj4 - 4 :::::":::::::'::::i!l::::!:orot1 J":::" ':i::':::' :IL::!-i- ::: ::: IPA :::: ::'1 L A11 tsi A 0lig ' :'ii::::'''''' :':: :A!': ti4tn :L :::::::::::::: :Q1:!:::::::f'svi:::n:::::::::::::::::: 01!! K(10K2 - 4- 0:-:: K ASSZ v59 R ::zi:::!i:5:: ::::-7emw:- 1 4R14:!::'ii::!: 4 $:1-- ::::::::::"""''::'IgiTu:::::: :':ii :::: ::::::::::: ' 8F tI'V':: 1:--: 9::14ciiiii:7:::::1::':::11:':C 7 ': ::: '''''''':::0 MM IS :1ii:::::::::i:1:!cl 13B( ' t4aari:t1 ii14:: :':'::' :::::::!:::':::::::':' 1'::: " IN 4 ::::L :::":: : ":::'-- ::' " - -- -' beGary Sosa wearing an "All Indian Democrats" s movement of their own lieves Navajos may need rt civil-right- leaders says they are going to be elected or not elected because of race people get concerned" he continued Rep Adams was referring to San Juan County Commissioner Mark Maryboy the first Navajo elected to public office in Utah Some Anglos also are feeling backed against the wall as the Justice Department monitors the election to assure Indians are treated fairly But beyond that Rep Adams said it takes time to adjust to new ideas "It was still in this generation's lifetime we were told Native Americans were wards of the federal government which had the responsibility of taking care of them" he explained "But there have since been court rulings saying no they're not wards" he continued "They are citizens with all the rights and privileges of citizenship 1 don't think anybody is questioning that but it takes awhile to evolve" Navajos didn't gain the franchise until 1957 when the Utah Legislature became the last in the nation to let Indians vote And the 16 million acre reservation is still part of the independent Navajo Nation "Do you get people setting tax rates who don't pay taxes people enforcing laws who don't have to obey them?" Rep Adams asks "Those are real concerns but every time you get into a discussion you run the risk of being called a racist" "We just need to start acting in a rational way toward our brothers and sisters" Mr Sosa suggested "If nothing else eyes have been opened that Navajos are a force to be reckoned With" The white culture hasn't purposely excluded Navajos Rep Adams said "The two cultures do not mesh well but it is not because of hard feelings" he said "It is because they've had their own government tribe and clans and haven't assimilated well into the Anglo culture "As we try to do that it is difficult but to say we have purposely excluded them is not accurate" The Navajos chose the Democratic Party — traditionally weak in San Juan County — as their political base "Quite frankly the Democratic Party is not well organized down here" Rep Adams said "Numerous Democrats have held local office At the same time they are not an active and strong political force" Because Navajos were the only Democrats filing for office "numerous Democrats feel through default that maybe they don't have the candidates they wanted" he said |