Effects of the U.S. Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation
Recorded History Provided to the Navajo Nation Washington Office
The Navajo Nation Washington Office invites those affected by the Navajo-Hopi Land Partitions to share their story. NNWO will submit the stories to the United States Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation for use in advocating to the White House the urgent need to appoint a Commissioner to the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, with a mandate to faithfully carry out the federal government’s obligations under the 1974 Navajo-Hopi Settlement Act in a just and humane manner.
Since 1994, nearly every Navajo President has called upon the Office of the President of the United States to appoint a Commissioner, but has never been answered. Under President Nygren’s leadership, the White House is finally taking notice of that call and has agreed to a consultation in Washington, D.C. to discuss the appointment and the future of the Office.
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF THE NAVAJO HOPI INDIAN RELOCATION (ONHIR)
The Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (ONHIR) is an independent Federal agency responsible for relocating Navajo and Hopi people due to U.S. Government land partitioning. It reports to the President and is overseen by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and Congress. Established under the Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Act of 1974, ONHIR certifies relocation applications, reviews appeals, and provides housing, while administering trust land for the Navajo Nation until the relocation is finalized. Part of the Office's achievements includes acquiring over 387,000 acres in Arizona, which now forms the community of Nahata Dziil on the Navajo Nation.
WHY ARE WE COLLECTING PUBLIC STORIES?
The Navajo Nation Washington Office is collecting stories from the public because while there are countless reports from the US Government Accountability Office and US Office of Inspector General outlining ONHIR’s deficiencies and failures in carrying out the relocation, those reports do not fully encapsulate the stories of those impacted by the Land Partitions. Those stories deserve to be told, and President Nygren is committed to ensuring the White House hears them.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Marlena Forster-Mason at (202) 682-7390 or at mforster@nnwo.org.
WHAT SHOULD I SAY?
Please detail your experiences (or the experiences of your family members) with the following:
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Being relocated or remaining on the Hopi Partitioned Lands during the relocation.
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Applying for and receiving benefits from or being denied benefits by the Office of the Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation.
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The build quality of your relocation house and whether you have encountered any material defects with the house.
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The quality of services available in your relocation community and whether all promised amenities are available.
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Requesting assistance from the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation with regard to housing/community repairs or home maintenance training (including any experience where you were told assistance was unavailable).
Please also share any information that you want President Nygren to convey to the White House and to the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation regarding your experiences.
Contact Information
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Contact us at (202) 682-7390 or at info@nnwo.org