The Navajo and Hopi Indian Tribes Settlement Act of 1978, 1968-12-16

Item — Box: 67, Folder: 9a

Identifier: CAC_CC_009_2_67_9a_0022

Staff Only

The text describes a proposed bill that would provide for the mediation and arbitration of land disputes between the Navajo and Hopi Indian Tribes. The bill would establish a three-member Navajo-Hopi Board of Arbitration to handle the negotiations, and would provide for the Board to be compensated for their services. The Board would be authorized to make rules and request assistance from other federal agencies as necessary. If the two tribes are unable to reach an agreement within 180 days, the Board would select the offer that it deems most fair and equitable and submit it to the Congress for approval. The bill also makes provisions for the payment of fair rental value for any use of land by one tribe on lands belonging to the other tribe, and for legal action to be taken by one tribe against the other if necessary.