United States: The Impact Of The Navajo-Hopi Land Settlement Act Of 1974 - Report

The Relocation Act did not protect the human rights of the Diné but rather it appears the Act was structured to allow corporate mining companies exploit valuable subsurface minerals that belonged to the Indigenous Nations। The Relocation Act has a lengthy and twisted history that precipitated many debates and legislations to where members of Congress no longer support the Act. Arizona Senator John McCain pushed for the end to relocation in 2005 by introducing amendments to the Act that would close the Office of Navajo-Hopi Indian Relocation and move the responsibilities to the Department of Interior with no new appropriations. The Navajo Nation opposed the sudden pull out of the federal government and demanded Congress finish the relocation of Diné families to the satisfaction of the Navajo Nation government and more importantly to the people.

While much focus was given to Congress and the federal budgeting process to “fix” relocation and other Diné federal obligations, a group of Diné leaders began to engage in the global discussion on Indigenous rights in the United Nations। The U.N. Special Rapporteur José F. Martinez Cobo in his study advised the U.N. Economic and Social Council in 1982 that Indigenous Nations faced discrimination and were found to have diminished rights to selfgovernment, land rights and to the protection and practice of traditional and cultural Life Ways. Rapporteur Cobo’s study gave impetus to the development of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; the Diné leaders were active in the formulation of the Declaration. Indigenous leaders and organizations from all over the world embraced the Declaration and advocated for its adoption. The Declaration was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 13, 2007 with four countries voting against the adoption of the Declaration, including the United States.

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UNA Celebrating the 42nd Anniversary of the Crazy Horse Mountain Movement

The Battle to Re-Claim the Entire Black hills was started by United Native Americans, On August 29th, 1970, a small group of dedicated young Indians Invaded Mount Rushmore, the so called "National Shrine of Democracy," located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Indian people who took part in this out standing feat, did so at the Invitation of the Local Indian people from Rapid City, South Dakota and the Surrounding Reservations. Most of these young Indians were from Different Tribes and Reservations who Volunteered to Help the Sioux in their efforts to force the Federal Government to pay for the illegal taking of their land 94 years ago in 1877. The Invasion started at 8:00PM. Sat. Evening, the 29th of August 1970, when 23 young Indians, most of whom were college students, braved arrest and fines to help the Sioux regain their Sacred Black Hills. By 7:00AM the next Morning after an all night game of hide and seek or (rangers and Indians) most of the protesters had reached the Top of the Mountain near the four faces of the Presidents, where they hung out a large flag, with the Words, "SIOUX INDIAN POWER." And After a Brief ceremony, they renamed the Mountain "Crazy Horse Mountain" in Honor of the Famous war chief "Crazy Horse."

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