Here at Navajo Council Naabik’iyati Committee in the Navajo Council chambers in Window Rock, Ariz. It’s now 11:01 am and Committee Chairperson Pro Temp LoRenzo Bates called for the Bell outside the Council chambers to be rung to notify Council delegates that the Committee is about to start. That was at 10:53 am.

Council Delegate Charles Damon II just stopped by where I’m sitting on the Council floor and asked me, Whose Legislative Government Advisor are you?” LGAs are the personal staff assistants for the 24 delegates. I replied that I’m news media. And he replied, “They said that this area is for the LGAs.” I said who is “they.” He walked away and so I asked again. He mumbled something about the speaker. As he walked about again, I asked if he had a concern, problem with me sitting where I was sitting because my work involves informing the People about their government and I’ll let the People and his constituents know his concerns. He then said that all he was doing was telling me what “they” were saying. Damon II represents Baahaali, Chilchiltah, Manuelito, Red Rock, Rock Springs, and Tsayatoh.

It’s now 11:09 am and Chairperson Bates is calling for Naabi to start unofficially because there is still no quorum and to begin hearing Reports. Under Council and Committee rules, committees can start their meetings unofficially by listening to Reports.

The first report is proposed amendments to the tribal criminal code by Delegate Alton Shepherd, Law & Order Committee vice chairperson.