NAVAJO COUNCIL: We are stabbing each other in the back

HERE AT NAVAJO COUNCIL WINTER SESSION DAY 3 WHERE DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY WANTS SPEAKER PRO TEMP YAZZIE TO CALL LEGISLATION 0011-14 OUR OF ORDER. LEGISLATION 0011-14 IS FOR COUNCIL TO APPOINT A NEW SPEAKER TO SERVE OUT REST OF SPEAKER NAIZE’S TERM.

DELEGATE MEL BEGAY
Yesterday’s actions didn’t go thru and now this action is about “vacant”. When did that vacant happen? What will it take to get us back on proper track. We need to give ourselves our opportunity to acknowledge that we have a speaker.
Let’s move on. Let’s get this off agenda. We other other legislation to address such as elders.
Let’s get real here. This is new day so let’s get on with what’s important. I hope the sponsor is not threatening colleagues cuz there was threat and sounds like mid school bully.
We need to come back and unite with efforts. I have responsible activities to address.

POINT OF ORDER, DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
Delegate David Tom saying that one of the delegates changed his vote without our knowledge and that is very bad practice if that was allowed. You have to inform Council and in writing. I care about elders but this will give headlines to “more juicey stories.”

DELEGATE MEL BEGAY
My POINT OF ORDER is that Speaker Pro Temp Yazzie keep us in line.

SPEAKER PRO TEMP YAZZIE
Vote!

DELGATE LORENZO CURLEY
i’d like document from Attorney General Harrison Tsosie regarding request from Shiprock Chapter on opinion about whether Delegates facing crimes against Navajo Nation should step down from Council.

NDOJ DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL BOBROFF
NDOJ finalizing that document but close to final form and issued by meself and not Attorney General who conflicted himself out of Special Prosecutor’s matters. And there are two other chapters asking same question of Attorney General. So could be issued tomorrow or next day.

POINT OF ORDER, DELEGATE JONATHAN NEZ
Prior to motion, there was call for you to rule if Legislation 0011-14 out of order but you gave to Council.

SPEAKER PRO TEMP
I asked what Council wanted to do and there was motion and second. If you want me to play back tape, I’ll do that. Or Delegates Benally and Apachito could withdraw their motion.

DELEGATE K.BENALLY
What happens if I withdraw my motion?

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
POINT OF ORDER

SPEAKER PRO TEMP YAZZIE
Question is if she withdraws motion then I make decision on whether Legislation 0011-14 out of order.

DELEGATE LEOANARD TSOSIE
Speaker Pro Temp you made decision so ask for vote. When you start back tracking it creates dissension.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL KAHN
Override Speaker Pro Temp ruling requires simple majority by Council.

DELEGATE
rule 16, question by Delegate Curley, we should have had Attorney General Tsosie’ opinion on Shiprock’s question before voting on Legislation to remove speaker naize and this one. So we need that and wish had before taking action yesterday and today. if voted and not 16 votes then there is still question. we need that opinion today.

NDOJ DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL BOBROFF
The Shiprock chapter question are not about speaker. Summary of question of chapters is whether delegates formally charges with crimes against with nation should remain on council. Not about speaker. if removed as speaker, naize remained on council. we are finalizing and could be rushed out this afternoon if you want to put this off. that is my best suggestion.

SPEAKER PRO TEMP YAZZIE
This legislation is out of order. I give position back to Speaker Naize.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
I challenge your ruling and ask for Council to recess until NDOJ decision issued. Legislation 0011-14 is in order. Secondly, I didn’t want to bring up…

DELEGATE MEL BEGAY
We have colleague asking for POINT OF ORDER.

DELEGATE TSOSIE
This is not Point of Order, I am challenging your ruling. Legislation 0011-14 is in order and Shiprock chapter is challenging conflict of interest and you, Speaker Pro Temp, are in conflict.

SPEAKER PRO TEMP YAZZIE
We got to stop this. We are stabbing each other in back. We got to stop this. My charges were dismissed. I knew that would be raised.

POINT OF ORDER, DELEGATE RUSSELL BEGAYE
Title 2, 163 c ruling cuz I tried to remove one of my legislation from agenda. I made that motion and it was done.

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