Buu Nygren, who spoke in favor of the bill, said at Thursday’s Congressional hearing that the allottees, who represent less than 1% of the Navajo Nation citizenship, felt their concerns were not heard or considered. The hearing was held by the Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.Īt stake are Navajo Nation’s mineral rights to land surrounding the National Park, which many citizens use to support themselves and their families.
The July 12 hearing focused on a bill that would reverse protections around Chaco Culture National Historical Park (CCNHP) in New Mexico and restore Navajo mineral rights in the area. Navajo Nation citizens expressed disappointment with Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) and the Bureau of Land Management for stripping away their mineral rights at a Congressional subcommittee hearing on Wednesday.
