DinDiné Policy Instituteé Policy Institute

Tsaile, Navajo NationTsaile, Navajo Nation

August 24, 2006August 24, 2006

Mission and PurposeMission and Purpose

Through Through Sa’ah Naghai Bik’eh HozhoonSa’ah Naghai Bik’eh Hozhoon, , Diné Policy Institute will provide Diné Policy Institute will provide

quality research and well-reasoned quality research and well-reasoned policy recommendations that leads policy recommendations that leads to better government for the Navajo to better government for the Navajo

Nation and a high quality of life, Nation and a high quality of life, today and tomorrow.today and tomorrow.

““Bee cháná’ alíí dooleel”Bee cháná’ alíí dooleel”

What makes DPI unique:What makes DPI unique:

1.1. Policy recommendations based on Policy recommendations based on Navajo epistemology (or ways of Navajo epistemology (or ways of knowing).knowing).

2.2. A problem-solving approach using A problem-solving approach using authentic Dinauthentic Diné thinking é thinking for policy-for policy-making (i.e., all creation has life)making (i.e., all creation has life)

Common Non-Navajo Approach Common Non-Navajo Approach to Policy Makingto Policy Making

Current Practice of Policy-Current Practice of Policy-Making at the Chapter LevelMaking at the Chapter Level

Issue goes to Planning Meeting

Planning Officials decide

if issue should go to Chapter Meeting

Issue voted on at Chapter Meeting

Reactive process

Chapter levelChapter level

• ““We rely on what the Navajo Nation gives us to make a decision.”We rely on what the Navajo Nation gives us to make a decision.”

• ““We do not look at the long term impact…if it looks good we do We do not look at the long term impact…if it looks good we do it.”it.”

• ““There is no analysis of the issue.”There is no analysis of the issue.”

• ““Issue is made by the people, without any real information about Issue is made by the people, without any real information about the impact of the issue at hand.”the impact of the issue at hand.”

• ““Our policies consist of the Five Management system.Our policies consist of the Five Management system.

What we need to know in order to make What we need to know in order to make good policygood policy

Benefits of Policy-AnalysisBenefits of Policy-Analysis(Bee ei dahozin)(Bee ei dahozin)

1.1. Informed factual-based decisionsInformed factual-based decisions

2.2. Long-term and short-term impact Long-term and short-term impact understoodunderstood

3.3. Balanced perspective (information Balanced perspective (information coming from different sources)coming from different sources)

4.4. Doesn’t rely on political whimsDoesn’t rely on political whims

5.5. Fair and “Objective”Fair and “Objective”

Need to improve on the Need to improve on the current processcurrent process

and Need for DPIand Need for DPI

1.1. Policy should be made with due consideration of Policy should be made with due consideration of cultural values and tradition. (If included, it cultural values and tradition. (If included, it appears to be for “token” purposes)appears to be for “token” purposes)

2.2. A specific value set is used to make policy, A specific value set is used to make policy, usually this value set does not comport with Dinusually this value set does not comport with Diné é values. We need to change that practice.values. We need to change that practice.

3.3. The current policy has different objectives and The current policy has different objectives and goals imbedded in the policy that are often times goals imbedded in the policy that are often times contradictory to Navajo goals and objectives. contradictory to Navajo goals and objectives. Consistency is a must to make uniform policyConsistency is a must to make uniform policy

Unique Elements of the Unique Elements of the processprocess

as recognized by DPIas recognized by DPI1.1. K’eK’e or the social connection: relations with all or the social connection: relations with all

creation is the foundational principle guiding the creation is the foundational principle guiding the process.process.

2.2. TransparencyTransparency3.3. ParticipatoryParticipatory4.4. General consensus among all stakeholdersGeneral consensus among all stakeholders5.5. ReciprocityReciprocity6.6. AccountabilityAccountability7.7. RationalRational8.8. EquityEquity9.9. Public TrustPublic Trust

DinDiné Policy Processé Policy ProcessBased on the principles of Sa’ah Naghai Bik’eh Based on the principles of Sa’ah Naghai Bik’eh

Hozhoon (SNBH). Defined as to walk in a Hozhoon (SNBH). Defined as to walk in a balanced life, with longevity and happiness. balanced life, with longevity and happiness.

To do so one must use the principles of To do so one must use the principles of SNBH:SNBH:

Nitshakees

Iina

Siihasin

Nahatah

SNBH

How the Process works:How the Process works:

1.1. Nitsahakees Nitsahakees Define a problem Define a problem• Use standards of behavior, personality, opinion, and attitude Use standards of behavior, personality, opinion, and attitude

to define problemto define problem2.2. Nahatah Nahatah Select Criteria for evaluating problem. In the Select Criteria for evaluating problem. In the

planning stage, need to determine what will evaluate the planning stage, need to determine what will evaluate the policy.policy.

• Use standards of behavior, personality, opinion, and attitude Use standards of behavior, personality, opinion, and attitude as criteriaas criteria

3.3. Iina Iina Evaluate the policy. Evaluate the policy.• Use standards of behavior, personality, opinion, and attitude Use standards of behavior, personality, opinion, and attitude

to evaluate policyto evaluate policy4.4. Siihasin Siihasin Reap the benefits of policy. Reap the benefits of policy.

• Use standards of behavior, personality, opinion, and attitude Use standards of behavior, personality, opinion, and attitude to assess benefitsto assess benefits

What are we doing?What are we doing?“…“…provide quality research and provide quality research and

well-reasoned policy recommendationswell-reasoned policy recommendations that leads to better government…”that leads to better government…”

• Developing a survey instrument to gauge Developing a survey instrument to gauge the opinions of the Navajo Nation on the the opinions of the Navajo Nation on the most pressing issues.most pressing issues.

• Developing a certificate program for Developing a certificate program for Chapter Officials and NN employees.Chapter Officials and NN employees.

• In the process of recruiting graduate In the process of recruiting graduate students to conduct research.students to conduct research.

• Formalizing agreements with other Formalizing agreements with other Institutes of Higher Learning for research Institutes of Higher Learning for research partnerships.partnerships.

The Navajo Nation money The Navajo Nation money is being well spent!is being well spent!

THE END.THE END.