Navajo Nation Code (2009) & Uncodified Amendments

Introduction

Navajo Nation resolutions are passed by the 24-member Navajo Nation Council and its standing committees, then given to the Navajo Nation President for signature, upon which they become law. Permanent laws (enactments and amendments) are normally directed by the Council to be codified in the Navajo Nation Code, which is arranged by subject matter in 26 “Titles.” There are 5 standing committees: Naabik’íyáti’ Committee; Budget and Finance Committee (BFC); Health, Education and Human Services Committee (HEHSC); Law and Order Committee (LOC); and Resources and Development Committee (RDC).

On this page, we set forth the index of the 26 titles of the N.N.C.; break down the Code into accessible portions (by title); and link to amendments that our project’s law students were able to find through February 5, 2023. We are developing links to regulations.

Mark-Up of Navajo Government Reform Working Draft

The Navajo people may not be aware that the Office of Navajo Government Development (ONGD) has set a March 6, 2026 (now possibly March 31) deadline for public input on a reform proposal, after which ONGD intends to place it on the Nov 3 ballot as a referendum question. It is a 108 page document (now looks like 116 pages), however only 48 pages is available for public examination. Diné Nihi Keyah Project has worked with many grassroots organizations to create a marked up copy of these available pages. Related documents updated March 4, 2026:

Mark-up of 48 pages of ONGD’s Government Reform Proposal (retrieved on Feb 3, 2026)
CALL TO CHAPTERS_Feb 5 2026 from Herb Yazzie, Daniel Tso, Raymond Deal and Johnny Johnson, and Statement of lack of findings
Chapter resolutions: Ojo Encino OJOE 02-20-2026-001; Naschitti NAS-26-02-019; Teec Nos Pos TNPCH-02-23-2026-FY26-R-60; Black Mesa BMC-26-02-036; Hardrock HRC 2026-02-01
CNGD-07-01-25 (July 14, 2025) authorizing the working draft only for presentation and further development
CD-92-20 (Dec 23, 2020) overriding veto, amending CNGD/ONGD Plan of Operations to include a duty to accomplish the People’s project and requirement to “promote, enhance, honor, and to comply with Diné Fundamental Laws — Diné Bi Beehaz’áanii Bitse Siléí 1 N.N.C. §§ 201-206”

Navajo Nation Supreme Court Opinions relevant to the efforts of CNGD and ONGD:

The ultimate power to govern the Nation always remains with the People. See In re Two Initiative Petitions Filed by Shirley, SC-CV-41-08 (July 18, 2008), aff’d Shirley v. Morgan SC-CV-02-10 (June 2, 2010).
The Fundamental Law of the Navajo Nation may not be redefined to include man-made law. Diné bi beenahaz’áanii are immutable. See Shirley v. Morgan SC-CV-02-10 (June 2, 2010).
Holding that the Council’s dissolution of the Commission on Government Development (NCGD) “cannot stand,” the Court struck down 2 N.N.C. §§970-978 and ordered that the NCGD be restored according to the original terms in the Title 2 Amendments of 1989 “to finally fulfill their purpose of enabling the People to participate in the development of our Navajo Nation.” Shirley v. Morgan SC-CV-02-10, Opinion and Order on Reconsideration (July 16, 2010).

For the Election Board’s resolution regarding the Election Code’s referendum requirements, see BOESS-070-14 (2014).

Urgently Needed – An Updated Navajo Nation Code

As of February 5, 2023, the Navajo Nation Code (N.N.C.) is current only through 2009. Hard copies of this N.N.C. are difficult to obtain. The Navajo Nation Council have enacted numerous amendments and new laws since 2010 that are not codified. Updates of amendments from 2014 to present in resolution form is available from Navajo Nation Legislative Services without the resolutions themselves linked.

Date of resolutions: The last 2 numbers of each resolution indicate the year a resolution was introduced. E.g. CO-71-18 means the resolution was introduced in 2018. If there is more than one resolution amending the same law, the current law is the latest amendment.

The Diné Nihi Keyah Project has tasked our Pace University and Arizona University law students to break up the massive unnumbered chunks of the online Navajo Nation Code into accessible title sections, and to find, copy and informally index resolutions since 2009 that amend codified laws or enact new laws. The codified law and uncodified amendments to each Title are linked below. We hope this page is helpful to everyone.

We urge the Navajo Nation government to prioritize providing an up-to-date and indexed codification of all enacted laws. Our laws govern and impact the shape of the Navajo Nation and our very lives. Without even being able to find our laws as a whole, the Diné people cannot control our way of life. Without knowledge and access, the people fend for ourselves with deepening disputes, conflicts, and even accusations, as if there are no laws. The people cannot challenge and question what our government has done. Most vital for future generations, we cannot envision reforms for stewardship of our land.

The index below includes codified Navajo Nation law until 2009, and uncodified amendments from 2010 forward.

INDEX to the Navajo Nation Code (2009)

and Uncodified Amendments since 2009

as found by our law students

Last update: Feb 16, 2026

Sources: Navajo Nation Council, 2009-14 amendments; and Navajo Nation Office of Legislative Services; and dibb.nols for rules and regulations not intended for codification.

Most recent legislative summary sheet available Legislative Summary Sheet, NAVAJO NATION CODE AMENDMENTS – 2014 to 8/15/2025

Title 1 - General Provisions