The American Presidency

Treaty of 1968:

When the Treaty 1868 concluded, the Dine people in captivity were finally free at Fort Summer June 1, 1868. The treaty agreement between Lieutenant General W.T. Sherman and Samuel F. Tappan, Commissioners, on behalf of the United States Barboncito, Armijo, and other Chiefs and Headsmen of the Navajo Tribe of Indians marked their "X" in agreement of thirteen Articles to the Treaty of 1868. The Treaty of 1868 was ratified and confirmed by the Senate on July 25, 1868 and proclaimed by President Andrew Johnson on August 12, 1868. This was an historic occasion for the Dine People and the United States government. For the Dine people, this meant they were finally free and able to write a new set of democratic laws. The Dine people fell to their knees with heartfelt sensation. Barboncito was made Head Chief by U.S. government officials at Fort Defiance and other Head Chief's followed. The Dine people had to adhere to new expectations. The history of the Dine government was regulated by the U. S. Federal government. Barboncito's residence was Canyon De Chelly, Arizona. Barboncito's was of the Coyote Pass-Jemez clan, the first signer of the Treaty, Head Chief at Fort Sumner, Youth Warrior, Peace Chief, Medicine Man died of illness in 1870 two years after returning from Fort Summer. Manuelito's residence was Manuelito Springs, New Mexico. Manuelito was of the Within His Cover clan. Manuelito the fourth signer of the Treaty, Head War Chief before 1864, Counselor after 1864, Peace Chief died in 1893 after contracting measles and pneumonia, this was his final battle. Manuelito is known for his famous words in the education of the Dine children, "My relatives, my people, each and everyone of you, wherever you go and wherever you may live, never forget our language, our prayers, our clan relationship, and our way of life, my children". ⁵ Other leaders who followed were Delgadito and Narbona. Narbono residence was Tohatchi, New Mexico. Narbono's clan was the Charcoal Streaked clan. Narbono the tenth signer of the Treaty, Head Chief and Sub War Chief, was killed in1949 by an American. Delgado's residence was Crownpoint, New Mexico. Delgado was of the Towering House clan. Delgado was the sixth signer of the Treaty. Before 1864, Delgado was an enemy to the Navajo; he saved Navajos from Kit Carson. Warrior Chief died in 1872. ⁶

These Naat'aanii's were respected leaders and their main job was to work with the government officials to promote unity. Recognition of treaties is the important part of Dine government in protection of Indian sovereign, individuality, and property rights.

"The Dine people agreed to be governed by the United States as their last authority. The Dine Nation became a sovereign but dependent nation upon the government. The Bureau of Indian Affairs helped governed the Dine. One of its jobs was to educate children in cities of great distance from the reservation. The schools became headquarters known as agencies in the 1880's. The North Agency was led by Chief Francisco Capitan. The East Agency was led by Chief Manuelito. The South Agency was led by Chief Mariano and Tsinaajini Biye. The West Agency was led by Chief Ganado Mucho. The agents were the superintendents who governed the Dine people within their area. Superintendents met with community members. The Dine people talked about problems and solutions for their community, chapters were created. At the chapter level, a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer were the first chapter leaders. Chapter meetings were held once a week to discuss projects such as irrigation, livestock, agriculture, roads, dams and other developments available from the federal government. This benefited and allowed the Dine people to prosper on the reservation.

Another kind of government began in Shiprock. Oil was discovered in the early1900's. Oil companies wanted to lease the land to drill for oil. Companies could not lease land without a three-fourths approval vote by the community. A General Council was set up in which the council did not include all Dine to make decisions. The council refused but later allowed oil companies to drill for oil and gas. The General Council met only when an oil or gas company wanted to lease land. A Business Council was formed in 1922 to represent all Dine. The leaders of the Business Council included Henry Chee Dodge, Charlie Mitchell and Dugal Chee Bikiss. ⁷ The Bureau of Indian Affairs set rules to begin a Navajo Tribal Council. Not all Dine people at this time may not have known of the forming of the Tribal Council. A Chairman, Vice Chairman, and one delegate from each agency were elected by Dine people. Henry Chee Dodge was the first Chairman.

Henry Chee Dodge, (Kiilchii) learned English from the soldiers and Presbyterian missionaries. Chee grew up to be a United States Government interpreter earning wage. Wage he saved to buy livestock and a ranch in Crystal, New Mexico. In 1884 Henry Chee Dodge was appointed "head chief" of the Navajos by Agent Riordan with approval from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Chee served as diplomat between the Dine people and the U.S. Government. Issues dealing with land, livestock, water, minerals and businesses were often concerns. Trips to Washington were often made. When Chee was not busy with government issues, he enjoyed being a stockman, farmer, storekeeper and a rancher. In 1922 Henry Chee Dodge was called upon to represent the Dine people. He would soon become an official of a Navajo self-government dealing with profits of oil and other mineral resources found on tribal lands. In 1923 Chee Dodge became Chairman of the first Navajo Tribal Council representing his people until 1928. With official matters that concerned the Dine people, Chee Dodge's work was never ending. Henry Chee Dodge died at age 87 on January 7, 1947." ⁸