Lawmakers seek to wrap up costly tribal relocation program

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http://bigstory.ap.org/article/d0e861056437468a8e74bb9420ee1c59/lawmakers-seek-wrap-costly-tribal-relocation-program


By FELICIA FONSECA
Feb. 9, 2015 9:34 AM EST


This Saturday, Jan. 25, 2015 photo provided by Ron Lee, Office of Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick shows tribal and federal officials visit Nahata' Dziil, Arizona. Members of Congress are trying to figure out to close out the Office of Navajo-Hopi Indian Relocation, tasked with providing homes to Navajos and Hopis who were ordered removed from each other's land.(AP Photo/Office of Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, Ron Lee)


FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The rolling hills of northeastern Arizona where cornfields lined a watering hole and sheep grazed in the distance were home to Susie Robinson and her extended family. When she moved farther east into a new four-bedroom home, it wasn't by choice but the result of a bitter land dispute between the Navajo and Hopi tribes that dates back centuries.

The federal government's attempt to have these tribes share land failed miserably, leading to one of the largest single relocation efforts in U.S. history. Thousands of Navajos have been transplanted into new homes off Hopi land, while dozens of Hopis have been moved off Navajo land.

Federal officials are trying to figure out how best to wrap up the work of the relocation program that has exceeded its original $41 million price tag by more than $500 million and dragged on decades longer than planned. The effort threatens to get even costlier with many people still awaiting new housing.

"I want to move this forward," said Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert of California, who recently visited the reservations with other congressional delegates to hear from tribal leaders on the matter. "The relocation program was never intended to be carried on in perpetuity."

FULL story at link.