Navajo settlement brings welcome end for many to bitter dispute

For Utah Navajos, the proposed settlement of a long-running lawsuit alleging state mismanagement of their trust fund is like a prayer half answered. Tuesday's $33 million agreement represents a moral victory that also would boost trust fund efforts to underwrite education, environmental cleanups and much needed infrastructure such as paved roads, water, and electricity. "There was a lot of anger and frustration," Susie Johnson-Philemon said of more than 17 years spent in litigation, "and we stood our ground." Any disbursement of settlement funds also will have to wait until the Utah Navajo Trust Fund gets a new trustee. The state renounced its role managing oil royalties in the trust fund two years ago, sparking a battle for control that has halted spending. Sen. Bob Bennett has introduced legislation in Congress that would make a Utah Navajo organization, the Utah Dineh Corp., trustee. But the administration of Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley continues to lobby Congress to be named trustee. A third group of Navajos from Utah's Aneth Chapter also is vying to become trustee...read more