Chapter (Navajo Nation)

Typically, they meet in a Chapter house (Navajo: Áłah nidaʼadleeh dah bighan), where they can also express their opinions to their Navajo Nation Council Delegate, although those opinions are non-binding.

[4] John G. Hunter, superintendent of the Leupp Agency, is generally given credit for the establishment of the Chapter system starting in 1922 in an effort to bolster Navajo self-determination and local governance.

The chapters served as liaisons between the Navajo and the federal government, and also acted as precincts for the elections of tribal council delegates.

[5] In 1998 the Navajo Tribal Council passed the "Local Governance Act," expanding the role of the existing 110 chapters.

The Act authorized Chapters to make decisions over local matters, as long as they were consistent with existing Navajo law, including customs and traditions.