CHINLE - Because of the standoff over land development in Chinle, four years ago the Davis siblings decided to take matters into their own hands. Davis Development, the name of their company, is developing 64-acres of grazing lands.
When they get their master lease, it will allow them to sub-lease sections of the land to businesses and they will get profits from lease rentals.
Their plan has been in the works for four years. And they've already overcome the biggest hurdle - grazing consent from their neighbors.
In one year, they got the consent of all affected
permit holders and are now working towards all the necessary clearances.
"They're now in the final stages," said Chinle Council delegate Leo Begay, who has been helping them.
"Our project is a new thing," said Sam Davis, "because we have no money, we are not educated and we don't know about business, [we decided] to go with a developer." They won't name their developer but said they've met with them many times.
They also had a consultant.
"[Now] we're on our own. Slowly moving forward," said Joe Davis. "It took a whole year to get [grazing] consent from our neighbors." The project, though, is now temporarily stalled with the BIA, who is questioning right of way on roads, said Sam.
Another hurdle they face, Sam said, is a letter from the Navajo Nation waiving the tribe's immunity. "I hope we can get that," he said.
They know they are charting new territory, the implications of which could resonate across Indian Country.
And because they believe their project puts them in direct competition with the Navajo Nation, they believe the tribe will not deal with them fairly.
"Yes, we're competing with the Navajo Nation," said Joe Davis. "The tribe has a socialist economic department. They want to run things for themselves. They say it will go to 'tribal' coffers.
"Ours will too. We don't expect to get rich off of it. [We know] the deck is stacked against us. In Navajo history, all Navajo entrepreneurs have gone under. That's what the tribe wants to see, they want to see us go under so they can take the land."
If they think the tribe won't be fair, then there are others who think the project will not happen.
"No, it will not work," said Dwayne Billsie, Chinle chapter president, and an officer with the Chinle Police District. "What they need to do is come back to CLUP (Community Land Use Planning) and get the consent of the people to use the [land for] development. Instead of working with the local government, they are trying to work directly with the developer."
Additional links
From the report; 2000-2001; Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy; Grazing Permit
Federal Report: Overcoming Challenges to Business and Economic Development in Indian Country
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