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Who does what
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B · From the record Roles compiled from the Navajo Nation Code and official sources. How we verify →
Who does what — four ways in: the registry · the untangler · the matching game · count the powers
This site names a lot of offices. Here is what each one is, what it does, and where its authority comes from. Every bolded office name on this site links here.
Money and contracts
Central Records Department
What it is. The Navajo Nation’s filing cabinet.
What it does. Every executed contract of the Nation must be filed here. And the public may see them.
Office of Contracts and Grants
What it is. The executive-branch office that handles the Nation’s contracts and grants.
What it does. Receives a copy of every executed contract, alongside Central Records.
Office of the Auditor General
What it is. The Nation’s internal auditor.
What it does. Audits chapters, programs and enterprises. Its findings become public reports. Candidates say it cannot hire enough investigators.
Office of the Controller
What it is. The Nation’s chief accounting office.
What it does. Processes payments, and runs the confidential Fraud, Waste & Abuse hotline — which takes tips from anyone.
Office of Management & Budget (OMB)
What it is. An executive-branch office.
What it does. Sets the planning base amounts that start the budget each year, and publishes the Budget Instruction Manual.
Budget & Finance Committee
What it is. A standing committee of the Navajo Nation Council.
What it does. Approves the Budget Instruction Manual, then holds public hearings at all five agencies, takes your testimony, and recommends the budget to the Council.
Ethics and accountability
Office of Ethics & Rules
What it is. The office where a person may file a complaint against a government official.
What it does. Investigates conduct by officials and employees. Its director and presenting officer must be members of the Navajo Nation Bar. The former Director says both posts are currently unfilled by barred attorneys.
Office of Hearings and Appeals
What it is. An independent adjudicator.
What it does. Hears the ethics complaints that the Office of Ethics & Rules brings, and election grievances. It replaced the old Ethics & Rules Committee when the Council went from 88 delegates to 24 — though the Code still names that abolished committee.
Special prosecutor
What it is. An outside prosecutor appointed for a specific matter.
What it does. Prosecutes ethics cases independently of the regular offices.
Law and Order Committee
What it is. A standing committee of the Council.
What it does. The oversight committee for the Office of Ethics & Rules. The office reports to it, and it controls the office’s budget.
Work and employment
Office of Navajo Labor Relations (ONLR)
What it is. Where an employee starts.
What it does. Receives and investigates charges under the Navajo Preference in Employment Act. It has six months to investigate. You do not need its permission to go further.
Navajo Nation Labor Commission
What it is. Where an employee finishes. It works like a court.
What it does. Hears complaints ONLR did not resolve. Three commissioners make a quorum. It does not publish its decisions — so nobody can read how “just cause” has been applied before.
Government and law
Office of Legislative Counsel
What it is. The Council’s lawyers.
What it does. Drafts legislation and advises the Council. And by law, it is supposed to codify the Nation’s statutes.
Office of Legislative Services
What it is. The Council’s staff office.
What it does. Publishes the Navajo Nation Code, the amendment index (which begins in 2014), and committee records.
Naabik’íyáti’ Committee
What it is. The Council’s committee of the whole — every delegate sits on it.
What it does. Nearly every bill passes through it before reaching the Council floor.
Office of Navajo Government Development (ONGD)
What it is. The reform office.
What it does. Charged with helping the people finish the government begun temporarily in 1989. Candidates describe it as invisible. Its Executive Director is Harrison Tsosie, who drafted the proposed constitution.
Navajo Election Administration
What it is. The office that runs elections.
What it does. Verifies residency, voter registration, and filing-fee compliance before a candidate is certified for the ballot.
Navajo Board of Election Supervisors
What it is. The board that oversees the Election Administration.
What it does. Enforces campaign finance rules. Under CJA-08-24, candidates who miss expense deadlines or exceed the cap face disqualification, fines, and possible imprisonment.
Courts
Navajo Nation Judicial Branch
What it is. The courts — district and family courts, and the Supreme Court.
What it does. In one recent quarter: 3,242 cases filed, 4,494 closed — a 139% clearance rate. It publishes quarterly caseload reports. It says copyright prevents it from posting most statutes.
Peacemaking
What it is. Traditional Diné dispute resolution.
What it does. Runs in twelve districts alongside the courts, incorporating traditional concepts. Window Rock is building the first dedicated Peacemaking facility.
Health
Navajo Department of Health
What it is. The Nation’s health department, created in 2014.
What it does. President Ben Shelly called it “the first tribally operated, state-like health department.” It cannot license physicians or clinics, and it cannot reach 638 self-determination funding.
Missing an office?
If this site names something and doesn’t explain it here, that is a bug. Tell us and we’ll add it.
Related: Resources & official sources · The Right Door — the right door · Glossary · The Seams
In depth: The Auditor General →