The Navajo Nation view slideshow
The Navajo Nation is the largest reservation in the United States, situated on over 27,000 square miles of land within the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
Demographics
 | Population: 180,462 | ||
| Median Age: 24 | ||
| Labor Force: comprised of 28% of the population | ||
| Unemployment: 42% | ||
| Poverty: 43% lives below the poverty rate | ||
| Education (for ages 25+): 56% high school degree 7% college degree |
Employment by sectors of the Navajo Nation
Key industries and employers on the Navajo Nation are in the following sectors:
| Agriculture | ||
| Service | ||
| Manufacturing | ||
| Government | ||
| Tourism |
Major Employers
Major employers can be divided into two broad categories: Tribal Enterprises and Private Sector Enterprises.
There are twelve enterprises on the Navajo Nation owned and operated by the Navajo tribe. The Navajo government is the largest employer on the Navajo Nation. Other primary employers include:
| State of Arizona | ||
| Navajo Area Indian Health Services (NAIHS) | ||
| Office of Indian Education Program under the Bureau of Indian Affairs | ||
| State of New Mexico |
Navajo Labor Force
The Navajo Nation does not conduct surveys to assess the current labor force. According to the 1990 Census, 29.5% of the total population of the Navajo Nation was in the labor force. This number slightly decreased to 28.46% during the Census 2000. The same Census 2000 found 49.33% of the US population in general to be in the labor force. The numbers for Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah were 46.53%, 45.88%, and 49.66%, respectively.
Tribal and Local Government
Tribal Government
Window Rock, Arizona is the Navajo Nation capital. Since 1989, the Navajo Nation has governed itself using a three-branch system of government:
| The Executive Branch is headed by the President and Vice President. Elected officials serve a four-year term by the popular vote of the Navajo people. | ||
| The Judicial Branch is headed by the Chief Justice of the Navajo Nation, is appointed by the President, and is confirmed by the Navajo Nation Council. | ||
| The Legislative Branch is comprised of 88 members called council delegates or the Navajo Nation Council. Legislators serve a four-year term and are elected by the registered voters of all 110 chapters, the smallest administrative units of the Navajo Nation. | ||
Local Governance
Local governance occurs through entities called "Chapters," which are geographically subdivided populations of tribal members. Each of the Navajo Nation's 110 chapters is centered near a population center.
The Local Governance Act enables tribal members to vote on local economic development issues, such as the granting of home and business site leases within the community. Though chapters have significant power in the community with planning and development, the ultimate authority legally remains in the hands of the Navajo Nation Council.