By Larry W. Emerson
Censored Newshttp://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com

Dine' farmer and scholar Larry W. Emerson shares his wishlist for 2011 with Censored News. "It is a wishful thinking - and I hope thought provoking - article regarding five Indian news headlines I'd like to read in 2011," Emerson said. Emerson lives in Tsedaak'aan, Diné Nation, near Shiprock, NM. He is a farmer, artist, activist, and scholar.

Five Navajo Times headlines I'd like to read in 2011 1. Navajo Nation Council sets new principles for self-governance: healing, decolonization, transformation and mobilization. Leaders agreed that the days of blind-faith assimilation and modern world seductions regarding power, greed, control, conquest and egotism were the true evils of colonialized Navajo self governance. In a related action, leaders agreed to restore the sacred circle and to reject the unhealthy political hierarchy copied from western politicians and bureaucrats.

2. Navajo Nation adopts democratic measures to include rights of the Natural World. Opening clause reads: “We, the People and the Natural World…” Navajo communities agreed that ancient Indigenous knowledge regarding harmony, beauty, happiness, peace and balance were the real imperatives that sustain a healthy democracy.

3. Navajo Nation adopts principles of hozho and k’é as the truest measures of family, clan and community sustainability. The new Navajo leadership declared that colonization was destructive and useless to contemporary Navajo society. The new Council also rejected notions of the American dream if it means more fossil fuel burning, more environmental degradation, more environmental refugees, more water shortages, & more exploitation. ”The ‘Dream’ is really a self-destructive candle burning at both ends and a terrible nightmare,” the leaders declared. “One can squeeze just so much juice from an orange and the Navajo Nation refuses to participate in ecocide of this sort.”

4. Chapter governments agree to collaborate under new districting system. In a historic set of local meetings, the Navajo people elected to begin formal collaboration between communities by restoring and regenerating age-old principles of identity, place, kinship, community, respect and generosity. Chapters also agreed to adopt Navajo principles of decision-making because of the need to be accountable to and respectful of all people and all life forms.

5. Navajo Nation sets new economic priorities to empower informal private sector. Leaders cited this layer of society as the truest expression of Indigenous–style economic thinking. The new Council declared this layer of Navajo society to be the best experts regarding needs to build strong local economies. “They speak the Navajo language and understand how to integrate principles of k’é and economics," one leader was heard to say.