The Gadii'ahi (formerly Cudeii) Chapter, is now correctly
spelled in Navajo, Meaning "a lone juniper tree", the name
derived from one juniper tree growing along the river.
The Chapter is situated 11 miles northwest of Shiprock,
South of the San Juan River. The Chapter was orginally
part of the Beclabito Chapter, until 1978 when the Chapter
separated from Beclabito, and became a separate entity and
certified by the Navajo Tribal Council in 1978.
The Gadii'ahi Chapter House is located in the center of the
community, which serves as a primary community and official
center. In the Community of Gadii'ahi, approximately 690
acres of farmland, with 42 farm Plots ranging from 8 acres
to 28 acres per farm plot. Farmers grow an abundance of
melon, Indian (Blue, White, Yellow) corn and a variety of
vegetables, along with grain and hay.
North of route 64 is Rattlesnake Community, named by oil
workers, in Navajo it is call Toh koh eh (gas lantern). In
1920s Oil and Gas was discovered in the Rattlesnake area.
One of the first contract or agreement was signed with the
Oil companies and the Navajo People, being coordinated by
BIA Spokesperson. The need for negotiations over Navajo
Lands eventually led to the first Navajo Tribal Council.
One such leader, Sam Ahkeah was the seventh Navajo Tribal
Chairman of the Navajo Nation Council, raised in Gadii'ahi
Community.
Early settlers returning from Ft. Sumner, called "The Long
Walk" settled in Gadii'ahi using primitive tools to constructed the current irrigation canal. In the Southern Chapter boundry area, is Rattlesnake (Toh koh eh) a vast semi arid desert, yet very beautiful where one can see the Shiprock Pinnacle majestically rising above the open country. Within that area, our elderly people still own sheep, horses, and cattle having their livestock graze in the area, which is their livelihood.
Infrastructure in the community is slowly being developed,
the Gadii'ahi N57 road was paved in 1997, waterline and
power line came into the communities of Gadii'ahi and
Rattlesnake in 1985. The Pre-School built in 1988, the
Senior Congregated Meal Site (Senior Center) in the year
2000. The construction of the Gadii'ahi Chapter house building was in 1982, continuously operating for 26 years, working towards their Self Governance Certification.
The Gadii'ahi Chapter conducts meetings monthly to keep
residents informed; residents have a forum to express their
opinions to their Navajo Nation Council Delegate or to
decide on matters concerning their chapter.
Upcoming Chapter Meetings:
- July 2, 2007 - CLUP Meeting @ 9:00 am
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July 2, 2007 - Chapter Planning Meeting @ 1:00 pm
-
TBA, 2007 - Regular Chapter Meeting @ 4:00pm
Gadii'ahi Chapter aims to promote a well established government which advocates for the general interest of all Community members with Local Governance Statues, ensuring quiality administration functions, electorate involvement in major decision making and providing leadership in the areas of Economic and Community Development.
Navajo Nation Government Link ---> http://www.navajo.org/
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"Isn't it a wounderful thing that we're all different? Each of us has strengths and skill to share, And when we link our individual strength together, we invincible"
Gadii'ahi Chapter
Officials / Staff
Elizabeth Harrison
Community Service Coordinator
Laura Tom-Jones
Office Specialist
Harry Descheenie Jr.
President
Evelyn H. Jim
Vice-President
Laverne Lasater
Secretary / Treasurer
David Tom
Council Delegate
Harry Lee
Grazing Official
Roy Jones
Land Board
Maggie Johnson
Community Health Rep.
C.L.U.P.C. Members:
Robert Ahkeah
Andrew Brady
Marian E. Multine
Rosie F. Fank
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