Tribal Labor and Employment Law: The Evolution of the Navajo Preference in Employment Act

Authors

Paul Spruhan, University of New Mexico - School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2022

Abstract

For nearly 40 years, the Navajo Nation (“Nation”) has regulated labor and employment (except for occupational safety and worker’s compensation) through one statute, the Navajo Preference in Employment Act (NPEA). Despite its seemingly narrow title, the NPEA is a comprehensive law on the subject. First passed in 1985, it has gone through general and specific revisions to reflect tribal leaders’ views on the balance between the interests of employees and employers, both within and outside the tribal government. In its own right, the NPEA is an important manifestation of a Navajo-specific view of labor and employment that every attorney practicing within the Navajo Nation must understand to effectively advise and represent their clients. Moreover, as an example of how one tribal government has dealt with the complex issues arising in this area, anyone structuring labor and employment law can learn from the Navajo Nation’s experience.

Volume

58

Issue

11

First Page

44

Last Page

47

Keywords

Navajo Preference in Employment Act, NPEA, Tribal Goverment Labor and Employment Law and Policy

Recommended Citation

Tribal Labor and Employment Law: The Evolution of the Navajo Preference in Employment Act, Ariz. Att'y Mag., July/Aug 2022, at 44.