Sheepsprings is named after Too' halstoii' (Verdent Springs or Dibe bito). The chapter makes up the southern end of Land Management District 12. The area includes the eastern slopes and foothills of the Chuska Mountains. Most of the chapter lands are in the San Juan Basin. The entire chapter covers 169 square miles. Elevations range from 5,000 to over 8,000 feet above sea level near Narbona Pass.
Prior to the infamous Navajo "long walk", eleven bands of Navajos lived in the Chuska Mountains; among them was the legendary Chief Narbona. Originally, the pass was name Washington Pass in honor of Colonel John M. Washington by Lieutenant James K. Simpson. The students at Dine College help change the name to Narbona Pass.
The Sheepsprings 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.
The Chapter was certified in 1965 and the chapter house was built shortly there after. The chapter had existed since the late 1920’s; people would be nominated from those attending a meeting. The candidates would be lined up and the attendees would be asked to line up with the individual they were voting for. This was done because most of the Navajos in those days could not read; so all voting procedures were conducted verbally. Nowadays, chapter officials, as well as the Navajo Nation Council Delegates, and the Navajo Nation President are elected every four years through a democratic, private ballot process.
A majority of the homes in the chapter area have electricity and running water. Sheepsprings has many folks who do sanpainting and rug weaving. Fewer people now rely on livestock. As more and more youth are being educated, the community hopes they will return to help build a stable economy. Sheepsprings is situated in a prime area where roads lead to border towns and scenic byways.
"Servicing the Governmental Needs of the Sheepsprings Chapter Residents."
Interesting link ---- www.navajo.org
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Aspens Near
Narbona Pass
Sheepsprings Chapter
Kellywood Begay, Sr.
President
Steven Mitchell
Vice President
June H. Berland
Secretary/Treasurer
Carol Bitsoi
Community Services Coordinator
Zilla Peshlakai
Office Specialist
Bennie Joe
Grazing Board
Edward V. Jim, Sr.
Council Delegate
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