The Navajo Nation
Office of Din4 Culture, Language, and Community Service

Division of Din4 Education

Navajo Traditional Apprenticeship Project

Plan of Operation

Article I. APPRENTICESHIP COMMITTEE

Section 1.  Establishment

The Apprenticeship Committee is hereby established in the Division of Diné Education of the Executive Branch of the Navajo Nation.

Section 2.  Purposes

The Apprenticeship Committee's general purpose is to assist in the development, implementation, and appeal process of the Traditional Apprenticeship Project.

Section 3.  Membership; selection; appointment; chairperson

A. The Committee shall consist of six (6) members from various Navajo Nation departments and organizations as follows:

• One (1) member from the Education Committee. If members do not meet the qualification, the committee may appoint another person with the specified qualification from another committee.

• One (1) member from the Diné Cultural and Spiritual Society.

• One (1) emplyee from Diné College Indian Studies. If employees do not meet the qualification, the college may appoint another person with the specified qualification from another office or organization.

• One (1) emplyee from the Navajo Nation Historic Preservation Office. If employees do not meet the qualification, the college may appoint another person with the specified qualification from another office or organization.

• One (1) employee from the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance. If employees do not meet the qualification, the college may appoint another person with the specified qualification from another office or organization.

• One (1) employee from the Office of Diné Culture, Language and Community Services. If employees do not meet the qualification, the college may appoint another person with the specified qualification from another office or organization.

B. The Committe shall select a chariperson from among its members.

Section 4.  Qualification

A. Shall speak and comprehend the Navajo Language.

B. Shall be knowledgeable about the different Traditional Navajo ceremony(s).

C. Shall be knowledgeable about the Traditional Navajo value and clan system.

D. Shall be knowledgeable about the Traditional Navajo Culture.

Section 5.  Term of Office

Each member to the Apprenticeship Committee shall serve a term of two years provided that the member is employed by or a member of the organization he/she represents on said Committee. When a vacancy exists, a successor shall be appointed in the same manner provided in section 3 above to serve the remainder of the term.

Section 6.  Compensation

Each member to the Apprenticeship Committee shall serve on a volunteer basis without any form of compensation and cost reimbursement.

Section 7:  Powers

A. The Committee shall have such power as is necessary and proper for the accomplishment of the purposes set forth above.

B. The enumerated powers of the Committee are:

• Review and recommend to the Education Committee of the Navajo Nation Council regulations, policies and procedures to implement the Traditional Apprenticeship Project.
  
• Recommend the list of Navajo ceremonies that are near extinction to the Education Committee.
  
• Receive and review project monitoring, evaluation, and other quarterly reports from the Education specialist.
  
• Report to the Education Committee of the Navajo Nation Council the state of the Traditional Apprenticeship Project as requested by said committee.

Section 8:  Meetings, quorum

A. The Apprenticeship Committee shall conduct one regular meeting at the end of the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer Terms as provided below:

• Fall Term - August, September, and October
• Winter Term - November, December, and January
• Spring Term - February, March and April
• Summer Term - May, June and July

B. The Apprenticeship Committee shall meet periodically to review and decide on the appeal process.

C. At any meeting, a quorum of the Apprenticeship Committee shall consist of four (4) members of the Committee.