Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation Background and Functions Overview

This is the first in a series of reports we intend to issue to help decisionmakers make plans for the future of the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (ONHIR).Our overall objective is to identify and report on ONHIR’s responsibilities, functions, and current operations that could impact the closure and transfer of ONHIR responsibilities to the U.S. Department of the Interior or other successor agency (or agencies).ONHIR is an independent Federal agency responsible for assisting with the relocation of Navajo people and Hopi people living within each other’s boundaries as a result in part of a longstanding land dispute between the tribes. ONHIR has been actively providing relocation benefits for 38 years at a cumulative cost of more than $598 million.This initial report describes ONHIR’s functions and provides information on funding and expenditures, current operations, and factors to be considered if ONHIR is closed.In subsequent reports, we may evaluate other activities such as applicant appeals, use of land and property, building leases and permits, and operation of the Padres Mesa Demonstration Ranch (a cattle ranch for Navajo ranchers).