NAVAJO INDIAN RESERVATION

The Navajo Nation is recognized as the largest Indian tribe in the United States. The 2000 census reported 253,000 Navajo members, of whom 131,166 resided in Arizona. The Navajo Reservation is also the largest Indian reservation in the United States, covering a total of 17.5 million acres and stretches across northwest New Mexico, northeast Arizona, and southeast Utah. From low, dry desert elevations to mountainous regions, Navajo land is larger than some states.
Modern theory describes the Navajo people as semi-nomadic, having ventured throughout the Southwest before settling in their present location.
In the years around 1860, tensions between the Navajo people and non-Indian ranchers and the US Army increased. In 1864, after a series of skirmishes and battles, a large portion of the Navajo population was forced away from their beloved homelands to the Bosque Redondo, an experimental reservation about 400 miles away on the plains of eastern New Mexico. The people, under the eye of US Army guards, were forced to march the entire distance. Thousands died along the way, during the four years the people spent at the Bosque Redondo, and during the walk home in 1868. This episode of tragedy and human survival is known as "The Long Walk."
The leaders of the different clans of the Navajo people signed the Treaty of 1868 at the Bosque Redondo with the United States. The treaty set aside a reservation -- a fraction of the Navajo's original homeland -- and in exchange for peace, the US Government promised to provide basic services to the Navajo people.
In 1921, oil was discovered in northwest New Mexico and the US Government created the first form of the Navajo Tribal Council, a six-man business council, for the sole purpose of giving consent to mineral leases. In 1936, the US Government issued the "Rules of the Navajo Tribal Council," which formed the basis for the Navajo Nation's government that remains in effect today.
The Navajo Nation Council meets four times a year to enact legislation and discuss other issues of importance to the Navajo people. The 88 members of the Council are elected, based on the population o f the 110 chapters. The Council is the governing body of the Navajo Nation and its meetings are presided over by the Speaker who is elected by the membership of the Council. The speaker serves as CEO of the Legislative Branch.
The Executive Branch is headed by a president and vice president, who are elected every four years by the Navajo people. The 110 chapters are the local form of government and each chapter also elects a chairman, vice chairman, secretary/treasurer, and other officials.
A major area of development is tourism. The Navajo Nation is rich with scenic beauty and the Navajo people are world renown for their silver and turquoise jewelry, and hand-woven rugs. Recreational attractions exist at locations throughout Navajo lands in three states. Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Chaco Canyon, Hubbell's Trading Post, and Shiprock are but a few of the beautiful and interesting sites for visitors to Navajo land.

Stamps from the Navajo Reservation were first issued in 1991. The stamps which were required for hunting and fishing on the reservation are imperforate with dull gum. When used, information about the license holder was written on the back of the stamp. Although no stamps are recorded on licenses, these stamps with information on the back seem to serve the same purpose. Prices in the used column are for stamps with writing on the back. Stamp sizes range from 44-45mm high and from 61-65mm wide. Serial numbers are in red on the 1991-1994 issues and in black from 1995-1997. Stamps were originally sold by the Reservation for face value. No stamps were issued after 1997.
Paper color Mint Unsigned Used
NA 1 1991 5.00 Habitat (Deer in background) black on green 65.00 25.00
NA 2 1992 5.00 Habitat (Turkey in background) black on blue 12.00 10.00 10.00
NA 2a 1992 5.00 Habitat (Turkey in background) black on dark blue 75.00
NA 3 1993 5.00 Habitat (Water Catcher in background) black on red brown 12.00 10.00 8.00
NA 4 1994 5.00 Habitat (Bear in background) black on brown 10.00 9.00 8.00
NA 5 1995 5.00 Habitat (Deer in background) black on red 10.00 9.00 8.00
printing shifted (photo on next page) 150.00
Paper color Mint Unsigned Used
NA 6 1996 5.00 Habitat (Deer) black on green 12.00 10.00 8.00
First printing serial numbers #1-199. NA#6 measures 63 mm wide.
NA 7 1996 5.00 Habitat (Deer) Small Ser # black on green 17.50 15.00 12.50
Second printing serial numbers #200 and higher. NA#7 measures 64mm wide. The green color is also a little lighter.
NA 7a 1996 5.00 missing serial number (two recorded examples) ——–
No impression of any number can be seen where the serial number should be on #NA7a.
NA 8 1997 5.00 Habitat black on red 10.00 9.00 8.00
NA 8a 1997 5.00 missing serial number (one recorded example) ——–
On #NA8a, the ink is actually missing from where the serial number should be. An impression of “142” can be seen upon close examination.

NAVAJO INDIAN RESERVATION

NA #1

NA#2

NA#2a

NA#5

NA#4

NA #3

NAVAJO INDIAN RESERVATION

NA#8

NA#7

NA#6

NA #5 printing shifted

NA #7a

NA#8a

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