Navajo Names---Tl'oo'ditsin (Barren of Trees) or Jadi hadit'iih (Antelope Look-Out Point)

BECENTI CHAPTER

Ya'at'teeh and Welcome to our website. The Becenti Chapter is located in Land Management District 15 of the Eastern Navajo Agency in north central part of McKinley County, New Mexico. The Chapter House is 10 miles north of the community of Crownpoint and .5 miles west of New Mexico State Highway 371 (Veterans Memorial Highway). The chapter land base is in the "checkerboard area", and includes Indian Allotments, Tribal Trust, Fee lands, Private, Public Domain and BLM lands.

The Becenti Chapter conducts monthly meetings 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.


Upcoming Chapter Meetings:
  • February 7 @ 1:00 p.m. - Planning Meeting
  • February 14 @ 1:00 p.m. - Regular Chapter Mtg.
  • Becenti Chapter currently have Hay for sale @ $9.00 plus 4% NNTax per bale
  • Bathroom Addition Project is currently pending due to a freeze from the state of new mexico indian affairs & directive from bill richardson.
  • Proposal sent to Santa Fe for the ARRA funds in the amount of $390,000.00 for bathroom/waterline project. Still Pending.
  • Becenti Chapter was selected for NM Tribal Infrastruce Funds funds.(approved for $260,000.00 on 102/09 by IAD committee); Chapter President and CSC went on behalf of the chapter to request the funds)..still waiting for the award letter from Indian Affairsof NM.
  • The CSC/OS are giving technical assistance to the Land Use Planning Committee for Community Based Land Use Plans and certification process. The Chapter Vice-President is giving technical assistance in the professional service contract for the SAS process; currently the package is in window rock for SAS approval.
  • The chapter will be requesting environmental clearance from the BIA Roads Dept for the road improvement leading to the NHA (west area).
  • The Chapter Administration Staff are doing an excellent job for the chapter and community memberships. Thank you!
The chapter has a low population density of 1.16 people per square mile. The core of the chapter population is near the 165.25 acre chapter compound where NHA has built 65 housing units PLUS 10 more homes.

The land characteristics can be described as rolling hills, sandstone mesas, and sandy washes. Chaco Wash of the eastern edge of the chapter land drains to the north into the San Juan Basin. Mesa tops gently slope with sides having be carved by precipitation and wind erosion.
Elevations range from 6,169 to 6,354 feet above sea level.

The Navajo Tribal Council certified Becenti Chapter on February 15, 1955. According to the local people, the chapter is known by two names: TLOODI TSIN, meaning "barren of trees" and Jadi hadi t'iih' meaning "Antelope Lookout". These names are representative of past times, life, and conditions of the area. Since the names were hard to pronounce by Non-Navajos, the chapter was named simply "Becenti, after Chief Becenti, the first documented leader of the community.

In the past, the land was once densely covered with pinon and juniper, which were eventually depleted due to demand for shelter and firewood. The probable abundance of trees is suggested by two names: Tsin neez Chooz and Tsin yaa naalk'd. Many types of wild animals used to roam the area, notably antelope. Antelope were rounded up and chased off a cliff at Jadi hadi t'iih, disabling them or instantly killing them. They were used for food and clothing. Mythical, the people believe that the pinon and juniper trees took the shaped of a antelope, with its legs to the east, the neck and head to the south and body to the north, Jadi hadi t'iih is located two miles south of the chapter house. The mesa also has scenic qualities.The chapter became a viable entity during the 1920's and 30's. A census survey was taken in 1928 at Mahalland Well; an artesian spring located about seven miles west of the current chapter house. Chief Becenti, Robert Bob Perry and John Perry, Sr. were the first elected official to represent local concerns. Although meetings were conducted at different places, it was not until 1939 that a chapter house was built to accommodate gatherings at one fixed location. The chapter house is a three-room, native stone mason building and is very worthy of consideration as a historic building. The present Land Use Planning Committee Members are working on the certification process of their Land Use Plans.

"Servicing the Governmental Needs of the Becenti Chapter Residents."

Navajo Nation Information - - - -> http://www.navajo.org
ADMINISTRATION

Vacant
COMMUNITY SERVICES COORDINATOR

Christina Platero
OFFICE SPECIALIST

Larinda Paul
OFFICE ASSISTANT

Vangie Tully
SENIOR CHW

CHAPTER OFFICIALS

Benjamin Benally
PRESIDENT

Marjorie Lantana
VICE PRESIDENT

Charles Long
SECRETARY TREASURER

Lucy Cayatineto
LAND BOARD

Harry Hubbard
COUNCIL DELEGATE

CLUPC (Advisory - Marjorie Lantana, VP)

Thelma Francisco
PRESIDENT

Vacant
VICE PRESIDENT

Jonathan Perry
SECRETARY TREASURER

Carol Dolan
MEMBER

Jeremiah Etsitty
MEMBER

SENIOR ADVISORY (Advisory - CSC)

Vacant
PRESIDENT

Anna Shorty
VICE PRESIDENT

Jonathan Perry
SECRETARY/TREAS.

Lolita Perry
MEMBER

Betty Bennett
MEMBER

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (Advisory - Benjamin Benally, Pres)

Andrew Martin,
BERT PRESIDENT

Angie Burnside,
BERT VICE-PRESIDENT

Kathy Shorty,
BERT SECRETARY/TREASURE

Vangie Tully,
BERT MEMBER

VATERAN COMMITTEE (Advisory - Charles Long, Sec.)
Leo Begay,
COMMANDER

Leo Martin,
VICE COMMANDER

Jeremy Etcitty,
SECRETARY

Lucy Cayadineto,
TREASURE





NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH/NHA COMMITTEE (Advisory - Benjamin Benally, President)
Jonathan Perry,
PRESIDENT

Vacant
VICE-PRESIDENT

Marilyn Becenti,
SECRETARY/TREASURE
Contact Information: Christina Platero, Office Specialist
Becenti Chapter
Address: P.O. Box 708, Crownpoint, New Mexico, 87313
Phone: (505) 786-2283
Fax: (505) 786-2285
E-Mail: becenti@navajochapters.org




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