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In 2019, JoAnn Jayne is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation in the Hashkééjí Nahat'á (Judicial Branch). She is Tábąąhá clan, born for Kinyaa’áanii clan. She was born in Shiprock, N.M., and grew up in Tohatchi, N.M. She has a JD from the University of Montana School of Law.The Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation; Navajo CourtsAdministrative Offices of the CourtsThe Navajo Nation Peacemaking ProgramThe Navajo Nation has the largest tribal justice system in the United States. It has eleven judicial districts. Each district has a trial court and a family court. Cases from the district courts can be appealed to the Navajo Nation Supreme Court.In the 1980s, the Navajos began a process of reverting to traditional justice methods, while retaining the more western Navajo Nation Courts. As a result of this process, the traditional laws of the Navajo people have recently been written down for the first time in a document called the Fundamental Laws of the Dine. Among other things, this document mandates that Navajo judges issue judgments based on traditional Navajo values. It has been called the “flagship” of American tribal courts.It also has the unique Navajo Peacemaker Courts which has 12 districts. It is led by Roman Bitsuie The Navajo Nation Peacemaking ProgramThe Fundamental Laws of the Dine and application of the principles of Navajo values in their decision-making are the the above all the justices.THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS OF THE DINEDiné Bi Beenahaz'áanii: Codifying Indigenous Consuetudinary Law in the 21st CenturyHISTORY OF THE COURTS OF THE NAVAJO NATIONDiné Bi Beenahaz'áanii (1 N.N.C. § 202)The Diné bi beenahaz'áanii embodies Diyin bitsąądęę beenahaz'áanii (Traditional Law), Diyin Dine'é bitsąądęę beenahaz'áanii (Customary Law), Nahasdzáán dóó Yádiłhił bitsąądęę beenahaz'áanii (Natural Law), and Diyin Nohookáá Diné bi beenahaz'áanii (Common Law).These laws provide sanctuary for the Diné life and culture, our relationship with the world beyond the sacred mountains, and the balance we maintain with the natural world.These laws provide the foundation of Diné bi nahat'á (providing leadership through developing and administering policies and plans utilizing these laws as guiding principles) and Diné sovereignty. In turn, Diné bi nahat'a is the foundation of the Diné bi naat'á (government). Hence, the respect for, honor, belief and trust in the Diné bi beenahaz'áanii preserves, protects and enhances the following inherent rights, beliefs, practices and freedoms:A. The individual rights and freedoms of each Diné (from the beautiful child who will be born tonight to the dear elder who will pass on tonight from old age) as they are declared in these laws; andB. The collective rights and freedoms of the Diyin Nohookáá Diné as a distinct people as they are declared in these laws; andC. The fundamental values and principles of Diné Life Way as declared in these laws; andD. Self-governance; andE. A government structure consisting of Hózhóójí Nahat'á (Executive Branch), Naat'ájí Nahat’á (Legislative Branch), Hashkééjí Nahat'á (Judicial Branch), and the Naayee'jí Nahat’á (National Security Branch); andF. That the practice of Diné bi nahat'a through the values and life way embodied in the Diné bi beenahaz'áanii provides the foundation for all laws proclaimed by the Navajo Nation government and the faithful adherence to Diné Bi Nahat'á will ensure the survival of the Navajo Nation; andG. That Diné bi beenahaz'áanii provides for the future development and growth of a thriving Navajo Nation regardless of the many different thinking, planning, life ways, languages, beliefs, and laws that may appear within the Nation; andH. The right and freedom of the Diné to be educated as to Diné Bi beenahaz'áanii; andI. That Diné Bi beenahaz'áanii provides for the establishment of governmental relationships and agreements with other nations; that the Diné shall respect and honor such relationships and agreements and that the Diné can expect reciprocal respect and honor from such other nations.§ 3. Diyin Bitsąądęę Beenahaz'áanii--Diné Traditional Law (1 N.N.C. § 203)The Diné Traditional Law declares and teaches that:A. It is the right and freedom of the Diné to choose leaders of their choice; leaders who will communicate with the people for guidance; leaders who will use their experience and wisdom to always act in the best interest of the people; and leaders who will also ensure the rights and freedoms of generations yet to come; andB. All leaders chosen by the Diné are to carry out their duties and responsibilities in a moral and legal manner in representing the people and the government; the people's trust and confidence in the leaders and the continued status as a leader are dependent upon adherence to the values and principles of Dine bi beenahaz'áanii; andC. The leader(s) of the Executive Branch (Aląąjį' Hózhóójí Nahat'á) shall represent the Navajo Nation to other peoples and nations and implement the policies and laws enacted by the legislative branch; andD. The leader(s) of the Legislative Branch (Aląąjį' Naat'ájí Nahat'á and Aląąjį' Naat'ájí Ndaanit'áii or Naat'aanii) shall enact policies and laws to address the immediate and future needs; andE. The leader(s) of the Judicial Branch (Aląąjį' Hashkééjí Nahat'á) shall uphold the values and principles of Diné bi beenahaz'áanii in the practice of peace making, obedience, discipline, punishment, interpreting laws and rendering decisions and judgments; andF. The leader(s) of the Security Branch (Aląąjį' Naayee'jí Nahat'á) are entrusted with the safety of the people and the government. To this end, the leader(s) shall maintain and enforce security systems and operations for the Navajo Nation at all time and shall provide services and guidance in the event of severe national crisis or military-type disasters; andG. Our elders and our medicine people, the teachers of traditional laws, values and principles must always be respected and honored if the people and the government are to persevere and thrive; the teachings of the elders and medicine people, their participation in government and their contributions of the traditional values and principles of Diné life way will ensure growth of the Navajo Nation; and from time to time, the elders and medicine people must be requested to provide the cleansing, protection prayers, and blessing ceremonies necessary for securing healthy leadership and the operation of the government in harmony with traditional law; andH. The various spiritual healings through worship, song and prayer (Nahaghá) must be preserved, taught, maintained and performed in their original forms; andI. The Diné and the government must always respect the spiritual beliefs and practices of any person and allow for the input and contribution of any religion to the maintenance of a moral society and government; andJ. The Diné and the government can incorporate those practices, principles and values of other societies that are not contrary to the values and principles of Diné Bi Beenahaz'aanii and that they deem is in their best interest and is necessary to provide for the physical and mental well-being for every individual.§ 4. Diyin Dine'é Bitsąądęę Beenahaz'áanii--Diné Customary Law (1 N.N.C. § 204)The Diné Customary Law declares and teaches that:A. It is the right and freedom of the people that there always be holistic education of the values and principles underlying the purpose of living in balance with all creation, walking in beauty and making a living; andB. It is the right and freedom of the people that the sacred system of k'é, based on the four clans of Kiiyaa'áanii, Todích'iínii, Honagháahnii and Hashtł'ishnii and all the descendent clans be taught and preserved; andC. It is the right and freedom of the people that the sacred Diné language (nihiinei') be taught and preserved; andD. It is the right and freedom of the people that the sacred bonding in marriage and the unity of each family be protected; andE. It is the right and freedom of the people that every child and every elder be respected, honored and protected with a healthy physical and mental environment, free from all abuse.F. It is the right and freedom of the people that our children are provided with education to absorb wisdom, self-knowledge, and knowledge to empower them to make a living and participate in the growth of the Navajo Nation.§ 5. Nahasdzáán dóó Yádiłhił Bitsąądęę Beenahaz'áanii--Diné Natural Law (1 N.N.C. § 205)Diné Natural Law declares and teaches that:A. The four sacred elements of life, air, light/fire, water and earth/pollen in all their forms must be respected, honored and protected for they sustain life; andB. The six sacred mountains, Sisnajini, Tsoodził, Dook'o'ooslííd, Dibé Nitsaa, Dził Na'oodiłii, Dził Ch'ool'í'í, and all the attendant mountains must be respected, honored and protected for they, as leaders, are the foundation of the Navajo Nation; andC. All creation, from Mother Earth and Father Sky to the animals, those who live in water, those who fly and plant life have their own laws, and have rights and freedom to exist; andD. The Diné have a sacred obligation and duty to respect, preserve and protect all that was provided for we were designated as the steward of these relatives through our use of the sacred gifts of language and thinking; andE. Mother Earth and Father Sky is part of us as the Diné and the Diné is part of Mother Earth and Father Sky; The Diné must treat this sacred bond with love and respect without exerting dominance for we do not own our mother or father.F. The rights and freedoms of the people to the use of the sacred elements of life as mentioned above and to the use of the land, natural resources, sacred sites and other living beings must be accomplished through the proper protocol of respect and offering and these practices must be protected and preserved for they are the foundation of our spiritual ceremonies and the Diné life way; andG. It is the duty and responsibility of the Diné to protect and preserve the beauty of the natural world for future generations.§ 6. Diyin Nohookáá Diné bi beenahaz'áanii--Diné Common Law (1 N.N.C. § 206)The Diné Common Law declares and teaches that:A. The knowledge, wisdom, and practices of the people must be developed and exercised in harmony with the values and principles of the Diné Bi Beenahaz'aanii; and in turn, the written laws of the Navajo Nation must be developed and interpreted in harmony with Diné Common Law; andB. The values and principles of Diné Common Law must be recognized, respected, honored and trusted as the motivational guidance for the people and their leaders in order to cope with the complexities of the changing world, the need to compete in business to make a living and the establishment and maintenance of decent standards of living; andC. The values and principles of Diné Common Law must be used to harness and utilize the unlimited interwoven Diné knowledge, with our absorbed knowledge from other peoples. This knowledge is our tool in exercising and exhibiting self-assurance and self-reliance in enjoying the beauty of happiness and harmony.The District courts and the Chapters that are covered are:Alamo/To'hajilee Judicial DistrictAlamoTó'hajiileeChinle Judicial DistrictChinleLukachukaiMany FarmsNazliniRock PointTsé Ch' Izhi -- Rough RockRound RockTsaile- WheatfieldsTselani-CottonwoodCrownpoint Judicial DistrictBááháálí (formerly Breadsprings)Baca-PrewittBecentiCasamero LakeChichiltahChurchrockCounselorCoyote CanyonCrownpointHuerfano (south of a horizontal line beginning just south of Blanco Trading Post on U.S. Hwy 550 and running westward through Milepost 79 on State Hwy 371)lyanbitoLake ValleyLittlewaterMariano LakeMexican SpringsNageeziNahodishgishOjo EncinoPinedalePueblo PintadoRedRockSmith LakeStanding RockThoreauTohatchiTorreonTwin LakesWhitehorse LakeWhiterockDilkon Judicial District Birdsprings Dilkon Greasewood Springs Indian Wells Jeddito Leupp Teesto Tolani Lake WhiteconeKayenta Judicial District Chilchinbeto Dennehotso Kayenta Navajo Mountain Oljato Shonto Tsah Bii Kin (formerly Inscription House)Aneth Judicial District Aneth Mexican Water Red Mesa Sweetwater (Tolikan) Teec Nos Pos (West of NM/AZ state line)Ramah Judicial DistrictRamahShiprock Judicial DistrictBeclabitoCoveGadiiahi/To'koiNaschittiNenahnezadNewcombRed ValleySan JuanSanosteeSheepspringsShiprockTeec Nos Pos (East of NM/AZ state line)T'iitsoh Sikaad (formerly Burnham)Toadlena - Two Grey HillsTse'Daa'Kaan (formerly Hogback)Upper FruitlandHuerfano (north of a horizontal line beginning just south of Blanco Trading Post on U.S. Hwy 550 and running westward through Milepost 79 on State Hwy 371)Tuba City Judicial DistrictBodaway-GapCameronCoalmine CanyonCoppermineKaibetoLecheeToh Nanees DiziTonaleaWindow Rock Judicial DistrictCornfieldsCrystalFort DefianceGanadoHouckKinlicheeKlagetohLuptonManuelitoNahata DziilOak SpringsRed LakeRock SpringsSawmillSt. MichaelsSteamboatTsayatohWide RuinsDzil Yijiin Judicial DistrictBlack Mesa (Kits'iili)Forest LakeHardrockLow MountainPinonTachee-Blue GapWhippoorwillHere is a map of the districts.