Indians: Turmoil in the Navajo Nation

Except for a four-year break, Peter MacDonald Sr. has ruled the 200,000-member Navajo nation as its strong-willed chairman ever since 1970. Presiding over a Southwest desert reservation larger in area than Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts combined, he has lived well on his $55,000 annual salary plus, according to witnesses, some expensive perks. Yet last week MacDonald lost his grip on his honored post. Tainted by allegations that he had accepted bribes from contractors seeking business with the tribe, he declared that he would take an extended leave, but then changed his mind and attempted to cling to power.

MacDonald insisted he was innocent of charges raised during recent hearings of the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, and pleaded with the 88- member Navajo council to let him retain his salary and to give him legal help as he fights to clear his name. When the council refused to grant him these conditions, MacDonald vowed that he would not vacate his elective position after all. The council then voted to place MacDonald on indefinite leave, with pay. The Navajos had never before questioned the conduct of one of their chairmen, assuming each had only the best interests of his followers in mind.