Articles of Incorporation

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

For

Diné be’ iiná, Inc.

a/k/a

The Navajo Lifeway

The undersigned duly authorized incorporators of Diné be’ iiná, Inc., a/k/a The Navajo Lifeway, a nonprofit corporation organized in accordance with the provisions of the Navajo Nation Corporation Act, hereby execute the following Articles of Incorporation.

ARTICLE I

The name of the Corporation is Diné be’ iiná, Inc.

ARTICLE II

The duration of the Corporation shall be perpetual.

ARTICLE III

The Corporation is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes as may qualify it for exemption from United States income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code as amended.  More specifically, these purposes include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. To perform all of its activities in a charitable and educational manner for general public benefit, specifically for the benefit of Navajo communities and persons who seek to preserve and continue the Navajo Sheep Culture and agropastoralist lifeways.
2. To ensure that the rural communities on the Navajo Nation benefit by working collaboratively with other communities and partners to achieve a balance between traditional agropastoralism  and modern agriscience in order to improve their livelihood.
3. To alleviate poverty for the relief of the poor and distressed, to combat community deterioration, and where feasible, to lessen the burdens of government, and to do so by the encouragement, creation, promotion and instituting of educational and economic activities that preserve agropastoralist lifeways, pass on cultural values, improve food security and support community based economic development with assistance in developing entrepreneurial and management skills.
4. To exercise, in furtherance of its purposes, all powers and authorities granted to it under the Navajo Nation Nonprofit Act.

ARTICLE IV

The statement of the character of the affairs of the Corporation is to train, educate and develop the capacity of Navajo communities and persons to preserve and continue their culture, traditions and livelihood, in particular, those that sheep, wool and weaving have meant, and continue to mean, to the Diné.

ARTICLE V

The name and address of the initial Registered Agent is Joan Delgai and her physical address is House 122, Ganado Schools Main Campus, N. of Highway 264, Ganado, AZ 86505

ARTICLE VI

The number of directors constituting the initial board of directors is four and they will serve as directors until the first election of directors or until their successors are elected and qualify.  They, with their respective addresses, are the following:

ARTICLE VII

The name and address of each incorporator are the following:

ARTICLE VIII

A.  The Corporation is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”). Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (i) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law, or (ii) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

B. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall consist of the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, except as provided in section 501 (h) of the Code,  nor shall the Corporation participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements) any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, except as provided in section 501 (h) of the Code.

C. The property of the Corporation is irrevocably dedicated to section 501 (c) (3) charitable and educational purposes and no part of the net income or assets of the Corporation shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer or member thereof or to the benefit of any private person.  Upon dissolution or winding up the Corporation, its assets remaining after payment, or provision, of all debts and liabilities of the Corporation shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and which has established tax exempt status under 501 (c) (3) of the Code.

ARTICLE IX

The Corporation agrees to abide by all criminal, civil and regulatory laws of the Navajo Nation.

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