Portland, Oregon-On Thursday July 25, 2002, the Navajo Nation Washington Office, with a staff contingent led by Navajo Nation Council Delegate Willie Grayeyes (Navajo Mountain), participated in discussions at the Tribal Governance and Economic Enhancement Initiative (TGEEI) (formerly know as the Tribal Sovereignty Protection Initiative-TSPI) Tribal Leaders and workgroup meeting.

Tribal Leaders from across the country met to continue formulating plans in reaction to recent United States Supreme Court decisions, such as: Nevada v. Hicks and the case on the Navajo Nation, Atkinson v. Shirley. These decisions have clouded and diminished established positions of tribal jurisdiction and sovereignty.

The Supreme Court has embarked on a trend that has Indian nations concerned about hard won sovereignty battles over many years. David Getches, Professor and expert in Indian Law, stated that incarcerated criminals seeking reversal of convictions had a higher success rate (34% success) than tribes (23% success) arguing before the Supreme Court within the last ten years.

At this session, tribal leaders reviewed a concept paper, which will assist leaders with advocacy with congressional and state leaders. The Quinault Indian Nation is initiating a "Sovereignty Run" beginning on September 11, 2002. This run will start from the Pacific Ocean and culminate on the steps of the United States Supreme Court Building. This run will raise funds for the TGEEI efforts and bring awareness of tribal jurisdiction and sovereignty issues.

Navajo Nation President Kelsey Begaye is one of the national Co-Chairs of this initiative along with Tex Hall of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).