Tribal members rallied last year in support of a Navajo Nation presidential candidate who was later disqualified due to his lack of fluency in the Navajo language. Photo from Facebook
Members of the Navajo Nation will vote July 21 on a referendum to determine language fluency requirements for presidential and vice presidential candidates. Current law states that candidates "must fluently speak and understand Navajo." If approved by voters, the new requirement will appear as follows: “Must be able to speak and understand the Navajo and English language; and this ability shall be determined by the Navajo voter when he/she casts a ballot.” The language for the referendum was approved by the Navajo Nation Board of Election Supervisors on Thursday. The vote was unanimous, Navajo Nation Council Speaker LoRenzo Bates said. “I thank the board members for their support and also to my council colleagues who responded to the voices of the Navajo people and pushed this referendum forward,” Bates said in a press release.
Former candidate Chris Deschene and his running mate, Fannie Atcitty, campaigned last year. Photo from Facebook
The council passed Legislation CMA-06-15 to authorize the election. The law authorizes $317,000 for the referendum. The language issue generated significant controversy last year when former presidential candidate Chris Deschene was disqualified for not being fluent in Navajo. His removal prompted a delay in the election, which was finally held last month. If voters approve the change, candidates like Deschene presumably will be qualified to run in the future. He has not stated his political ambitions but he's now working in Washington, D.C., as the new director of the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs at the Energy Department.
From left to right: Vice President Jonathan Nez, Arizona Sen. Carlyle Begaye (D), Gila River Indian Community President Stephen Lewis, and President Russell Begaye. Photo by Carlyle Begaye / Twitter
President Russell Begaye, who speaks Navajo fluently, was sworn into office on May 12. He defeated Joe Shirley Jr., a former two-term president, for the post in the April 21 election. Vice President Jonathan Nez was also sworn into office. His wife, Phefelia Herbert, is expected to serve as First Lady of the Navajo Nation, the Associated Press reported, because Begaye's wife lives out of state. Kyoon Chung Begaye, a dentist in Georgia, was almost never mentioned during the campaign. She is Begaye's second wife. Get the Story:
Navajo Nation president's wife has been mysteriously absent (AP 5/29) Related Stories:
Energy Department announces new director of Indian office (5/19)
Russell Begaye takes oath as new president of Navajo Nation (05/13)
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