Meanwhile, Back on the Rez

Among the least followed elections today will be the Navajo Nation presidential election. The contest has drawn some attention because a woman seeking the office for the first time, challenging an incumbent. The challenger, Linda Lovejoy, faces two hurdles. One is the Navajo tradition of male leaders. The second is that she is from New Mexico. Navajos from New Mexico have rarely, if ever, been elected to the office. Although a state line is less significant for Navajos they tend to vote by clan and most of the clans are in Arizona, which accounts for about three-forths of the Navajo Nation. So Linda Lovejoy will probably not succeed. If she does, her success will signal a real change in Navajo thinking.

Her opponent, Joe Shirley, also has a tradition to overcome. No Navajo president or chairman has been re-elected since 1978. Shirley would no doubt like to break that tradition. Even if he does, he is unlikely to resemble Peter MacDonald, Navajo Chairman from 1971 to 1983 and 1987 to 1989. Once described as the most powerful Indian in America, he was removed from office in 1989 for a self-serving land purchase. He spent eight years in federal prison for charges stemming from the resulting riot that left two dead. With all that, he remains a revered figure among many Navajos.

Joe Shirley may serve two terms but he is unlikely ever wield the power or earn the loyalty that Peter MacDonald commanded.