President of the Navajo Nation explained

Post:President
Body:the Navajo Nation
Insignia:Great Seal of the Navajo Nation.svg
Insigniasize:95px
Insigniacaption:Great Seal of the Navajo Nation
Incumbent:Buu Nygren
Incumbentsince:January 10, 2023
Residence:Window Rock, Arizona
Termlength:Four years, renewable once
Formation:January 15, 1991
Inaugural:Peterson Zah
Website:Office of the President of the Navajo Nation
Flagcaption:Flag of the Navajo Nation
Flagborder:yes
Flagsize:150px
Flag:Navajo flag.svg
Native Name:Navajo; Navaho: Diné Binantʼaʼí(Navajo)
Salary:$55,000.00 USD per year
Constituting Instrument:Navajo Nation Code & Treaty of 1868

The President of the Navajo Nation is the Executive Branch of the Navajo Nation. The office was created in 1991 following restructuring of the national government. The President and Vice President are elected every four years. The Navajo Nation President shall serve no more than two consecutive terms.[1]

As outlined in the Navajo Nation Code §1001-1006, until 2016, office holders had to be fluent in the Navajo language among other declared qualifications.[2] Presently, fluency is to be determined by the Navajo voters when they cast ballots.[3]

Presidential line of succession

The Navajo Nation Code defines who may become or act as president upon the absence of a sitting president or a president-elect. Should the president, under circumstances outlined in the Navajo Nation Code at §1005(d)-1006, be unable to serve out his full term, then the vice president shall act in his place for the remainder of the term, or until the president is able to resume his duties. §1006 of the Code instructs, that in the event a vacancy should "occur in the Office of President and Vice President, the Speaker shall serve as President of the Navajo Nation until a special election is held." The speaker does not relinquish his speaker duties whilst acting as interim president.

Officeholders

ImageNameTermPartyElectionVice President
1Peterson Zah

[4]
January 15, 1991

January 10, 1995
 Democratic1990Marshall Plummer
2Albert Hale

[5] [6]
January 10, 1995

February 19, 1998
 Democratic1994 Thomas Atcitty
3Thomas Atcitty

February 19, 1998

July 23, 1998
 DemocraticMilton Bluehouse Sr.
4Milton Bluehouse Sr.

[7]
July 24, 1998

January 12, 1999
 Unknowncolspan="2"
Frank Chee Willeto
5Kelsey Begaye

[8]
January 12, 1999

January 14, 2003
 Democratic1998Taylor McKenzie
6Joe Shirley Jr.

[9]
January 14, 2003

January 11, 2011
 Democratic2002Frank Dayish
2006 
7Ben Shelly
January 11, 2011

May 12, 2015
 Democratic2010Rex Lee Jim
8Russell Begaye
May 12, 2015

January 15, 2019
 Democratic2015 Jonathan Nez
9Jonathan Nez
January 15, 2019

January 10, 2023
 Democratic2018 Myron Lizer
10Buu Nygren
January 10, 2023

present
 Democratic2022

Notes

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Navajo Nation Election Administration - Qualification for President and Vice-President. Navajo Nation Election Administration.
  2. News: Language factors into race for Navajo president. Fonseca. Felicia. September 11, 2014. Houston Chronicle.
  3. Web site: Navajo Election Administration . Qualifications for Navajo Nation President and Vice-President . 15 January 2019.
  4. News: Democracy Era Begins For Largest U.S. Tribe . . 1991-01-17 . 2012-07-07.
  5. News: President-elect Albert Hale Plans Changes For Navajos . . . 1995-01-09 . 2012-07-09.
  6. News: Deenise. Becenti. With Law on Heels, Navajo Boss Quits; Hale Steps Down As Navajo Boss . . 1998-02-20 . 2012-07-09.
  7. News: Navajo name new present - again; Bluehouse appointed . . . 1998-07-26 . 2012-07-09.
  8. News: Michelle. Rushlo. Navajo inauguration is all-day event . . Eugene Register-Guard (page 3A) . 1999-12-12 . 2012-07-09.
  9. News: Navajo inauguration is all-day event. https://archive.today/20130126070141/http://ns2.indianz.com/News/show.asp?ID=2003/01/08/navajo. dead. 2013-01-26. Indianz.com. 2003-01-08. 2012-07-09.