The Complete Timeline of the Navajo Presidential Dispute

Abstract

The article is a complete timeline of the events in the Navajo Nation’s presidential election dispute from April, 2014, when the candidates filed their applications for the primary election, to April 21, 2015, when the general election was held. It describes the two candidate grievance cases, the first against Chris Deschene concerning Navajo fluency, and the second against Russell Begaye concerning loyalty to the Navajo Nation. It also discusses the issue of the term of the President, Ben Shelly, and whether his tenure as President should have continued after the end of his four year term. Finally, it discusses the attempts by the Navajo Nation Council to amend the Navajo language fluency requirements in Election Code.

The ultimate result of these events is that Chris Deschene was disqualified by default for lack of Navajo language fluency and Russell Begaye was allowed to run against Joe Shirley, Jr. The election was held on April 21, 2015, and Russell Begaye was elected with 62% of the vote. Further, a referendum funded by the Navajo Nation Council to amend the Navajo language fluency requirement will be held on June 9, 2015.

Keywords: Navajo Nation, Navajo presidential election, tribal law, fluency, traditional law, American Indian law, legal history