Sharon Clahchischilliage, executive director of the Navajo Nation Washington Office from May 2003 to May 2010, made a big announcement on Tuesday. She is seeking the presidency of the Navajo Nation, the largest, land-based tribe in the country. She spent the last seven years in Washington, D.C. monitoring and analyzing congressional legislation, disseminating congressional and federal agencies’ information, developing strategies and decisions concerning national policies as well as budgets that affect the Navajo Nation. Her office also assists the Navajo Nation in developing legislative language and testimony. Read more:
Sharon Clahchischilliage announced her candidacy for Navajo Nation President on Tuesday, May 4, 2010.
Sharon is from Gad’iiahi, west of Shiprock, New Mexico. She is a graduate of Navajo Methodist Mission in Farmington. Sharon earned her Bachelor of Science (BSE) in Education from Eastern New Mexico University and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Pennsylvania. Since then, Sharon has acquired additional training in Guidance Counseling, Special Education and Administrative Education from the University of New Mexico.
She is the daughter of Eleanor and the late Herbert Clah, and granddaughter of two former Navajo Nation Chairmen, Deshna Clahchischilliage (1928-1932) and Sam Ahkeah (1946-1954). She has two adult daughters and two granddaughters.
Sharon is Todik’ozhi, born for Kin l ichii’nii, with maternal lineage to Todich’ii’nii and paternal lineage to Hashk’ahadzohi.
Sharon has extensive experience in the Public Service field. After more than ten years serving as a special education teacher of behaviorally challenged students enrolled in Albuquerque Public Schools, Bernalillo Schools and the Farmington School District.
Sharon was a commissioned corps officer with the elder President George H. Bush administration’s “Points of Light,” Family Center Program located at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, which dealt with substance abuse recovery. While there, Sharon also worked at the Strecker Substance Abuse Unit at the Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital. She was later assigned to the Indian Health Service, Albuquerque Service Unit.
During New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson’s administration Sharon worked as a liaison between the Department of Children, Youth and Families and New Mexico tribes with former State Cabinet Secretary Heather Wilson.
Sharon was nominated by former President George W. Bush as Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans (ANA), at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Sharon Clahchischilliage withdrew her nomination to return to New Mexico to run for the Secretary of State position in 2002. Sharon’s platform focused on fair elections for all New Mexicans. While New Mexico chose her opponent in that election, she later agreed to serve as NNWO Executive Director at the request of Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr.
Jodi Rave
