WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Tuesday, the 24th Navajo Nation
Council took their oath of office at noon during the 2019 Navajo
Nation Inauguration at the Bee Holdzil Fighting Scouts Events
Center in Fort Defiance, Ariz. Following the inaugural event, the
24-member council convened for a special session to consider
Legislation No. 0001-19 to select a speaker pro tem.
Through a simple majority vote by Council members, Council
Delegate Seth Damon (Bááháálí, Chichiltah, Manuelito, Tsé
Lichíí’, Rock Springs, Tsayatoh) was selected as speaker pro
tem and will serve on a temporary basis until a speaker is
selected on the opening day of the 2019 Winter Council Session
on Monday, Jan. 28. The speaker serves a two-year term.
Speaker Pro Tem Damon thanked his colleagues for supporting
his nomination for the temporary speakership, and stressed that
he would continue to carry out the administrative functions of
the Legislative Branch and work with the Office of the President
and Vice President and the Judicial Branch to address the
needs of Navajo citizens.
“First, I would like to congratulate my colleagues on the 24th Navajo Nation Council, President
Jonathan Nez, and Vice President Myron Lizer. It is important that we work together to move
forward to continue serving the Navajo people during this transition, and I also want to thank our
Navajo citizens for supporting our leadership at today’s inauguration,” said Speaker Pro Tem
Damon.
Speaker Pro Tem Damon is from the community of Bááháálí, N.M., and also served on the 23rd
Navajo Nation Council and chaired the Budget and Finance Committee. His maternal clan is
Bit’ahnii and is born for Naaneesht’ézhi Táchii’nii. His maternal grandfather is Áshįįhíí and his
paternal grandfather is Tsénahabiłnii.
Council Delegate Kee Allen Begay, Jr. (Low Mountain, Many Farms, Nazlini, Tachee/Blue Gap,
Tselani/Cottonwood), who sponsored the legislation, stated that the bill was the first step to
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24th Navajo Nation Council
Office of the Speaker
PHOTO: Council Delegate Seth
Damon was selected as Speaker
Pro Tem on Tuesday, Jan. 15,
2019.
ensuring that the Legislative Branch’s functions and programs continue to operate during the
transition into the 24th Navajo Nation Council.
“This legislation paved the way for a very productive Council, and I appreciate all the nominations
made by my colleagues today. Through their vote, they showed their confidence in Delegate
Damon to carry out the duties for the Legislative Branch,” said Delegate Begay. “I know he will take
the appropriate actions to move forward the priorities of the 24th Navajo Nation Council.”
Delegate Begay congratulated President Nez and Vice President Lizer on the commencement of
their terms today, and said despite the weather, the near-capacity attendance of Navajo citizens at
the inauguration demonstrated confidence in the new administration. He added that statements
made by leadership to work together “hold true” and can address issues facing the Nation such as
road maintenance during the winter, the federal government shutdown, and direct services to
citizens.