'Siblings' take on Shirley
Phelps, 'big sister' Lovejoy address Chinle gathering

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WHIPPOORWILL — Navajo presidential candidate Lynda Lovejoy demonstrated her political savvy Saturday at the Chinle Agency meeting.

"I'm not going to talk for too long," Lovejoy said. "I know you've all traveled pretty far, so I'll make this brief."

Lovejoy and her running mate, Walter Phelps, made an appearance at the meeting. State Sen. Albert Hale was also in attendance.

Lovejoy said she has been traveling the reservation to let people know that her administration would always keep the Navajo people in mind.

"As leaders we must do what is best for the people," she said. "We want to make changes in the way that we provide leadership, we want the people to have a voice in their government."

Lovejoy, seeking to become the first woman president of the Navajo Nation, is locked in a tight battle with incumbent President Joe Shirley Jr. and his running mate, Bennie Shelly, chairman of the Budget & Finance Committee.

As leaders of the Nation, Lovejoy and Phelps will make careful decisions and keep the people in mind when dealing with the federal government, they said.

"That's how we will do it as leaders. That's how we will work and spend our time," Lovejoy said.

To give the people more of a voice in decision-making, Lovejoy advocates local governance, rather than having all the decisions come from Window Rock. She said it can be difficult for people to get things done when they have to travel great distances to the Navajo capitol, and get there to find the person they need to see is out sick or on a coffee break, Lovejoy said.

The five-management plan, used for chapters seeking certification, is a decade old, and outdated, she added. A better way must be found, Lovejoy said.

She is not anti-casino, but wary of an idea that could potentially bring more problems to the Navajo Nation than the benefits it promises, Lovejoy said. The addition of casinos must be well thought out and not a haphazard solution, she added.

Despite her personal views on casinos, it is the law of the land and as Navajo president it would be her duty to uphold the law, Lovejoy said.

"I want the best for my children," she said.

Now, when called, police respond one or two hours later, how will that be changed for problems arising from a casino, she asked. "I'm not against a casino, just for better planning," Lovejoy said. "I'm just concerned about the Navajo people."

Phelps said he is honored to run alongside Lovejoy, whom he refers to as "my big sister."

He spoke of the deplorable condition of many tribal roads.

"I know you have issues with mud when it rains. There's potential to turn this around for good," Phelps said. "We should be the gravel capital of the Southwest."

Current communications ability in the Nation is also in serious need of an upgrade, Phelps said.

"How many of you have cellphones?" he asked; nearly every hand shot up. "Mine works by Window Rock and in Leupp."

The Nation should be looking into operating its own telecommunications network, Phelps added.

Some communities face problems associated with mining, he said, but there is money available to address these issues and the Nation needs to be more aggressive in seeking such aid.

"Me and my big sister, Lovejoy, will do it," Phelps said.

John Christian Hopkins can be reached at hopkins1960@hotmail.com or by calling 505-371-5443.