Tribal Leaders From Across District Endorse Kirkpatrick

FLAGSTAFF, AZ – In a show of support for a champion for Indian Country, tribal leaders from throughout Greater Arizona today announced their endorsement of Ann Kirkpatrick for Congress. Tribal leaders include the Navajo Nation’s first President Dr. Peterson Zah, current Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr., long-time White Mountain Apache Nation Chairman Ronnie Lupe and Coconino County Supervisor Lena Fowler.

The leaders emphasized Ann’s extensive experience serving tribal communities and track record of delivering much-needed improvements for infrastructure, health care, Veterans’ services, law enforcement and education on tribal lands.

“Ann is a true ally of the Navajo People,” said Dr. Zah. “We know she will listen to us and will fight for our beliefs and values. For her proven dedication to serving the Dine and delivering on her promises, I am proud to continue to give her my full support.”

“Working with Ann has shown me what it is like to have true representation in Washington,” said President Shirley. “She understands the situation our people face, and her willingness to listen to us and work hard for us has resulted in improved conditions on our tribal lands. Ann Kirkpatrick is without any doubt the best person to serve the Navajo People in Congress.”

"Ann was born on the Apache Nation, and she has always been a friend to me and to the White Mountain Apache People," said Chairman Lupe. "We have known her since she was a girl, and she grew up with our children. I cannot imagine a better voice for the White Mountain Apache than Ann Kirkpatrick."

“I am humbled once again to receive the endorsements of so many of this district’s tribal leaders,” Ann Kirkpatrick said. “Our tribal communities face challenges that Washington just doesn’t get, and I have worked tirelessly to make Congress understand and address them. Whether it has been repealing the Bennett Freeze law, ending years of delays and improving IHS, or expanding business and job opportunities on tribal lands, I am honored to have had the opportunity to stand up for our tribal communities.”

“But the job isn’t done,” Ann continued. “We need to keep fighting to bring good jobs to Indian Country, to better respect our veterans and our elders, and to get access to running water, electricity and broadband in more households. It would be an absolute privilege to continue that work in a second term, and I appreciate all that our Tribal leaders are doing to accomplish that goal.”

 

Background

 

Over two years, Ann Kirkpatrick has repeatedly demonstrated her commitment to serving the tribal communities in her district. Some of her accomplishments include:

 

  • Repealing the Bennett Freeze law so that the federal government will no longer be able to stop economic development on Navajo tribal lands—her bill was the first introduced by a freshman lawmaker in this Congress to be signed into law.
  • Securing the reauthorization and improvement of the Indian Health Service, which had been stalled for more than 10 years.
  • Passing the Tribal Law and Order Act, which will help tribal law enforcement get new resources to crack down on crime.
  • Moving through the House the Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act, which makes sure that tribal veterans are not denied housing assistance because of their service.
  • Introducing the Rural American Indian Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, which improves access to health care for Native American veterans.
  • Securing funding for law enforcement, schools, business development programs, nutrition and childcare programs, rural housing programs and critical hospital repairs.
  • Co-sponsoring legislation banning uranium mining in the Grand Canyon.

 

For her unrivaled record of delivering for our tribal communities, Ann Kirkpatrick has received the following endorsements:

 

Tribal Advisory Committee

 

Dr. Peterson Zah, Former President of the Navajo Nation

Coconino Supervisor Lena Fowler

Apache County Supervisor Tom White, Jr.

Navajo County Supervisor Jesse Thompson

Apache County Superintendent Pauline Begay

Former Navajo County Supervisor Percy Deal

Jim Store, Office of the President of the Navajo Nation

 

Tribal Community Leaders

 

Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr.

Apache County Sheriff Joseph Dedman

Ronnie Lupe, Chairman of the White Mountain Apache Nation

White Mountain Apache Nation Councilman Cline Griggs (Whiteriver, Hon Dah, McNary, Canyon Day)

Katherine Arviso, Apache County Treasurer

Rodger Dahozy, Apache County Assessor

Louva Dahozy and family