Clahchischilliage knows feds, states, tribe
By Bill Donovan
Special to the Times
WINDOW ROCK, May 14, 2010
Sharon Clahchischilliage
She is the granddaughter of two former chairmen - Deshna Clahchischilliage, who was the second chairman (1928-32), and Sam Ahkeah (1946-54).
For the past eight years, she has served as executive director of the Navajo Nation Washington Office. She resigned so she can campaign full time.
She is the daughter of Eleanor and the late Herbert Clah. She has two adult daughters and two granddaughters.
Clahchischilliage is Tódík'ózhi (Salt Water Clan), born for Kinlichíi'nii (Red House Clan). Her chei is Tódích'íi'nii (Bitter Water Clan) and her nálí is Hashk'aa Hadzohó (Yucca Fruit Strung in a Line Clan). She is from Gadii'ahi, N.M., west of Shiprock.
A graduate of Navajo Methodist Mission in Farmington, she earned a bachelor's degree in education from Eastern New Mexico University and a master's in social work from the University of Pennsylvania.
Since then, she acquired additional training in guidance counseling, special education and administrative education from the University of New Mexico.
She served for more than 10 years as a special education teacher in public schools in Albuquerque, Bernalillo, N.M., and Farmington.
Her background in social work has made her sensitive to the need to restore harmony within families and to ensure that children grow up without being abused.
"Incest is rampant on the Navajo Reservation and no one wants to talk about it," she said. "We need to look after our children who are being affected by it."
She said that, if elected, she won't forget that there is a "human element" that needs to be considered when the government tries to tackle social issues that plague the reservation.
Unemployment, alcohol and substance abuse and other issues are caused by poverty.
"We need to look at this whole issue of poverty," she said. "We are really an impoverished nation."
A Republican, she was a commissioned corps officer in the Points of Light program created by the first President Bush. She worked with the family center program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, focusing on substance abuse recovery.
While there, she also worked at the Strecker Substance Abuse Unit at the Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital. She was later assigned to the Albuquerque Service Unit of IHS.
During New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson's administration, she worked as a liaison between tribes and the Department of Children, Youth and Families under then CYF Secretary Heather Wilson.
The second President Bush nominated her for commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans in the Department of Health and Human Services.
She withdrew her nomination to return to New Mexico and run for secretary of state 2002. after losing this election, she agreed to serve as director of the tribe's Washington office.
"Through cooperation with President Shirley and the Navajo Nation Council, I know our government must work together to present solid policy plans for President Obama, the Congress and federal agencies," she said.
"I have my little trailer hooked up and ready to deliver my vision for the Navajo people," she said. "They have lost trust in all aspects of the tribal government and we need to change this belief."
She plans an official kick-off rally but hasn't set a date yet.
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