Mitchell cites knowledge, managerial skills

Arbin Mitchell, executive director of the Navajo Nation's Division of Community Development, has spent his adult life in public service.

His 15 years of experience in the tribal government through three administrations has convinced him to run for president.

Born and raised in Wide Ruins, Ariz., Mitchell attended boarding school in Wide Ruins and graduated from Valley High School in Sanders, Ariz. He attended the University of New Mexico-Gallup. Due to family needs, he left college to focus on ranching.

He started out working for the Navajo Nation in property management. He was also an assistant in the Albert Hale and Kelsey Begaye administrations before being assigned to head Community Development for President Joe Shirley Jr.

When Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009, Shirley assigned Mitchell to the team tasked to make sure the Navajo Nation reaped the full benefit of it.

The biggest issue facing the Navajo Nation, he says, is the lack of economic development and the need for more jobs.

"We need to bring our young people back to the reservation and we can only do that by creating jobs," he said.

This can be done by removing bureaucratic obstacles and making it easier for people to start businesses.

"Essentially, we have too many rules and regulations," he said.

Mitchell also sees a need to "fully implement local empowerment through the Local Governance Act."

On the question of reducing the council's membership, Mitchell said he could work with either a 24- or 88-member council but felt that the people's desire to reduce the council should be carried out.

He said he has seen first-hand the problems Navajo families face without the basic services such as electricity and running water. He also sees a need for more housing.

He questions, however, if the money is used wisely and pointed out that Navajo Housing Authority has had trouble meeting deadlines to use money it has received from federal sources including ARRA.

Education is also a top priority, he said0.

"The successful education of our children is imperative," he said. "This stepping stone must be equal to the quality received nationally."

He said he would also be a strong advocate for tribal employees.

Because of his background in community development, which includes providing technical support to the 110 chapters, he has the managerial skills to run the tribe, he said.

He said he supervised the 2000 Census effort on the reservation, which produced "the best census count of the Navajo people."

Over his 15 years with the tribe, Mitchell said he has become well-known and  he plans to use this support to become more widely known by voters.

He currently serves as president of the Wide Ruins Community School board and the Navajo Nation Investment Committee. He is a member of the Navajo Nation's Retirement Committee and the Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority Board of Directors.

Mitchell is Tódích'íi'nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for 'Áshiihí (Salt Clan). His maternal grandfather is Kiyaa'áanii (Towering House Clan) and his paternal grandfather is Honágháahnii (One Walks Around Clan). His parents are Robert Mitchell of Klagetoh, Ariz., and Fannie Mitchell of Antelope Lake in Wide Ruins Chapter.

Mitchell and his wife, Julia, have two children, Eric and Arlynna.

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