Damon’s former LDA sworn in as interim Council delegate
Navajo Times | Boderra Joe
Lester Charles Yazzie raises his right hand as Associate Justice Eleanor Shirley swears him in at the Supreme Court in Window Rock on Wednesday morning. Yazzie will serve as an interim Council Delegate representing former Delegate Seth Damon’s chapters.
WINDOW ROCK – Associate Justice Eleanor Shirley swore in Lester Charles Yazzie as an interim Council delegate at the Navajo Nation Supreme Court on Wednesday morning.
Yazzie will represent Bááhááli, Chéch’iltah, Manuelito, Red Rock, Rock Springs, and Tséyaatoh.
Yazzie is Táchii’nii and born for Tł’ááshchí’í. His maternal grandfather is ‘Áshįįhí, and his paternal grandfather is Kinyaa’áanii. His parents are Larry Yazzie of Chéch’iltah and Janie Skeet Yazzie of Bááhááli.
Lester Yazzie replaces former Delegate Seth Damon, who recently accepted a position as New Mexico’s deputy secretary of Indian Affairs with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
A short ceremony took place at the Supreme Court in Window Rock, where Yazzie repeated the oath of office.
“Whatever teachings instilled in you came from your mom,” Shirley told Yazzie.
Witnesses were Seth Damon’s parents, Charles Damon and Patricia Damon.
“I’m very thankful to have the leadership here from the speaker’s office, Chief Justice (JoAnn Jayne) and her staff, for doing the oath,” Yazzie said.
Yazzie thanks three women who have molded him into the person he is: his mother, Janine Skeets Yazzie; mother-in-law, Patricia Damon; and his wife, Sharon Yazzie.
As a 26-year veteran who retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2022, Lester Yazzie said he’s worked in various capacities in the Navajo Nation, such as Child Protective Services and the Navajo Housing Authority.
“I’m excited and ready,” Yazzie said regarding his new role as a delegate. “I’m very eager to go and step forward to continue on the vision that honorable Speaker Seth Damon left.”
Lester Yazzie said “a lot” of projects need to be updated, but he is willing to take on the challenges with “boots on the ground.”
Yazzie served as Damon’s LDA (legislative district assistant) but had to resign twice because of his active-duty status and was deployed during that time.
According to Yazzie, Damon reached out to him and said, “Hey, my LDA position is still vacant. I would like you to come back on board.”
Yazzie considered and worked with Damon until the former delegate left for his new position.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow