Navajo voters speak up on the Importance of civic engagement after Election Day

ST. MICHAELS, KAYENTA, MANY FARMS — Now that the Navajo people have spoken and have chosen who their next leaders will be, the next phase, the vital role of civic engagement begins.

But how to entice oftentimes-salty Navajos too busy to attend chapter meetings has remained a challenging endeavor even for the most talented chapter leader.

Chris Bahe and Craig Tsosie, both running for seats in the St. Michaels Chapter, according to the Navajo Nation Election Administration’s unofficial election results, won. They said that virtual meetings are one of the possible solutions they’d incorporate during their terms as secretary-treasurer and vice president, respectively.

Bahe, who could be the chapter’s next secretary-treasurer, said when he decided to run for the seat, he learned the chapter had no website for local community members to access for information.

“I remember after I threw my hat in the ring, I was thinking about attending the next chapter meeting. But I could find nothing online or even on the radio about when it was happening,” he said. “I had to call the chapter house to ask when the next meeting was. And I thought, in this day and age, we shouldn’t have to do that.”

Bahe’s emphasis on digital accessibility points to a larger issue of transparency within local governance. He noted the limitations faced by community members, especially students seeking academic support.

“If people are applying for college scholarships through the chapter, the website is there,” he explained. “It’s plain there’s a link for a chapter application for scholarships, but it’s not even the right form.”

Modern conveniences

The importance of adapting to modern conveniences is not lost on Bahe, who expressed concern over the lack of technological integration in St. Michael’s Chapter compared to others.

“You just wonder why St. Michael’s hasn’t gone that far as to incorporate those sorts of things,” he remarked.

Bahe also touched upon the need for legislation to facilitate virtual meetings, which he believes could enhance participation and inclusivity.

“There’s also the Council passing legislation for virtual meetings that hasn’t gone before our chapter for people to vote on. I think there are people from our chapter that would support having virtual meetings,” he said.

Voters at the Greasewood Springs Chapter voted on a referendum on whether the current meeting quorum requirement for the Greasewood Springs Chapter be reduced from 25 to 17 registered chapter voters.

According to the referendum, the current minimum quorum requirement for the Greasewood Springs Chapter is 25 registered voters.

Based on the chapter’s current tally of registered chapter voters, they are eligible to reduce the chapter meeting quorum requirement to 17 registered voters. The purpose of the referendum is to present to the voters whether the official quorum meetings should be reduced.

According to the NEA’s unofficial election results, the Greasewood Springs community members voted 236-122 in favor of reducing the number of registered voters attending meetings from 25 to 17.

Accountability, transparency

Bahe, on Tuesday, said if he is elected, he’d bring accountability and transparency into the role as the chapter’s secretary-treasurer.

“Those come down to the chapter level and the roles of the secretary-treasurer, being accountable for ourselves,” he asserted, referencing recent events with the recent disqualification of 192 chapter-level candidates.

“Accountability shows this year, with what happened with the disqualification,” likely alluding to controversies that have affected trust in local leadership.

Tsosie who also won according to unofficial election results, said he plans to bring a fresh approach to leadership and communications and plans to advocate for his community, as well as emphasizing the importance of creating a welcoming environment for constituents and fostering genuine dialogues, which would encourage Navajo constituents to participate in chapter meetings.

“I think on that, I would like to make it more of a welcoming experience, instead of having people feel like they’re forced to come to the meeting,” said Tsosie.

He plans to transform community meetings into informal gatherings where residents can share a meal, engage in discussions, and feel truly connected to their leaders.

“I want to sit down and not just for the meeting, but to sit down and talk with the people … rather than just making it just about the meeting,” he said.

His vision aligns with feedback from community members who have expressed a desire for more inclusive and meaningful interactions with local leadership.

“That’s one thing that the community has brought up at our meetings. They would like to see that happen,” Tsosie added.

He believes these gatherings will help ensure that even students who attend school elsewhere remain informed and engaged with local issues.

Transparency and accessibility are also at the forefront of Tsosie’s agenda.

“I want to provide more services to the community, make services readily available for them, and be transparent with them,” he said.

Communication between leadership, constituents

This includes ensuring financial statements are accessible and encouraging direct communication between leadership and constituents. Tsosie acknowledges that historically, residents have often had to seek out information on their own, a trend he intends to reverse.

Tackling practical issues is also on his priority list. Tsosie identified a critical gap in emergency services during winter months, particularly when heavy snowfall makes travel dangerous.

“When it comes to wintertime, there’s no emergency services available for them. One of the main things was they’re not able to get out of their residence, especially when the snow hits,” he explained.

Drawing from his Apache County background and equipment operation experience, Tsosie aims to bridge this gap by providing the necessary support during inclement weather.

As the new vice president-elect, Craig Tsosie’s approach reflects a commitment to collaboration and enhanced support for the St. Michael’s community.

Hope, determination

For the Navajo Nation, on Tuesday, the air was charged with hope and determination as voters cast their ballots, eager to shape the future of their communities.

As voters lined up to cast their votes for the next future tribal leaders, a chorus of voices emerged from polling places across the region, voters like Joe Bia Jr., agreed that it was not just the importance of voting that mattered, but it was also the vital role of civic engagement in ensuring real progress.

Emphasizing a growing desire for increased engagement and communication between local leadership and residents, Bia, an advocate for effective community interaction, shared his insights on how to enhance participation and accessibility within local governance.

“Engagement with the community requires multiple ways of providing information,” he said, emphasizing the necessity for diverse communication methods.

He highlighted the effectiveness of utilizing radio broadcasts, social media, and consistent updates at the chapter level to keep residents informed about local meetings and events.

“Kayenta does a really good job at keeping all those meetings readily available on Facebook,” Bia noted, referring to the availability of recorded meetings through Facebook Live.

According to Bia, increasing awareness about meetings through various channels, including local marquee signs and flyers, is essential.

“I know people have certain bylaws that say our regular meeting is going to be on the second Monday of every month, but also putting that on social media ensures it’s widely known.”

Bia pointed out that limiting engagement to in-person meetings can disenfranchise many community members, especially those who work traditional hours.

“You have a lot of people that work from eight to five, and they might not be able to attend not just the regular meetings—but also the work sessions,” he explained. These work sessions, he indicated, are crucial for allowing community feedback and addressing resident questions directly.

Bia said he was for integrating virtual attendance options to accommodate a broader audience.

“You need to make sure that you’re not just limiting it to in-person,” he urged, calling for improvements to chapter websites and online resources.

Like Bahe, he too observed that some websites are poorly designed, making it difficult for residents to access recordings of past meetings or even find social media links.

The pandemic, according to Bia, has led many older residents to improve their digital skills, enabling them to engage more actively in community affairs.

“My parents are a lot older, but through the pandemic, they improved their skills on how to utilize social media,” he said.

According to several Navajo voters, the responsibility extends beyond the ballot box—it requires active participation in community meetings and discussions about local issues.

Lenora Fulton took on the important role of volunteer, distributing information on Democratic candidates. With an extensive background serving the Navajo Nation in various capacities—such as assistant director of the Community Health Program and director of several pivotal initiatives—Fulton’s commitment to community service shone through her electoral advocacy.

As she engaged with voters, Fulton emphasized the urgent need for improved public notices and community development to enhance attendance at chapter meetings.

“Chapter officials who are elected, a lot of times they don’t visit the people. It’s just that they work, do their job, and then come in for meetings,” she remarked. Fulton argued that fostering a closer connection between elected officials and constituents is crucial for a more engaged community.

Her suggestion? Direct outreach to residents.

“One of the things that would be good is to have a community meeting where we share a big meal and talk to the people,” she said. “We should visit each individual and see what’s going on, ask them when is a good time to have a meeting, and what suggestions they have.”

This personalized approach, she believes, will help bridge the gap between officials and the community they serve.

While Fulton acknowledged that some elected leaders do try to visit their constituents, she stressed that such practices need to be more widespread.

“There are a few that do go out,” she noted but added that enhancing these efforts could significantly improve voter engagement.

For those community members working off the reservation, Fulton highlighted the importance of virtual meeting options.

“Nowadays you can call in by Zoom. Many people in the nation know how to use that now, so let’s include that,” she suggested.

She also recommended using social media platforms like Facebook to circulate newsletters or simple informational letters, ensuring that all voices are heard and considered.

Critical issues

Another critical issue that Fulton raised was the atmosphere in chapter meetings, particularly the tendency for members to belittle one another.

“In chapter meetings, people get up and start scolding everybody. That has to be figured out. We need to find better ways to communicate constructively,” she stated.

She also addressed the persistent challenge of maintaining quorum during meetings—a fundamental requirement for decision-making. She expressed concern about how shifting leadership affects community progress.

“It’s essential for new leaders to prioritize engagement and accountability to ensure that the community’s needs are being met,” she explained.

One of the recurring themes among voters was the need for improved communication regarding local meetings. Several participants pointed out that many community members often remain unaware of upcoming gatherings or may not have the means to attend. A common suggestion was the introduction of a centralized system for disseminating information about meetings—both in-person and virtual—to ensure that all voices can be heard.

The 25th Navajo Nation Council amended Title 26 of its Code to permit virtual attendance at chapter meetings, which became effective on June 25. The legislative change formalized through CO-85-23, empowers each of the 110 Chapters within the Nation to determine their preferred mode of attendance—either in-person or via a hybrid/virtual option.

The new amendments arise from a growing recognition of the need for flexibility in participation, particularly considering previous challenges to attendance, such as geographic barriers and health concerns. While the resolution allows for virtual attendance, it does not mandate that every chapter implement this option. Each chapter will individually decide whether to adopt virtual meetings based on their specific needs and circumstances.

However, the path to virtual meetings is not automatic. Chapters eager to implement this progressive change must navigate a two-step amendment process. First, they must pass a separate resolution to allow virtual chapter meetings. Additionally, any chapter choosing to adopt this new format will need to establish clear policies and procedures, ensuring a structured approach to virtual engagement.

As of now, the Office of Legislative Counsel has verified 56 resolutions allowing for virtual attendance, indicating a strong interest among chapters to embrace this new option. Local leaders express optimism that virtual attendance will lead to increased participation from community members who may have previously felt disconnected from the decision-making processes.

The message is clear: voting is just one piece of the puzzle. For the Navajo Nation to truly thrive, all the voters, including Bahe and Tsosie, said community members must embrace their roles as active participants in the democratic process. The call to action is loud and clear—show up, speak out, and engage in the issues that matter most. As the community continues to grapple with an array of pressing challenges, the strength of their democracy rests in their collective actions beyond Election Day.

In the spirit of unity and progress, Navajo voters are urging their fellow community members to take ownership of their democracy.

For first-time voter Bryan Herald, 18, not only was it a “new experience” to vote, but it was also simply understanding the challenges of understanding the issues he voted on and understanding the people he voted for.

“It’s a new experience. I just need to look a lot more into politics, because some of these people, I don’t even know who they are. I’m just like, ‘OK, I need to get into politics more if I want to do it because every vote matters,’ is what I was told. So, every vote matters. I do wish I got to know more about, and I may have even changed my vote if I even knew more about it. It’s just I feel like I’m just kind of like, I feel left out, but at the same time left in. I’m not, I’m kind of neutral, because I just like, I didn’t understand too much, but I understood some, I knew some people on there, but some people I didn’t know at all,” said Herald.

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