Navajos poised to elect woman

No woman has served as Navajo president, although the matriarchal society has strong reverence for women as caretakers and heirs to everything from home site leases to sheep. When introducing themselves, Navajos start with their mother’s clan name.

With Lovejoy garnering twice as many votes as any of the 10 men and a second woman in a recent primary, the Navajo Nation appears closer than ever to electing a woman as its leader. But that doesn’t mean Lovejoy’s candidacy is widely accepted as she and Shelly approach the Nov. 2 election.

The New Mexico state senator has been called an outsider who lacks experience in tribal government. More to the point, she has been told that she will ruin a tradition in which all previous top leaders have been men and that her presidency could portend an ominous future for the tribe.

Still others hope she’ll bring attention to social justice issues and increase job opportunities for younger people on the reservation. Some ask why not a woman, considering the tribe’s struggles with men as leaders.

Sara Stevens, who works with domestic violence victims on the reservation, says perpetrators are running rampant and women and children need help.

“She’s a woman like the rest of us,’’ said Stevens, of Crystal, N.M. “Hopefully that will pull at her heartstrings.’’

Men long have been the leaders of Navajo people and traditionally consulted with women in the communities as equals. Navajos see each person as having female and male aspects that create balance.

At stake in the race is oversight of the 27,000-square-mile reservation, its economy, future use of natural resources, and the fight to maintain tribal sovereignty.

The tribe must contend with an unemployment rate of more than 50 percent, infighting in tribal government, neglect of the elderly, and abuse of women and children.

Peterson Zah, former Navajo president, said that even with a win, Lovejoy’s success would depend on whether she has the support of other women in the Tribal Council. The council is acknowledged as more powerful than the presidency.