Ben Shelly (1947–2023), former Navajo Nation president
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2 min readFormer Navajo Nation president Ben Shelly built his reputation on advocating for ambitious infrastructure projects, policies focused on public health, and for means of boosting the Navajo people’s economic status. He was perhaps best known, however, for his unplanned yet passionate speeches on these topics, a trait which helped propel him into office. He was also a business owner with a focus on transportation.
Died: March 22, 2023 (Who else died on March 22?)
Details of death: Died in New Mexico after a long illness at 75.
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Early Political Career
Ben Shelly had been in the transportation and mechanics business since the 1970s when decided to enter public life in 1990. He served as chairman of the Dineh Rights Association, then was elected Thoreau Navajo Nation councilman in 1991, where he lobbied to legalize gambling. He would go on to serve 12 years as a McKinley County Commissioner, where his focus was on his area of expertise: transportation. Perhaps more importantly, he helped formed a coalition of indigenous officials from through the region, giving them greater negotiating power. This coalition gathered officials from seven counties across three states, including Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.
Rise to the Presidency
Shelly ran alongside Joe Shirley, Jr. in 2006, with Shirley winning the presidency of the Navajo Nation and Shelly serving as his Vice President. In 2010, Shelly won his own election, becoming the first Navajo vice president to ascend to the presidency. Shelly pushed for a number of ambitious projects, many of which would never come to fruition. These included a tram along the rim of the Grand Canyon and a water settlement agreement with the State of Arizona, each of which would fail to garner the wider support they needed. Shelly would lose his bid for re-election, re-entering private life to run a transportation business with his wife of 57 years, Martha. They have five children, 12 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Tributes to Ben Shelly
Full Obituary: Native News Online
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