Navajo closer than ever to electing woman leader

[Judi Lynn]

Source: The Canadian Press

Navajo closer than ever to electing woman leader
2010-10-18 06:20:00


Lynda Lovejoy walks past throngs of parade-goers in her traditional, crushed velvet dress and moccasins, her campaign button on the sleeve. Speaking through a microphone, she says she'll bring fresh perspective to the Navajo government if elected president.

Her supporters shout, "You go girl!"

Others at the parade in Window Rock clearly don't want to see her at the helm of the country's largest American Indian reservation. "I hope you lose," one man shouts, then covers his mouth and ducks into the crowd. Another woman declares support for Lovejoy's opponent: "We want Ben Shelly. Women belong in the kitchen."

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.



Read more: http://sify.com/news/navajo-closer-than-ever-to-electing-female-leader-news-others-kkrvEkhfeje.html

[AlbertCat]

1. in her traditional, crushed velvet dress and moccasins,

Crushed velvet is a Navajo tradition??????