Hopi Chairman forum held at the Museum of Northern Arizona

Pictured above are candidates for Hopi Chairman during the Candidate Forum held at Northern AZ Museum on Jan 8. Pictured from left are: Wilbur Maho, Harold Joseph, Wayne Kuwanhyoima, Hernal Dallas, Dr. Alan Numkena, Eljean Joshevama, Clifford Qotsaquahu, Valjean Joshevama, Jr., and Harry Nutumya (not pictured Caleb Johnson; Photo courtesy of Hopi Elections).

Pictured above are candidates for Hopi Chairman during the Candidate Forum held at Northern AZ Museum on Jan 8. Pictured from left are: Wilbur Maho, Harold Joseph, Wayne Kuwanhyoima, Hernal Dallas, Dr. Alan Numkena, Eljean Joshevama, Clifford Qotsaquahu, Valjean Joshevama, Jr., and Harry Nutumya (not pictured Caleb Johnson; Photo courtesy of Hopi Elections).

FLAGSTAFF-On Jan. 8, a candidates' forum was held at the Museum of Northern Arizona in preparation for the Hopi Tribe's upcoming Special Elections for Tribal Chairman. As of that day, seven candidates had been certified by the Election Board of the Hopi Tribe.

Qualifications for certification are: 25 years of age; Hopi Tribal member, fluent in the Hopi language and two year reservation residency prior to filing the petition for candidacy.

Four of the seven certified candidates attended the forum to present their platforms to the Hopi people residing in the Flagstaff area. The candidates were Valjean Joshevama Jr., Alan Numkena, Eljean Joshevama and Harry Nutumya. The three candidates unable to attend were Mary Felter, Mike Puhuyesva and Tommy Canyon.

The candidates addressed the issues of adopting a revised constitution, social issues and needs, housing shortage, education, water and coal, and leadership.

Six of the seven candidates awaiting certification were also in attendance at the forum. Before the end of the program, each candidate was provided an opportunity to introduce himself and state his platform.

Those candidates were Hernal Dallas, Wayne Kuwanhyoima, Clifford Quotsaquahu, Caleb Johnson, Harold Joseph and Wilbur Maho.

Their certification for candidacy was to be completed by the Election Board on Jan. 11.

The forum was well attended with Hopi Flagstaff residents appreciating the opportunity to meet the candidates running for office.

A follow-up forum will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Museum of Northern Arizona. This forum will allow Flagstaff area Hopi tribal members to better acquaint themselves with the two final Chairman candidates.

Primary Early Election Voting will take place at the following times: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jan. 19, 20, 22 and 23, at the Hopi Election Office. The Hopi Election Office is located on the campus of the Hopi Day School behind the transportation department; you will see a big white sign hanging at the front of the office.

Special Primary Elections will be held Wednesday, Jan. 24.

Additional forums will be held at 6 p.m., Jan. 18, in Phoenix at the Native American Community Health Center, Inc., 3008 North 3rd Street; and at 6:30 p.m., Jan. 22, on the Hopi Reservation (Sponsored by H.O.P.I. and American Legion Hopi Post #80) at the Hopi Veterans Memorial Center.

Additional information about the candidates may be obtained through the website of Hopi Organizational Political Initiative, www.HOPIpolitics.org.

The Special General Election for Chairman will be Wednesday, Feb. 7.

Polling places are as follows: Kykotsmovi Village Youth & Elderly Center; Ponsi Hall; First Mesa Community Center; Mishungnovi/Sipaulovi Community Center; Shungopavi Community Center; Moenkopi Community Center; Bacavi Community Center; Hotevilla Youth and Senior Center; and Keams Canyon Elementary School.

For more information on the Special Election contact: Hopi Election Office, Karen Shupla - Tribal Registrar, P. O. Box 553, Kykotsmovi, Arizona 86039. Phone: 928-734- 2507; Fax 928-734-1257.

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