Tenakhongva announces candidacy for Hopi Chairman

My name is Clark Wayne Tenakhongva, and it is with deep respect and honor that I announce my candidacy for the Office of the Chairman of the Hopi Tribe. I say with "honor" as the responsibility the Chairman holds must be one that is sincere, dedicated and a full-time commitment, one that I am willfully ready to accept.

Born in 1957 to Sika'vol Mana (Louise Sockhongva Tenakhongva) from the Rabbit-Tobacco clan and Tsuquaptewa (Samuel C. Tenakhongva) from the Young Corn Clan, both from the village of Hotevilla. Although enrolled in the village of Hotevilla, I reside in Polacca with my wife of 30 years, Ann (Youvella) Tenakhongva from Sichomovi village and our four children.

My educational background spans from attending elementary and middle school at Hotevilla Bacavi Community School and Hopi Day School to graduating from Winslow High School. Following high school I attended Central Arizona College and Oklahoma State University, from which I received an AA degree. I have also had to opportunity to proudly serve my country as an active and reserve member of the Army for 11 years.

For the past 25 years I have had the opportunity to learn and lend my expertise by serving on several community boards which include: First Mesa Elementary School Board, The Hopi Livestock Association, Hopi Board of Education, Hotevilla Board of Directors, Hopi Jr./Sr. High School Board, Cedar Unified School District and working with the Museum of Northern Arizona docent consultant program. I have also been able to work on several different staffs of the Hopi Tribe's executive branch for past Chairmen and Vice Chairmen including Ivan Sidney Sr., Phillip Quochwytewa, and Patrick Dallas. Currently employed with the Department of Veterans Affairs Readjustment Counseling Services, I have also enjoyed working with the Hopi Police Department, DNA Hopi Legal Services, and also as a rancher, artist and farmer.

Making the decision to announce my candidacy for the Office of the Chairman was in due part to several concerns the Hopi and Tewa people, along with myself, have in regards to the direction our tribal government has taken.

Our reliance on a few people to make decisions that greatly impact the well being of our people cannot continue. As a tribal leader, one must also look forward to future obstacles and opportunities we face as a nation: education of our people, protecting and utilizing our natural resources in ways that are both environmentally conscious and economically profitable, development and expansion of employment opportunities, assessing and auditing the financial strength of our tribal investments, and strategically aligning the goals of our tribal departments by re-visiting the Hopi Potskwanit. We must also look to possibly re-structuring tribal government and departments, combining services and becoming fiscally responsible with the spending of tribal monies to better serve to our people.

We are at a critical juncture as a tribal nation. I would be honored to serve as your next Chairman. I will try to take advantage of every opportunity to meet with our Hopi and Tewa people both on and off reservation and am open to receiving questions, comments and concerns via e-mail at tenakhongva09@yahoo.com or by contacting me via message/appointment at (928) 734-2358.

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