Joshua Lavar Butler announces candidacy for Tuba City Council Delegate

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - Encouragement from Toh Nanees Dizi (Tuba City) Chapter citizens was enough for Joshua Lavar Butler to run for Navajo Nation Council.

"I feel it is time to put my experience and my skills to work at the next level as a policy maker," Butler said. "As a resident of Tuba City, I want to see our Chapter progress and succeed. As budget constraints begin to tighten everywhere, economic development is the means to self-sufficiency for our community."

He is Todich'ii'nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Kiyaa'aanii (Towering House People). His maternal grandfather's clan is Ta'neeszahnii (Tangle People Clan) and his paternal grandfather's clan is Tabaaha (Edge Water Clan).

Butler's focus is to help streamline the process to bring more jobs to the Navajo Nation and to Tuba City. He has served in several capacities with the Navajo Nation government. He is the communications director for the Speaker's Office and has served as a staff assistant, press officer for the Council and executive director for the Office of Navajo Government Development.

"For years, I assisted and advised Council delegates, congressional representatives, county officials, state legislators, and local chapter officials on various issues affecting our Navajo people," Butler said.

Butler believes a respectful dialog in tribal government is needed to ensure that intelligent decisions are made, and to restore cooperation between all branches of tribal government.

Butler was raised in a single parent household along with his siblings where he grew up with the core traditional teaching of "T'áá hwó ájít'éego," which means "to be self-reliant."

He is a product of the Tuba City Unified School District, where he attended K-12. He attended Northern Arizona University, where he received a bachelors degree in political science/history. He also attended Arizona State University and Diné College.

Butler is active in state and national politics. He is a member of the Democratic Party and devotes his time to enhance public awareness, education, involvement, political empowerment and civic responsibilities in Native American communities across Arizona.

He promotes voter outreach to encourage Navajo people to exercise their right to vote and run for public office. He is vice chair and former chair of the Native American Democratic Caucus of Arizona. He is also former chair and current member of the Native American Democrats of Northern Arizona based in Flagstaff.

Butler hopes to be a vocal advocate for high-quality education in the state of Arizona, and to support initiatives that will strengthen families and communities.

For more information, visit www.JoshuaLavarButler.com.

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