Marcella Yazzie is the vice-president of her chapter (Western Navajo Agency), a small-business owner and artist. Her interview with Cal Nez covered chapter-to-Window Rock processes, the executive-legislative gridlock, education and 638 schools, veterans, grazing, and economic development — and she was candid that much of the governance side is still a learning process for her. Below are the main topics from the interview — the key question Cal asked on each, short summaries of Yazzie's answers in our own words, and follow-ups a voter might still want answered.
Watch or read the full interview, and see the scorecard, on Marcella Yazzie’s profile. This page is a nonpartisan summary; the Diné Civic Center does not endorse any candidate.
Yazzie centers transparency, accountability, and community engagement, with priorities across infrastructure (roads, water, electricity, broadband), economic development and jobs, education and youth programs, and protecting Navajo language and culture.
Yazzie described the chain from chapter resolutions through ASC, ICIP, OMB, and procurement, and was candid that many people — including herself — lack full knowledge of it; she would commit to learning the policies and committees (HEHSC, RDC) within her first year.
Yazzie said Title 26 needs to be rewritten with better wording, and called the budget standoff across the 110 chapters “chaos”; she was candid that she isn't yet familiar with Title 2 or the details of the temporary-government question, and would want public hearings.
Yazzie explained 638 / tribally controlled schools (PL 93-638, self-determination) and charter schools, and said she supports all school types — BIE, federal, tribal — wanting strong academics, qualified teachers, and college, career, and leadership preparation for youth.
Yazzie honors veterans and lists them as a top priority, but was candid she didn't know which Window Rock office is ultimately responsible — describing instead her chapter's veteran organization. On grazing she would start by identifying ranchers, permits, and tallies, citing overgrazing and incorrect tallies as real problems.
Yazzie, a business owner and artist herself, said local businesses need support to get on their feet, providers need higher pay to stay on the reservation, and entrepreneurs need grants and training (FYEP, PEP); on the NBOA she said she can't do it alone and would need a team, and that the deeper problem is that existing laws aren't enforced across the three branches.
Topics a voter in this district might still want to hear about:
Not a judgment of this candidate — just what a specific, substantive answer includes, so you can weigh any candidate’s response: