Full Profile · From the Interview Record
Diné Bizaad note
Portions of this interview were spoken in Diné Bizaad, which automated transcription cannot capture. The summaries on this site underrepresent those answers through no fault of the candidate — the interview video is the only faithful record of them. Watch the source.
Zachariah George
B · From the record Summaries are drawn from Cal Nez’s interview. Quotations are not published until checked against the recording. How we verify →
Candidate Snapshot
Background & Why They’re Running
See the topics below for what was covered in the interview.
Where Zachariah George Stands
Each topic below is drawn from the interview — the question Cal asked, and a short summary of the answer, generated by AI from the interview recording.
President-Council Conflict
Cal asked: How would you resolve the conflict between the president and council?
George leaned toward diplomacy and internal process changes to speed up projects and revenue, noting that Title 2 and Title 26 make it hard to move things quickly.
Government Reform & 1989
Cal asked: The government's been temporary since 1989 — do you agree, and what about the reform proposal?
George agreed the three-branch government is still temporary and recounted the 1989 history (a chairman with too much power, missing money, the riot), but said he disagrees with the specific constitution and reform proposal currently on the table.
Certified vs. Uncertified Chapters
Cal asked: What's the difference between certified and uncertified chapters?
From his work under the Ben Shelley administration, George explained certified chapters run their own local government under the five-management system and AFOG, while uncertified chapters operate under Window Rock's policies; he recalled helping chapters working through certification and sanction issues.
Committees & Priorities
Cal asked: Which standing committee would you want?
George named Resources & Development or HEHSC, with a particular interest in school boards and education.
Health Care & 638
Cal asked: Do you support the 638s?
George said he was initially not in support but now backs 638 because health care — especially mental health — is critical, while candidly saying he needs to do more research on it.
Economic Development & the NBOA
Cal asked: What is economic development, and are you familiar with the Navajo Business Opportunity Act?
George framed economic development as Navajo-built rather than importing big-box stores, and praised Navajo creativity and small-business owners as the “backbone.” Asked directly about the NBOA, he candidly said he didn't know it yet and would have the answer by a follow-up interview.
Topics in the Interview
- President-Council Conflict
- Government Reform & 1989
- Certified vs. Uncertified Chapters
- Committees & Priorities
- Health Care & 638
- Economic Development & the NBOA