Zachariah George — Interview Q&A
≈ 6 min read · or listen, or skim the bold lines
B · From the record Summaries are drawn from Cal Nez’s interview. Quotations are not published until checked against the recording. How we verify →
Diné Bizaad note
Portions of this interview were spoken in Diné Bizaad, which automated transcription cannot capture. The summaries here underrepresent those answers through no fault of the candidate — the interview video is the only faithful record of them. Watch the source.
Answer summaries in the site’s words, drawn from the recorded Cal Nez interview (Politics on the Navajo Nation, 2026) — not quotations and not the candidate’s own wording. Their exact words are in the video, linked from their profile.
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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.
Not sure how to weigh this answer? The five lenses, in brief ▾
- Transparency & accountability: who is responsible, and how would progress be measured and verified?
- Root cause: does this address the underlying problem, or only the symptom?
- Culture — K’é / Hózhǫ: does it strengthen kinship, restore balance, honor future generations?
- Collaboration: who would need to work together — and does the answer name them?
- Prevention vs. damage control: does it prevent harm, or only respond after it?
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.
Not sure how to weigh this answer? The five lenses, in brief ▾
- Transparency & accountability: who is responsible, and how would progress be measured and verified?
- Root cause: does this address the underlying problem, or only the symptom?
- Culture — K’é / Hózhǫ: does it strengthen kinship, restore balance, honor future generations?
- Collaboration: who would need to work together — and does the answer name them?
- Prevention vs. damage control: does it prevent harm, or only respond after it?
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.
Not sure how to weigh this answer? The five lenses, in brief ▾
- Transparency & accountability: who is responsible, and how would progress be measured and verified?
- Root cause: does this address the underlying problem, or only the symptom?
- Culture — K’é / Hózhǫ: does it strengthen kinship, restore balance, honor future generations?
- Collaboration: who would need to work together — and does the answer name them?
- Prevention vs. damage control: does it prevent harm, or only respond after it?
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.
Not sure how to weigh this answer? The five lenses, in brief ▾
- Transparency & accountability: who is responsible, and how would progress be measured and verified?
- Root cause: does this address the underlying problem, or only the symptom?
- Culture — K’é / Hózhǫ: does it strengthen kinship, restore balance, honor future generations?
- Collaboration: who would need to work together — and does the answer name them?
- Prevention vs. damage control: does it prevent harm, or only respond after it?
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.
Not sure how to weigh this answer? The five lenses, in brief ▾
- Transparency & accountability: who is responsible, and how would progress be measured and verified?
- Root cause: does this address the underlying problem, or only the symptom?
- Culture — K’é / Hózhǫ: does it strengthen kinship, restore balance, honor future generations?
- Collaboration: who would need to work together — and does the answer name them?
- Prevention vs. damage control: does it prevent harm, or only respond after it?
Economic Development & the Navajo Business Opportunity Act (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.
Not sure how to weigh this answer? The five lenses, in brief ▾
- Transparency & accountability: who is responsible, and how would progress be measured and verified?
- Root cause: does this address the underlying problem, or only the symptom?
- Culture — K’é / Hózhǫ: does it strengthen kinship, restore balance, honor future generations?
- Collaboration: who would need to work together — and does the answer name them?
- Prevention vs. damage control: does it prevent harm, or only respond after it?
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