In the Navajo Nation Office of Hearings and Appeals in Window Rock, Ariz., on Oct. 9, 2014, then presidential candidate Chris Deschene, who is on left side of photo, is cross-examined by the attorneys, David Jordan and Justin Jones, who sit on the left side of photo, for plaintiffs Dale Tsosie and Hank Whitethorne. Hearing Officer Richie Nez sits to the left of Deschene. Photo by Marley Shebala. (If photo re-used, please give proper credit.)
Here’s a copy of the Final Order Disqualifying Chris Deschene.
HERE’S A STATEMENT FROM CHRIS DESCHENE REGARDING OHA DECISION TODAY, OCT. 9, 2014:
From: Stacy Pearson
Date: October 9, 2014 at 3:21:53 PM MDT
To: Stacy Pearson
Subject: DESCHENE Statement – For Immediate Release
Media, please see the statement below from Navajo Nation Presidential Candidate Chris Deschene, regarding today’s hearing before the Navajo Office of Hearings and Appeals. Please feel free to call me with any interview requests or questions. Thanks!
-Stacy
OCT. 9 STATEMENT FROM CHRIS DESCHENE, CANDIDATE FOR NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT
First, this fight continues.
Second, I respect the process. The hearing officer issued a default judgement, which asserts that I did not fully comply with the biased test I was given.
I was, and I remain, strongly opposed to this test, which has never been given to anyone in the history of the Navajo Nation. It was not vetted, and was designed to disqualify me, not to test my fluency. When I was asked, in Navajo, a series of questions about governmental processes, I responded, in Navajo, with a message consistent with what I have been saying all along:
I am Navajo. Let the people decide. I spend each and every day speaking to our people in our Navajo language, Diné Bizaad. This decision transcends the presidential election. It’s bigger than just me. The collective rights of our people must be respected. Our voices must be heard. If this decision stands, it sends a message to our youth that most aren’t Navajo enough to lead. This is not okay.
Immediately following the decision, we began drafting our motion to reconsider. We will consider appealing to the Navajo Nation Supreme Court, if necessary.
Third, continue to vote. My name remains on the ballot and voting continues without delay, as reaffirmed today by the Navajo Board of Election Supervisors in a majority decision.
Stay with me. We are continuing to fight for our Nation.
We have a presidential election to win.
For more information, visit Deschene2014.com.
Stacy Pearson
PRINCIPAL
UP AGENCY
DIRECT: 602.577.6888 | STACY@UP-AGENCY.COM
TWEET UP | FACE UP | GETDOWNWITHUP.COM
HERE’S THE NAVAJO NATION SUPREME COURT DECISION THAT REVERSED THE OHA’S SEPT. 10, 2014, DISMISSAL OF ELECTION COMPLAINTS AGAINST CHRIS DESCHENE BY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DALE TSOSIE AND HANK WHITETHORNE AND RETURNED IT TO OHA FOR A DECISION.
