Thoreau Resident, Navajo Nation President Dies at 75

THOREAU, NAVAJO NATION – Taking office in 2011 as only the seventh president of the Navajo Nation, Ben Shelly died March 22 after battling a longterm illness, according to a spokesperson for the Shelly family.

Shelly was a proud resident of Thoreau. He had a long history of service to his community and was always looking to improve life around his community.

Shelley served as a McKinley County Commissioner before running for and serving on the Navajo Nation Council for 16 years.

Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. later picked him to be the first vice president of the Navajo Nation. Shelly later threw his hat into the ring to run for president in 2010 where he was victorious. On January 11, 2011, Shelly was sworn into office as the first New Mexican to ever lead the Navajo Nation.

During his time in office, Shelly pushed lofty and ambitious plans. These plans included an ariel tram into the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the purchase of a coal mine for the Nation, and reaching a water rights settlement with the state of Arizona to secure agricultural water and treaty-owed waters for the Navajo Nation.

Shelly was unsuccessful in his reelection bid but had his term of service extended by five months as the Navajo Nation Supreme Court dealt with a language fluency issue involving candidates for the office.

In a statement, Shelly’s family said, “When he was born, he was told by elders that he would be a great leader.” The statement continued, “He fulfilled that legacy. By being a strong husband and father, he showed us to put the importance of the people first.”

Shelly’s family thanked Navajos for their support and for caring about “The loss of a man who put others first.”

The former president is survived by former first lady and his wife of 57 years, Martha Shelly of Coyote Canyon; five children; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Shelly will be buried in a private service for the family. A public memorial will be held at a later date.