Former Navajo Speaker Seth Damon resigns to take a job in New Mexico government

Former Navajo Nation Speaker Seth Damon announced his resignation as a Navajo Nation Council delegate to take a position with New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s cabinet as her Deputy Secretary of Indian Affairs.

A member of the Navajo Nation Council Budget and Finance committee, Damon told his colleagues Wednesday that he has given his two weeks' notice and Monday will be his last day with the council.

He has represented the communities of Baahaali, Chilchiltah, Manuelito, Red Rock, Rock Springs and Tsayatoh for the past three administrations. He had served as speaker but resigned from the post in 2022 after unflattering photos of him surfaced online.

His new job will let him maintain connections with the Navajo Nation government.

"I caught the eye of New Mexico leadership," said Damon. "I didn't know what was expected to come of me this past year, but one thing that did come was opportunity to work with the state of New Mexico. The governor came back and asked of me was, 'We want you to come over, and we want you to help us fix our capital outlay plan.'"

Damon said after talking with his dad, he decided to take the position. It will give him opportunity to work on the capital outlay plan in connection with the Navajo Nation and New Mexico.

"Our capital outlay is broken on both sides," said Damon. "We are trying to fix that. So the governor tasked me and asked me to come on board, and I accepted."

Capital outlay involves construction or purchase of property, buildings, machinery and other infrastructure, and is not used for operating expenses.

He said the Navajo Nation has over $60 million in New Mexico capital outlay funds that tribal leaders have been working to draw from.

A family history of service

Damon's career as a council delegate began during the 23rd Navajo Nation Council. His father and grandfather also served as council delegates.

"In the time frame of modern government that the Navajo Nation has been involved in the past 100 years, I was blessed to be a part of the discussion when my people voted me into this position," said Damon. "In that 100 years in my family, we have served as council delegates of the Navajo Nation for 59 years out of the 100 years."

He said when he first got onto the Budget and Finance committee during his first term in 2015, former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez was still on the council and served as the chair of the committee. Once Nez left to be vice president under the Russell Begaye administration, Damon was elected as chair of the Budget and Finance committee.

First woman in the post: Navajo Speaker Crystalyne Curley gets to work after a historic election for women

In the next administration, Damon was elected as Speaker of the Navajo Nation, a post he held until he resigned in 2022 after photos taken of him in Las Vegas while inebriated were posted online.

"I thank that person to this day that took that photo of me because I probably would not be standing here," said Damon. "I was battling alcohol and having a really hard time in life. I came back stronger. I needed to rebuild myself first. Today, I am 436 days sober."

Veterans programs, spending policies were highlights

He said serving as speaker at a time when the Navajo Nation government was shut down due to the pandemic was difficult. He is proud of overhauling opportunities for veterans, introducing, for the first time ever, a permanent trust fund five-year plan, increasing investment policies, and shaping policies to get money from the federal coronavirus relief fund and American Rescue Plan spent.

"I know each and every one of us is going to continue to work for our people because the inspiration of Speaker Damon has led the way for many years," said the current chair of the budget and finance committee, Shaandiin Parrish."

Before being elected as council delegate, Carl Slater was hired by Damon to be his office's communication director. He said Damon is someone who "has an incredible skill set for leadership."

"I wanted to work for the youngest speaker that had ever been elected," said Slater, who is also a member of the Budget and Finance committee. "I observed him being an employee of the Navajo Nation government and thought he was an incredibly intelligent person."

Arlyssa Becenti covers Indigenous affairs for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send ideas and tips to arlyssa.becenti@arizonarepublic.com.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former Navajo Speaker Seth Damon quits council for a job in New Mexico