Navajo Nation Speaker Seth Damon resigns amid questions over photo from Vegas trip
Navajo Nation Speaker Seth Damon has resigned after the Navajo Nation Naabikiytai Committee passed legislation Friday to place him on administrative leave without pay. The bill was set to go before full tribal council.
The legislation was introduced after a photo of Damon surfaced on social media that showed him in a Las Vegas casino appearing to be inebriated. He said he was on a family trip, not paid for by tribal funds, to support Native rodeo competitors.
In a statement, he apologized and, rather than deciding on whether he should step down, he said he would work with his colleagues to decide his fate as speaker.
"He owned up to the actions," said Council Delegate Otto Tso, who sponsored the measure to discipline Damon. "He takes responsibility. We all know some action has to happen."
The committee debated what should happen if Damon were put on administrative leave. Amendments were made to the legislation, but because the voting process took place after the allotted time given for the meeting, the legislation was set to move to the full council without the amendments.
"As you are aware I did ask the speaker to consider resigning to avoid this entire situation," said Council Delegate Carl Slater. "And this would hopefully avoid these conversations that we are having right now." He said the issue would divide the council and talked about how to "avoid the disharmony that is taking place on the council floor right now."
Even though the trip was on his own time, the infraction is punishable. The Navajo Nation Personnel Policy Handbook Manual states that employees and political-at-will appointees are prohibited from selling, purchasing, transferring, possessing or using alcohol in the workplace, or while on official travel.
"Speaker Damon has the ability to be a good speaker, however it's the repeated instances of inebriation that halt his movement forward," said Jarvis William in the comments supporting the legislation. "And as the speaker of the Navajo Nation, Damon is held to a different standard. It is a high standard. In the end, I would like to see Speaker Damon seek the help he needs. His communities would be better served after he receives the help he needs."
Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act was available for the Navajo Nation to develop detox and residential treatment and rehabilitation centers to provide support for members of the Navajo Nation who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction.
The Division of Behavioral and Mental Health Services administers outpatient treatment centers in Chinle, Dilkon, Fort Defiance, Kaibeto, Kayenta, Newlands, Red Mesa, Tuba City, Crownpoint, Gallup and Shiprock.
There is one residential treatment center located in Shiprock, New Mexico. Approximately $19 million is allocated to develop the centers in Shiprock, Chinle, Kayenta and Tuba City and transitional housing facilities in Fort Defiance and Kayenta.
Damon was running unopposed for Navajo Nation Council representing the communities of Bááháálí, Chilchiltah, Manuelito, Red Rock, Rock Springs and Tsayatoh.
The Arizona Republic reached out to the Navajo Nation's Speaker's Office for comment, but no one from the office responded.
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: Navajo Nation Speaker Seth Damon resigns as council debates discipline
