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Navajo Nation Vice President-elect

Richelle Montoya

Navajo-Nation-Vice-President-elect-Richelle-Montoya-and-Olsen-Chee_edited.jpg

About Richelle Montoya

Richelle Montoya was selected by Dr. Buu Nygren as his vice presidential running mate following the 2022 Navajo Nation Primary Election. Mrs. Montoya will serve as the 11th Vice President of Navajo Nation and the first ever female elected to the office.

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Mrs. Montoya is married to Mr. Olsen Chee, a United States Army veteran, and together they have six children. Their home community is Torreon/Star Lake, New Mexico.

Background

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Clanship

Mrs. Montoya’s clans are:

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  • Hashtł’ishnii nilį́

  • Ta’neeszahnii yáshchíín

  • Kinłichii’nii dabicheii

  • Táchii’nii dabinálí.

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Mr. Chee’s clans are:

 

  • Nałaní Tódik’ozhi nilį́

  • Tódích’íi’nii yáshchíín

  • Tódích’íi’nii dabicheii

  • Táchii’nii dabinálí.

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Education

Mrs. Montoya’s educational background includes:

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  • Graduate of Cuba High School (1994)

  • Associate of Human Services in Criminal Justice from San Juan College (2009)

  • Bachelor of University Studies in Psychology, Sociology, and Native American Studies from the University of New Mexico (2011).

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Historical Information

Prior to her historic election, Mrs. Montoya was elected in 2020 as the Torreon/Star Lake Chapter President (a position she will resign before she takes office as the Navajo Nation Vice President, in accordance with the Navajo Nation Code).

 

In addition, Mrs. Montoya holds the following roles:

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  • Na’neelzhiin Ji Olta, Inc. School Board Member (since 2019)

  • Eastern Navajo Agency Executive Committee Member (since 2021)

  • Eastern Navajo Fair Board Member (since 2018).

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Previously, Mrs. Montoya served as a member of the Torreon/Star Lake Chapter Community Land Use Planning Committee (2017-2020) and as the director of the Miss Indian New Mexico Pageant (2008-2019).

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Mrs. Montoya is 46 years old (Oct. 23).

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