Three women seek
Presidential Seat
By Holly James
Sun Correspondent
In the 103 years since the formation of the Navajo Nation Tribal Council, a woman has never held the presidency. That century-long precedent could shatter this year as three Diné women enter the race for the Nation’s highest office.
Women already form the backbone of the Navajo Nation’s workforce, consistently holding premier leadership titles—including Executive Director, Controller, Attorney General, Chief Justice, and Police Chief. The Nation further signaled its readiness for female leadership in 2022 by electing its first female Vice President, Richelle Montoya. Yet, despite women serving historically as the keepers of the family, the home, and the livestock, the executive branch remains unconquered.
Out of a crowded field of 16 candidates, three Navajo women women—Emily Ellison, Debbie Nez-Manuel, and Crystalyne Curley—have officially secured their spots on the 2026 presidential primary ballot.
This is part two of the Sun’s three-part series profiling these historic contenders. The second candidate highlighted is Debbie Nez-Manuel.
Nez-Manuel is no stranger to the inner workings of various tribal governments, with her varied achievements, advocacy, understanding of local and networking with the states apart of the Navajo Nation including New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona, and the 22 tribes within Arizona.
When Nez-Manuel was only three years old, her mother was murdered, and she grew up within the channels of the foster care system. She experienced firsthand the unknowing, the sterile process of the system, confusing rules, and not knowing where she was going to sleep. Despite this early age trauma, she knew to keep moving forward.
Originally from Klagetoh, Ariz., Nez-Manuel graduated from Ganado High School and later earned her Master of Social Work degree from Arizona State University in 2003. She worked as a Social Worker, Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Specialist Coordinator, and other roles in victim advocacy, often appearing on behalf of the victim in court proceedings.
Many decades of her life have been dedicated to tackling these types of issues through empowerment, education, and state and federal advocacy.
“I am running for President to restore dignity and realign direction for bila’ ashla’ii, the five-fingered ones,” Nez-Manuel said. “Throughout my life, I have fought everyday to understand and overcome the hardships that children endure. I witnessed first hand the efforts of law enforcement officers, social workers, caregivers, and the court working together to protect a single child. Those experiences shared my understanding of service, compassion, and leadership.”
During 2015, Nez-Manuel co-founded Morning Star Leaders, a statewide non-profit organization supporting and enriching indigenous youth in leadership development areas, and continues to serve as the Senior Advisor currently.
Serving as the committee co-chair in 2019 and overseeing 22 task force members, Nez-Manuel helped the State of Arizona legislature construct the first Study Committee for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. She recently attended the annual MMIP walk hosted by Native Health in Phoenix In May as an effort of solidarity, and to recognize her own healing. Although not at every walk, she attends meetings, is on several task force committees, and advocates through her leadership.
She won the 2020 Democratic Party Election making her the first Native American Democratic National Committeeman from Arizona in over 100 years to represent diverse indigenous communities within the Democratic Party.
During the 25th Navajo Nation Spring Council Session in April of 2023, the Naabik’ iyati’ Committed confirmed Nez-Manuel as the Executive Director of the Department of Human Resources by vote of 18 in favor, two opposed, and two not voting. Chair of the Health, Education, Human Services Committee, Honorable Vince James sponsored the legislation for her appointment.
Her combined educational journey, and life experiences has given her drive to change, teach, and inspire and educate communities.
Through her work as a social worker, and her own journey growing up, she has shared the impacts to the well-being, along with the laundry list of lack of resources that exist on the largest tribe within the U.S. Like many tribal communities, infrastructure, transportation, funding resources continue to be a boulder in the path of many tribal communities which Nez-Manuel recognizes all of these play a critical role in building a sustainable Nation.
“My experiences have prepared me well for the presidency because I have worked directly with the Navajo Nation government and understand the responsibilities that come with leadership,” she said.
