Kelsey A. Begaye, a former president of the Navajo Nation and a substance abuse counseling advocate, died on Friday at age 70.
“Mr. Begaye was a very humble and loving person, who overcame adversities at a young age and turned to his faith to become a loving family man, a Vietnam veteran, and a great leader for his people,” said current Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez in a statement.
“The nation has lost a great friend, mentor, and colleague who showed the skills of leadership and great determination,” said Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council Seth Damon.
Begaye served as the fifth president of the Navajo Nation from 1999 to 2003. During his term, Begaye strove to help alleviate some of the unemployment issues the tribe faced and continued to turn over power to local communities on the reservation.
During his inauguration in 1999, former Navajo Nation president Peterson Zah told The Arizona Republic that Begaye emulated stable leadership, while community members referred to him as “compassionate and generous.”
“He is not the flashy, shoot-from-the-hip type person,” Zah said. “He is very deliberate and thinks about what he is doing.”
Born and raised in Kaibeto, a tiny community located in the far northwestern portion of the Navajo Nation, Begaye enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969. There, he served for four years as a specialist fourth radio operator in Vietnam.
Begaye openly spoke about the turbulent years he experienced during and after his tour in Vietnam, which ultimately led him to become a substance abuse counselor. He spent approximately 14 years working with the Navajo Nation’s Department of Behavioral Health Services, eventually becoming a program director and program supervisor.
In 1991, Begaye’s foray into politics began. He served as a member of the Navajo Nation Council, representing the Kaibeto Chapter, then was elected as Speaker of the Council in 1996. In 1999, Begaye ran for and was elected president of the tribe.
Begaye remained a firm advocate for substance abuse counseling even after his political career. This prompted Begaye to be awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the United Graduate College and Seminary, an online Christian college based in North Carolina, for his healthy advocacy. In 2012, Begaye was one of 18 veterans inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in honor of his service and volunteer efforts in the community.
Flags in front of the Navajo Nation Council Chambers in Window Rock were ordered to be raised at half-staff in memory of Begaye.
“Throughout his lifetime, he drew his strength and determination from his faith and gave back so much to our Navajo people,” said Nez. “He will be greatly missed.”
Reach breaking news reporter Monica D. Spencer at monica.spencer@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @monicadspencer.
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