Navajo President Shelly honors President-elect Begaye

Navajo President Ben Shelly presents President-elect Russell Begaye with a men's Pendleton blanket during the inauguration ceremony at the Fighting Scouts Event Center in Fort Defiance, Ariz., on May 12, 2015. Photo by Marley  Shebala

Navajo President Ben Shelly presents President-elect Russell Begaye with a men’s Pendleton blanket during the inauguration ceremony at the Fighting Scouts Event Center in Fort Defiance, Ariz., on May 12, 2015. Photo by Marley Shebala

here at inauguration of navajo nation president russell begaye & vice president jonathan nez at fighting scouts event center in fort defiance, ariz.

NAVAJO COUNCIL SPEAKER RUSSELL BEGAYE
there are times that leadership will need your encouragement. we also ask for your prayers for our leaders for a more prosper and stronger navajo nation. the council and office of president and vice president need a cooperative working relationship for the benefit of the navajo people.

we have elders, veterans that are homeless. the st. michaels special education program is in financial need and that is common across the navajo reservation. so for those reason i ask for prayers for guidance of leadership.

lastly, i thank russell begaye and jonathan nez for serving on council. i and council look forward to working with you. and i congratulate you.

NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT BEN SHELLY
i’m still president and i still have about 45 minutes. (his statement draws laughter and applause) there are many projects that received significant funding we have done a lot of work. this has never happened before. this election season was filled with name calling and the losers never show up at inauguration. i’m here and i’m glad i’m here.
projects to carry forward:

navajo president begaye is called to the podium to sign the list of projects that Begaye and Shelly have agreed would be carried forward from Shelly-Jim administration.

Shelly then presents Begaye with a men’s Pendleton blanket. And Vice President Rex Lee Jim presents Nez with a men’s Pendleton blanet. As Shelly placed the blanket on Begaye’s left shoulder, he encouraged him to never lie to the people. Begaye smiled and said that he has always believed that and that those words are also for all elected officials, not just the president.

The friendship and respect between Begaye and Shelly and Nez and Jim was very obvious and the people attending the inauguration showed their relief and pleasure by applauding and sharing laughter as the leaders respectfully teased each other.

Navajo Vice President Rex Lee Jim honors Vice President election Jonathan Nez with a men's Pendleton blanket during the inauguration at the Fighting Sports Events Center in Fort Defiance, Ariz., on May 12, 2015. Photo by Marley Shebala

Navajo Vice President Rex Lee Jim honors Vice President election Jonathan Nez with a men’s Pendleton blanket during the inauguration at the Fighting Sports Events Center in Fort Defiance, Ariz., on May 12, 2015. Photo by Marley Shebala

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