Duane H. Yazzie, Chair:

Mr. Yazzie brings experience to the Commission from the Social Services sector. He has served the people of Shiprock and the Navajo Nation for 33 years, including two four-year terms on the Navajo Nation Council, four years on the executive staff of Navajo Chairman Peterson Zah, and as the Shiprock Chapter President for eight years.

He has served on the Navajo Labor Commission and currently serves on the New Mexico Human Rights Commission. His Dine` clans are Ashiihi` (Salt), Toh aheleeni` (Waters Flowing Together) Kinyaani (Towering House) and Tacheeni (Red Flowing into the Waters).

Clarence Chee, Vice-Chair:

Mr. Chee graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Utility Management from New Mexico State University.

Mr. Chee and his family reside in Phoenix, AZ and he is currently progressing toward a Masters's degree in Public Administration while performing consultant work in employee relations with Morgan and Associates.

Mr. Chee has gained experience having held positions with the Navajo Nation Transit System as an administrative service officer, The Navajo Housing Authority as a recruitment specialist, the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority as a wastewater technician and the Bureau of Indian Affairs as an engineering technician. His professional experience also includes employment with Phoenix Indian Medical Center and the Tungland Corporation.

Mr. Chee has ten years of carpentry experience with the Union and as a horse rancher. He has received several recognitions and awards, including a spot in the 1996 Who's Who National College magazine and was a Dean's Honor student with Phoenix College. Mr. Chee considers himself to be an outdoorsman and loves to camp, read and play chess

Dr. Rena Yazzie, Secretary:

Dr. Yazzie represents brings her experience from the Education sector to the Commission. She is a 1966 graduate of Shiprock High School, Shiprock, New Mexico.

She proceeded to pursue her education at the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Yazzie also attended New Mexico State University, Las Cruces campus, to attain her Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration. She currently resides in Newcomb, New Mexico.

During Dr. Yazzie’s professional career she has won various honors which include the Navajo Nations’ Chief Manuelito Appreciation Award, the Colonel de Camp Award from the State of New Mexico, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, a 15-year Service Years Award from the Bureau of Indian Education, a 10-year Service Years Award from the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Shiprock Agency and was inducted into the San Juan College Hall of Fame in 2000.

Dr. Yazzie has accumulated various other awards and recognitions and has gained crucial experience through her employment as Director of the Native American Program at San Juan College, Executive Director of the Navajo Nation Division of Education, Principal of Cove Day School and Executive Director of the Navajo Nation Division of Navajo Child Development, among other professional feats.

Dr. Yazzie is currently employed as an Education Specialist with the Bureau of Indian Education – Central Navajo Agency.

Irving “Ervin” Gleason:

Mr. Gleason is a 1972 graduate of Gallup High School, Gallup, New Mexico. On graduating, he enlisted with the 82nd Airborne Division and, in 1975, was discharged under honorable conditions as a Vietnam Era veteran.

Irving proceeded to attain both his Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies and Masters of Arts degree in English Rhetoric and Composition Writing from Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.

Presently, Irving teaches university level courses at New Mexico State University, Grants Campus, Grants, New Mexico. He lives on the Navajo reservation at Newcomb, New Mexico.

During his academic progression he won various honors: the American Indian Graduate Center Fellowship; the American Indian Services Scholarship; the Arizona State University American Indian Scholarship; the Association on American Indian Affairs Adolph van Pelt Scholarship; the Catching the Dream Scholarship; the George Bird Grinnell American Indian Children’s Fund; and the Native American Scholarship Fund.

In his movement with the English literacy, Irving concurs that strong discriminatory actions continue to be taken not only against the Navajo people, but the American Indian tribes in all areas.

This remains visible when Indian nations use the English language, in speech and/or written text, to integrate their participations into a foreign written construct.

Whenever a person moves within the English context, immediately, the thought pattern of his or her transparency vanishes and it incorporates a dominant English language as the texture of control.

Irving’s ambition is seeing Navajo citizens be treated with proper humane identities, in part, as a collective step and not as an English theoretical enterprise.

Steve Darden:

Mr. Darden is Honagh’aanii born for Naalani and Bilagaana, He also considers the Bitahniis as his Fathers, his Cheis are T’achiinii, and his Nali is Naalani and Bilagaana. He is enrolled in the Ft. Defiance Chapter and resides with his family in Flagstaff, AZ.

He was raised in the Steamboat and Ft. Defiance areas. Mr. Darden chose to serve as Commissioner because he believes his experience as a Flagstaff city judge gives him a unique perspective to look at all cases of alleged discrimination, prejudice and racism from a fair and impartial view.

He wants to help leverage interdependent relationships among all races and ethnicities; Moreover, he hopes to help bring justice and resolve to those affected by hatred and violence due to discrimination, prejudice, and racism.

Steven earned a BSBA from NAU and is a graduate of Mastery University from Robbins Research International. He represents the “Business” sector on the Commission having been in business for the past twelve years.

He’s a former Flagstaff city councilman, and magistrate pro tempore; Project Director, Northwest New Mexico Fighting Back Coalition; Adjunct Faculty, Dine’ College Associate, Babb Group-Financial Planning; Support Services Director, Tuba City High School Board Inc.; Business Manager, Wheelwright Museum; Executive Director, Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. (Flagstaff Indian Center); Counselor, NAU Upward Bound Talent Search Programs; Curator, Navajo Tribal Museum.

Steven has served on numerous boards, committees, and task forces including the Navajo Way, Inc., Flagstaff Prime Housing Authority, Coconino County Community College Advisory Board, Coconino County Community Services Advisory Task Force, NAz Hospice Board, Coconino Center for the Arts Advisory Board, Affiliation of Arizona Indian Centers, Inc. Board, Flagstaff Unified School District’s Academic Curriculum Development Committee, NAU’s Multicultural Resources Committee, NAU Microbiological Sciences Advisory Committee, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Multi-cultural Task Force, and numerous others.

Mr. Darden has received numerous recognitions for his volunteer service and leadership including, the ASU Centennial, School of Social Work Community Leadership Award, Outstanding Young Men of America Award, Indian Child Welfare Act Conference Award, Save the Children Federation’s Ambassador of the Year Award, Eli “Bojack” Blackfeather Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award, NAU AISES Honorary Membership, NAU Native American Honor Society Honorary Membership, and numerous other recognition.