The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE

Media Contacts: Sari Krosinsky, (505) 277-1593, michal@unm.edu
Cassandra Morgan, UNM-Gallup Student Senate Vice-President, (505) 863-7573, DineVOTE09@gmail.com

November 23, 2009

Navajo Nation Special Election Sets Stage for Forum at UNM-Gallup

Through a Navajo Nation special election scheduled for in mid-December, six students at the University of New Mexico-Gallup campus are gaining real world experience in politics this semester. The students formed DinéVOTE09 to increase voter awareness on the issues in the election, in particular, a referendum that could reduce the number of Navajo Nation Council delegates from 88 to 24.

The Gallup students are enrolled in a Native American Vote class offered by the Native American Studies Department at UNM’s Albuquerque campus. The class is broadcast through two-way videoconferencing technology called Interactive Television (ITV) from main campus to UNM branch campuses throughout the state.

The DinéVOTE09 group will provide Gallup and surrounding communities with an informational forum on Wednesday, Dec. 2., 5:30 p.m. at Calvin Hall Auditorium, UNM-Gallup.

The forum includes a panel with two representatives from the 88to24 organization supporting the council reduction and two representatives from the Keep the 88 organization who want the number of delegates to remain at 88.

Representing 88to24 are Leonard Tsosie, a 15 year veteran in the New Mexico State Senate and current Navajo Nation Councilman, and Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr. Representatives of Keep the 88 are to be announced.

Eddie Crank (Diné), senior academic advisor at UNM-Gallup, will moderate. Crank has lived in Tohatchi, N.M. for 30 years and served the Navajo Nation for 20 years as an education specialist.

To volunteer or participate in the forum, email DineVOTE@gmail.com.