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Joe
Shirley Jr.
Joe Shirley Jr., 57 was born on December 4, 1947 in
Chinle, Arizona. He is of the Todich'iini clan, born for the Tabaahi clan.
His maternal grandfather is Tse'naaginii and his paternal grandfather is
Tsenjiikini.
Shirley, raised by his grandmother since he was a toddler
has called Chinle his home all of his life. He has genuine love for people
from all walks of life. He enjoys playing basketball, running and spending
time with his family. One of his greatest enjoyments is lecturing on the
Navajo way of life for self-development.
He is married to Vikkie and they have six children, three
daughters and three sons. His wife Vikki is Kiyaa'nni born for the Ma'iidesh
giizhnii clan. Her parents are Victor Moses and Gladys Begay of Lukachukai,
Arizona.
A 1966 graduate of Chinle High School in Chinle, Arizona,
Shirley went on to earn his Associates of Art Degree in 1968 from Magic
Valley Christian College in Albion, Idaho. His continued pursuit of education
found him at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas where he obtained
his Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in Business. In 1978, Shirley earned
a Master of Social Work Degree from Arizona State University in Tempe,
Arizona.
Shirley contributed sixteen years to the social services
field, and from 1983 to 1984 he served as Executive Director of the Navajo
Division of Social Services.
President
Shirley & First Lady with Colorado Senator, Ben Nighthorse Campbell
His public service is vast, including serving on the
Navajo Nation Council from 1986 to 1999 where he was the Chairman of the
Labor and Manpower Committee, the Advisory Committee from 1987 to 1991,
Chairman of the Tax Commission from 1991 to 1995, and member of the
Intergovernmental Relations Committee and Chairman of the Ethics and Rules
Committee from 1995 to 1998. Shirley was elevated to Apache Country
Supervisor in 1984, a position he recently retired from in January. In 1996,
he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Association of
Counties (NACo) in Washington D.C., which comprises of over 3000 counties
throughout the United States. He is also a member of the Economic and
Community Development Committee of NACo, as well as received an appointed to
serve as a member of the Sustainability Leadership Team. In 1997, he served
as a member of the Advisory Committee to the President's Commission of
Sustainable Communities in Washington, D.C. and from 1985 to 1991 a member of
the Public Lands Committee. He has already grained national attention by
being appointed by Native American leaders to co-chair both the BIA/Tribal
Budget Advisory Council and the Sovereign Protection Initiative. Since taking
office in January as the sixth President of the Navajo Nation, he
successfully led the Shirley-Dayish administration into the future. President
Joe Shirley, Jr. has a true commitment to serve the Navajo Nation and its'
people by giving power back to them.
    
President
& First Lady Shirley in Washington D.C.
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