Zah, Peterson

Former Chairman and President of the Navajo Nation; prominent Navajo leader.

From the description of Peterson Zah collection, 1969-1994. (Scottsdale Public Library). WorldCat record id: 48089500

Peterson Zah was born on December 2, 1937 in Low Mountain, Arizona to Henry and Mae (Multine) Zah. Zah attended Phoenix Indian School until 1960 and then went to Arizona State University. He graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. He holds honorary Doctor of Law degrees from both Colorado College and the College of Santa Fe.

Between 1967 and 1981, Zah served as executive director of the nonprofit organization DNA (Dinebeuna Nahiilna Be Agaditiahe) People's Legal Service in Window Rock. During his decade of directing DNA, he succeeded in having several legal cases establishing Indian sovereignty reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

Zah was elected in 1972 to the first all-Navajo school board in Window Rock and assumed its presidency in 1973. He also began fundraising in 1987 for the Navajo Education and Scholarship Foundation, an organization that provided scholarships for many worthy Navajo students. In 1989, Zah founded Native American Consulting Services in order to obtain congressional assistance for constructing new schools on the reservation. He was director of the western regional office of the Save the Children Foundation from 1989 to 1990.

From 1983 to 1987, Zah served as chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council at Window Rock, governing the largest reservation in the United States. Zah focused much time and energy on reforming education. In 1990, Zah became the first elected president in the new Navajo Nation. He worked with his childhood friend, Hopi tribal leader Ivan Sidney, to attempt to work out the difficulties of U.S. government imposed relocation in the Navajo-Hopi land dispute.

Peterson Zah currently acts as Special Advisor to the President on American Indian Affairs for Arizona State University. Zah and his wife Rosalind Begay Zah have three children, Elaine, Eileen, and Keyonnie.

Source: Malinowski, Sharon, eds. Notable Native Americans, New York: Gale Research Inc, 1995.

From the guide to the Peterson Zah Collection, 1969-1994, (Arizona State University Libraries Labriola Center)

Peterson Zah was born December 2, 1937 in Low Mountain, Arizona to Henry and Mae (Multine) Zah. Zah attended Phoenix Indian School until 1960 then went to Arizona State University graduating in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in education. He holds honorary doctor of law degrees from both Colorado College and the College of Santa Fe.

From 1983 to 1987 Zah served as chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council at Window Rock, governing the largest reservation in the United States. Zah focused much time and energy on reforming education. In 1990 Zah became the first elected president in the new Navajo Nation. He worked with his childhood friend, Hopi tribal leader Ivan Sidney, to attempt to work out the difficulties of U.S. government imposed relocation in the Navajo-Hopi land dispute.

Peterson Zah served as Special Advisor to the President on American Indian Affairs for Arizona State University from 1995 to 2010.

From the guide to the Peterson Zah Collection Regarding American Indian Affairs at ASU, 1995-2010, (Arizona State University Libraries Labriola Center)