Crystalyne Curley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Crystalyne Curley
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Curley in 2023
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| 11th Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council | |
| Assumed office January 23, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Otto Tso |
| Member of the 25th Navajo Nation Council | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Kee Allen Begay |
| Personal details | |
| Alma mater | Arizona State University University of New Mexico |
| Awards | Miss Navajo (2011) |
Crystalyne Curley is an important leader and politician for the Navajo Nation in the United States. Since 2023, she has been the 11th speaker of the Navajo Nation Council. This is a very special role because she is the first woman ever to hold this position. Before becoming a political leader, Curley was also known as Miss Navajo from 2011 to 2012.
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About Crystalyne Curley
Crystalyne Curley grew up in a place called Fish Point, Arizona. In the Navajo culture, family connections are very important. She belongs to the Tsénjíkiní clan and was born for the Tó’aheedlíinii clan. Her grandfathers also came from specific clans, showing her deep roots in the Navajo community.
Education and Early Life
Curley worked hard in her studies. She earned two bachelor's degrees from Arizona State University. Later, she continued her education at the University of New Mexico, where she received a master's degree in health administration. This education helped her prepare for her future roles in public service.
Before her political career, Crystalyne Curley served as Miss Navajo from 2011 to 2012. This role involves representing the Navajo people and their culture. She also worked in the Navajo Nation Speaker's Office and was a senior public information officer for the Navajo Nation President, Jonathan Nez.
Political Career
Crystalyne Curley decided to run for a position on the Navajo Nation Council in 2022. The Navajo Nation Council is like the government's law-making body for the Navajo people.
Election to the Council
On November 8, 2022, Curley was elected as a delegate to the Navajo Nation Council. She won against the person who held the position before, Kee Allen Begay. This was a big achievement because she became the first woman to represent several communities on the Council. These communities include Tselani/Cottonwood, Nazlini, Blue Gap/Tachee, Low Mountain, and Many Farms.
Becoming Speaker
In January 2023, the Navajo Nation Council chose Crystalyne Curley to be its speaker. This made her the first woman to ever hold this powerful position. She is also the first person who speaks the Navajo language fluently to be speaker since 2014. This shows her strong connection to her culture and language.
