Peterson Zah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peterson Zah
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| 1st President of the Navajo Nation | |
| In office January 15, 1991 – January 10, 1995 |
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| Vice President | Marshall Plummer |
| Preceded by | Inaugural holder |
| Succeeded by | Albert Hale |
| 11th Chairman of the Navajo Nation | |
| In office January 15, 1983 – January 10, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Peter MacDonald |
| Succeeded by | Peter MacDonald |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 2, 1937 Low Mountain, Arizona, U.S. |
| Died | March 7, 2023 (aged 85) Fort Defiance, Arizona, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Arizona State University, Tempe (BA) |
Peterson Zah (born December 2, 1937 – died March 7, 2023) was an important American politician. He served the Navajo Nation in many ways. From 1983 to 1987, he was the chairman of the Navajo Nation. This was the top leader of the Navajo government at that time. In 1991, the Navajo government changed its structure. Zah then became the first ever president of the Navajo Nation. He held this role until 1995. After his time as president, he worked at Arizona State University. He advised the university president on matters related to American Indian communities. He also helped companies work with the Navajo Nation.
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Peterson Zah was born on December 2, 1937. His birthplace was Low Mountain, Arizona. His parents were Henry and Mae Multine Zah. He went to school at Phoenix Indian School. Later, he studied at Arizona State University. He earned a bachelor's degree in education in 1963.
Helping His Community
After college, Zah worked in Phoenix for a year. He taught carpentry to adults. This helped them learn job skills. From 1965 to 1967, he joined Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). VISTA is a program where people volunteer to help communities. He worked at Arizona State University during this time.
In 1967, Zah started working for the Diné beʼiiná Náhiilnaah bee Aghaʼdiitʼaahii. This was a nonprofit organization called People's Legal Service. It helped people with legal issues. A few years later, he became its executive director. He stayed in this role until 1981. Under his leadership, the organization took on important legal cases. Some of these cases about Indian sovereignty reached the highest court, the U.S. Supreme Court. Sovereignty means a nation's right to govern itself.
In 1972, Zah was elected to the school board. This was in Window Rock, Arizona. The next year, he became the board president. In 1983, he became the chairman of the Navajo Nation Council. This council was the main governing body for the Navajo Nation. Its headquarters are in Window Rock. He served as chairman until 1987.
After being chairman, he helped raise money. This money was for the Navajo Education and Scholarship Foundation. In 1989 and 1990, he led a regional office for Save the Children. This organization helps children around the world. In 1990, he was elected the first president of the Navajo Nation. He officially became president on January 15, 1991.
As Navajo president, Zah worked to solve problems. He worked with Hopi tribal leader Ivan Sidney. Sidney was a childhood friend. They tried to resolve issues about land between the two tribes. During his time as president, Zah created the Navajo Nation Permanent Trust Fund (NNPTF). This fund was started with millions of dollars. These funds came from a lawsuit against Peabody Coal Company. By December 2017, the NNPTF had grown to over US$3.2 billion. This fund helps support the Navajo Nation for the future.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1995, Zah became a special advisor at Arizona State University. He advised the university president on American Indian Affairs. He received special honorary degrees from Colorado College and the College of Santa Fe.
Peterson Zah passed away on March 7, 2023. He died from cancer at Fort Defiance Hospital. He was 85 years old.
