1. Peterson Zah was an American politician who held several offices with the Navajo Nation.
16 Facts About Peterson Zah
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Peterson Zah then worked at Arizona State University as special adviser to the president on American Indian Affairs from 1995 to 2011 and consulted companies willing to work with his nation.
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Peterson Zah was born December 2,1937, in Low Mountain, Arizona, the son of Henry and Mae Multine Zah.
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Peterson Zah graduated from Phoenix Indian School in 1958, Phoenix College in 1960, and Arizona State University, where he received a bachelor's degree in education, in 1963.
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In 1972, Peterson Zah won election to the school board in Window Rock, Arizona; the following year he became board president.
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In 1982, Peterson Zah campaigned against longtime incumbent Peter MacDonald to become Chairman of the Navajo Nation.
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Peterson Zah won, and 1983 he became chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council at Window Rock, the governing body for the Navajo Nation.
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In 1986, Peterson Zah lost reelection to his predecessor, but MacDonald was suspended and indicted before finishing his term.
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Peterson Zah began fundraising for the Navajo Education and Scholarship Foundation in 1987.
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Peterson Zah was inaugurated as president on January 15,1991.
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In 1994, Peterson Zah successfully advocated for an amendment to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act allowing the ceremonial use of peyote.
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In 1995, Peterson Zah was recruited by ASU president Lattie Coor to become a special advisor to the president on American Indian Affairs for Arizona State University.
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Peterson Zah held the position until 2011, focusing on increasing retention of Native students and success.
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Peterson Zah received honorary degrees from Colorado College and the College of Santa Fe.
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In early 2022, Peterson Zah was recognized with the 2021 Grand Canyon Trust Lifetime Achievement Award.
16.
Peterson Zah died of cancer on March 7,2023, at Fort Defiance Hospital in Fort Defiance, Arizona, at age 85.