Referendum result means tribe could elect non-Navajo-speaking presidentSupporters say move will serve attract younger generation to leadership rolesNavajos have voted to loosen language requirements for their top leaders,eliminating the need for them to be fluent in Navajo and giving voters more discretion in who can hold elected office.
The passage of the referendum also raises the opportunity that the Navajo Nation could elect a non-Navajo-speaking president and vice-president in the future, starting with the 2018 election. Tuesday’s vote is a victory for Navajos who rallied around a presidential candidate who was disqualified from the race final year for refusing to have his language skills tested.
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Source: theguardian.com