Navajo President Chief of Staff, Sherrick Roanhorse, efficient and effective.
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Weekend Edition | February 10th, 2012 | By; Sam Tsosie
Sherrick Roanhorse, Chief of Staff, takes a moment to relax. (theavajopost/Sam Tsosie)
Window Rock - Sherrick Roanhorse, Chief of Staff for Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly, has achieved many goals to reach his current position. In 2010, he had an opportunity to become the Chief of Staff for Navajo President, Ben Shelly, and he took it – and became one of the youngest Chief of Staff’s ever. At 30 years old, Sherrick spent his 20s in college, and held several internships with political leaders. He spent some time in Washington D.C. prior to becoming President Shelly’s Chief of Staff.
“I do my work, lay low and think about how we can improve our Nation” says Sherrick Roanhorse, when asked about his position, adding “try to create a better quality of life for our people, go to college, finish school.”
Sherrick was born in Gallup, NM, 1981. He grew up in Steamboat and attended Ganado Elementary School. He graduated from Navajo Preparatory School in 1999. While attending Navajo Prep, his interest in politics exploded. “I became class president. I was the Native Club co-president, and co-editor for the school paper. I also participated in Native America Leadership, a project funded by Woodrow Wilson, which helps turn youth into future leaders”.
After graduating high school, Sherrick attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. for one year. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to study. He left NAU and took some classes at Dine College, where was active in the student government. His class list included Navajo Culture and Navajo Government. He transferred to the University of New Mexico and graduated in 2006 with a double major in Political Science and English. He says while attending UNM, living in Albuquerque presented its challenges. “Money, rent and studies were my biggest concerns.”
He interned for New Mexico Senator Bingaman, and lived in Washington D.C. for a summer. He then later returned to work in Washington D.C. for the Navajo Nation Washington Office (NNWO),at which time he met Vice President Ben Shelly.
When Ben Shelly was elected President of the Navajo Nation, he asked Sherrick Roanhorse to be the Chief of Staff.
As Chief of Staff, Sherrick works long hours through the week and has only Sunday to rest. But he’ll usually be working on something for President. “What drives me every day is that things will be better at home. We have our land, ceremonies, language and way of life. We have a lot to be grateful for.”
Sherrick Roanhorse, Chief of Staff for Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly, (thenavajopost/Sam Tsosie)
