What did peter mcdonalddo for the Navajo nation?

Answer 1

Peter MacDonald was the 7th Chairman of the Navajo Nation. He served four terms 1970-1989. His Navajo birth name is Hoshkaisił Begay. He is Hashkaahazdzoho Clan (yucca fruit in a row), born for (his father's) Betanii Clan.

He is a fluent Navajo speaker. He worked to increase tribal control over mineral leases (oil and coal) and education. He co-founded CERT. He helped start Navajo Nation Shopping Centers Enterprise, Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority and other tribally owned businesses. He fought the BIA for less federal government control and more Tribal control. When he came into office the BIA still did things like holding the only key to the Council Chambers and coming in a lecturing members.. He fought against the Navajo and Hopi Land Resettlement Act. He fell afoul of Barry Goldwater and the GOP after earlier supporting them. He was convicted of election law violations. Issues around the Big Boquillas deal which added 491,000 acres to the Navajo Nation were also involved. Prosecutors have said to reporters at the NY Times that they were duped by those out to get MacDonald. the truth is very unclear. It was suspected that he received kickbacks. He was convicted on US Federal conspiracy charges for inciting the riot and for taking bribes and kickbacks. MacDonald also served a federal sentence for fraud and racketeering convictions and convicted of defrauding the Navajo Nation in tribal court. He was pardoned by Clinton and by the Navajo tribe. He is the son of a hataałii and sheepherder. He was a US Marine and Code talker and served in China just after WWII. Hwe went to BIA school in Teec Nos Pos. He has electrical engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma. He worked for Hughes Aircraft Company on the Polaris nuclear missile. Before he was Chairman he managed the Office of Navajo Economic Opportunity.