Eleanor Shirley
Eleanor Shirley | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Shirley in 2011 | |
| Interim Chief Justice of the Navajo Nation | |
| Assumed office July 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | JoAnn Jayne |
| Personal details | |
| Education | Fort Lewis College |
Eleanor Shirley is an American and Navajo jurist serving as the interim chief justice of the Navajo Nation since 2025. A member of the Navajo Nation Bar Association since 1977, she has been an associate justice of the Navajo Nation Supreme Court since 2011 and previously served as a district court judge in Crownpoint, New Mexico.
Shirley was first appointed to the Supreme Court as a probationary justice in 2008. Her permanent appointment in 2011 followed a contentious confirmation process in which a Navajo Nation Council committee initially voted against her before the decision was reversed. She was formally recognized as interim chief justice on July 3, 2025.
Early life and education
[edit]Shirley speaks the Navajo language.[1] She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Fort Lewis College.[2][3]
Career
[edit]Shirley has been a member in good standing of the Navajo Nation Bar Association since December 1977.[2][3] She served as a district court judge for the Crownpoint, New Mexico Judicial District.[2]
On June 27, 2008, then-president Joe Shirley Jr. appointed Eleanor Shirley to the Navajo Nation Supreme Court as a probationary associate justice. The Navajo Nation Council confirmed the probationary appointment on July 24, 2008.[2]
In October 2010, as her probationary period concluded, the Council's Judiciary Committee voted against granting her a permanent appointment.[1] The vote occurred despite a hearing where no negative information or comments about her were presented.[1] Committee member Leonard Tsosie, a lawyer, stated the 4 to 3 vote against Shirley was an act of "revenge" for recent Supreme Court decisions that were unfavorable to the Council's leadership.[1] Committee chairman Kee Allen Begay denied this accusation, stating the committee's decision was based on several factors, including Shirley's perceived "dependency" on chief justice Herb Yazzie, her "inadequate preparation," and a lack of dissenting opinions she had authored.[1] The committee scheduled a meeting for October 28, 2010, with the intent to remove her from the bench.[1]
In a reversal, the Law and Order Committee recommended Shirley for permanent appointment on July 27, 2011, and on August 29, president Ben Shelly issued a formal appointment letter.[2] The Navajo Nation Council confirmed her as a permanent associate justice in October 2011, and she was sworn into office on October 19 by Window Rock, Arizona district court judge Carol Perry.[2][3]
During her tenure, Shirley administered the oath of office to Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, LoRenzo Bates on January 26, 2015.[3] In July 2015, she served as acting chief justice, and in that capacity co-signed an agreement with the Navajo President and Speaker outlining tribal government priorities.[4]
On July 3, 2025, Navajo Nation president Buu Nygren, speaker Crystalyne Curley, and Law and Order Committee chair Eugenia Charles-Newton formally recognized Shirley as the interim chief justice of the Navajo Nation.[5] Her appointment followed the Council's decision not to make the previous probationary chief justice, JoAnn Jayne, permanent.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Shebala, Marley (October 14, 2010). "Both associate justices out, Council taking aim at chief justice - Navajo Times". Navajo Times. Archived from the original on 2010-10-19. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Eleanor Shirley Confirmed as Navajo Nation Associate Justice". ICT. 2011-10-25. Archived from the original on 2025-11-02. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
- 1 2 3 4 Smith, Noel Lyn (February 2, 2015). "New bill aims to change criteria for service on Navajo Nation Supreme Court". The Daily Times. Archived from the original on 2015-02-05. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
- ↑ "Navajo Nation leaders sign off on priorities for tribe". KTAR. 2015-07-21. Archived from the original on 2025-11-02. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
- 1 2 "Navajo Nation Associate Justice Eleanor Shirley appointed as Interim Chief Justice". Navajo-Hopi Observer. July 15, 2025. Archived from the original on 2025-07-27. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
