Canku Ota

(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

April 3, 2004 - Issue 110

Toadacheene Wants to Inspire the Young

"I'll bring new ideas. I think people who know me know that I care about the people of this county, the tribe and the state. Just give me a chance," said Todacheene, a Democrat who is of Navajo and German origin.

The longtime Shiprock resident is currently employed as a curriculum support administrator at Central Consolidated Schools, but will retire in June. She said she thinks the county clerk position is a good segue from a 26-year-career in education. During her career, Todacheene was been employed as a home economics teacher in Newcomb and Shiprock and principal of Mesa Elementary.

"In education you have the power to influence young people. Some people look at politics as a dirty word, but I see it as the power to influence," Todacheene said. "We're lifelong teachers and everyone is a teacher. This is a chance to teach on a higher level."

Todacheene said that if elected County Clerk she would focus on public outreach, building relationships between the county and the Navajo Nation and getting more people to the poles.

"In my family, it was really important to vote. The minute our kids turned 18, they were registered," she said. "I come across many individuals who don't think it's important, but what happens in elections influences their taxes and different parts of their lives. They need to be a part of the process."

Born in Ganado, Ariz. and raised in Two Grey Hills, Todacheene also hopes to serve as a positive example for minorities in San Juan County.

"The young people get inspired by individuals the first time a Navajo or Hispanic ventures into a public office," Todacheene said. "They think, 'If that person can do it, I can do it.' As adults, we have a responsibility to our young people to show them good character and show them the world can be a better place."

Although outreach to the Native American community is important to her, she said she will not run her office one-sided.

"I'll be able to see both sides," Todacheene said. "I will not just focus on my own people, but the entire county. There's a lot that needs work out there."

Todacheene graduated from Shiprock High School in 1971 and attended St. Michael's Girls School and Kent School in Connecticut. She graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Arts in home economics education and Master of Arts in educational administration. She has participated in Leadership San Juan, the Blue Ribbon Task Force and the Shiprock Planning Committee.

The candidate has been married to Lonnie Todacheene for 32 years and has two adult children.

Todacheene is running against current County Clerk Fran Hanhardt for the position. The primary election is June 1 and the general election is Nov. 2.

Canku Ota is a copyright © 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 of Vicki Lockard and Paul Barry.

The "Canku Ota - A Newsletter Celebrating Native America" web site and its design is the

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 of Paul C. Barry.

All Rights Reserved.