Mark Maryboy

Mark Maryboy
Mark Maryboy, a Navajo leader, wearing a cap and denim jacket, addresses a crowd during a public event while holding a folder.
Mark Maryboy speaking at a community gathering in Utah
Navajo Nation Council Delegate
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Utah
In office
January 1, 1991 – January 1, 2007
Succeeded byDavis Filfred Jr.
ConstituencyAneth / Red Mesa / Mexican Water
Personal details
Born (1955-12-10) December 10, 1955
Bluff, Utah, United States
NationalityNavajo Nation, American
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseRoselyn Maryboy
EducationUniversity of Utah (BA)
Known forFirst Native American elected as county commissioner in Utah

Mark Maryboy (born December 10, 1955) is a retired American politician and member of the Navajo Nation. He served as a County Commissioner in San Juan County, Utah for three terms and as a Council Delegate to the Navajo Nation Council representing the Utah Navajo Section.[1][2]

Biography

Maryboy an American retired was born near Bluff, Utah, and raised in a traditional Navajo Hogan on the Navajo Nation reservation.[3] He attended BIA boarding schools in Kayenta and Aneth,[4] and later graduated from San Juan High School in Blanding, Utah. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Utah in 1978.[3]

After college, Maryboy returned to work with the Utah Navajo Development Council as director of education, overseeing programs including Head Start and vocational training.[3]

In 1986, he was elected as the first Native American County Commissioner in Utah history, representing District Three in San Juan County.[5] He was elected to the Navajo Nation Council in 1990, where he later chaired the Budget and Finance Committee.

He also served on the advisory board of the College of Social and Behavioral Science at the University of Utah. Maryboy was appointed to the Utah Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 1993,[6] and later to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education by President Bill Clinton.[7]

Incidents and controversies

In 2006, Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan was charged with battery after allegedly striking Maryboy during a Council session.[8] The altercation reportedly stemmed from a procedural dispute during legislative discussions.[8]

Utah Navajo Commission

Maryboy has been involved with the Utah Navajo Commission, which manages revenues from mineral development on Utah Navajo lands. He has addressed issues concerning energy policy and resource management for Navajo communities in San Juan County.

Water Rights

In 2002, the Utah Navajo Commission, with Maryboy’s support, advocated for reasserting tribal water rights to the Colorado River.[9] The 2020 Utah Navajo Water Rights Settlement Act recognized the Navajo Nation’s rights to 81,500 acre-feet of water annually.[10]

ExxonMobil Protest

In 1997, Maryboy joined local residents in a three-day protest against ExxonMobil at the McCalmon Oil Plant in Aneth, Utah.[11] The protest focused on local hiring and working conditions for Navajo residents in the oil industry.[12]

Later Work

In 1999, he co-founded Utah Navajo Health Systems with Donna Singer, supporting legislation to allow local retention of healthcare profits.[13]

References

  1. ^ "The Salt Lake Tribune - Utah News, Sports, Religion & Entertainment". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  2. ^ Gray, Haley (October 29, 2018). "Meet the man fighting to preserve rural Utah lands". Roads & Kingdoms. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "The Political Mark Maryboy". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  4. ^ Gonzalez, Sydnee (November 13, 2022). "'It never went away': Utah tribal elders share boarding school experiences". www.ksl.com. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  5. ^ "The special session Bears Ears debate concludes". BYU Daily Universe. May 19, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  6. ^ "Utah Advisory Committee to the US Commission on Civil Rights Fact-Finding Meeting" (PDF). U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. December 1993. p. 2.
  7. ^ "President Clinton Names 8 To The National Advisory Board On Indian Education". National Archives. August 2, 1994.
  8. ^ a b Kaye Johnson, Natasha (2006). "Push Comes to Shove". Archived from the original on October 6, 2008.
  9. ^ "Mexican Land Use Plan Water Chapter" (PDF). Mexican Water Chapter: 11. 2020.
  10. ^ Podmore, Zak (December 22, 2020). "Long-awaited bill to settle Navajo Nation water rights in San Juan County passed by Congress". Uintah Water Conservancy District (published December 28, 2020).
  11. ^ Desruisseaux, Danielle (March 3, 1997). "Tepee blockade spurs talks". High Country News. 29 (4). Archived from the original on August 31, 2002.
  12. ^ Desruisseaux, Danielle (March 3, 1997). "Tepee blockade spurs talks". High Country News. 29 (4). Archived from the original on August 31, 2002.
  13. ^ "New CEO at Utah Navajo Health Systems". San Juan Record. January 15, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  • Salt Lake Tribune. "Public Lands director's departure pleases environmentalists, some Navajos".
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