Former Navajo Nation president dies of coronavirus
Albert Hale, 70, also served in Arizona House and Senate
FLAGSTAFF — Albert Hale, a former Navajo Nation president and Arizona lawmaker who was known for his commanding presence, sense of humor and advocacy for local government, has died.
Hale tested positive for the coronavirus in early January and was admitted to the hospital where he died Tuesday, said his daughter, April Hale. He was 70.
“We’re thankful to the staff and care team at Arizona General Hospital for allowing us to say our goodbyes and to tell our father that we loved him, to tell him that we’re proud of all his accomplishments, and we will carry on and honor his legacy,” she told The Associated Press.
Hale served as the second president of the Navajo Nation after the tribe restructured its government under three branches to prevent power from being concentrated under a chairman. As a lawyer, he was key to that effort and championed giving Navajo communities or chapters autonomy from the central tribal government and taxing authority.
He helped secure water rights for the Navajo Nation from the San Juan River Basin in New Mexico and was steadfast in promoting tribal sovereignty. He once suggested closing the borders of the vast reservation that stretches into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah in response to what he saw as unjust actions by the state of Arizona.
Many knew him by his nickname, Ahbihay, a mispronunciation of his name by a Navajo grandmother that stuck on the Navajo Nation, among elected officials and within his own family. He had a strong handshake and a big smile and was rooted in Navajo culture and traditions, relatives and friends said.
“The thing that used to really impress me the most about him is he was a super-sharp dresser, but he was about as traditional as they come,” said Patrick Sandoval, who worked with Hale on a number of initiatives, including drastically cutting the number of Navajo Nation Council delegates. “He understood culture, language, history, the songs, everything. He knew how to wear a suit and tie also.”
A dark moment came in 1998 when Hale resigned from the Navajo presidency rather than face allegations that he misused tribal funds. He denied wrongdoing but apologized to the Navajo people.
“I am sorry for my shortcomings and the wrongs that I may have committed while in office,” he said at the time.
Hale was as comfortable on the Navajo Nation as he was in the Arizona Legislature, where he served in the Senate from 2004 to 2011 and in the House from 2011 to 2017.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered flags lowered to half-staff at state buildings until sunset Wednesday in honor of Hale. On the Navajo Nation, President Jonathan Nez called for flags to be flown at half-staff from Wednesday through Saturday.
Hale was a longtime attorney and first president of the Navajo Nation Bar Association, most recently representing the Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority.