Sam Ahkeah

Sam Ahkeah was born March 8, 1896, to his parents Atcitty Biyeh and Asdza Bi-ee Llizhinii. He was born in Rock Point, Arizona, on the Navajo reservation and he is from the Bitter Water Clan (Todích'íí'nii). While attending school Ahkeah was diagnosed with tuberculosis, but recovered shortly after. == Career ==

In August 1935, Ahkeah was employed as a manager for the Mesa Verde National Park where he had been recorded sharing the origin of "The Mud Story". On March 10, 1954, Ahkeah addressed the Rotary Club of Albuquerque advocating for a better education system for Navajo children so that they could be given the same opportunities as non-native children. He advocated for the Colorado River Storage Project to be passed into law because it would benefit the Navajo Nation tribe, which resides near the Colorado River. Ahkeah argued that the Colorado River Storage Project would allow Navajo people to become independent by expanding employment on the reservation, by building schools, and by helping Navajo become taxpayers. He advocated for water rights, better education for indigenous students, and also equal opportunity for the Navajo people. She met with him to capture photographs for the Navajos to aid against the U.S. Indian Claims Commission. This holiday would not come to pass until April 13, 2016, but Ahkeah was recognized for his involvement. Ahkeah's term as chairman ended in 1954 and he tried to gain re-election, but Paul Jones won the election. == Personal life ==

Ahkeah married Frances Descheene Ahkeah and together they shared 10 children. Their children are named Margaret Ahkeah, Lucy Ahkeah, Nora Ahkeah, Fannie Ahkeah, Elenor Ahkeah, Curtis Ahkeah, Robert Ahkeah, Bryson Ahkeah, and Rodger W. Ahkeah Sr. Ahkeah's daughter Elenor was heavily involved with the Navajo community, devoting her time to educating the youth. Elenor Ahkeah married Herbert T. Clah, whose father was also a Navajo Nation chairman. Ahkeah later married Doris Begay. Their daughter Edith Ahkeah (d. 2023) served the Navajo community through the Indian Health Service, working for over three decades as a nurse, case manager, and hospital supervisor at Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock, New Mexico. On December 5, 1967, at the age of 71, Ahkeah died after being ill for many months prior. Ahkeah had been admitted to Shiprock Indian Health Services the week before and where he had stayed until his death. == References ==