Vivian Juan-Saunders
Encyclopedia
Vivian Juan-Saunders is an American
tribal leader who became the first woman to lead the Tohono O'odham
nation of southern Arizona
in 2003. She served as Chairwoman of the Tohono O'odham from 2003 until 2007.
Juan-Saunders is the former vice president at Tohono O'odham Community College, which is located in Sells, Arizona
.
In 1999, Juan-Saunders, together with running mate Ned Norris, Jr., challenged incumbent Tohono O'odham Chairman Edward D. Manuel for the chairmanship in the executive election. Manuel defeated Juan-Saunders to win a second term in office.
Juan-Saunders once again challenged Manuel in 2003, in a rematch of the 1999 race. She was elected the Chairwoman of the Tohono O'odham
nation in the May 24. 2003, tribal election, with Ned Norris, Jr. as her running mate
. She defeated incumbent Tohono O'odham Chairman Edward D. Manuel, who had held the office since 1995, with 59% of the popular vote while carrying eight of the eleven electoral districts. In doing so, she became the first woman to lead the Tohono O'odham.
Juan-Saunders was officially inaugurated as Chairwoman of the Tohono O'odham nation on Monday, June 3, 2003, by Tohono O'odham chief justice Betty Norris. A larger ceremonial inauguration was later held on June 27, 2003, at Baboquivari High School in Topawa, Arizona
. Norris, her running mate, served as the vice chairman of the Tohono O'odham until his resignation in June 2006.
Vivian Juan-Saunders was defeated for re-election in May 2007 by her former running mate, Ned Norris, Jr., who received 1,766 of the 3,105 total votes cast in the election.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
tribal leader who became the first woman to lead the Tohono O'odham
Tohono O'odham
The Tohono O'odham are a group of Native American people who reside primarily in the Sonoran Desert of the southeastern Arizona and northwest Mexico...
nation of southern Arizona
Southern Arizona
Southern Arizona is a region of the United States comprising the southernmost portion of the State of Arizona. It sometimes goes by the name Baja Arizona, which means "Lower Arizona" in Spanish.- Geography :...
in 2003. She served as Chairwoman of the Tohono O'odham from 2003 until 2007.
Juan-Saunders is the former vice president at Tohono O'odham Community College, which is located in Sells, Arizona
Sells, Arizona
Sells is a census-designated place in Pima County, Arizona, United States. The population was 2,799 at the 2000 census. It is the capital of the Tohono O'odham Nation and the home of several of their tribal businesses, such as Tohono O'Odham Ki:Ki Association...
.
In 1999, Juan-Saunders, together with running mate Ned Norris, Jr., challenged incumbent Tohono O'odham Chairman Edward D. Manuel for the chairmanship in the executive election. Manuel defeated Juan-Saunders to win a second term in office.
Juan-Saunders once again challenged Manuel in 2003, in a rematch of the 1999 race. She was elected the Chairwoman of the Tohono O'odham
Tohono O'odham
The Tohono O'odham are a group of Native American people who reside primarily in the Sonoran Desert of the southeastern Arizona and northwest Mexico...
nation in the May 24. 2003, tribal election, with Ned Norris, Jr. as her running mate
Running mate
A running mate is a person running together with another person on a joint ticket during an election. The term is most often used in reference to the person in the subordinate position but can also properly be used when referring to both candidates, such as "Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen were...
. She defeated incumbent Tohono O'odham Chairman Edward D. Manuel, who had held the office since 1995, with 59% of the popular vote while carrying eight of the eleven electoral districts. In doing so, she became the first woman to lead the Tohono O'odham.
Juan-Saunders was officially inaugurated as Chairwoman of the Tohono O'odham nation on Monday, June 3, 2003, by Tohono O'odham chief justice Betty Norris. A larger ceremonial inauguration was later held on June 27, 2003, at Baboquivari High School in Topawa, Arizona
Topawa, Arizona
Topawa is an unincorporated community in Pima County, Arizona, United States. Topawa is located on the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation south-southeast of Sells. Topawa has a post office with ZIP code 85639....
. Norris, her running mate, served as the vice chairman of the Tohono O'odham until his resignation in June 2006.
Vivian Juan-Saunders was defeated for re-election in May 2007 by her former running mate, Ned Norris, Jr., who received 1,766 of the 3,105 total votes cast in the election.