Dodge, Henry Chee (c. 1860-1947)

Navajo principal chief. He became the official Navajo interpreter and was appointed political successor to the great chief Manuelito. He was elected chair of the new Navajo Tribal Council (1923-28) and re-elected in 1942.

He was born at Fort Defiance in present-day Arizona. A successful trader and rancher, much of his life was spent working to improve the living conditions of the Navajo, both by holding off the intrusions of private white enterprises and by bringing in US government services.