Zah, Peterson (1937– )

Navajo leader. The themes of his career included better relations with the Hopi Indians, reorganizing tribal government to make it more accountable, and reconciliation after the bitterly divisive late-1980s. Born on the Navajo reservation in Arizona, his childhood in a remote part of the reservation helped shape his concerns as Tribal Chairman (1982, 1990) for the more traditional elements of Navajo society. His political career began with his leadership of People's Legal Services (1972).