My name is Lorencita “Loren” Marshall, I am Diné, a citizen of the Navajo Nation and my clans are Tó’áhaní nishłí (Near the Water People), Tódích’íi’nii báshíshchíín (Bitter Water People), Táchii’nii dashicheii (Red Running Into the Water People), dóó Ma’ii Deeshgiizhnii dashinálí (Coyote Pass Jemez). I was born and raised in the rural community of White Clay, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation.
I am excited to take on the new role as Director of Campaign and Engagements with Northeast Arizona Native Democrats, a project of the Navajo County Democratic Party. For the past four years I’ve been a tribal organizer on the Navajo Nation and served in a variety of roles. Most recently I was the Tribal Deputy Organizing Director with Mission for Arizona during the 2020 and 2022 cycles. I have also worked as a Constituency Organizing Director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
I did not register to vote until 2020, and political organizing was something I had no interest in or even knew what it was or what to do. This changed when folks took the time to talk with me and let me know that my voice, my vote, and experiences matter. I was a student intern, busy being a mom of four, and taking courses at Diné College when I was encouraged by one of my mentors to help lead a student project to educate peers and community members about the importance of voting.
We held our first meeting with the Arizona Secretary of State Office and had a discussion about the 2020 elections. They asked who was registered to vote, did anyone need help updating their voter registration, and began covering the roles of elected offices. I heard what was being said, but didn’t know how to be part of the conversation. When the presenter asked me what I was thinking, I was honest. I said “I’m sorry I don’t even know how to participate. I’m not a registered voter. I’ve never voted before. I don’t know the difference between parties and which one my values align with.” This was the start of my political journey and when I became a first time registered voter.
“My call to action –– Make sure tribal and rural voters know their voice and vote matter.”
Soon after, at the height of the pandemic, several students and I hosted webinars and Zoom meetings to discuss voter education and how we could reach more of our peers and community members in our region of the Navajo Nation. I was then recruited to work with Mission for Arizona to help register voters, provide voter education, and elect more Arizona Democrats to office. This is also when I met an amazing team of tribal organizers and leaders working across sovereign lands in Apache, Navajo, and Coconino Counties. I was energized and inspired to see the work and how we all came together. I wanted to do more. This was also a time I got to meet many of our elected leaders, folks like former Arizona state Senator Jamesita Peshlakai who is Diné/Navajo, a fluent speaker of our language like me, and a strong leader for our communities. She said to me “Shiyazhi (My child) Loren, you have what we call ‘the bug’, you want to change too much too fast, you’re young and excited. You have so much energy and you're spreading motivation. Keep doing the work.”
With the consistent encouragement from mentors like Senator Peshlakai I am excited to continue my political organizing journey with the Northeast Arizona Native Democrats. I understand, first hand, how crucial being present and consistent is for building trust. I’ve heard directly from voters over the years about how campaigns only come in a few months before elections then go away as soon as it's over. This was always disheartening to hear, because I believe in the power of our people and their vote. I want our community members to see and feel that power and use it for good, to get what they need and deserve from their government and elected leaders. I want our voters to see how they really do have a voice, and their involvement can make incredible positive changes.
Taking on this new role is my call to action and I’m going to do my best to make sure our communities know their voice, vote, and experiences matter.
I look forward to furthering relational organizing techniques in our region, working with Family Vote Matriarchs, our organizers, partners, volunteers, reaching younger community members, and genuinely connecting with voters. I was always in awe of the hard work and dedication of the Northeast Arizona Native Democrats, that they are present and are helping communities all year long. Now I get to officially be a part of these efforts and help lead some initiatives.
Ahéhee’/Thank you
Lorencita Marshall, Navajo Nation
Director of Campaigns & Engagement
Northeast Arizona Native Democrats-Navajo County Democrats
Email [navajocountydemocrats@gmail.com]
(928) 224-8021
@LorenMarshallAZ
There is a lot of work leading up to 2024, to help Loren and our team get an early boost, donate today https://secure.actblue.com/donate/navajoconativeorganizing
Checks may also be mailed to: Navajo County Democrats PO Box 144, Lakeside, AZ 85929
Every dollar raised goes to supporting Northeast Arizona Native Democrats initiatives, which includes hiring and training local Indigenous organizers to work year round in their community to provide community service, aid, voter registration, education, outreach, and more.