In accepting the position, MacDonald told his fellow comrades and their families, “I will do my best as your president. I am committed and dedicated to establishing the National Navajo Code Talkers Museum and Veterans Center…I need your help.”

MacDonald, a World War II Veteran and a Navajo Code Talker, served in the U.S. Marine Corps, 6^th Marine Division from 1944-46 in the South Pacific and North China. Upon his discharge, with a rank of Corporal in October 1946, he headed home to Teecnospos, Arizona. He graduated from Bacone High School, earned a Social Science degree from Bacone Junior College, and received an electrical engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma.

He was employed as a project manager and a member of the elite Hughes Technical staff (MTS) for the Hughes Aircraft Company, manufacturing the Polaris Guidance System.

Most prominent is his unprecedented four terms as Chairman of the Navajo Nation, in 1971-83 and 1987-91. He also co-founded the Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT), National Tribal Chairman Association, American Indian National Bank and the Native American Prep School.

Among his many honors are: recipient of the Congressional Silver Medal, University of Oklahoma Engineering Hall of Fame, special commendation by President Richard M. Nixon, the Distinguished Service Award by the U.S. Marine Corps League, TIME magazine’s 1974 one of 200 “Rising Leaders of America”, and the Distinguished Service citation from the University of Oklahoma.

MacDonald was appointed by U.S. Presidents and state governors to serve on several national task forces and commissions. He holds honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Southern Utah in Cedar City, Utah and the College of Ganado in Ganado, Arizona.

Today, he lectures across the nation and lives on the Navajo Nation in Tuba City, Arizona with his wife Wanda and has five children and seven grandchildren

After the war, Begay finished his schooling at Santa Fe Indian School, boxed competitively, and retired from Navajo Forest Products Industry in 1985. He was also a dedicated and active member of the Navajo Code Talkers Association.

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly ordered the Navajo Nation flag be flown at half-staff in honor of Begay from Thursday, February 2nd through sundown Sunday evening, February 5th.

Funeral services will be 10:00am on Saturday, February 4th at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance, Arizona. Burial will follow at the Family plot north of Fort Defianc, ending with a reception at Fort Defiance Chapter House. Funeral Home: Silver Creek Mortuary, in Tse Bonito, New Mexico.

For condolences messages, monetary support, food donations and additional information you may contact Begay’s son, Thurman Begay, at 505-406-7447, via email thy_dude81@yahoo.com or via postal mail: PO Box 1084, Fort Defiance, AZ  86504

The bill received a unanimous DO PASS by the Indian and Cultural Affairs Committee on Tuesday, 01/31/12 at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The will now be forwarded to the Finance Committee.

On Friday, February 3rd, the Senate Finance Committee “temporarily tabled” SB 160 meaning it will be forwarded to be included in HB2 – Appropriations Bill. The Appropriations Bill will be come back to the Senate Finance Committee and the full Senate before the session ends on Friday, February 17th.

Please voice your support to members of the NM Legislature! Thank you.

Members of the NM Senate Standing Committee: Finance  – they and all members of the legislature can be reached though the Legislative switchboard at 505-986-4300.

SenatorJohn Arthur Smith (Chair)
Senator Carlos R. Cisneros (Vice-Chair)
Senator Sue Wilson (Ranking Member)
Senator Rod Adair
Senator Pete Campos
Senator Carroll H. Leavell
Senator Howie Morales
Senator Steven P. Neville
Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino
Senator Mary Kay Papen
Senator Nancy Rodriquez

Members of the NM Senate Standing Committee: Indian and Cultural Affairs  – they can be reached though the Legislative switchboard at 505-986-4300.

Senator John Pinto, Chair
Senator Cisco McSorley, Vice-Chair
Senator Stuart Ingle
Senator Timothy Z. Jennings
Senator Lynda M. Lovejoy
Senator William H. Payne

Press Release (1.8m)

1:00pm, Friday, January 6, 2012
Memorial Service
Nakai Hall, Navajo Nation Fairgrounds, Window Rock, Arizona

10:00am, Saturday, January 7, 2012
Funeral Service
Family Church Assembly of God, Fort Defiance, Arizona

Burial immediately following Funeral Service
Family Plot in Crystal, New Mexico

Reception following Burial
Crystal Chapter House, Crystal, New Mexico

Funeral Expense Contributions
Donations to cover funeral expense can be made to the
Keith M Little Memorial Fund
at any Wells Fargo Bank

Floral Tributes
In lieu of floral tributes, the family would like to have donations made in honor of Keith M Little to the Navajo Code Talkers Foundation to support the building of the National Navajo Code Talkers Museum & Veterans Center at www.navajocodetalkers.org
or by postal mail:
Museum Donation – KML
PO Box 1266
Window Rock, AZ 86515

For Additional Details:
Funeral Arrangements Info Sheet (49k)

Mr. Little died Tuesday evening, January 3rd, at the Tsehootsooi Medical Center in Fort Defiance Arizona. He was 87 years old.

The driving force of the National Navajo Code Talkers Museum & Veterans Center project, a national treasure – his vision will carry the Foundation forward. His valor, and that of all of the Navajo Code Talkers will be forever honored through the completion of the Museum & Veterans Center. Mr. Little’s wife, Nellie, stressed her husbands’ commitment and dedication to the project and urges everyone to continue supporting and working to make their dream a reality.

The family will receive family, relatives and friends at a Family Meeting beginning at 2:00 pm on Thursday, January 5th at the Crystal Chapter House in Crystal, New Mexico. Donations toward the funeral expense will be accepted at this time.

A public memorial service is being planned for Friday, January 6th in Window Rock, Arizona, with the funeral service scheduled for Saturday, January 7th in Fort Defiance, Arizona. Further details will be provided as they become available.

In lieu of floral tributes, his wife Nellie and his family, encourage contributions be made to the National Navajo Code Talkers Museum & Veterans Center project in his honor. He had a deep commitment to preserving the legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers and the Navajo language, along with a high regard for all Veterans and the men and woman of the Armed Forces. Donations to support the Museum & Veterans project that Mr. Little envisioned and was very much committed to can be made through the website: www.navajocodetalkers.org or by contacting Wynette Arviso at 505-870-9167 or via email wynette@navajocodetalkers.org.

A proud Marine, a revered veteran of WWII, deep devotion to his family, and an engaging, kind, and noble man – he will be sorely missed and a loss to the country as well.

Contact information:
Erny Zah, navajonationpress@navajo-nsn.gov
Public Information Officer, Navajo Nation Office of the President
cell 928-380-0771

Wynette Arviso, wynette@navajocodetalkers.org
Navajo Code Talkers Foundation
505-870-9167

The Foundation has put together a questionnaire to gather information about individual Navajo Code Talkers, and is encouraging the family and friends of Navajo Code Talkers to obtain the questionnaire for the veteran, as well as assist him completing and returning it.

Questionnaires and more information can be obtained by contacting  info@navajocodetalkers.org. The Foundation will be accepting completed questionnaires on a rolling basis to maintain continually accurate information for its database and future Museum & Veterans Center.