Peter MacDonald, Sr.

At the age of 15, Peter MacDonald, a Navajo from Teecnospos, AZ, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He went through boot camp at U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego, CA. Following regular combat and communication training at USMCB in Camp Pendleton, CA, MacDonald, along with other Navajo Marines, was secluded from other Marines for top secret Navajo Code School. During the final phase of World War II (1944-46) MacDonald served in the Pacific as Navajo Code Talker and North China with the Sixth Marine Division.

He was honorably discharged with a rank of Corporal. He went back to his home community of Teecnospos, Arizona. After graduation from High School and Junior College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, MacDonald went on to University of Oklahoma and graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree (BSEE). He pursued graduate studies at UCLA while working as a Project Engineer on the Polaris Missile project for (Howard) Hughes Aircraft Company. MacDonald served as Project Manager for the manufacture of the Polaris Missile Guidance System and was a member of the elite Hughes Technical Staff (MTS).

MacDonald has a long list of entrepreneurial endeavors attached to his name. Prominent among his work experience is his service as Chairman of the Navajo Nation from 1971 to 1983 and 1987-91. MacDonald was re-elected to the Office of the Chairman four times—unprecedented in Navajo history. MacDonald is co-founder of the Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT), the National Tribal Chairman Association, the American Indian National Bank and the Native American Prep School. MacDonald also worked as Sales and Marketing Director for Cataract Engineering Company, providing engineering service for start-ups of Nuclear Power Plants and overhaul of coal-fired power plants.

Among his many honors are: Recipient of Congressional Silver Medal for heroic service to the nation as a USMC Navajo Code Talker; University of Oklahoma Engineering Hall of Fame and Special Commendation by U.S. President Richard M. Nixon for “exceptional services to others”. Chairman MacDonald also served as a civilian member of USMC Education and Training Board of Directors appointed by the Secretary of Navy. In addition, MacDonald was featured in TIME magazine as one of 200 “Rising Leaders of America” in 1974. He received Honorary Doctorate degrees from the University of Southern Utah in Cedar City and the College of Ganado (AZ). In 1978 he also received the Distinguished Service Citation from the University of Oklahoma--the institution’s highest honor where he also served on the University of Oklahoma Board of Visitors and Bacone College Board of Regents.

MacDonald served on several national task forces and commissions (appointments by Presidents of the United States and Governors of Arizona and New Mexico). He now lectures at schools, colleges and universities, clubs, political organizations, government agencies and businesses.

Along with speaking about the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II, I have lived and worked during a great deal of change on the Navajo Reservation. Among which, I've learned and heard firsthand recollections from my parents and their parents. Here is a short list of other topics I can cover during my speaking engagements:

1. World War II Navajo Code Talkers; top secret communication program with the USMC.

2. Tribal histories; including, self-determination and self-sufficiency.

3. Tribal economic development strategies (1950-1980s) and pre 1930s.

4. Navajo Long Walk to Fort Sumner (my grandparents were on the long walk).

5. Navajo livestock reduction in the 1930s & 1940s. (I lived through it).

6. Evolution of Navajo Tribal government history(from time immemorial to today). This includes the Navajo Court system (I was a NN BIA court clerk in 1948) when BIA ran the Tribal Justice system (Indian Court of Offenses).

7. Bureau of Indian Affairs Boarding School education in the 1930s.

8. Lifestyle in Navajo Nation during 1920-1930s.

9. Battles with states and federal government over Native American natural resources, and water rights as well as sovereignty.

10. Awakening of Native American tribes through OEO programs (1960s - 1970s)

11. Navajo education system from the1930s through the 20th century versus the traditional Navajo education system before the BIA or state. This includes the Navajo universe and the four sacred mountains.

12. Water Rights on the Navajo Reservation