Meet Lucy Ben
Lucy Ben, Navajo Nation, Firekeeper
Meet one of our incredible Navajo Firekeepers Lucy Ben. Matriarchs like Lucy keep our communities strong, and informed. Ahéhee’ Lucy for everything that you do.
“Ya at’eeh, I’m from the Tselani/Cottonwood area. I have 3 children. I lost my oldest son 10 years ago. I have 5 grandchildren. All of my children and grandchildren live in Phoenix.
I’m an alum Chinle High School and after I graduated I headed to Denver. I then continued working and my education in Phoenix. I spent 10 years in Phoenix then decided to move back home with my family. For 20 years I worked with the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) helping families. I learned so much and how many of our families just need a little help here and there.
I really enjoyed working and helping people in our communities. I would’ve stayed longer but, due to my mother’s health I retired from my job and took care of her. After my mom passed, I started working again here and there part-time. I’ve assisted with Census 2000, 2020, various campaigns, and now with Arizona Native Vote.
I still enjoy helping our people, and as a grandma want so much for our young people to use their voice, vote, and power. I hope to mentor more young people and encourage them to learn more about organizing, campaigning, and registering community members to vote and getting them to vote.
As a Firekeeper, matriarch, I like being out in the field, visiting, providing information, in English and in Navajo, especially to our elders. I thank people for voting and encourage them to keep voting and get involved. Thanks to my husband, niece, and other family members I’m able to set up my information table, canopy, and make frybread from time to time to feed people.
Hope to see you out and around Chinle, Blue Gap, or somewhere on Navajo in Apache County.”
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