Wells Mahkee Jr. is one of the newest members of the Navajo Hopi Observer/WNI family, having
filled the position of managing editor in October of 2006. Prior to joining the Observer, Mahkee enjoyed a stint as an
Adult Basic Education tutor at UNM-Gallup, South campus. He was also a former managing editor for The Shiwi Messenger,
a small twice-a-month newspaper in his hometown of Zuni, New Mexico.
While working for the Messenger, Mahkee became aware of plans for a proposed coal mine that threatened the sacred Zuni
Salt Lake. Fueled by "journalistic passion," Mahkee worked to publish a special edition of the Messenger to bring about
awareness of this environmental threat. With the assistance of friends and acquaintances, he distributed approximately
15,000 copies of this special edition worldwide. Eventually, the coal mine plans fell through, and it was at this point
Mahkee came to realize the true "power of the press." He credits this experience in part with his decision to come work
for the Observer, which covers myriad Native American issues and has a predominantly Hopi and Navajo readership.
A self-proclaimed "rez boy," Mahkee lived and worked in Zuni for most of his life, helping to take care of a small
family sheep ranch and partaking in a few hobbies, including traditional Zuni "waffle" gardening, writing, and freelance
web site development. Though somewhat new to the urban lifestyle of Flagstaff, he is not new to Flagstaff. Mahkee
occasionally traveled to Flagstaff as a guest lecturer for the Museum of Northern Arizona.
Mahkee is a 1996 graduate of New Mexico Highlands University where he earned a BA in English. He reads, writes and speaks
the Shiwi (Zuni) language fluently and serves as a member of the Indian Advisory Panel for the Museum of Indian Arts and
Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is also an active member of the Zuni Pueblo Band where he plays the baritone
and sousaphone.
Mahkee has the distinction of being the very first Native American managing editor of the Navajo Hopi Observer.
LINDA DUFFY
Editor
Lynda Duffy has worked for the Williams-Grand Canyon News several times since February 1985.
Most recently, Duffy returned to the News in September 2002 as a reporter. In July of 2003, she became editor of the
News. Prior to her return in 2002, she worked for the News as a reporter, newsstand delivery person, graphic artist,
salesperson and in collections. In addition to producing a weekly newspaper, Duffy maintains the Williams and Grand
Canyon tour guides, the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce Business Directory and the Grand Canyon Railway's
Territorial Times in addition to continuing to develop specialty publications promoting Williams and the surrounding
areas.
Duffy is a native of northern Arizona. She studied communications at Northern Arizona University. Duffy is married
and has two adult children - a daughter and a son. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, exploring the history of
northern Arizona, woodcutting and riding all-terrain vehicles in the majestic Kaibab National Forest.
DOUG WELLS
WELLS MAHKEE
