House garnered 159 votes during the Oct. 10 election, held in Towaoc, and will serve a three-year term. She was one of five candidates running for the open seat. The next highest vote-getter was candidate Marissa Box with 91 votes.
House is related to former tribal leaders Ernest House Sr. and Chief Jack House, the tribe’s last traditional leader.
“Ernest gives me the strength to advocate for the people,” she said.
House holds two college degrees, one in geology from the University of Colorado, and one in psychology. She was recently the tribe’s contract-and-grant specialist and has worked as an addiction counselor.
House plans to focus on developing the tribe’s energy resources and also on addressing tribal health issues.
“I want to continue surveying our land for energy opportunities,” she said. “Also, we need more behavioral health counseling. Instead of going outside the community for those services, we need to offer them locally.”
House was previously elected to serve the remaining 8 months of a vacated council seat, and was re-elected to the position Friday. She is part of a female majority on the council that also includes Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk, Juanita Plentyholes and Priscilla Blackhawk-Rentz.
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com