Ned Norris, Jr.

Ned Norris, Jr. is an enrolled member of the Tohono O'odham Nation from the remote village of Fresnal Canyon in the Baboquivari District. He was elected to a four-year term as Chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation in May 2007 and re-elected to a second four-year term in May 2011.

In May 2003 he was elected to serve as Vice Chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation. Prior to this election he worked with the Tohono O'odham Gaming Enterprise as Director of Marketing and Public Relations (Nov 2000 - May 2003); Casino Manager (June 1994 – Nov 2000); and Director of Community Relations (Nov 1993 – June 1994). The Enterprise operates three casino and entertainment facilities -- two in the San Xavier District and one in the Hickiwan District of the Tohono O'odham Nation.

Chairman Norris is in his fourth decade of service to the people of his nation. In addition to holding the position of Chairman and Vice Chairman, he has also served as Assistant Director of the tribe's Children's Home, Court Advocate, Children's Court Judge, Court of Appeals Judge, Indian Child Welfare Specialist, Assistant Director of Tribal Social Services, and Director of Tribal Government Operations. On February 1, 1993, Chairman Norris completed a six-year Tohono O'odham Legislative Council appointment as a (non-attorney) tribal judge, the last three of those years as Chief Judge for the Judicial Branch. In May 2009, Chairman Norris was conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Humane Letters from The University of Arizona.