The Reverend Shirley Montoya is from Shiprock, New Mexico, Oozei Tachii’nii, nila. Tocich’li’nii yashchiin. Naakai Din’e dabichei, doo Ta’neeszahnii dabinali. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Human Services from Fort Lewis College and earned a Master of Divinity Degree from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver. She is the Project Manager for the Healing Circle Drop-In Center in Shiprock and founded “Sisters in Circle”, for support and leadership empowerment for women. She is also the Northern Agency Commissioner.