Winslow Mayor Roberta Wilcox Cano at DGT

by Carolyn Classen, blogger

“Mayor Roberta “Birdie” Wilcox Cano of Winslow Arizona is Winslow’s first Native American elected mayor. She has a unique, first-hand view of the remarkable economic opportunity that the Arizona I-40 Inland Port Project holds for her town’s future.

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Roberta “Birdie” Wilcox Cano, Diné/Pueblo and Scottish, is the first Native American to be elected mayor of Winslow.
Born and raised in Winslow, mayor-elect Wilcox Cano speaks of her idyllic childhood when the “whole town” used to come together for community and cultural events, and everyone embraced diversity with a spirit of inclusion and mutual respect.

Mayor Cano says of herself:

I was born and raised in Winslow Arizona, a small Northeast Arizona city that borders the Navajo and Hopi Reservations. Living in Winslow exposed me to many diverse cultural activities and experiences, which helped me recognize the importance of being a part of a strong community and honoring cultural traditions.  Upon graduating from High School I began a career working for the Arizona Department of Corrections in Yuma AZ. Working in the correctional field, I was an Officer, Sergeant, and Correctional Officer III, where I developed leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and an affinity for teaching.

In 2005 I moved back to Winslow to raise my family.  I wanted my children to have an opportunity to experience the same multi-cultural upbringing that I enjoyed and also be exposed to their Native American heritage. 

In 2013, I began working for the City of Winslow. Throughout my tenure, I recognized that the some of the practices and mentality of the former City Council, Administration, and staff were not forward thinking. I felt that there were areas of our city that could be improved with new innovative ideas, which inspired me to run for mayor. 

I was proudly elected as the first Native American/Navajo-Pueblo Mayor of Winslow in December 2020, and am currently in my second term in office. I enjoy serving my community, with my priorities being to support a positive work environment for all employees, bridge the gap between our city and neighboring tribal communities, and build an economically sound, prosperous, unified and inclusive community for all that live in the great City of Winslow Arizona.”