22-04-2025
Tensions escalate among Navajo leaders as Nygren finally agrees to address Navajo Nation Council
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren's designated seat within the Navajo Nation Council Chamber remained empty during the State of the Navajo Nation Address for the opening of the Spring Session on April 21, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Navajo Nation Council
Two days after he ignored a subpoena demanding he appear before the Navajo Nation Council as it kicked off its spring legislative session, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren will deliver his State of the Navajo Nation address on Wednesday.
It will be the first time that Nygren has appeared in the council chambers since January, when he cut his short and left before completing his quarterly State of the Navajo Nation address amid questions from delegates that he thought were disrespectful.
Although Nygren announced on Tuesday that he would honor the Navajo Nation Council Speaker's invitation to appear before the council and provide this quarter's report in person, he made clear that he wouldn't hesitate to leave again if he was asked questions he didn't want to answer.
'I am prepared to have a meaningful, engaging and productive discussion about the things we were all elected on, including housing, water, electricity, roads, broadband, sovereignty and more,' he said in a memo to the speaker's office.
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'I request that you allow me to present my State of the Nation uninterrupted,' he added. 'I reserve the right to excuse myself if the questions and comments derail productive discussion and are not focused on our shared goals of serving the people and moving the Nation forward.'
Nygren said he specifically won't entertain discussions on topics 'rooted in gossip, unsubstantiated information, and are unproductive,' which he said are not appropriate or productive.
Nygren requested that the Navajo Nation Council Delegates submit any questions they would like him to address beforehand, something he said would make the process as productive and orderly as possible.
Nygren's move to provide his state of the address in person comes after the Navajo Nation Council voiced their concerns about his failure to appear and present during the opening of the spring session on Monday.
Although Nygren was expected to deliver his address, he was absent, leaving the council with only a written report.
The Navajo Nation Council stated in a press release that Nygren has failed to appear and present the address to the council and the public four times since he was elected into office.
Nygren's last appearance before the council was on Jan. 27 during the Winter Session, but it abruptly ended when Nygren excused himself and left the Navajo Nation Council chambers before completing his address.
In his memo to the speaker, Nygren said that he left the winter session due to the conduct of some of the delegates present, who he felt 'did not align with the decorum, order and mutual respect expected of naat'áanii (leader).'
Before the spring session, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley filed a subpoena ordering Nygren to appear before the council on April 21 at 10 a.m. to deliver his State of the Navajo Nation address and report.
In a statement posted on social media, Nygren said he was traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal partners.
'This trip underscores my commitment to working collaboratively, regardless of political affiliation—be it Republican or Democratic—to advocate for our Nation's needs and priorities,' he wrote on Facebook.
Nygren said that he fulfilled his 'obligations' to the Navajo Nation Council by submitting a written report, which aligns with the requirements of Title 2 of the Navajo Nation Code.
'This action demonstrates my commitment to transparency and accountability to the Navajo people,' he added.
Curley said working with federal partners is important, but the president must also report to the Navajo people and engage in meaningful dialogue with the Council members.
'What we're seeing from President Nygren is a lot of one-way communication directed at the Navajo people through radio, livestreams, newsletters, social media, and now a written report,' Curley said in a press release.
'The Navajo people want to hear President Nygren present his report in person and to have an in-depth dialogue with the Council,' she added. 'Yes, it's important to work with our federal partners, but President Nygren also needs to work with our Diné leaders as he promised when he campaigned for the presidency.'
During Monday's opening day of the spring session, several Navajo Nation Council delegates voiced their concerns about Nygren's administration. They cited repeated absences, unilateral decision-making, and alleged misrepresentations made to both federal partners and the Council.
'We've been patient and willing to work with him,' Navajo Nation Council Delegate Brenda Jesus said. 'But enough is enough. At what point does the Navajo Nation Council show that we mean business? He's not honoring our collaboration — he's mocking it.'
Navajo Nation Council Delegate Vince James said the president's absence was not just disappointing, it was disrespectful to the Navajo people.
'President Nygren is playing games with this body and with our Nation,' James said, adding that Nygren has been scheduling meetings in Washington, D.C., to avoid his responsibility to report to the council.
'His actions are undermining our programs and our sovereignty,' James said.
Navajo Nation Council Delegate Andy Nez called on the council to consider hosting a special session to address the ongoing pattern of Nygren's absences.
'The president's absence sends the wrong message,' Nez said. 'We cleared our schedules to be here. His staff knows when the Council meets. He chooses public appearances and media over direct dialogue with this body.'
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