Letters | Toxicity in highest government office

Toxicity in highest government office

Editor,
It has been a year and half that Dr. Buu Nygren has been the Navajo Nation President. At this tenure, his governance has shown so far, is that it is a toxic work environment stemming from himself, his executive staff, division directors and department managers.

We previously read a couple of months ago in the Navajo Times about Buu’s former executive staff members were experiencing sexual harassment, humiliation, bullying and a hostile work environment. Now we are reading that the Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya has experience the same issues with his administration.

What other toxic incidents are happening at the local level of his governance? Are the Navajo Nation employees experiencing the same hostility, bullying, intimidation, and toxic work environment from the upper management leaders? If Buu’s administration is treating our own vice president like this, imagine how his directors are treating the workers of the Nation. I know that the toxicity is happening in the government at the local level.

I did not campaign and vote for Dr. Buu Nygren and his administration to treat our Navajo people like this, especially our women leaders.

Dr. Nygren, I provided in a previous letter to the editor that you need to shape up your administration and correct these issues. I will not vote or re-elect a leader who does not know how to treat our Navajo people with professionalism.

Michael J. Roy
Gadiiahi and Shiprock, N.M.

Strongly opposing nuclear waste facility in Thoreau

Editor,
We would like to update the community regarding the latest developments we have discovered since sending our letter about Thoreau sophomores opposing the presence of uranium waste in our town.

It has come to our attention that the 5th Judicial Court has temporarily invalidated Holtec’s license to build a nuclear waste facility in Thoreau. The judge ruled that the license was obtained unlawfully and further stated that a permanent nuclear waste facility must be identified by the federal government before any construction of temporary ones can begin. This can be seen as a small victory for us, as Holtec plans to appeal to the supreme court. It provides us with an opportunity to regroup, mobilize our community, and make it clear to Holtec and the federal government that we strongly oppose having a nuclear waste facility in Thoreau or anywhere within or near the Navajo Nation.

We are not swayed by the promise of jobs or economic growth if it comes at the cost of our health, integrity, and inherent value as human beings. Please support our fight by joining us on Instagram at thoreau_hawks or email us at HawksvsHoltec@gmail.com. We will keep you updated on our efforts and let you know how you can help.

10th grade students
Thoreau High School
Thoreau, N.M.

Urgent call to hold AHCCCS accountable for hindered behavioral health services

Editor,
I am writing to express my profound concern regarding the ongoing challenges faced by legitimate Behavioral Health Residential Facilities (BHRF) in providing essential services to our Navajo people. These facilities play a critical role in supporting our community members who are most vulnerable due to alcohol and substance use disorders, as well as those who endure the lasting scars of trauma, including sexual and physical abuse, and childhood traumas.

It is disheartening to witness how the recent fraud investigations by AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) have created unnecessary barriers for our Native people in accessing vital behavioral health services. The delayed payments and authorizations have not only impeded the operations of these facilities but have also directly affected the individuals who rely on them for support and healing.

What is even more concerning is the apparent lack of action from our Navajo Nation leadership in addressing this pressing issue. Despite the magnitude of the problem and its detrimental impact on our community, there seems to be a conspicuous silence from the Navajo Nation president and vice president. One cannot help but question why they have not stepped up to advocate for the rights and well-being of our people in this matter.

Moreover, recent reports of sexual harassment within the Navajo Nation president’s office raise serious doubts about the commitment of our leadership to prioritize mental health and address the underlying issues that plague our community. How can we expect progress on crucial matters like behavioral health when such disturbing incidents occur within the highest echelons of our government?

It is imperative that we demand accountability from AHCCCS for their actions that have hindered access to behavioral health services for our Navajo people. Additionally, our Navajo Nation leadership must take a stand and actively address these issues to ensure the well-being of our community.

I kindly request that you bring attention to this matter through your platform, as it is crucial to shed light on the challenges faced by our Navajo people in accessing adequate behavioral health services. Together, we can work towards holding AHCCCS accountable and advocating for the necessary changes to better serve our community. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Coleen Chatter
Tuba City and Phoenix

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