Opinion | No longer associated with recall effort

By Duane Francisco, Pinedale Chapter, Eastern Navajo Agency
Lavonne Tsosie, Nahat’á Dziil Chapter, Fort Defiance Navajo Agency
Laura Chester, Tsé Ałnáozt’i’í Chapter, Northern Navajo Agency
Hector Begaye, Jeddito Chapter, Fort Defiance Navajo Agency

We, the undersigned petition carriers, joined the recall effort against Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren because we believed it was the right thing to do for the Navajo people. We committed our time and resources without expecting anything in return. However, as we became more involved, we encountered serious issues with leadership, transparency, financial accountability, and the use of donations. These concerns have made us question the integrity of the recall process.

Lack of organization, transparency, and accountability

The recall process is meant to provide a fair and structured way for the people to hold elected officials accountable. However, this effort lacked clear organization from the beginning. There was no defined leadership structure, major decisions were made without input from petition carriers, and financial matters were not openly discussed.

The recall was led by Deborah Nez Manuel, who previously worked on Nygren’s campaign and later served as a division director before being dismissed. While we expected leadership that prioritized the interests of the people, we instead witnessed secrecy, exclusion, and unanswered financial questions. Those who asked where donations were going or how money was being spent were ignored or dismissed.

Additionally, there has been no follow-up meeting or update since the petition submission. Petition carriers and supporters have been left in the dark regarding the recall’s status, which further raises concerns about transparency.

Unanswered financial questions and lack of donor disclosure

One of our biggest concerns is the handling of financial contributions. Donations were actively collected from the Navajo people who supported this recall, yet there was never full transparency about how those funds were managed or spent.

Who were the donors? Despite multiple requests, we have not been provided with a list of individuals or entities that contributed to this recall effort.

How were the funds used? We were informed that money was spent on radio ads, materials, and supplies, yet there has been no itemized breakdown of these expenses.

Were donations misused? There are concerns that some funds may have been linked to a private business rather than being used solely for the recall effort.

Furthermore, there are suspicions that signatures and donations are still being collected despite the recall moving into its next phase. If this is true, it raises serious ethical and legal questions about whether proper procedures are being followed.

As petition carriers, we invested our time, energy, and personal resources because we believed in this cause. However, we refuse to have our names associated with any potential financial mismanagement. The Navajo people deserve full transparency regarding how their contributions were handled.

Lack of response and next steps for accountability

Despite multiple requests, the recall committee has failed to disclose donor information or provide a clear financial report. Because of this, we are now taking the following actions:

Formal written request for donor disclosure. We are submitting an official request to the recall committee demanding a complete and transparent report of all donations received and expenditures made.
Request for independent investigation. If the recall committee refuses to disclose this information, we will escalate our concerns to the Navajo Board of Election Supervisors and formally request an investigation into financial handling.
Public awareness effort. If transparency is not provided, we will issue a follow-up statement to the public urging financial accountability. The Navajo people deserve to know how their contributions were used.
Exploring legal or ethical action. If financial misconduct is suspected, we will seek guidance from legal experts or organizations that oversee election ethics within the Navajo Nation.

Additional concerns: marginalization of petition carriers (sub)

Beyond financial issues, the recall effort became increasingly divided due to poor leadership. Many petition carriers who raised valid concerns, especially about donations, were ignored, sidelined, or removed from the effort. Leadership favoritism was apparent, with only certain individuals being included in key discussions, while others were left in the dark.
This exclusion, combined with financial secrecy, severely damaged the credibility of the recall effort. What was supposed to be a movement for the people instead became controlled by a select few with undisclosed motives.

Call for an apology and immediate action (sub)

Given the serious concerns raised, we demand that Deborah Nez Manuel issue a formal apology to the Navajo people for her role in misleading petition carriers and supporters. She should acknowledge the lack of organization, financial transparency, and failure to provide follow-up communication regarding the recall effort.
What needs to happen now:
Full transparency on donations. The Navajo people deserve a detailed accounting of all funds collected and how they were used, including expenditures on radio ads, materials, and supplies. This information should be publicly disclosed.
Withdrawal of our petitions. We no longer want our names associated with this recall effort. Petitions carrier would like their names and collected signatures removed and accepted as null and void to the Recall Navajo Nation President Buu Van Nygren effort.
Independent investigation. The Navajo Board of Election Supervisors should launch a formal review of the recall’s financial management and leadership.
Leadership change. We believe Deborah Nez Manuel should be removed as chairperson and replaced with someone who will prioritize transparency, such as Greg Bigman.
Stronger financial oversight for future recalls. The Navajo Nation must implement stricter guidelines to ensure recall efforts are financially transparent and accountable to the people.

Final thoughts (sub)

A recall effort should be about the will of the people, not secrecy, favoritism, or financial mismanagement. Unfortunately, this recall has raised serious concerns about how donations were handled and whether the process was ever truly about serving the people. We urge the appropriate authorities to take action to correct these issues and restore trust in the recall process.

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