Chapters move to suspend Nygren: Funding cuts spur a push for accountability, oversight

WINDOW ROCK

Former Navajo Division of Personnel Management Executive Director Debbie Nez-Manuel, once a key campaigner for President Buu Nygren, has become one of his most vocal critics. She is leading a growing movement across Navajo chapters that calls for his suspension and a full review of his administration’s handling of funds.

At the center of the debate is whether “no confidence” votes carry any legal weight under Navajo law. The code recognizes only “just cause” as grounds for removing an elected leader. Greasewood Springs Chapter recently passed such a vote, prompting questions about what it means in practice.

At the Oct. 7 Greasewood Springs meeting, Nez-Manuel urged community members to support three resolutions. The first called for restoring full funding to the Legislative and Judicial branches. The second sought to place Nygren and Vice President Richelle Montoya on administrative leave without pay pending investigation. The third expressed a vote of “no confidence” in their leadership.

“We need the Navajo Nation to be restored,” she said. “Both branches must be fully funded so they can operate and serve the people in our communities. The president needs to stop giving it out piecemeal.”

Nez-Manuel said claims of fiscal recovery are misleading.

“Parts of it were signed, but not everything,” she said. “It’s not the full funding. He’s using it to threaten the people. These practices are not normal.”

Grassroots push

The Greasewood Springs resolutions cited alleged financial misconduct and “behavior unbecoming of a Navajo leader.” They urged an investigation into the $24 million American Rescue Plan Act grant awarded to ZenniHome in March 2024 and the Indigenous Design Studio and Architects project.

Chapter President Julia Benally said the measures represent a unified call from the grassroots.

“We all need to come back to the table,” Benally said. “We need to look at what is really needed—not just for one chapter, but for all one hundred ten chapters.”

Benally said the resolutions will next be considered by District 17 chapters before advancing to the Fort Defiance Navajo Agency meeting on Saturday.

“We’ll have about eleven chapters coming together,” she said. “After that, if it’s approved, it goes to Naschitti, and from there it’ll go to the Council.”

She noted that 76 chapters must approve similar resolutions before the Council could act on a suspension or removal measure.

Benally, who has long advocated for infrastructure improvements, said residents are frustrated by broken promises.

“Somebody got swept away by the wash,” she said. “We’ve been asking for money for a bridge – the design is done – but we can’t get funding. It’s going to cost about $1.4 million. We’ve been asking for help, but all that money keeps pouring into their office.”

She said what the Nation needs most is leadership that listens.

“They need to actually come into our community,” she said. “At least one time, or twice, visit every chapter. But none of them – even our Council delegates – come here.”

To read the full article, please see the Oct. 9, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.

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