Council delegates voice concern over alleged disrespect of Diné women, vice president

By Jan- Mikael Patterson
Navajo Times

WINDOW ROCK – It did not take long after President Buu Nygren delivered his State of the Nation Address to come under fire from Delegate Vince James.

After asking several follow-up questions to the address, James sternly voiced his concern.

“I will not tolerate any disrespect to our Navajo women, our Navajo women’s leadership,” James said. “You are the president. You selected a woman to be your vice president. That is how you’re in the president’s seat.”

James pointed out that recently another (male) delegate (intimidated) a (woman) delegate on the Council floor.

“I want you to know that if it continues I will (verbally) bash you and I will bring you out on (the) Council floor,” James continued. “Please do not disrespect any woman if you are a male Council delegate. You’re (given) a fair warning and I want to move forward in a positive way.”

After a series of questions, Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton voiced her concern on the chain-of-command during Nygren’s absence.

“I want to know what your hierarchy is,” she asked. “Specifically, what I want to know is, when you leave the Navajo Nation, is the vice president in charge?”

Read the full story in the April 18 edition of the Navajo Times.