Council resolution seeks removal of Nygren, Montoya

PAGE-LAKE POWELL

A new resolution before the Navajo Nation Council calls for the removal of President Buu Nygren and Vice President Richelle Montoya, marking one of the most consequential leadership challenges in more than a decade.

The resolution outlines a series of alleged violations of Navajo Nation law, including missed reporting duties, personnel decisions made without required oversight and findings from recent investigations involving Executive Branch conduct.

Filed Friday night, the measure invokes the Council’s authority under Title 2, Title 11 and Title 1 Fundamental Law. It argues that both leaders failed to uphold their oath of office and breached fiduciary trust obligations owed to the Navajo people. If approved, the resolution would remove both officials and trigger the succession process set out in Navajo law. A two-thirds Council vote is required.

The resolution will first move through the Naabik’íyáti’ Committee before heading to the full Council. The summary sheet notes that the Office of Legislative Counsel is asking delegates to review the resolution in detail.

Allegations against Nygren

The resolution presents more than a dozen findings that sponsor Speaker Crystalyne Curley says justify removal. A large portion concerns mandatory reports presidents must deliver twice a year at Council sessions.

According to the document, Nygren missed multiple report presentations in January, April and October “each year.” It states he failed to deliver State of the Navajo Nation reports on July 15, 2024, Oct. 21, 2024, April 21, 2025, and Oct. 20, 2025.

“In addition, President Nygren walked out in the middle of giving the State of the Nation report on January 27, 2025, and July 21, 2025,” the measure states.

“In violation of (Title 2, Section 3744 and 3755 and Title 17, Section 301 and 376) President Nygren committed nepotism and directed documents to be falsified to hire his father-in-law John Blackwater as security detail and a babysitter for the first lady and himself, even though Mr. Blackwater is unqualified for the position he was hired to fill.

“Another incident of nepotism and falsifying of documents in violation of (Title 2, Section 3744 and 3755) and (Title 17, Section 301 and 376), occurred when President Nygren allowed his chief of staff, Patrick Sandoval, to hire Mr. Sandoval’s daughter, Sharen Sandoval, as the program manager director of Emergency Management.”

Sharen Sandoval is the current deputy chief of staff for Nygren.

Another section outlines personnel actions taken without Council confirmation. The resolution points to appointments made to key positions, including the acting deputy attorney general and acting controller, and states that confirmation should have occurred under Title 2, sections 102 and 1005. The resolution argues that several appointments were made without oversight or required qualification review.

The resolution also cites investigations and audit findings from multiple entities. One section references a report concerning Indigenous Design Studio + Architecture, and its subcontractor ZenniHome, a firm that received more than $24.9 million in federal relief funds to build housing. The document states the Nygren Administration did not thoroughly vet the company before awarding contracts and that unaccounted funds and missing deliverables occurred under Nygren’s oversight. It also cites an audit memo indicating contract issues remain under review and may result in further costs.

Another allegation focuses on the administration’s relationship with the Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority. According to the resolution, undue influence was placed on the enterprise, and audit findings reported misuse of federal funds tied to relief efforts.

Additional findings relate to workplace conditions. The resolution states that under the direction of the president and vice president, employees reported unsafe conditions and turnover linked to what the resolution characterizes as an unhealthy work environment. It cites internal reports detailing concerns about staff treatment and supervision.

The resolution further accuses Nygren of using federal relief funds for promotional items and relocation expenses that benefitted the Office of the President and Vice President. According to the document, the spending deviated from intended program purposes.

Together, these findings fall under “malfeasance, misfeasance and breach of fiduciary trust duties,” which are grounds for removal under Title 11, Section 240(A).

Allegations against Montoya

The resolution presents separate findings concerning Montoya. One allegation centers on a social media statement she issued in connection with an ongoing investigation involving the president. The resolution states the comment was improper because it addressed a matter under review by the Office of the Ethics and Rules Committee and the special prosecutor. The document states she has not filed an ethics complaint in her own defense and has not responded to the investigation.

Other findings involve personnel actions taken “on behalf of” the Office of the President and Vice President that the resolution describes as outside her authority. The resolution argues that some decisions placed staff in roles without proper qualifications or in violation of procedures governing sensitive positions.

The measure also cites Title 11 and Title 1 Fundamental Law, stating that Montoya’s conduct damaged trust placed in leaders and did not meet the standard required of elected officials. It argues that leaders must maintain balance in thought, action and speech, and that the conduct outlined in the findings disrupted that balance.

Fundamental Law, due process, chapter concerns included

The resolution relies heavily on Fundamental Law principles that emphasize harmony, the responsibility of leaders to repair harm and the duty to protect community well-being. It quotes passages stating that leaders must avoid bringing disorder to the Nation and must act with respect and integrity. According to the resolution, the actions listed create enough disharmony to justify removal.

The resolution also outlines due-process protections. It states that officials subject to removal must receive notice and an opportunity to respond. Because the resolution was posted, the document states the officials are considered notified and may present their defenses before the Council takes action. The resolution says this process aligns with Fundamental Law and Navajo Nation court decisions.

The filing includes several exhibits, among them two resolutions from Bááháálí Chapter. One declares “no confidence” in the president and vice president, citing financial concerns, personnel issues and the need to uphold ethical standards. It lists multiple findings and urges the Council to act. The resolution passed 15-0, with five abstentions, on Oct. 9.

A second Bááháálí resolution asks the Council to place the president on temporary administrative leave pending completion of ongoing investigations. It cites concerns about administrative conduct, recent contracts and the need to preserve trust in the Nation’s leadership.

Another exhibit is a chart listing chapters and agencies that have passed resolutions related to no confidence or administrative leave. The table spans multiple regions across the Nation.

What happens if delegates support removal

If the removal measure passes, succession falls under Title 2, Section 1006, which outlines how the Nation transitions leadership when both the president and vice president leave office. The resolution states that required procedures would take effect immediately.

The president and vice president remain in office as the resolution moves through the legislative process. The document states that the Navajo Nation government must maintain stability and that the Council has a duty to protect the integrity of its institutions.

The proposal is one of the most extensive removal actions introduced in recent Council history. Past high-profile cases involved investigations, suspensions or ethics rulings, but efforts to remove both top elected leaders at once are rare. Delegates have not announced a date for final consideration.

As required, the resolution will remain posted for five days before it becomes eligible for action. Delegates may propose amendments as it moves through committee, though the full Council will decide the outcome.

The resolution closes with findings that both leaders “failed to uphold the Oath of Office” and that removal is in the best interest of the Navajo Nation. If passed, it would immediately strip both officials of their positions.

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