‘Items need to be addressed’: Resolution seeks independent investigation; put Nygren, others on administrative leave
TSÉBIGHÁHOODZÁNÍ – The sexual assault and harassment crisis in the president’s office has captured the attention of three Navajo chapters, resulting in a resolution asking the Council to address it with an investigation that would put Buu Nygren and a few others on administrative leave.
The Chinle, Dennehotso, and White Rock chapters recently passed a resolution recommending an immediate independent investigation into the alleged toxic workplace culture within the president’s office.
Greg Bigman, a member of the T’iis Názbąs Chapter and the Diné College Board vice chair, sponsors the resolution, which he helped write.
The resolution is in collaboration with concerned Diné who’ve been in similar situations, said Bigman, adding he’ll do what he can to help advocate.
The Chinle Chapter and its community are also concerned about the allegations reported in a five-part series in the Navajo Times, which published the series from Nov. 30 through Dec. 14, 2023. The stories outlined reports of alleged sexual assault, harassment, excessive travel, misuse of funds, nepotism, and inexperienced staffers in the president’s office.
Vice President Richelle Montoya in April alleged she was sexually harassed during a meeting last August.
“I was not physically hurt,” Montoya said in a livestream on Facebook. “I’m OK.
“But I was made to feel that I had no power to leave the room,” she added. “I was made to feel that what I was trying to accomplish didn’t mean anything.”
The resolution suggests that the vice president’s reports raise the same issues as those reported by the Navajo Times. Montoya said that on April 15, during the Council’s Spring Session, she had only one staff member, Josie Bowman, who served as her security detail, schedular, and assistant.
The resolution states: “The lack of support within the Office of the President and Vice President should be reviewed.
“The Navajo Nation Council is the governing body of the Navajo Nation and is authorized to remove the president for just cause (Title 11, Section 240.A). Just cause includes, but is not limited to, conviction of certain crimes, (Section 240.A.1.g) breach of fiduciary trust and duties to the Navajo people, (Section 240.A.1.h) malfeasance or misfeasance.”
Section 240.A.1.f suggests “conviction of any misdemeanor involving deceit, untruthfulness, and dishonesty … fraud, misrepresentation … or misuse of Navajo Nation funds and property….”
The resolution suggests an independent investigation into the multiple claims to determine their validity.
“In all cases, during a pending investigation, if necessary, a person may be placed on administrative leave to protect the integrity of the investigation, to ensure (it) is conducted without interference, and that witnesses are not contacted or retaliated against,” the resolution states. “It is within the discretion of the Navajo Nation Council to determine whether the administrative leave is paid or unpaid.
“A government’s role is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its people,” the resolution continues in items 10 and 13. “Due to the nature of the reports, complaints, and allegations of possible criminal offenses, it is imperative that the Legislative Branch assert its authority over the Executive Branch, including the Department of Justice, to not direct any part of an independent investigation.”
Read the full story in the May 30, edition of the Navajo Times.
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