Montoya says she is willing to step aside as Fort Defiance advances no confidence push

Posted by Donovan Quintero | Oct 16, 2025 | News |

NASCHITTI, N.M.

Vice President Richelle Montoya said she is willing to be placed on leave or removed from office if that is what it takes to protect communities and restore accountability, as the Fort Defiance Agency Council advanced a no-confidence effort focused on President Buu Nygren.

Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
Crystal Chapter President LaVerne Johnson speaks during the Fort Defiance Agency Council meeting on Oct. 11, holding a draft as members debated no confidence language and legal citations.

Montoya said she signed a petition supporting a recall of the president, fully aware it could put her job at risk.

“If this means that I have to be put on leave, if I have to be removed, to make sure that our communities, our people are safe from what is happening in our government right now, I’m OK with that, because I’m here for you. I’m here for your constituents. I’m here for your chapter,” she said. “Please don’t think that I take this personally, but I am also here to hold this office for my people, and if I am able to help in any way for a positive outcome here that I am going to work hard for that.”

She was asked about succession if the president is removed or placed on administrative leave.

Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
A participant holds the Fort Defiance Agency Council’s no confidence resolution during the Oct. 11, 2025, meeting as members debated next steps for Navajo Nation Council action.

“From my understanding, and from what I was told when I did become vice president of the Navajo Nation, is that I hold the laws of the Navajo Nation and that I succeed the president if anything should ever happen to where he’s absent from the Navajo Nation itself,” the vice president responded. “And that my understanding is that I would step into that role as president of the Navajo Nation.”

To read the full article, please see the Oct. 16, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.

Get instant access to this story by purchasing one of our many e-edition subscriptions HERE at our Navajo Times Store.