Nygren faces five hours of council scrutiny as ARPA deadlines near
Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren delivers his State of the Navajo Nation address as Vice President Richelle Montoya listens during the 25th Navajo Nation Council’s Winter Session on Jan. 26, 2026.
By Donovan Quintero
Special to the Times
WINDOW ROCK – What began as President Buu Nygren’s State of the Navajo Nation address on Monday during the Winter Session became more than five hours of sustained questioning, scrutiny and debate as members of the Council pressed the administration on stalled projects and unspent federal relief dollars. The session stretched well into the evening and returned repeatedly to a central question, whether remaining time and resources can be turned into on-the-ground results before deadlines expire.
Delegates emphasized that ARPA fiscal recovery funds are approaching federal deadlines while communities are growing impatient for answers.
“These questions that we’re asking today are important, and our Navajo people are demanding answers,” Delegate Shawna Claw said. “We only have one year to complete all of these ARPA projects.”
Claw urged the administration to follow through on commitments made to chapters and reminded citizens that participation at the local level remains critical. Many chapters, she said, continue to struggle to reach quorum, delaying resolutions and slowing implementation.
“I noticed that many chapters are having a hard time getting a quorum,” she said. “Your presence and participation is needed.”
To read the full article, please see the Jan. 29, 2026, edition of the Navajo Times.
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