Nygren issues People’s State of the Navajo Nation Address in Tónaneesdizí

By Marshall Baker
Navajo Times

PHOENIX – On Tuesday morning, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, along with members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council, spoke in front of a crowd at the Greyhills Academy High School in Tuba City.

Following updates by division and branch leaders, his hour-long speech outlined an extensive list of actions and contributions to housing, water access, education, economic development, and much more in 2024. The People’s State of the Navajo Nation Address, the second of its kind, aimed to inform the Navajo people directly about the accomplishments the Nygren Administration made throughout the calendar year.

The welcome address was delivered by the acting deputy attorney general, Kris Beecher. The location, Tuba City, was chosen to deliver a comprehensive government update apart from the general proceedings in Window Rock, said Beecher.

Additional speakers at the event included Miss Navajo Nation Ranisha C. Begay, Council Delegate Otto Tso, Greyhills Academy CEO Vaughn Salabye, Controller Sean McCabe, Division of Human Resources Director Reycita Toddy, Acting Attorney General Heather Clah, Division of Natural Resources Director Mike Halona, Division of Transportation Director Tom Platero, Division of Public Safety Director Michael Anderson, Navajo Nation EPA Executive Director Stephen Etsitty, Veterans Administration Executive Director Bobbie Ann Baldwin, Division of Community Development Executive Director Candice Yazzie, Division of Social Services Executive Thomas Cody, Division of Economic Development Director Tony Skrelunas, as well as cultural performances.

In front of a crowd of 1,500-plus, President Nygren delivered his opening remarks entirely in Navajo as he would the rest of his speech.

“Over the past two years, my administration has focused on recovery and rebuilding following the challenges posed by COVID-19,” said Nygren. “Over the past two years, we have worked to ensure that our people receive the essential services they need. I hold high expectations for my administration, prioritizing accountability, transparency, and efficiency. I’m happy to say we’ve been busy.”

Economic development

Nygren began his speech by addressing developments in jobs, the economy, as well as investments made by the administration. Funding from the U.S. Treasury as well as the relaunching of the ARPA Small Business Artisan Relief program, both provided essential funds to small businesses and nonprofits in the Navajo Nation.

The administration made investments in developing hospitality establishments, such as the Shonto hotel, the Shiprock Pinnacle Hotel, and the approval of the $800 million Horseshoe Bend Resort. Also acquiring additional hospitality establishments – all these investments are expected to bring new jobs and revenue to the growing tourism industry in the Navajo Nation.

The Navajo Tax Commission generated $140.7 million in tax revenue in 2024, 26% above projections. Nygren attributes a lot of this success to the growth in tourism. “This growth reflects my administration’s efforts to rebuild the economy, attract visitors, and showcase the beauty of our Navajo Nation,” said Nygren.

The Nygren Administration is also working on a plan to stimulate the Navajo Economy. “…This year, we will be working with the controller to develop an ambitious plan to borrow $1 billion of our own money to invest into our communities and to stimulate our economy,” said Nygren. “We have to start investing in ourselves.”

Addressing the housing crisis for citizens and veterans

At the beginning of Nygren’s term, he launched the 1,000 Homes initiative, which he says is making progress with 474 finalized housing contracts using ARPA funds. Housing has been a big need for the Navajo Nation, with infrastructure renovations needed for many communities. The BIA Housing Improvement Program completed renovations for six homes and plans to renovate more, as well as the building of over 100 new homes in the program.

The Division of Community Development is currently building 360 modular homes with ARPA funds and expects to produce 272 additional homes in 2025.

To further help veterans in need, the Navajo Veterans Administration has made several developments throughout the year. The Navajo VA, in partnership with the Northern Arizona Veterans Administration Health Care System, reopened veterans clinics at IHS hospitals in Chinle and Kayenta with mental health care as the top priority. The Fort Defiance Agency VA was able to secure a grant to fund traditional healing ceremonies to provide additional health care and connect veterans with their Diné roots.

The Navajo VA provided financial assistance with burials, used over $4 million of the $5.7 million Veterans Trust Fund to directly support veterans and their families, and helped over 80 veterans secure disability compensation.

Improving infrastructure

To address sanitation concerns, 251 bathrooms are under construction with over 100 completed in 2024. This is one of the many water-related initiatives discussed, with access to clean water difficult for some members of the Navajo Nation. “Ensuring every Navajo family has access to clean, reliable water is one of my top priorities,” Nygren said. “We introduced two major water rights bills last year, the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act and the Navajo Rio San José Stream System Water Rights Settlement, in Congress.”

The settlement would give the Navajo Nation access to river and aquifer water as well as washes that stem from the Colorado River. The Indian Water Rights bills will have to be reintroduced in 2025 since none passed in 2024.

Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille C. Touton announced the day before that an additional $120 million to support the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project was on the way, benefitting 43 Eastern chapters. In 2024 NECA, IHS, and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority brought water to homes, with plans to increase the previous year’s amount in 2025. Two major initiatives – The Beacon Bisti Lateral Water Project and the Tó Hajiileehé waterline project – broke ground in 2024, and both will bring clean water to over 7,000 residents combined by connecting miles-long pipelines to existing water systems.

Another area of concern for many has been access to electricity. The “Light Up Navajo” initiative, under the NTUA, provided electric service to a total of 813 families and built nearly 60 miles of power lines. Additional homes and farmers are expected to receive power through grant funds in 2025.

The Navajo Nation Broadband Office is looking to construct new towers, extend fiber network access, and provide internet access to 35,000 new homes. ARPA funds were also used to upgrade sites with 4G capabilities in different locations across the Navajo Nation.

Road improvements are a high priority across the entirety of the Navajo Nation. “We are actively working to pave the way for durable roads that reduce travel times and improve safety,” said Nygren. The NDOT announced that it has prioritized $144.6 million in road plans for nine road construction projects in Newcomb, Toadlena, Wheatfields Lake, Blue Canyon, Many Farms, Alamo, Tuba City, Greasewood Cornfields-Burnside and Red Valley. Bridge construction funding has been applied for by the NDOT for 71 bridges across the Navajo Nation.

Advancing education

In 2024, the Nygren Administration said it secured funding for many schools to improve facilities and programs. A $10 million dormitory was built at Navajo Prep, which the Nygren Administration helped fund. Additionally, 163 Head Start-preschool slots were converted into Early Head Start-Toddler slots to increase access to education for Diné youth. More youth centers are along the way in Tuba City and Chinle, with the Crownpoint Youth Center in operation since September.
The administration is looking to improve access to education by providing fiber internet connection to 16 chapter houses and 11 Head Start programs, with more internet access on the way.

To increase Diné literacy and promote the use of the language, Nygren signed an executive order directing all written government documents to include at least one word or phrase in Diné Bizaad, and investments are to be made for non-Diné Bizaad speaking staff to learn the language.

Help needed essential services

An area looking for additional help is the Navajo Nation Police Department. “Police officer recruitment remains a significant challenge,” Nygren said. “My administration urges more young people to consider careers in law enforcement.”
The total number of officers has decreased from 201 to 178 across the seven districts. With 19 recruits graduating in 2024, additional help is still needed, Nygren says. Despite the lack of new law enforcement, outdated detention centers in Window Rock and Shiprock were replaced with modern facilities to address health and safety concerns, Northern and Eastern area field offices were created to increase police presence, and plans are underway to establish a Navajo Regional Training Center in Page, Arizona, for fire, corrections, police, and EMS programs.

President Nygren took the time to acknowledge the Navajo Scouts, which was deployed to assist in the fires sweeping through Los Angeles County. “We pray for their safe return after supporting our relatives in Southern California,” said Nygren. Nygren highlighted the increase in fire and rescue service officials, going from only eight in 2017 to 26 today.

---