WASHINGTON– Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren met with the Associate Director of Natural Resources, Energy, Science, and Water, Stuart Levenbach, at the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to advocate for key budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2027.
The meeting focused on securing increased federal support for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), both of which face significant funding threats under the Trump administration’s proposed FY 2026 budget. President Nygren also raised the need for additional support for wildfire prevention and response efforts.
President Nygren emphasized the critical need for more resources for BIA law enforcement and BIE schools, citing persistent challenges in public safety and education across the Navajo Nation. He shared that President Trump’s proposed budget cuts in his FY 2027 budget would have seriously impacted already underfunded programs and delayed progress in strengthening tribal communities.
“Our communities cannot afford another year of underinvestment,” President Nygren said. “We need more officers on the ground to protect our families, and we need well-funded schools that give our children the future they deserve. I’m here to make sure the voices of the Navajo people are heard at the highest level.”
In addition to budget priorities, President Nygren highlighted the importance of passing the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The historic legislation, if enacted, would represent the largest Indian water rights settlement in U.S. history, securing long-term access to clean water and unlocking critical economic development opportunities for Navajo communities.
President Nygren and the Associate Director also discussed plans for future meetings and ways for the Nation to continue to elevate its priorities across the White House.
President Nygren’s visit to the White House marks a continued effort by his administration to advocate for tribal sovereignty, infrastructure, and the well-being of Navajo families through strategic federal partnerships.
