PHOENIX – On September 16, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren met with U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials at the Yideeskáadi Hózhóójí Center to strengthen collaboration on tribal public safety and cybersecurity.
President Nygren highlighted recent cyberattacks targeting the Navajo Nation and tribal enterprises, which resulted in financial losses.
“While most of the funds were recovered, there is a critical need to enhance our cybersecurity infrastructure and improve coordination with federal agencies to uphold the sovereignty of the Navajo Nation,” President Nygren said.
During the meeting, President Nygren was joined by representatives from the Navajo Department of Emergency Management, Division of Public Safety, Department of Criminal Investigations, and the Navajo Police Department.
Given the vast size of the 27,000-square-mile Navajo Nation and its current public safety limitations, President Nygren emphasized the need to increase police staffing to at least 600 to 700 officers. He announced that he recently signed legislation allocating $5 million to establish a new specialized police unit that will coordinate with federal agencies such as ICE, FBI, and FEMA.
“This initiative aligns with an executive order focused on integrating public safety efforts across tribal agencies,” President Nygren said.
Additionally, President Nygren called for the recruitment of Navajo citizens into federal enforcement roles, including ICE, citing their strong military backgrounds, cultural understanding, and ability to foster trust within Native communities.
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