The following is a statement from Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren:
My Navajo People,
One of our most sacred teachings is Naabik’íyáti’, which calls us to engage in open, respectful dialogue to resolve differences and restore harmony (hózhó). Guided by this principle, and in the spirit of healing and stabilizing our government, I met with Sean McCabe to address our differences directly.
So in that spirit, and also healing and restoring stability within our government, I sat down with Sean McCabe to confront our differences face-to-face. Our conversation was candid, respectful, and grounded in our shared responsibility to the Navajo people. Together, we agreed to set aside past disagreements and move forward in unity, so that the work of strengthening our Nation can continue in good faith. Our commitment is simple: to serve you—our families, our communities, and our future—with clarity, cooperation, and purpose.
As part of our agreement, I recognize Mr. McCabe as the duly appointed Navajo Nation Controller going forward. In return, he has agreed to withdraw his court claims related to his status as Controller.
Contrary to statements issued by the Navajo Nation Council, the stipulated agreement was not a “compelled admission.” It was a good-faith resolution reached directly between Controller McCabe and I after open and constructive discussion. At no point did I concede any unlawful action nor did I admit any wrongdoing. Our discussions were voluntary, productive, focused solely on stabilizing government operations and moving toward healing for our Nation.
The Speaker’s characterization misrepresents both the nature and intent of the agreement. While the Speaker continues to pursue conflict in court, I remain committed to cooperation, budget corrections, and responsible governance.
Unfortunately, Speaker Crystalyne Curley has refused repeated requests to talk with me one-on-one. Even though efforts are underway to resolve differences and ensure stable and effective governance for the Navajo Nation, Speaker Curley has chosen to continue pursuing conflict through the courts.
This reflects her ongoing unwillingness to engage in meaningful consultation with the Executive Branch and sheds additional light on her desire and aspiration to take the presidency for herself.
As it stands, the budget is full of errors, underfunds essential programs that our people rely on, and gives the Legislative Branch far more than its fair share. I am currently considering Resolution CN-56-25 from the Navajo Nation Council. Simply put, the 25th Navajo Nation Council has approved for themselves nearly $6.8 million from the Unreserved, Undesignated Fund Balance (UUFB) for personnel, travel, supplies, leases, contractual services, and “special transactions” for the Council and its standing committees. While the Council is approving millions in supplemental funding for itself, the Office of the President and Vice President has no operational funds.
Given the severity of these budget flaws and possibility of excessive spending, I am carefully evaluating all options available to me under Navajo law—including the use of my presidential line-item veto—to protect essential services and ensure fairness across all branches of government.
I remain committed to finding solutions. I have presented several compromises to the Speaker and the Navajo Nation Council in an effort to move us forward. I have repeatedly asked the Speaker to meet with me so we can discuss these issues as leaders—as naat’áanii—and find a constructive path ahead for our people. To date, she has declined these invitations.
Just as I met with Mr. McCabe to resolve our differences, I call upon the Speaker to join me in good faith so we can address our shared responsibilities and move the Navajo Nation forward together.
Let’s continue to pray for Navajo leadership and our Navajo Nation!