WINDOW ROCK – Recent claims regarding a “missing $24 million” continue to surface, despite clear and repeated confirmation that no such funds have gone unaccounted for.
In a July 2025 press release, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren directly addressed this issue, stating unequivocally that “$24 million has not gone missing” from Navajo Nation accounts.
Let’s be clear: repeated claims of a “missing $24 million” are false. President Nygren has repeatedly stated, no $24 million has gone missing, none of those funds were taken, and the $24 million grant remains within the Navajo Nation—it was never disbursed.
The funds referenced involve two separate matters:
(1) a $24 million grant that was never disbursed and remains within Navajo Nation accounts, and
(2) a separate housing contract that was fully authorized and reviewed by all appropriate division and departments, including the Navajo Nation Department of Justice and the Office of the Controller.
That housing contract is now under active legal action, and outside counsel has been engaged to recover funds for the Navajo people.
Despite these established facts, the misleading narrative continues to be pushed—particularly by Navajo Nation Speaker Crystalyne Curley.
The timing is no accident. Speaker Curley has announced her run for Navajo Nation President, after having led and advanced efforts to remove President Nygren and the Vice President—an action that would have immediately elevated her to the presidency.
This pattern raises serious and legitimate concerns that actions repeatedly framed as “accountability” are, in reality, part of a calculated effort to secure political power and the Navajo Nation presidency.
In addition, Justin Jones—now a candidate in the upcoming presidential race—has continued to publicly advance these claims. Tom Chee has aligned with former Speaker Seth Damon, whose wife, Budget and Finance Chair Shandiin Parrish, has also played a leading role in advancing these allegations and removal efforts. Taken together, it is clear this narrative is being pushed in the context of the upcoming election.
Transparency and accountability matter—but they must be rooted in facts, not election-year politics or political positioning.
The Navajo people deserve clear and accurate information, and leadership that is focused on delivering results—particularly in critical areas like housing and infrastructure.
The July 2025 Press Statement can be found at: https://opvp.navajo-nsn.gov/250731-zennihome-statement/
