WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren joined educators, researchers, doctoral candidates, students, and community leaders for the 10th Annual Navajo Education Conference held June 5 at the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock.
The conference brought together the Department of Diné Education, Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance, Navajo Nation Teacher Education Consortium, Fielding Graduate University, and Navajo scholars committed to strengthening education across the Navajo Nation.
The gathering opened with a powerful blessing from Dr. Rena Henry, who reflected on her boarding school experience, vowing never to lose her Navajo language. She shared that learning English later became empowering because it allowed her to speak two languages.
President Nygren said the message reinforced the importance of language, culture, and education as foundations for the Navajo Nation’s future.
“Anything that we do and anything that we pursue starts with education,” President Nygren said. “This room is full of people who ask questions, do research, and want to improve the Navajo Nation as a whole.”
President Nygren highlighted ongoing efforts to expand educational opportunity, including doubling Navajo Nation scholarships from $3.5 million to $7 million and pursuing a proposed education trust fund that could further increase scholarship support for Navajo students. He also discussed broadband expansion, Navajo language radio addresses, children’s books in Navajo, and the importance of using research and data to improve government services.
The conference featured presentations on Indigenous research, cultural factors in higher education, community-based scholarship, and Navajo Nation sovereignty in education.
President Nygren thanked Fielding Graduate University for its partnership with the Navajo Nation and encouraged scholars to continue publishing research rooted in Navajo language, culture, and community.
“Continue to ask good questions, share ideas, challenge assumptions, build new partnerships, and do the research the Navajo people need,” President Nygren said.
