Sep 1, 2026 | News
SHIPROCK, N.M. — Navajo Nation President Nygren joined local leaders, public safety officials, first responders and community members for the grand opening of the new Shiprock First Responders Building, marking the completion of a long-awaited investment to strengthen emergency response, coordination and public safety services for Shiprock and surrounding communities.
The approximately 25,500-square-foot, two-story facility brings the Navajo Police Department, Navajo Nation Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management personnel together under one roof, creating a centralized hub for emergency operations and coordinated response.
The modern facility includes operational and administrative offices, investigation and records areas, specialized police spaces, briefing and conference rooms, an armory and vehicle bays for ambulances and fire apparatus. A large Emergency Operations Center and improved dispatch capabilities will strengthen coordination among agencies during major emergencies and disasters.
The building also includes fitness and locker rooms, kitchen facilities, sleeping quarters and a high-capacity backup generator to keep critical public safety operations running during power outages.
For years, Shiprock’s first responders operated from aging and limited facilities that were not designed for the level of coordination required during major emergencies. Events including the Gold King Mine Spill, severe flooding and the 2016 abduction and murder of Ashlynn Mike underscored the need for a centralized facility where agencies could work together during critical incidents.
“This project has been more than a decade in the making, and many people refused to give up on it,” President Nygren said. “Today, we honor that perseverance, our first responders who continued serving despite limited facilities and the partnerships that brought this vision across the finish line.”
More than $20 million was invested in the project through New Mexico Tribal Infrastructure Fund resources, New Mexico Capital Outlay, Síhasin funding and Navajo Division of Public Safety programs. President Nygren recognized Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the State of New Mexico for approximately $18 million in state support and thanked U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, state leaders, Shiprock Chapter officials, public safety personnel and the many partners who advanced the project.
The facility is part of a broader effort to strengthen public safety across the Navajo Nation. President Nygren highlighted approximately $35 million being invested in rural addressing and Next Generation 911 capabilities to help emergency personnel locate people in need faster. Shiprock and Kayenta are also being strengthened as regional emergency communication centers, while additional technology and investigative resources are being pursued to improve responses to serious crimes.
“We cannot stop with one building,” President Nygren said. “We have to continue investing in our people, hiring more officers, firefighters, EMTs and emergency personnel, and making sure they have the equipment and technology they need. Our Navajo people deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities.”
The grand opening carried the theme, “Honoring Service. Strengthening Partnerships. Protecting Communities.” The new Shiprock First Responders Building puts that commitment into action by providing a modern, resilient and centralized public safety facility built to serve first responders and Navajo communities for generations to come.
Aug 31, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK — In the spirit of k’é and cooperation between the Executive and Legislative branches, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren announced the nomination of JoAnn Jayne to serve as Attorney General and Kris Beecher to serve as Deputy Attorney General of the Navajo Nation.
The nominations follow the Navajo Nation Council’s August 24, 2026, approval of Legislation 0195-26 and Legislation 0196-26, which did not confirm Beecher and Jayne from their acting positions.
“People have asked for my position on the Council’s resolutions,” President Nygren said. “Mr. Beecher and Ms. Jayne issued a press release explaining their legal conclusion that those resolutions are invalid and unenforceable because of procedural and separation-of-powers concerns, including an existing temporary restraining order. I have no reason to disagree with their legal analysis.”
DOJ maintains that the Council improperly classified the measures as emergency legislation, denying the Navajo people the required public comment period. DOJ also raised concerns that the Council approved the measures without debate and without providing Beecher and Jayne an opportunity to respond.
Despite those legal concerns, President Nygren considered the Council’s comments and decided to submit new nominations in an effort to maintain stability within the government and to move the Navajo Nation government forward.
“I have heard the Council,” President Nygren said. “And in the spirit of working together and finding a path forward, I am making these new nominations. These are qualified Navajo legal professionals who have demonstrated their commitment to the rule of law, accountability and the protection of Navajo sovereignty.
“In addition, this Council has taken the unprecedented action of removing two attorneys general. Then they voted down two attorneys general – all Navajos, all relatives. The Council did not debate the removals or the votes against these relatives. The Council did not follow our traditions of Baa yati’. They considered two legislations under emergencies so that I could not comment. This shows that the Council has not and will not support my appointees.”
Jayne has served as Acting Deputy Attorney General since December 2025, and Beecher has served as Acting Attorney General since October 2025. Both have already served in DOJ leadership longer than the time remaining in the current Administration and Council terms.
“We only have about 130 days remaining,” President Nygren said. “JoAnn Jayne and Kris Beecher have served in these leadership positions longer than the time we have left in office. Removing them now and creating another transition would only produce more uncertainty and instability at a time when the Navajo Nation needs experienced and steady leadership.”
President Nygren called upon the Council to give both nominees a fair, transparent and public confirmation process.
But he said the bigger question can no longer be ignored: “Why does Speaker Curley and the Council appear to be so afraid of an independent Attorney General?”
In its press release, the Acting AG and Acting Deputy AG warned that the Council’s repeated removal of its leadership, attempts to eliminate funding for the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General positions, and efforts to defund the Nation’s litigation account “appear to be an attempt to stop on-going investigations of certain legislative programs and legislative officials.”
“That should alarm every Navajo citizen,” President Nygren said. “Why is the Council repeatedly targeting the very officials responsible for investigating government misconduct? What is the Council trying to stop — and what is it afraid DOJ may uncover?”
President Nygren said he has faced investigations throughout his Administration and has cooperated fully with all investigations.
“I have welcomed investigations because no elected official is above accountability,” President Nygren said. “Speaker Curley and Council delegates should do the same. If there is nothing to hide, why fear an independent investigation?”
The President said the Council’s repeated actions against Attorneys General and independent oversight officials demand answers.
“How many Attorneys General must be rejected or removed before the Navajo people ask why?” President Nygren said. “Who is watching the Council? Who is investigating its programs and officials? Why does the Council keep targeting the people with the authority to ask hard questions and follow the evidence wherever it leads?”
President Nygren said the new nominations give the Council an opportunity to prove that it supports transparency rather than fears it.
“With so little time left, the Speaker and Council should be focused on delivering hardship assistance and serving the Navajo people — not destabilizing the Department of Justice,” President Nygren said. “I have presented a path forward. Now Speaker Curley and the Council must decide whether they will support an independent DOJ or continue trying to weaken it.”
Aug 31, 2026 | News
CROWNPOINT, N.M. — Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren has approved a revocable license agreement that allows the Navajo Nation Office of Vital Records and Identification (NOVRI) to utilize office space within the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Eastern Navajo Agency Headquarters in Crownpoint, New Mexico. The agreement supports the continued delivery of Tribal Enrollment Program services under Public Law 93-638, strengthening collaboration between the Navajo Nation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to better serve Diné citizens.
The agreement authorizes the Navajo Nation to use designated office space for official governmental and administrative purposes directly related to the Tribal Enrollment Program. By utilizing existing federal facilities, the partnership helps ensure continued access to enrollment and identification services while supporting efficient government operations for Navajo citizens throughout the Eastern Agency.
Under the agreement, the Bureau of Indian Affairs will provide the office space at no lease or rental cost, while the Navajo Nation will be responsible for utilities, maintenance, insurance, and other operational expenses associated with the facility. The agreement also outlines responsibilities for both parties, including compliance with applicable federal laws, facility maintenance requirements, and operational standards that ensure the space remains dedicated to official government functions.
“Expanding access to government services in our Eastern Agency has always been a priority for my administration because every Navajo citizen deserves convenient access to essential services close to home,” said President Buu Nygren. “This agreement strengthens our partnership with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and allows us to continue working alongside the Eastern Navajo Agency to better serve our people. By building on these partnerships, we are improving accessibility, strengthening government operations, and ensuring our communities receive the quality services they deserve today and into the future.”
President Nygren’s approval reflects the Navajo Nation’s continued commitment to strengthening partnerships that enhance government services for Diné families. The agreement ensures the Office of Vital Records and Identification can continue providing critical Tribal Enrollment services from Crownpoint while reinforcing ongoing collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Eastern Navajo Agency in support of the Navajo people.
Aug 29, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Navajo Nation continues its effort to restore and revive windmills across Navajo communities, strengthening access to water for families, livestock owners, and rural areas. Recent restoration work includes windmills in Dennehotso and LeChee, where repairs have helped bring aging water systems back into operation.
Windmills have long served as an important water source throughout the Navajo Nation, particularly in rural communities where dependable water infrastructure can be limited. As these systems age, mechanical problems and deteriorating equipment can prevent communities from fully benefiting from these valuable resources.
Restoration efforts focus on identifying windmills in need of repair, improving existing infrastructure, and returning inactive systems to service. The work completed in Dennehotso and LeChee represents part of a broader effort to strengthen rural water access across the Navajo Nation.
For many communities, a functioning windmill supports livestock owners, families, and everyday community needs. Restoring these systems also helps preserve infrastructure that has served the Navajo people for generations.
As work continues, additional windmills across the Navajo Nation will be evaluated for needed repairs and maintenance. Each restored windmill represents progress toward more reliable water access and stronger infrastructure for Navajo communities and future generations.
Aug 28, 2026 | News
KAYENTA, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren joined public safety officials, community leaders and project partners to celebrate the opening of the new Kayenta Regional Communication Center, marking a major milestone in modernizing emergency response across the Navajo Nation.
The Kayenta facility is one of two new regional Public Safety Answering Points established through the Navajo Rural Addressing and Next Generation 9-1-1 Project. Together, the Kayenta and Shiprock centers will consolidate seven existing dispatch centers into two modern facilities providing 24/7 emergency communications with multiple dispatchers and updated technology.
“From Kayenta to Shiprock, our goal is to give Navajo families a public safety system that is modern, reliable, and built around the needs of our communities,” President Nygren said.
The Navajo Nation committed approximately $35 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to the project, supporting rural addressing, GIS data collection, NG911 technology, communications equipment, infrastructure, training and the two regional facilities.
Through the project, all 110 Navajo Nation chapters have been driven and mapped, with 72,490 address points and more than 6.89 million GPS position points collected. Accurate physical and GIS addresses will help police, fire, EMS and other first responders locate emergencies more quickly and dispatch services more accurately, particularly in rural communities.
Each regional center is approximately 6,144 square feet and includes modern dispatch workstations, training and conference rooms, server infrastructure, administrative space and backup power. The two centers will also provide redundancy, allowing one facility to support operations if the other experiences a disruption.
A central principle of the project is “For Navajo/By Navajo,” strengthening Navajo Nation sovereignty by keeping critical emergency communications technology, equipment and data located and controlled on the Navajo Nation.
The project is scheduled to accomplish its primary objectives by the end of 2026, building a faster, more reliable and more coordinated emergency response system for Navajo communities.
Aug 27, 2026 | News
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Strengthening transportation infrastructure, expanding tribal self-governance and improving access to federal resources were at the center of discussions Tuesday during the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Tribal Government Affairs Modal Day at DOT Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Held August 25 under the theme, “The Road Ahead: Strengthening Transportation in Tribal Communities,” the gathering brought together tribal representatives, transportation organizations and federal partners to discuss solutions to transportation challenges across Indian Country.
James A. Crawford, Assistant Secretary for Tribal Government Affairs within the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, opened the gathering with an overview of the office and its work with Tribal Nations. Milo Booth, Director of the Office of Tribal Government Affairs, provided an overview of the Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program, which allows eligible tribes to assume greater control over certain USDOT funding and transportation activities through negotiated agreements, supporting greater local decision-making.
Discussions throughout the day covered road and bridge infrastructure, road maintenance, public transit, transportation funding, federal grant opportunities and technical assistance. Transportation safety was also a major focus, including roadway-departure crashes, tribal safety plans, crash-data collection and resources available to reduce fatalities and serious injuries.
Federal officials and transportation partners also discussed workforce development and pathways connecting Native students with careers in aviation, maritime transportation and other transportation fields.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, alongside representatives from the Navajo Division of Transportation (NDOT) and Navajo Nation Washington Office (NNWO), attended the discussions to hear about federal programs and opportunities that could strengthen transportation across the Navajo Nation.
“Without roads, there’s really no tribal sovereignty. I think that strong roads in our communities really help us redefine ourselves, redefine our communities. It really helps us build our communities up,” President Nygren said.
President Nygren emphasized the need for continued collaboration and greater investment to build safer, stronger and more reliable transportation systems for Navajo communities.
