Sep 21, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK — Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren secured another major separation-of-powers victory after the Window Rock Judicial District Court permanently blocked two Navajo Nation Council resolutions that sought to place core Executive Branch responsibilities under Legislative Branch control.
In its Sept. 14 order, the Court permanently prohibited Speaker Crystalyne Curley, the Navajo Nation Council and their agents and employees from advancing Council Resolutions CJA-07-26 and CJA-09-26—or legislation seeking the same or similar results.
“This ruling is bigger than one president or one administration,” President Nygren said. “It preserves the authority of the Executive Branch for every Navajo president who follows me, while making clear that the Legislative Branch cannot give itself powers that belong to the Executive Branch. The separation of powers means more than keeping our branches distinct on paper – it means ensuring that neither branch can take control of the responsibilities the Navajo people entrusted to another.”
CJA-07-26 sought to alter the powers and duties of the Office of the President and Vice President, including its authority over senior Executive Branch personnel and the Navajo Nation Department of Justice. CJA-09-26 sought to restrict presidential appointment authority involving the Navajo Board of Education.
President Nygren vetoed both resolutions. Legislation was later introduced to override his vetoes.
The Court, however, found that Navajo Nation presidents have a legally protected interest in operating the Executive Branch without improper Legislative Branch interference. Citing Shirley v. Morgan, the Court emphasized that Navajo law prohibits the concentration of governmental power within a single branch.
The Court also recognized k’é as a guiding principle requiring the branches to work together for the benefit of the Navajo people.
“Let’s call this what it was – a power grab by Speaker Curley and the Council to place the Executive Branch under Legislative Branch control,” President Nygren said. “The Court stopped it. No speaker and no council have the authority to rewrite our government’s structure or seize powers the Navajo people entrusted to another branch. The Executive Branch belongs to the Navajo people – not to the Speaker, the Council or any one administration.”
The Court found that the resolutions would have substantially altered Executive Branch operations. They would have restricted senior personnel decisions, required political approval before entering legal settlements and interfered with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice’s ability to respond to major litigation.
The permanent injunction further bars the Council from placing the resolutions on an agenda, amending an agenda to include them, voting on them or otherwise advancing them. It also prohibits legislation seeking the same or similar results.
The ruling follows an August court decision permanently blocking legislation that sought to remove President Nygren and Vice President Richelle Montoya from office.
President Nygren said the latest ruling should end attempts to weaken the Executive Branch and allow both branches to return their attention to the Navajo people.
“We have spent too much time fighting over political power while our people are asking for water, homes, roads, public safety and basic services,” President Nygren said. “The Court has spoken. It reinforced what we already know from the Supreme Court’s decision in Shirley v. Morgan. I respect these decisions, and I call on the Council to respect these decisions as well.”
Sep 20, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK — Navajo families in seven communities are closer to reliable drinking water after President Buu Nygren signed 10 intergovernmental agreements securing $24.555 million for waterline construction, extensions and system improvements.
The agreements advance projects in Arizona and across New Mexico including Fort Defiance, Sanostee, Thoreau, Huerfano, Mexican Springs, Coyote Canyon and Iyanbito.
“Signing these agreements moves critical funding into action for our people,” said President Nygren. “Each project brings us closer to ensuring that more Navajo families have access to safe, reliable water. We appreciate the State of New Mexico, the Indian Affairs Department and the Tribal Infrastructure Board for continuing to invest in our communities.”
The Navajo Nation Division of Community Development will administer the projects through separate intergovernmental agreements. Funding will support professional design services, labor, materials, equipment, coordination, supervision and project management necessary to complete the waterlines.
Fort Defiance Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Reach 12.3
The Navajo Nation will receive $1.77 million for the planning, design and construction of the Fort Defiance Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Reach 12.3 waterline. The project is part of the larger Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project and will improve water infrastructure serving the Fort Defiance community. The project period runs from July 2026 through June 2030.
Sanostee San Juan Lateral Connection
The Navajo Nation will receive $4.62 million for the full design and construction of the Sanostee San Juan Lateral Connection. The project is part of the Sanostee Tse Alnaozti’i Region San Juan Lateral Water Project. Funding was secured through the State of New Mexico’s fiscal year 2027 Severance Tax Bond appropriation and consists entirely of state capital-outlay funds. The project will strengthen local water infrastructure and improve access to dependable drinking water for the Sanostee community. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Thoreau 371 Regional Water Supply Project – Phase 1
The Navajo Nation will receive $3.155 million for Phase 1 of the Thoreau 371 Regional Water Supply Project. The funding will support the professional design and construction of a community waterline, including the labor, materials, equipment, coordination and supervision required to complete the project. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Burnham Regional Water System Project
The Navajo Nation will receive $2.94 million through the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department’s Tribal Infrastructure Fund to construct a waterline for the Burnham Regional Water System Project serving Huerfano Chapter. The funding will support the labor, materials, equipment, coordination and supervision needed to construct the community waterline. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Carson-Burnham Regional Water System Project
Huerfano Chapter will receive $50,000 to plan, design, construct and install a waterline as part of the Carson-Burnham Regional Water System Project. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 20, 2028.
Mexican Springs San Juan Lateral Connection
The Navajo Nation will receive $4.62 million to construct the Mexican Springs Regional San Juan Lateral Water Project. The funding will support the professional design and construction of the Mexican Springs San Juan Lateral Connection, including the labor, materials, equipment, coordination and supervision needed to complete the community waterline. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Coyote Canyon Chapter Waterline Extension Project
The Navajo Nation will receive $5.7 million for a waterline extension project serving Coyote Canyon Chapter. The funding will support the construction and extension of community waterlines. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Thoreau 371 Regional Water Supply Project – Additional Waterline Funding
Thoreau Chapter will receive an additional $200,000 for the Regional 371 Water Supply Project to construct a waterline in the chapter community. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Iyanbito Chapter Waterline Construction
Iyanbito Chapter will receive $300,000 to construct a waterline in the chapter community. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Iyanbito Water Systems Improvement Project
Iyanbito Chapter will also receive $1.2 million for the Iyanbito Water Systems Improvement Project. The funding will support improvements to the chapter’s water system. The project period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.
Together, the 10 projects represent a coordinated investment in essential water infrastructure and reflect the continuing partnership between the Navajo Nation and the State of New Mexico.
“Reliable water service provides a foundation for healthier homes, stronger communities and future growth,” President Nygren added. “We will continue working with our state, federal and local partners to move these projects from planning to completion and bring dependable water service to more Navajo families.”
Each funding agreement includes oversight, compliance and reporting requirements to ensure the funds are properly administered and the projects remain accountable to the communities they are intended to serve.
“I want to offer my deepest gratitude to New Mexico Indian Affairs Department Secretary Josett Monette for her extraordinary partnership and steadfast commitment to the Navajo people,” President Nygren said. “Secretary Monette has been instrumental in advancing not only these water projects, but many critical investments across the Navajo Nation. As I prepare to leave office, I thank her for listening to our communities, helping remove barriers and turning urgent needs into meaningful action. Her work will continue to make a difference in the lives of Navajo families for generations.”
Sep 19, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK — Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed a $627,000.60 construction contract to advance road and drainage improvements along Navajo Route N8030 in Piñon Chapter.
The agreement between the Navajo Nation and ííná bá, Inc. moves the N8030 Piñon Road Maintenance Project toward construction. The contractor will begin work following issuance of a formal Notice to Proceed by the Navajo Nation Division of Transportation.
“Our families in Piñon need dependable roads, and moving this project forward is how we turn that need into action,” President Nygren said. “These improvements to N8030 will help provide a safer, more reliable road for the people who depend on it every day.”
The project includes excavation and embankment, road reconditioning, drainage improvements, reinforced steel, concrete structures, riprap, soil and fill placement, traffic control and permanent signage.
A major component will address drainage crossings along N8030. The construction schedule includes approximately 650 feet of new 36-inch, 42-inch and 48-inch culverts, associated elbows, concrete structures, 328 cubic yards of riprap and more than 3,500 tons of soil and fill material.
The contract totals $627,000.60, including Navajo Nation tax. Funding includes $558,666.60 supported through Fuel Excise Tax funds and $68,334 through Síhasin funds.
N8030 serves the Piñon community, including access to homes, the Chapter House, businesses and school-related travel.
The contract establishes a project term through Sept. 30, 2027. President Nygren’s signature completes an important administrative step toward beginning construction and delivering roadway and drainage improvements for the Piñon community.
Sep 18, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Help is on the way to Navajo families and communities impacted by flooding, with a coordinated response already underway across multiple levels of the Navajo Nation.
Since flooding began, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has remained directly engaged with agencies on the ground, receiving updates, coordinating resources and working to ensure assistance reaches impacted communities as quickly and safely as possible.
President Nygren has signed an emergency declaration addressing the continued impacts of severe monsoon storms, flash flooding and infrastructure damage. The declaration specifically identifies the Navajo Department of Transportation and helps expedite the deployment of transportation resources as conditions allow. It also directs Navajo DOT to coordinate with the Federal Highway Administration to seek assistance through appropriate emergency relief programs.
During a briefing in Chinle, Navajo Police Lt. Emmett Yazzie and Department of Emergency Management Liaison Tyrone Towne both emphasized that while road access and the deployment of heavy equipment remain priorities, crews cannot safely operate on roadways that remain muddy, saturated and unstable. Resources are being mobilized, but the safety of NDOT crews, first responders and others working on the ground must remain a priority as conditions improve.
Meanwhile, Community Health Representatives are delivering food boxes and other assistance to identified elders and families. The American Red Cross is assessing damages and providing immediate assistance to impacted households. NDEM continues receiving requests from the public and directing those needs to the appropriate resources.
Chapters also have resources available for emergency preparedness, response and mitigation. The Executive and Legislative Branches allocated $6 million among all 110 Chapters, and Chapters may access emergency funding and resources under the emergency declaration.
“This response is moving, and our people need to know that help is coming,” President Nygren said. “We are working directly with our teams on the ground to move resources where they are needed, while making sure our responders and road crews can do their jobs safely.”
From Chapters and CHRs to NDEM, NDOT, Navajo Police, the American Red Cross and other partners, response and recovery efforts remain active across the Navajo Nation.
Sep 16, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK — Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and the Office of the President and Vice President extend their heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, friends, and community mourning the loss of three loved ones following a flooding incident near Newcomb, N.M., early this morning.
At approximately 12:30 a.m., the Navajo Police Department Shiprock District responded to a report of individuals who had been swept away by floodwaters. Navajo Nation Fire and Rescue personnel from the Newcomb and Shiprock stations, Navajo EMS, and 4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue joined in the response and search efforts.
Tragically, two adults and a juvenile lost their lives.
“There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a loved one so suddenly, and our hearts are especially heavy knowing that three lives were lost,” President Nygren said. “To the family, relatives, and loved ones who are grieving today, we offer our deepest condolences. We pray that you are surrounded by strength, comfort, and the love of your family and community in the difficult days ahead.”
President Nygren also expressed his gratitude to the first responders who worked through the early morning hours under difficult conditions.
“I also want to recognize the Navajo Police Department Shiprock District, Navajo Nation Fire and Rescue Newcomb and Shiprock Stations, Navajo EMS, and 4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue,” said President Nygren. “These men and women responded in the middle of the night and worked together under difficult and dangerous conditions. We are grateful for their service, courage, and commitment to our people.”
The Office of the President and Vice President respectfully ask the public to honor the privacy of the family as they mourn their loved ones.
“Please exercise extreme caution around flooded roadways, washes, and other areas affected by heavy rainfall,” President Nygren said. “Conditions can change quickly, and moving water can be dangerous—even in places we know well. No destination is worth risking your life or the lives of those traveling with you.”
Sep 16, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK — Navajo families, school buses, workers and first responders who depend on N8065 will benefit from new gravel improvements intended to make the roadway more dependable during inclement weather.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren recently approved Attachment I to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Navajo Nation and Navajo County, securing up to $55,000 in county funding to purchase gravel for the N8065 Road Maintenance Project in the Black Mesa and Forest Lake area.
“Navajo Route 8065 is how families reach work, how children get to school and how first responders reach people during an emergency,” President Nygren said. “When rain and snow turn a road muddy and impassable, the effects are felt throughout the community. This partnership allows us to address a longstanding, everyday concern for the people who rely on this road.”
The Navajo County Board of Supervisors approved the expenditure from District 1 Special Project Road Funds on Sept. 8. President Nygren signed Attachment I on Sept. 15, 2026.
Under the agreement, Navajo County will purchase and deliver Type 2 ABC gravel to the project area. The Navajo Nation Division of Transportation will identify, prioritize, schedule and perform the road maintenance work.
The project will place gravel along approximately 0.3 miles of N8065 to help stabilize the roadway surface. Portions of the unpaved road can become muddy and impassable during inclement weather, creating transportation challenges for local residents and the services that depend on reliable access.
“This project shows what can be accomplished when the Navajo Nation and county governments combine their resources to respond directly to community needs,” President Nygren said. “It may be a short section of road, but dependable access can make a meaningful difference for the families who travel it every day.”
N8065 is also included in NDOT’s regional road maintenance program. The agreement will help the Nation build upon that work by providing the gravel needed for this targeted improvement.
“Our people consistently identify roads as one of their most basic concerns,” President Nygren added. “We will continue pursuing every available partnership and every available dollar to improve transportation throughout the Navajo Nation. I thank Navajo County and the NDOT team for working together to move this project forward.”
The agreement remains effective through June 30, 2027, with NDOT responsible for scheduling and completing the maintenance work.
