Apr 28, 2026 | News
Lace up for one of the most iconic race weekends on the Navajo Nation. The 44th Annual Shiprock Marathon returns May 1–2, 2026, bringing runners together for an unforgettable experience around Tsé Bitʼaʼí.
FRIDAY (May 1)
5K Trail Race & Fun Run (5:00 p.m.)
Ashlynn Mike Mile
Health & Wellness Expo
Elders Run/Walk
Packet Pickup
Live Music
SATURDAY (May 2)
Marathon (7:00 a.m.)
Half Marathon (7:30 a.m.)
Post-Race Party & Awards
Hosted at the Shiprock Youth Center, this Boston Qualifier and Abbott Marathon Majors Masters World Championships event is the oldest and largest marathon on the Navajo Nation. Runners will take on a scenic out-and-back course with incredible views of Shiprock Pinnacle, rising 1,800 feet above the desert. With aid stations every mile and live music along the route, this race blends endurance, culture, and community.
Race weekend also includes a Kids Marathon, drawing more than 500 young runners each year, making it a true family event.
Whether you’re chasing a personal best or simply taking in the views, this is more than a race, it’s an experience.
Ready to hit the course? See if you can keep pace with Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and join him on race day.
#shiprockmarathon #letsrun
Apr 28, 2026 | News
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On Saturday, April 25, 2026, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren attended the Gathering of Nations Powwow at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where thousands gathered in a powerful celebration of Indigenous identity, culture, and unity.
This year’s event carried special meaning with the theme, “The Last Dance,” marking what many recognized as the final Gathering of Nations. President Nygren said he was honored to witness such a historic occasion and stand among Native people from across Indian Country and around the world. “Gatherings such as this remind us that our people remain strong, united, and proud of who we are,” President Nygren said.
President Nygren met with many community members from the Navajo Nation, along with relatives from numerous tribes and nations. They arrived in celebration of this finale, with over-capacity crowds at events throughout the grounds, especially the long lines for the main powwow event. He expressed pride in seeing Indigenous people come together in celebration, strength, and resilience, showing that Native cultures continue to thrive for future generations.
President Nygren also appreciated the opportunity to visit the outdoor festivities and hear directly from attendees, including many urban Navajo families and visitors who shared their joy and gratitude for the event. The gathering reflected the lasting spirit of Indigenous nations and the importance of carrying traditions forward for the next generation.
Apr 28, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — In the early morning hours, before the heat of the day set in, volunteers began walking the roads that connect our communities, some with gloves and trash bags in hand, others with family members by their side. Step by step, they moved along highways, dirt roads, and homesteads, picking up what had been left behind.
By the end of the week, those same roadways told a different story. Black, heavy-duty trash bags lined the shoulders where bottles, cans, and debris once scattered the land. What was once overlooked became visible, evidence not only of the problem, but of a community choosing to take responsibility for the place it calls home.
For Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, that reality is one he has seen up close while running trails near Sawmill.
“Those trails are where our animals live, where they travel, and where they should be safe,” said President Nygren. “But instead, we see the impact of trash in places it doesn’t belong. That’s something we have the power to change.”
Across the Navajo Nation, those impacts are visible in everyday life. Animals are drawn to discarded food, while plastic, wire, and debris pose serious risks to livestock and wildlife.
Still, this Earth Day showed what is possible when communities act together. Volunteers from across the Navajo Nation stepped forward, turning a single day of recognition into a week of action.
“Earth Day may be one day, but caring for our land is a responsibility we carry every day,” said President Nygren. “When we come together like this, we show what it means to take care of our home for future generations.”
The Office of the President and Vice President encourages everyone to remain engaged in protecting and preserving the land that sustains the Navajo people.
Apr 28, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – After years of limited access and prolonged closures, critical elder services are being restored and expanded across the Navajo Nation.
The reopening of senior centers and strengthened care systems now reaches more than 10,000 Navajo elders annually.
Under the leadership of Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, the Navajo Department of Health has worked to improve elder care through standardized food menus, activity calendars, and home-delivery checklists aligned with national standards.
“Our responsibility is to ensure our elders receive timely, quality care,” said President Nygren. “By strengthening local senior centers and expanding home-based services, we are keeping our elders close to their families, communities, and culture.”
He added that these efforts also build on the $184 million senior center legislation, which provides impactful matching fund opportunities in New Mexico and supports sites in Arizona that often do not receive federal funding.
These changes are part of a broader effort to strengthen consistency, accountability, and quality of care across all senior centers. As part of the systemwide improvements, all centers are scheduled to undergo evaluation by June 2026, with a comprehensive report to follow.
In response to urgent needs, NDOH has already reopened 23 senior centers, including Tohatchi, Nazlini, Jeddito, and St. Michaels, which recently completed a $6 million renovation.
Additional reopenings are planned for Coyote Canyon and Mexican Springs in the coming months, while the department works toward full operational status for all centers in 2026 and a 20 percent expansion of home-based elder services.
Apr 27, 2026 | News
TWO GREY HILLS — Across the Navajo Nation, many youth face limited access to safe spaces and positive outlets. Events like the Protect the Land Skate Jam at Two Grey Hills are helping change that.
“Skateboarding gives our youth an outlet to stay active, clear their minds, and build confidence,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.
President Nygren’s passion for skateboarding continues to shape his commitment to youth wellness across the Navajo Nation. As a skateboarder himself, he understands firsthand how the sport provides physical activity and a powerful outlet for mental health, confidence, and self-expression.
Since its rise in the late 1950s, skateboarding has grown into a global movement, celebrated annually on June 21 as “Go Skateboarding Day.” For many Navajo youth, the sport has become a form of “good medicine,” helping relieve stress and encourage healthy lifestyles.
That spirit is reflected in gatherings like this skate jam, hosted by the Diné Skate Garden Project in partnership with community organizations.
Youth from Tohaali and Sanostee schools—nearly 100 students—joined the event, taking part in beginner lessons, open skate sessions, and mentorship opportunities while building confidence and connection. Other students engaged in activities like seed planting, outdoor art, and a community clean-up to care for the land surrounding the skate park.
The gathering also welcomed visiting partners, including relatives from the north with Nation Skate Youth, along with professional skateboarder and advocate Nestor Judkins of Salad Days of Skateboarding.
The Diné Skate Garden Project began in 2019 with fundraising efforts launched in 2021, celebrating the dedication of a new skatepark in Two Grey Hills to create a safe and positive space for youth to stay active and build confidence.
To encourage skateboarding, large-scale distribution efforts have also expanded access to equipment. During the 76th Navajo Nation Fair, more than 2,000 skateboards were distributed to youth, followed by an additional 2,000 skateboards and 7,000 pairs of shoes at the 77th Navajo Nation Fair, and 1,500 skateboards at the Western Navajo Fair.
Additional milestones continue to highlight the cultural impact of skateboarding. In 2023, Navajo artist Di’Orr Greenwood was recognized nationally through the “Art of the Skateboard” Forever Stamp, celebrating Indigenous creativity. That same year, President Nygren met and skateboarded with legendary professional skateboarder Tony Hawk, strengthening partnerships that support youth programs.
At its core, the Protect the Land Skate Jam is about creating space for youth to grow, to connect, and to see a future where they feel supported, empowered, and rooted in both community and culture.
Apr 27, 2026 | News
Today, we come together in observance of Navajo Sovereignty Day, a moment to reflect on who we are as Diné and the enduring strength of our right to self-govern.
April 27 represents the return of our people to Dinétah following the Treaty of 1868, a defining moment that reaffirmed our connection to our homelands and our inherent sovereignty. From that point forward, our journey has been one of resilience, rebuilding, and determination to shape our own future.
Sovereignty is not only a legal foundation. It is lived every day through our language, our traditions, our leadership, and the decisions we make for our people. It is carried in the voices of our elders, the vision of our youth, and the responsibility we share to protect our land and way of life.
As Navajo Nation President, I remain committed to strengthening that foundation by ensuring our Nation’s voice is heard, respected, and upheld at every level. Our sovereignty guides how we serve our people, how we build our communities, and how we plan for the generations ahead.
We honor our ancestors who endured and persevered. We honor our people who continue that legacy. And we move forward together with unity, purpose, and pride in who we are as Diné.
– Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren
