Aug 27, 2026 | News
GANADO, Ariz. – Sage Memorial Hospital proudly celebrated its 96th Anniversary, bringing together community members, health care professionals, public officials, and distinguished guests for a day dedicated to honoring nearly a century of service to the Navajo people. The celebration reflected the hospital’s enduring legacy of courage, compassionate care, and community, while recognizing the vital role it continues to play in improving the health and well-being of families across the Navajo Nation. The Office of the Navajo Nation President joined in celebrating this important milestone.
The anniversary celebration featured a full day of activities that highlighted wellness, culture, and community engagement. Guests enjoyed a sunrise fun run and walk, entertainment by public figure James Junes, a special movie night, historical teachings presented by Jim Kristofic, a meet-and-greet with Miss Navajo Nation contestants, a farmers market, artists market, food truck market, wellness activities for adults and youth, a community job fair, a live podcast, and a fruit and cake walk. Lunch was also provided for attendees, creating an opportunity for families and visitors to gather and celebrate together.
The event, held on August 26, 2026, welcomed several well-respected leaders and honored guests, including Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, whose attendance underscored the importance of continued partnerships in supporting health care and community development throughout the Navajo Nation. The presence of tribal leaders, elected officials, community advocates, and respected public figures reflected the broad support for Sage Memorial Hospital and its continued mission of providing quality care for generations of Diné families.
As Sage Memorial Hospital marks 96 years of service, the celebration served as a reminder of the strength and resilience of the Navajo people and the importance of investing in healthy communities. The hospital’s legacy stands as a symbol of progress built upon the dedication of those who came before us while inspiring future generations to continue advancing health, education, and opportunity. This milestone represents something truly meaningful for the Navajo Nation: honoring our past, celebrating our present, and building a stronger future together.
Aug 26, 2026 | News
Notah Begay III’s selection as the 2026 Payne Stewart Award recipient is a tremendous honor, not only for him but for Native communities across the country. On behalf of the Navajo Nation, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on receiving one of the PGA TOUR’s highest recognitions, celebrating character, integrity, sportsmanship, and a lifelong commitment to serving others.
Yesterday, August 25, Notah was honored during the 2026 Payne Stewart Award Ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia, held in conjunction with the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club. As a proud Diné citizen, he continues to represent the Navajo Nation with humility, excellence, and purpose. This national recognition is a proud moment for our Nation and an opportunity for all of us to celebrate one of our own on one of golf’s biggest stages.
Thank you, Notah, for always inspiring our people and for representing the Navajo Nation with honor wherever your journey takes you. Through the NB3 Foundation, you have dedicated decades to improving the health and well-being of Native children, creating opportunities through wellness, education, leadership, and sports. Your accomplishments on the golf course are remarkable, but your unwavering commitment to uplifting Native communities is an even greater legacy.
Congratulations once again on this well-deserved honor. Your leadership, generosity, and dedication continue to inspire the next generation of Diné leaders and athletes, and we are proud to celebrate this historic achievement with you.
Aug 26, 2026 | News
The Navajo Nation Division of Transportation is advancing $216,761 in funding for routine road maintenance across approximately 86.49 miles of Navajo Nation routes in the Northern and Western Agencies.
Through an intergovernmental agreement with San Juan County, Utah, the funding supports maintenance performed from April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2026. Services include routine quarterly road maintenance, snow removal and flood repairs, along with additional work needed during adverse weather conditions.
The agreement covers 19 Navajo Nation routes, including approximately 51.39 miles in the Northern Agency and 35.1 miles in the Western Agency. Several routes serve as school bus routes, making continued maintenance important for students, families and residents who depend on these roads for daily travel.
Of the total investment, $210,000 is supported through Federal Highway Administration funding, with an additional $6,761 from Navajo Nation General Funds.
The partnership between the Navajo Nation and San Juan County continues a long-standing effort to coordinate transportation services and maintain safer, more reliable road access for Navajo communities in southeastern Utah.
Aug 25, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Nygren has approved a new Business Site Lease (BSL) agreement for Silver Coin, Inc., supporting continued economic development and local business investment in Chinle, Arizona. The lease authorizes the continued operation and future expansion of a long-standing business located on approximately 2.05 acres along Navajo Route 7, ensuring services remain available for residents while creating opportunities for future growth.
Silver Coin, Inc., owned by Ricky and Donna Powell, currently operates the only carwash in Chinle and will continue providing essential community services, including a laundry facility, carwash, food sales, video rental, and rental units. The lease carries an initial 25-year term with two optional 25-year renewal periods, allowing for long-term business stability and investment. As part of the agreement, the company has committed to investing at least $150,000 in property improvements within the first two years, including electrical upgrades, interior renovations, and parking lot resurfacing.
The Business Site Lease was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Division of Economic Development Business Site Lease Approving Committee before being presented for presidential approval. The agreement also requires compliance with Navajo Nation Business Site Leasing Regulations, environmental standards, insurance requirements, and Navajo preference in employment and contracting, helping ensure the project benefits both the local economy and the Navajo people.
“Supporting responsible business development is one of the best ways we can strengthen our communities and create lasting economic opportunities,” said President Buu Nygren. “This lease represents an investment in Chinle’s future by encouraging private investment, improving essential services, and supporting jobs while ensuring development is carried out in a way that benefits both the Navajo Nation and the people of Chinle.”
The approval reflects the Navajo Nation’s continued commitment to fostering economic growth through strategic partnerships with businesses that invest in local communities. By providing a stable framework for long-term development, the Business Site Lease will help enhance commercial activity, improve services for residents and visitors, and contribute to the long-term prosperity of Chinle and the Navajo Nation.
Aug 24, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren congratulates the Arizona Rattlers on capturing their eighth national championship with a thrilling 62-51 victory over the Green Bay Blizzard at Tucson Arena.
After falling behind 9-0 early, the Rattlers responded and scored on nearly every possession the rest of the game. Quarterback Max Meylor earned Most Valuable Player honors after accounting for five touchdowns, including a game-sealing two-yard touchdown run in the final minutes. The victory capped an eight-game winning streak and secured Arizona’s second championship in three seasons.
The championship also carries special meaning for the Navajo Nation. Maurice “Coach Mo” Brown, a Navajo from Tuba City, Arizona, serves as the Rattlers’ Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, helping prepare the athletes throughout their championship season.
President Nygren recognizes Coach Mo and the entire Rattlers organization for their discipline, teamwork and perseverance in bringing another championship home to Arizona.
Congratulations to the eight-time champion Arizona Rattlers!
Aug 21, 2026 | News
For many Navajo families, reliable internet and cellular service can mean the difference between accessing an online class or driving miles for a connection, reaching healthcare services from home or traveling to another community, and having the ability to work and build a business on the Navajo Nation or looking elsewhere for opportunity.
This week, officials from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) visited the Navajo Nation to see those realities firsthand and learn how broadband infrastructure is being developed across one of the largest and most rural Tribal nations in the United States.
Navajo Nation President Nygren, the Navajo Nation Broadband Office and FCC representatives discussed the progress being made, the challenges that continue to slow deployment and the federal partnerships needed to bring reliable connectivity to more Navajo homes and communities.
“We want our Navajo people to live here, raise their families here and have opportunities here,” President Nygren said. “Reliable broadband is part of making that possible. Seeing towers go up and infrastructure being built is wonderful because every connection represents another opportunity for our people.”
Broadband is now essential infrastructure for Navajo communities, supporting education, healthcare, public safety, economic development, employment and communication. Yet many families continue to drive long distances or rely on connections near Chapter Houses, schools and businesses simply to get online.
The Navajo Nation is working to permanently change that reality.
Through the Navajo Nation Broadband Plan 2.0, the Nation has established a coordinated strategy for broadband development from 2025 through 2030. Rather than relying on disconnected projects, the plan looks at fiber, towers, wireless service, spectrum, public safety communications, Chapter connectivity and last-mile service as parts of one Navajo-wide network.
Progress is already reaching communities. In 2025, seven new towers were reported in San Juan, Nazlini, Many Farms, Pine Springs, Moncisco Mesa, Low Mountain and White Horse. Fiber deployment reached Navajo Mountain, Nazlini and Red Mesa, while 30 additional Chapters received new fiber construction, adding to 52 Chapters already connected. In Ramah, New Mexico, approximately 560 of 600 homes were connected to fiber.
The Navajo Nation has also advanced approximately $244.6 million in broadband infrastructure investments, representing one of the largest commitments toward connectivity in the Nation’s history. The goal is not simply to build more infrastructure, but to ensure those investments ultimately connect Navajo homes, schools, businesses, healthcare facilities, Chapter Houses and public safety operations.
President Nygren thanked the FCC delegation and the Navajo Nation Broadband Office for working directly with communities and seeing the challenges of broadband deployment on Navajo land firsthand.
“We have made tremendous progress, and that comes from people working together,” President Nygren said. “We have to keep that momentum going and make sure we set ourselves up for success. Our people deserve the same opportunity to connect, learn, work and communicate as anyone else in the country.”
For the Navajo Nation, closing the digital divide is ultimately about creating opportunity at home. Reliable connectivity can help a student complete schoolwork, allow a patient to access services, strengthen emergency communications, help a Navajo entrepreneur reach customers and give families more opportunities to remain in the communities they call home.
