Aug 12, 2026 | News
SHONTO, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren recently signed a grant agreement between the Navajo Nation and the Shonto Chapter, providing $13,880,230 for the construction of a new Shonto Government Services Complex. The funding represents a major investment in community infrastructure and will support the delivery of essential services for residents of Shonto and surrounding communities.
The project is the result of years of planning and coordination by the Division of Community Development. To move the project forward efficiently, the Navajo Nation and Shonto Chapter agreed to provide the funding directly to the Chapter, allowing construction activities to begin and ensuring the development remains on schedule.
“This project has always been a priority for the Shonto community, and I am glad to see the development moving closer to construction,” said President Nygren. “I am proud of the community for its patience, resilience, and commitment to creating a facility that will better serve future generations. This investment reflects our continued commitment to strengthening local communities across the Navajo Nation.”
The Shonto Community Governance supports the land withdrawal for community development purposes, including housing, education, economic development, healthcare facilities, public services, and governmental use. Once completed, the Shonto Government Services Complex will serve as a central hub for emergency services, health-related programs, public safety operations, and voting services. The facility is expected to include a gymnasium, library, and community meeting hall, creating additional space for recreation, learning, and community gatherings.
Located above the canyon to help avoid seasonal flooding, the new facility will replace the current chapter building that has served the community since 1958. Community leaders look forward to completing the project within the next two years through the support of Síhasin Funds, creating a modern and resilient government complex for generations to come.
Aug 12, 2026 | News
PINEDALE, N.M. – Cleanup has officially begun at the Northeast Church Rock uranium mine, marking a major milestone in the Navajo Nation’s decades-long effort to address the impacts of uranium contamination and protect surrounding communities.
The $62 million project will relocate nearly one million cubic yards of radioactive mine waste from the former mine site to a newly engineered disposal repository on nearby privately owned land managed by the U.S. Department of Energy. General Electric, the successor to United Nuclear Corporation, will fund 70 percent of the cleanup costs.
Developed through years of collaboration among the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, the New Mexico Environment Department, and General Electric, the selected remedy uses the best available option at this time to remove the waste from its current location and place it in a monitored, engineered repository designed to better protect public health, groundwater, and the environment.
The Northeast Church Rock uranium mine has remained the number one cleanup priority under NEPA due to its proximity to nearby communities and concerns about potential radiological exposure. For decades, residents have advocated for action to address the contamination left behind by uranium mining and the lasting impacts on their families, lands, and way of life.
“For decades, the people of Church Rock have carried the health and environmental impacts of one of the largest radioactive releases in our nation’s history while continuing to call for action,” said Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren. “This cleanup is an important step forward, but our work does not end here. We will continue working alongside the community, the Navajo Nation EPA, and our partners to address their concerns, pursue the solutions they deserve, and protect our homeland for future generations.”
Navajo Nation EPA Executive Director Stephen Etsitty said the cleanup represents meaningful progress while recognizing the community’s long-standing goal of seeing the waste removed from the Navajo Nation.
“Relocating the waste to a modern, engineered repository is a significant improvement over leaving it at the former mine site. At the same time, we recognize that the community has consistently called for the waste to be removed from the Navajo Nation altogether,” said Director Etsitty. “As technology advances, we remain open to future solutions that provide even greater protection for our people, our groundwater, and future generations.”
The repository will remain under long-term monitoring to ensure continued protection of public health and the environment. The Navajo Nation EPA will continue working with its partners and community members to monitor the project, evaluate emerging technologies, and advocate for responsible solutions to address the broader legacy of uranium contamination across the Navajo Nation.
The first transport of uranium mine waste to the repository is expected to begin this winter.
Community members joined representatives from the Navajo Nation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, the New Mexico Environment Department, General Electric, local chapter leadership, and other partners to mark the beginning of the cleanup effort.
Aug 8, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – As floodwaters recede and road conditions begin to improve in many areas of the Navajo Nation, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren is encouraging Chapters to use funding already in place to restore damaged infrastructure and address community needs.
“The emergency declaration and Chapter emergency funding are in place so local leaders can respond quickly, repair critical infrastructure, and help families recover,” President Nygren said. “We encourage every affected Chapter to work closely with the Department of Emergency Management and use the resources available.”
On July 24, the Navajo Nation Commission on Emergency Management, with the concurrence of President Nygren, declared a State of Emergency due to severe monsoon storms, flash flooding, and infrastructure damage across the Navajo Nation. The declaration authorizes the Department of Emergency Management to coordinate emergency operations, mobilize available resources, support affected Chapters, and work with tribal, federal, state, local, and private partners to protect public safety and restore essential services. It also authorizes Chapters to activate local emergency plans, document storm damage, coordinate requests for assistance, and utilize legally authorized emergency resources for immediate response and recovery efforts.
The emergency declaration is reinforced by Resolution CMA-20-26, signed into law earlier this year by President Nygren, providing $6 million for Chapter emergency preparedness and response. The legislation provides approximately $30,000 to $50,000 to each Chapter, giving local governments the flexibility to address emergency conditions, support residents, and begin recovery efforts without delay.
The Office of the President and Vice President encourages Chapters to coordinate with the Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management and their respective Administrative Service Centers to activate emergency plans, document damages, request available resources, and prioritize repairs to roads, water systems, and other critical infrastructure.
Aug 7, 2026 | News
For more than a century, the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial has brought Native people together to celebrate culture, tradition, art, music, and community. First held in 1922, the Ceremonial has grown into one of New Mexico’s longest-running celebrations of Native American culture and heritage.
The Night Parade is one of the celebration’s signature events, filling downtown Gallup with vibrant regalia, traditional dances, and cultural pride representing Indigenous communities from across the region and beyond. Thousands of Native and Indigenous participants take part in the larger Ceremonial each year, sharing their songs, dances, artwork, food, and traditions with visitors from around the world.
Now in its 104th year, the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial continues to honor generations before us while giving today’s generation a place to proudly carry those traditions forward.
Aug 7, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK — More Navajo families in the Kaibeto area will benefit from safer, more reliable drinking water and improved sanitation as the Navajo Nation assumes ownership and long-term management of three critical water infrastructure projects. The investments will strengthen essential services, improve public health, and ensure these systems remain locally operated for generations to come.
President Buu Nygren approved the transfer of the Kaibeto Low Pressure (LP) Zone Upgrade, the NW Benally Waterline Extension, and the Square Butte Waterline Extension, Phase 2, marking another milestone in the administration’s ongoing commitment to expanding water infrastructure across the Navajo Nation.
“Access to clean water is one of the most important investments we can make for our people,” said President Buu Nygren. “These projects mean healthier families, stronger communities, and infrastructure that will serve our children and grandchildren. We are focused on making sure every investment improves the quality of life for the Navajo people.”
Constructed through a partnership between the Indian Health Service (IHS), the Navajo Nation, the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA), and the Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority under Public Law 86-121, the projects provide upgraded community water supply and waste disposal systems for residents in the Kaibeto Chapter and surrounding communities.
The agreements officially transfer ownership of the completed facilities from the Indian Health Service to the Navajo Nation, with NTUA assuming responsibility for operating and maintaining the systems. Individual household facilities will be transferred directly to homeowners, while IHS will provide a one-year warranty covering any design or construction deficiencies.
The Kaibeto LP Zone Upgrade (Projects NA-11-R64 and NA-11-Z41) includes new waterlines, service connections, valves, pressure-reducing infrastructure, and related improvements valued at approximately $96,300. The NW Benally Waterline Extension represents an investment of approximately $376,100, while the Square Butte Waterline Extension, Phase 2 totals approximately $416,900.
Together, these projects expand reliable water service and modern sanitation infrastructure while supporting the Navajo Nation’s broader strategy to strengthen water systems, improve public health, and ensure local control of critical infrastructure that benefits Navajo families for generations to come.
Aug 7, 2026 | News
Navajo Nation President Nygren has approved a series of Art in Public Places (AIPP) agreements that will bring the work of four talented Navajo artists to the Tse’ii’ahi Chapter House, celebrating Diné creativity while enriching a community gathering place with culturally significant artwork.
The agreements, administered through the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs Arts Division in partnership with the Navajo Nation, authorize the acquisition and display of original works by Navajo artists Jay DeGroat, Jonathan Billie, Cory Jameson Joe, and Brinda Lee. The artwork will become part of the chapter facility through New Mexico’s Art in Public Places Program, which dedicates one percent of eligible state-funded capital projects to public art.
“Supporting Navajo artists is an investment in our culture and the stories that define who we are,” said President Nygren. “Displaying their work in our chapter houses celebrates our identity and ensures future generations see the strength and beauty of Navajo creativity.”
The approved artwork represents a variety of artistic mediums that showcase the diversity of Navajo expression. Jay DeGroat will contribute two original drawings, Old Man, a colored pencil work on tracing paper, and Rainbow Dance, a pen-and-ink illustration. Photographer Jonathan Billie will display Dry Windmill, an archival pigment print capturing the beauty and character of the Navajo landscape. Woodworking artist Cory Jameson Joe will display two handcrafted functional art pieces, Horse Clock and Storyteller Clock, while photographer Brinda Lee will contribute two original photographic works, Where’s the Herd? and Sunset. Together, the selected works celebrate the creativity, culture, and artistic excellence of Navajo artists and will serve as a lasting source of inspiration for residents and visitors at the Tse’ii’ahi Chapter House.
The selections were made through the New Mexico Arts Regional Buying Committee in accordance with the Art in Public Places Act. Under the program, artists are required to meet museum-quality standards for framing, installation, and interpretive plaques, helping ensure each piece is preserved and displayed for generations to come.
The Art in Public Places Program is funded through New Mexico Intergovernmental Agreement allocations designated for participating Navajo Nation chapters in New Mexico. The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs administers the program, while the Navajo Nation partners as the owner agency for artwork displayed in chapter facilities.
By approving these agreements, President Nygren reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting Navajo artists, preserving Diné culture, and creating public spaces that inspire pride in Navajo identity. The installation of locally created artwork at Tse’ii’ahi Chapter will provide residents and visitors with a lasting reminder of the talent, creativity, and cultural richness found throughout the Navajo Nation.
