Sep 15, 2026 | News
The Navajo Department of Emergency Management is currently coordinating three rescue operations, with Emergency Medical Services supporting response and transportation efforts as needed.
Water levels in the affected area have begun to subside, while Chinle Chapter personnel continue work on the earthen dam.
As response operations continue, Chinle Chapter House is being evaluated as a potential emergency shelter location, as the Many Farms facility is currently unavailable for sheltering.
The Navajo Nation Commission on Emergency Management has a scheduled meeting to discuss next steps and any additional resources or actions that may be needed. The Navajo Division of Transportation is also on standby to provide additional coordination and support as conditions require.
President Nygren asks residents to continue exercising caution, avoid flooded roads and washes, and give first responders and emergency personnel room to safely conduct operations.
This continues to be an all-inclusive response involving multiple Navajo Nation departments, programs, local leadership, first responders, and emergency personnel. President Nygren thanks everyone involved for their attentiveness, coordination, and continued commitment to the safety of our communities.
Sep 14, 2026 | News
HOUCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Nygren joined community leaders, transportation partners, project workers and local families on Tuesday, Sept. 1, for the groundbreaking of improvements to Navajo Route N9402, marking the beginning of Phase I construction on a long-awaited road project serving communities south of Interstate 40.
Hosted by the Navajo Division of Transportation at Houck Chapter, the groundbreaking represents years of planning, funding, engineering and coordination to move N9402 from an existing earth road toward a safer and more reliable transportation corridor connecting the Sanders, Allentown, Houck and Lupton areas.
“This groundbreaking means our people will finally see years of planning turn into construction,” President Nygren said. “For the families who travel this road every day, and especially our children who ride school buses along this corridor, safe roads matter.
N9402 extends from Sanders to Lupton on the south side of Interstate 40. Phase I begins near Sanders and continues toward Allentown, while Phase II will continue from the Allentown area toward Lupton Chapter. The project has required extensive coordination since former Council Delegate Raymond Smith approached Navajo DOT in 2022 seeking improvements to the route. Smith and Arizona State Rep. Myron Tsosie helped advance state funding for the project.
Phase I is supported by $10 million in Arizona appropriation funding, a $10 million Arizona Department of Transportation allocation and an additional $3 million in Síhasin funding dedicated by Council Delegate Arbin Mitchell. The additional funding extended Phase I by 1.02 miles, bringing the project length to approximately 8.52 miles.
“This is what happens when we bring resources together and stay committed to our communities,” President Nygren said. “I thank Delegate Mitchell, Representative Tsosie, our chapter leaders, Navajo DOT and every partner who helped bring this project to construction.”
One of the project’s most significant challenges involved securing consent across as many as 36 allotment lands. President Nygren recognized the landowners whose cooperation helped move the project forward.
Navajo DOT worked with Wilson & Company and Dibble Engineering to develop the project’s Plans, Specifications and Estimate package. Totsoh Corporation, a Navajo Priority One contractor, was awarded the Phase I contract on Aug. 11, followed by a preconstruction conference at Houck Chapter on Aug. 25.
President Nygren recognized Council Delegate Arbin Mitchell, Rep. Myron Tsosie, Houck Chapter officials, community members, engineers, Totsoh Corporation and road crews for their work.
Construction is anticipated to begin in September 2026, with completion currently scheduled for Sept. 30, 2027.
Sep 14, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK — After nearly two decades of delays, the Many Mules Water System is moving into operation, bringing Diné families in Hard Rock, Forest Lake and Black Mesa closer to dependable drinking water.
The progress comes on the heels of President Buu Nygren’s summer directive requiring the agencies involved to resolve the remaining obstacles and move the project forward. President Nygren’s directive brought the partners together to clear the way for the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) to begin operating the system.
“Water is life, and every family deserves access to clean, dependable drinking water,” said President Nygren. “I appreciate every partner who helped move this long-awaited project closer to serving our communities.”
The Many Mules Water System uses wells, pumps and storage infrastructure associated with the former Peabody Mine to serve families in the Black Mesa-Peabody area of the Navajo Nation.
The Navajo Area Indian Health Service has finalized a plan for transferring the system’s operations from Peabody to NTUA. While Peabody completes the required cleanup and closure of its former mining facilities, it will continue manually operating the NAV8 and NAV2 water-supply wells and the N8 booster pumps. During this period, the J28 storage tank will continue supplying the N-14 and N-6 public fill stations, KOA trailers, MCW facilities, the Ranger Station, Safety Quarters and Booster Station A.
After Peabody completes its reclamation work and leaves the site, the J28 tank and a portion of its distribution line will be deactivated. The CDK storage tank will then supply the public fill stations and other facilities while NTUA assumes long-term operations.
The plan also establishes procedures to prevent water from becoming stagnant in the Hilltop storage tank. NTUA will monitor chlorine levels and drain the tank when necessary to meet IHS water-quality standards. IHS is working to obtain a discharge permit.
Until the permit is issued, operators will follow an approved temporary process whenever the tank must be drained.
NTUA may also consider distributing the water to community members instead of releasing it onto the ground when the tank must be emptied. This would conserve the water and would not require a discharge permit.
An amendment awaiting Navajo Nation approval would provide NTUA with funding for supervisory control and data acquisition, or SCADA, technology and related electrical equipment. These improvements would help operators monitor tank levels, manage water age and maintain the system more efficiently.
The project partners are also completing the operations agreement, rights-of-way assignments, project closeout and transfer documents. The beneficial-use permit has been signed, and NTUA will designate a representative to participate in IHS homeowner training and explain how families can activate their water accounts.
Once Phases 2, 3 and 4 are completed, the Hilltop storage tank will serve the additional infrastructure and expand access to drinking water for more families across the Black Mesa region.
“This is about the health and dignity of our people and creating a better quality of life for our people,” President Nygren said. “We will continue working with NTUA, IHS, Peabody and our local communities until families receive the reliable water service they have waited for.”
Sep 14, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Rochelle Francisco of Valley Store, Arizona, was crowned the 2026–2027 Miss Navajo Nation during the 74th Annual Miss Navajo Nation Pageant.
Francisco is Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms People Clan), born for Biih Bitoo’nii (Deer Spring Clan). Her maternal grandfather is Hashk’ąąn Hadzohí (Yucca Fruit-Strung-Out-In-A-Line Clan), and her paternal grandfather is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan).
The Miss Navajo Nation Pageant celebrates Diné womanhood through language, culture, traditional knowledge and leadership. Miss Navajo Nation serves as a goodwill ambassador, carrying the responsibility of representing Navajo women and the Diné people with respect and honor.
Francisco was selected from three contestants, with Tonana Ben named First Runner-Up and JoAnni Begay named Second Runner-Up.
Congratulations to newly crowned Miss Navajo Nation Rochelle Francisco as she begins her year of service. May she carry her teachings, language and culture proudly as she represents the Navajo people throughout Diné Bikéyah and beyond.
The Navajo Nation also extends its appreciation to 2025–2026 Miss Navajo Nation Camille Uentillie for her leadership and dedicated service during her year as Miss Navajo Nation. We thank her for representing the Navajo people, our culture and our communities with pride.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren were in attendance for the coronation, joining families and community members in celebrating the newly crowned Miss Navajo Nation.
Sep 13, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The morning came alive with runners making their way across the rocky terrain of Window Rock as Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren cheered on First Lady Jasmine Blackwater Nygren and fellow runners competing in the Navajo Code Talker Run, hosted by Tom Riggenbach and the nonprofit Navajo YES.
The 10K course challenged runners with the rugged Navajo Code Talker Trail beginning at the Navajo Nation Museum before winding its way toward Window Rock. Runners pushed across the rocky landscape, looped around the Navajo Nation Fleet Service area and continued past the Navajo Nation Office of the President before heading onto the roadway.
The course carried runners past familiar community landmarks, including the Navajo Nation Cinema and Post Office, before turning them back toward the Navajo Nation Museum. Along the way, spectators gathered to encourage runners as they tackled the demanding course that combined rocky terrain, pavement and long stretches of road.
President Nygren stood along the route cheering on runners and offering encouragement as participants continued toward the finish.
Kesh Hughte led the 10K field, taking first place with a time of 45:08, followed by Gavin Sosa and Ryan Roanhorse. On the women’s side, Nicole Gene was the fifth runner to cross the finish line with a time of 48:19, followed by Alisha Edminson and Leona Slim.
The Navajo Code Talker Run gave runners a challenging route while honoring the legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers with traditional honor songs, the playing of taps and speeches by Navajo Code Talker families.
Sep 12, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren once again rode horseback through the Navajo Nation capital Saturday for the 78th Annual Navajo Nation Fair Parade, greeting thousands of parade-goers atop the horse he rode, “Red.”
Throughout the route, President Nygren waved, shook hands, shared hugs and stopped to greet families, elders, youth and community members who lined the streets of Window Rock.
Several times along the route, he took the microphone to share his appreciation with the Navajo people as his term as Navajo Nation President begins to draw to a close.
“I’m so grateful to have been your Navajo Nation President. It’s been my honor,” President Nygren told the crowd.
Saturday marked the final time President Nygren will ride horseback in the Navajo Nation Fair Parade as President, making the longstanding tradition especially meaningful.
The Navajo Nation Fair Parade remains a cherished tradition in Window Rock, bringing generations of Diné people together to celebrate our culture, our communities and the people who call the Navajo Nation home.
For President Nygren, this year’s ride carried a little more meaning. It was one final ride through the parade as President, surrounded by the people he has had the honor of serving.
Ahéhee’ to everyone who came out and made the 78th Annual Navajo Nation Fair Parade a special one.
