May 7, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK — Navajo veterans have sacrificed to protect this country while carrying the strength, values, and resilience of the Diné people.
Supporting veterans is not only about honoring their service, it is about ensuring they have access to safe housing, reliable utilities, healthcare, and opportunities to thrive after returning home.
Across the Navajo Nation, many veterans continue to face housing shortages and infrastructure challenges in rural communities. Making continued investment in veteran services and housing programs critically important for families and future generations.
Under the leadership of Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren, the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration continues making major progress to improve housing opportunities and quality of life for Navajo veterans and their families.
Current housing efforts across the Navajo Nation include 101 veteran home improvement projects, 55 surviving spouse home improvement projects, and assistance for one Gold Star family.
In addition, the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration is advancing new construction efforts with 36 active applications, 105 homes currently under construction, 24 completed homes awaiting utility connections, and 20 turnkey homes ready for veterans and families.
“Our veterans answered the call to serve our country, and it is our responsibility to stand beside them when they come home,” said President Nygren. “Every home improvement, every new home, and every utility connection represents dignity, stability, and hope for a Navajo family.”
President Nygren praises the continued work of the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration, staff, and partners who help move projects forward across the Navajo Nation.
“These efforts are changing lives,” President Nygren said. “We will continue pushing forward to ensure our veterans receive the respect, support, and opportunities they have earned through their service.”
For more information on Veteran benefits and services please visit https://nnva.navajo-nsn.gov
May 7, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On May 4, 2026, the Navajo Nation approved a critical contract modification to advance planning and design efforts for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Chapter Connection Project, strengthening long-term water access for communities in Ft. Defiance and St. Michaels.
The Department of Water Resources requested the modification to its existing contract with Souder, Miller & Associates to provide additional technical engineering services focused on waterline development within both chapters. The total estimated cost of $9,380,605.79, inclusive of the 6% Navajo Nation Tax, supports comprehensive planning and design efforts necessary to move the project forward.
The approval continues broader infrastructure efforts championed by Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren since the beginning of his administration. On Sept. 15, 2023, President Nygren met with U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema in Window Rock, Arizona, where he outlined several infrastructure projects in dire need of federal support and investment. During the meeting, he emphasized the importance of improving water systems, advancing Navajo Nation water rights settlements, and continuing development of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project.
President Nygren stated that infrastructure development remains essential to economic growth and improving living conditions across the Navajo Nation. The expansion reflects those ongoing priorities by helping move additional waterline planning and design efforts closer toward construction readiness for local communities.
Following review, the request was approved, with costs determined to be reasonable and aligned with the detailed line-item budget. The investment is consistent with similar engineering services and remains within funding levels previously authorized by the Navajo Nation Council, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the State of New Mexico.
In result, the contract modification was officially signed on May 4, 2026, by Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, affirming the administration’s continued commitment to expanding reliable water infrastructure and ensuring sustainable access for Navajo families.
May 6, 2026 | News
An incident involving uranium transport occurred near Highway 160, in the new Shonto hotel area.
While initial reports indicate that the ore truck itself was not damaged and that no injuries have been reported, the photos and situation we are seeing remain unacceptable.
Uranium has harmed our people, our land, and our water for generations, and many Navajo families continue to live with those impacts today. That is why incidents like this create serious concern in our communities.
While the Navajo Nation does not control transportation on Arizona state highways, companies transporting through our communities have a responsibility to operate safely and with the highest level of caution.
I have been clear from the beginning — if I had authority over these state routes, this transport would not be taking place.
I am calling on federal partners and all involved agencies to improve coordination, strengthen safety measures, and provide clear answers to our people. Our communities deserve better.
The Navajo Nation will work with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to determine what occurred, proactively minimize the possibility of another similar event on the Navajo Nation, and ensure accountability for this unacceptable event.
May 6, 2026 | News
WINDOW ROCK — Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren attends the Low Mountain South Tower ribbon cutting, marking a major step forward in expanding broadband and cellular access for Diné families.
“Low Mountain South Tower shows what it takes to deliver real connectivity to our communities. This project faced delays, redesign, and rising costs, but we stayed committed and finished what was promised. This tower now connects our people to education, healthcare, emergency services, and economic opportunity, and it is part of a larger effort to make sure every Navajo family has access to reliable internet.”
The project begins under a CARES Act grant on November 12, 2020, pauses in December 2020, and is successfully reinitiated in 2022 through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Despite delays, design changes, and rising costs, the project moves forward and reaches completion.
More than $1 million in core infrastructure is invested through three key components: $830,000 for the tower, $54,000 for power, and $153,000 for transport. The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority completes construction in December 2025, with tower, power, and transport finalized within days of each other. NTUA Wireless adds broadband and cellular equipment through a $390,000 investment, completing the site on April 16, 2026.
This tower is part of a larger, multi-phase effort backed by approximately $50 million in NTIA funding to close the digital divide across the Navajo Nation. It is designed for co-location, allowing multiple carriers such as Choice Wireless, AT&T, and Verizon to expand service and improve coverage.
The impact is immediate and practical. Students gain reliable internet access for school, families connect to telehealth services, first responders benefit from stronger communication, and small businesses reach broader markets.
This work builds on ongoing efforts across the Nation. Since 2010, nearly 600 miles of fiber have been installed and more than 140 towers constructed. Additional sites at Black Rock and Oak Springs are already in progress, with systems in place and equipment under testing.
The Low Mountain South Tower represents continued progress to deliver reliable, modern connectivity to communities that have waited far too long.
May 6, 2026 | News
SHONTO, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation and the Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise (NNHE) formalized a landmark business site lease on April 27, 2026, supporting the operation and long-term management of a 17-million-dollar hotel with 83-rooms in the Shonto Chapter area. This marks a major step forward in strengthening Navajo-owned tourism and economic development.
“This project reflects our commitment to building a stronger, self-sustaining Navajo economy,” said President Nygren. “By investing in Navajo-owned enterprises and expanding our tourism footprint, we are creating jobs, generating revenue, and keeping opportunity within our communities.”
The agreement establishes a 25-year lease, with two additional 25-year renewal options, for a 5.91-acre site located at the junction of U.S. Highway 160 and State Route 98. The project includes a La Quinta Inn & Suites featuring modern amenities such as a fitness center, outdoor pool, breakfast services, and retail and tourism-related offerings.
President Buu Nygren joined Division of Economic Development leadership, NNHE executives and board members, as well as Shonto Chapter officials and Delegate Rickie Nez, Delegate Herman Daniels and Delegate Otto Tso to commemorate the signing.
I want to thank President Nez and his administration for helping kick off this project and laying the foundation to move it forward. I also want to thank everyone in the current administration for helping get this project across the finish line. Projects like this do not happen because of one person, they happen because many leaders, employees, and community members worked on it, prayed for it, and stayed united behind the vision. Thank you to everyone who played a role over the years to make this possible. It’s going to be amazing to see this project finally open this month.
The development is expected to serve as a key gateway for visitors traveling through the region while driving local economic activity. NNHE will oversee operations, contributing to long-term diversification of the Navajo Nation economy through hospitality and tourism.
The lease includes a structured rental model beginning with a $1 development year, followed by incremental annual payments starting at $55,000, and incorporates a 25 percent share of net income beginning in Year 4—ensuring sustained revenue generation for the Navajo Nation.
Community interest has already proven strong, with over 200 applicants competing for 32 anticipated positions, highlighting the demand for local employment opportunities.
Funding for the project includes Project Development Funds, the Permanent Trust Fund, Abandoned Mine Lands (AML), and ARPA allocations.
This milestone spotlights a broader vision to expand Navajo-owned infrastructure along key transportation corridors while empowering local communities through job creation and economic opportunity.
May 5, 2026 | News
RAMAH, N.M. — On a dusty afternoon in the Ramah Navajo community, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren joined residents to celebrate a major milestone: the completion of fiber optic connections bringing high-speed internet to 602 locations.
The Fiber Optic Community Celebration honored the partnerships, leadership, and determination that made reliable broadband a reality for Ramah. Speakers emphasized that the achievement was driven by a collective effort including Oso Internet Solutions, chapter leadership past and present, the Ramah School Board, Bureau of Indian Affairs officials, and dedicated community advocates.
Funded through a combination of federal, state, and ARPA resources, the project positions Ramah as a leading example of broadband expansion across the Navajo Nation, with some noting it may now have the highest number of fiber-connected locations among chapters.
During the event, Oso Internet Solutions leadership provided a hands-on demonstration to help community members better understand the technology powering their new connections. From fiber optic cables made up of delicate glass strands to devices like the Optical Line Terminal (OLT) and in-home routers, the demonstration showed how light signals are transformed into fast, reliable internet service for everyday use.
While the technology is impressive, the true impact was reflected in the stories shared by community members. One mother described how reliable broadband now allows her to monitor her child’s Type 1 diabetes in real time during school, offering peace of mind and life-saving responsiveness. Elders in remote areas now have a critical lifeline, with improved access to communication services during emergencies.
Broadband is also transforming education. Students can now attend virtual classes, access learning tools, and stay connected with teachers, while early childhood programs have shifted from paper packets to interactive online learning. For many families, homes have become centers of education, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project has also created lasting economic opportunities. Local workers gained hands-on experience in construction, fiber installation, and technical operations—skills that extend beyond the project itself. Community members are now pursuing higher education online, launching small businesses, selling jewelry and crafts digitally, and working remotely without leaving home.
Leaders from the Navajo Nation Broadband Office connected Ramah’s success to a broader vision: ensuring broadband access for every chapter, every home, and every phone. Currently, 52 of the Nation’s 110 chapters have fiber connectivity, with plans to expand service to tens of thousands more homes while increasing 5G coverage across the region.
“Broadband is an essential utility that is incredibly important for a healthy, educated, and financially stable life, ” said President Nygren. “With that effort, we’re going to ensure that we bring fiber, satellite technology, fixed wireless technology, and make sure that we have 5G across the Navajo Nation.”
As community members shared their experiences, one message remained clear: broadband is a pathway to opportunity, self-determination, and a stronger future for the Ramah Navajo community.
