Tensions escalate as Navajo Nation president revokes authority of vice president
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has asked his vice president to resign and moved to revoke Vice President Richelle Montoya's duties amid escalating tensions in the government's top ranks.
At a Tuesday news conference at Navajo Nation headquarters in Window Rock, Nygren outlined his administration's accomplishments and addressed challenges, including a recall effort led by former employees and his strained partnership with Montoya. Recall efforts against Nygren have been underway since September, spearheaded by Debbie Nez-Manuel, the former executive director of Human Resources and a key figure in Nygren's campaign.
Nez-Manuel needs to collect more than 30,000 signatures to remove Nygren from office. A petition to recall shall be filed with the Navajo Election Administration within six months after the filing of the affidavit of the committee initiating the recall.
Nygren noted that Montoya has signed the recall petition, which he views as a formal break from his administration.
"It is (Montoya's) way of saying she no longer supports this administration," Nygren said. "I would welcome her resignation to make room for someone who wants to be a part of this administration and will work with me toward the betterment of the Native people."
Nygren and Montoya were elected in 2022 , defeating former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez by more than 3,000 votes. Montoya made history as the first Navajo woman elected to the position of vice president.
Before explaining his decision to revoke Montoya's authority, Nygren highlighted recent accomplishments, including the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority that is connecting more than 550 homes to electricity using President Joe Biden's signature American Rescue Plan funds. He also noted plans to connect 1,799 more homes, aiming for more than 2,300 homes with electricity.
Nygren reported that 320 cistern and waterline connections have been completed, and a groundbreaking recently took place for a $20 million waterline project serving 16,000 residents in To'hajiilee, about 40 miles west of Albuquerque.
He also signed a $31.7 million contract with Navajo-owned construction company BITCO to build 95 homes for veterans.
Sexual harassment allegations made in 2023
Despite these recent and past accomplishments, tensions have clouded the Nygren-Montoya administration since well before the recall efforts.
In April, Montoya went on Facebook Live's video streaming service to say she was sexually harassed during a meeting in August 2023 and then outlined the incident in a written complaint submitted to chief legal counsel for the executive office. Although she did not initially name Nygren, he held a news conference in late May to deny her allegations and invited Montoya to a peacemaking session. Nygren also welcomed the Navajo Nation Council's call for an independent investigation.
Montoya responded in July with a letter listing a timeline of events and outlining her issues with his leadership since the inauguration. She referred to a memo she sent to Nygren explaining why she decided not to partake in a peacemaking session, stating a preliminary investigation of the situation was underway and that the "turmoil within the Office of the President and Vice President escalated beyond the level of peacemaking."
, or hózh̨óji naat'aah, is one of several traditional services that may be obtained through the Peacemaking Program within the Navajo Nation.
"My commitment to the Navajo Nation and the Navajo people remains unwavering and rooted in our Diné culture and tradition," Montoya wrote in July. "I will continue to work towards our goals and priorities despite the challenges I face."
The Navajo Nation Attorney General's Office, led by Attorney General Ethel Branch, acknowledged in an Oct. 7 news release that an investigation had begun. Branch said outside attorney Eric Dahlstrom from the law firm of Rothstein Donatelli would conduct a preliminary investigation and that the process was ongoing.
"Given the gravity of the allegation and the high-profile nature of the parties involved, I ordered an independent preliminary investigation to ensure transparency and objectivity," Branch said. "The Navajo Nation's personnel policies are clear: No employee, regardless of their position, should be subjected to unwelcome or inappropriate behavior in the workplace."
Branch added: "Regarding the option of Navajo Peacemaking, it is essential to clarify that the Navajo Nation has not proposed Peacemaking and we continue to focus on the preliminary investigation."
Who will take over the vice president's duties?
Nygren attributed his decision to revoke Montoya's authority to what he called her lack of accountability.
He expressed frustration over her refusal to provide daily schedules and progress reports for the projects he assigned to her, including the Diné Action Plan, which focuses on issues such as violence, substance abuse, suicide and mental health. Montoya was also responsible for overseeing the Office of Miss Navajo, the Navajo Nation Band and initiatives for Missing and Murdered Diné Relatives, among other projects.
Nygren claims that Montoya has made no progress reports on these tasks since June and he has had to reassign these tasks to others.
"I have informed the vice president that I have reassigned all of her remaining projects and priorities to other staff members," Nygren said. "I have no idea what progress has been made on these important projects and I cannot allow them to be neglected any further."
In Montoya's July letter, she asserted that all projects were aligned with the Nygren-Montoya administration, rather than being solely part of "your administration." She suggested that a legal opinion may be necessary to clarify whether it is the Nygren-Montoya administration, the Nygren administration, or if the Nygren and Montoya administrations are separate but equal entities.
"If the latter is true, the Montoya administration must be funded commensurate to the Nygren administration as it is severely underfunded," Montoya said. "I look forward to working with you to finally set priorities for the Nygren-Montoya Administration and create a plan that ensures the entire Administration understands the priorities and their roles to achieve each and are aware of projects currently underway."
Nygren said he planned to give Montoya time to mull over her decision. If she chose to resign, there would be a 10-day window to appoint a new vice president.
"I may have taken all her responsibilities as vice president, but she will continue to be the vice president," Nygren said. "She will continue to have a house in Window Rock that is provided by the Nation. She will continue to have executive protection for her safety. As far as representing my administration, I made that very clear she does not represent me anymore after some of her actions."
Attempts to reach Montoya were unsuccessful.
