- Details
- By Neely Bardwell
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has been cleared of Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya’s sexual harassment claim after an investigation was launched by the Navajo Nation Department of Justice on April 19, 2024.
Vice President Montoya accused President Nygren on social media of sexually harassing her during an August 2023 meeting.
Today, December 16, Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch released preliminary findings of investigator Eric Dahlstrom of the firm Rothstein Donatelli, who previously served as a long-time special prosecutor to the Navajo Nation.
“Vice President Montoya’s recounting of the August 17, 2023, incident does not constitute sexual harassment under policies applicable to either Navajo Nation elected officials or employees covered by the Navajo Nation [Personnel Policies Manual]. Further, the facts reported would not constitute a violation of any criminal law of the Navajo Nation,” Branch said in a statement released on Monday.
Vice President Montoya claimed in a statement that President Nygren had made her feel “uncomfortable in his office during a conversation” and “powerless to leave his office”, preventing her (verbally) from exiting his office.
“President Nygren sat across from me at his round table in his office. He sat back in a casual manner and just stared at me. I was uncomfortable enough to try and not have eye contact with him. His tone of voice was not business or friendly; it was strange.”
After the accusations were made against Nygren, he held a press conference on May 28, 2024 where he denied any wrongdoing. He rejected the allegations and expressed his support for an open, independent, fair, and transparent investigation—one in which the Navajo people could have full confidence.
The Attorney General reported that Mr. Dahlstrom’s findings were based on thorough interviews of current and former employees. Among those interviewed were President Nygren, Vice President Montoya, Chief of Staff Patrick Sandoval, Chief Legal Counsel Bidtah Becker and others. A telephonic and text tip line was also set up to allow members of the public to express their concerns.
“Sadly, this has been nothing but a disgraceful power grab from the get-go by the Vice President and her supporters,” President Nygren said in a released statement on Monday. “Her false accusations and blatant lies all along have been an attempt to remove me as President. She continues to attend chapter meetings and agency council meetings sharing malicious lies with our people and continues to work closely with the ‘Recall President Nygren’ committee to attack, discredit and disparage me and my staff. Her actions have not only divided our Navajo Nation, but they hinder and undermine all the great work the Administration has done and is doing.”
President Nygren said he feels the same as he did in October when he publicly asked for the Vice President’s resignation. At the time, he said her signing of a recall petition was her announcement to the Nation that she no longer supported him nor the Administration or its goals and objectives.
“Too many of our people are suffering. We have too much work to do. Since taking office, I have given very important projects to her, and she has failed to fulfill them and move them forward,” President Nygren said.
The full investigative report will be released publicly once Navajo Nation leadership has been briefed on it.
CORRECTION: The original headline read "Navajo Nation President Cleared of Sexual Assualt Allegations Made by the Nation’s Vice President." President Nygren was never accused of sexual assault, but was accused of sexual harassment.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
11th Annual Native American Youth in Agriculture Leadership Summit
Chickasaw Man Named Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
