Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren's Weekly Radio Address (in Diné Bizaad)

Thursday, June 4, 2026

1. Introduction

2. The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924

Signed June 2, 1924, granting U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans while preserving tribal citizenship and identity
Navajo citizens in Arizona could not vote until the 1948 Harrison v. Laveen decision
President Nygren encourages everyone to vote — it is how you share your voice

3. Local Announcements

Birthday shout out: Julia W. Largo of Mariano Lake, NM, 95 years old (born Nov. 3, 1933)
Located: Eric Rodney Begay and Raelyn Begay have been found and are safe

4. Frequently Asked Question of the Week

Navajo Nation Primary Election registration deadline: June 11, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (DST); Primary Election: July 21, 2026
Registration drive: Sat. June 6 and Sun. June 7, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., New Mexico Indian Market, 98th and Central, Albuquerque. Bring CIB, Social Security card, and driver's license
Navajo Election Administration agency offices: Eastern Navajo 505-786-2183, Fort Defiance 928-871-7268, Chinle 928-674-2551, Western 928-283-3220, Northern 505-368-1333

5. Life Lesson

Native veterans teach that service is about something larger than yourself
Leadership is measured not by titles but by sacrifice, discipline, and putting others first

6. Accomplishments

Monday, June 1: honored veterans on Navajo Nation Memorial Day with wreath laying and flag refolding for Gold Star families
June 2: celebrated completion of the E-Fiber Broadband Project in Navajo Mountain — an $8 million investment in a nine-year, $17 million initiative connecting schools, Utah Navajo Health System facilities, and chapters; over $277 million in broadband investments span AZ, NM, and UT
Navajo Nation Silver Jackets Team, the first tribally led program in the U.S., won the USACE 2025 Silver Jackets Team of the Year Award; 21 flood-risk projects since March 2023
Navajo Homeowner Assistance Fund: $6.1 million to 48 homeowners in Q1 2026; 365 homeowners and $17.9 million since 2021. Ends Sept. 30, 2026 — Native Community Capital: (855) 628-2272 or nativecap.org

7. Major Projects

Eastern Agency senior centers: Church Rock nearing reopening pending OEH inspection; Casamero Lake reopened; Tohajiilee awaiting OEH inspection; Red Rock moving to bidding phase
May 28 leadership meeting with Hard Rock, Forest Lake, and Black Mesa: Routes 8031, N8027, and N41 paving (4.5-mile segment, 25-mile Pinon–Forest Lake connection), Rocky Ridge water access, ARPA projects for 58 homes, a Black Mesa water system for Yale Point, North Valley, and Oakridge, the Many Mules water system, a new chapter house, a veterans facility, and economic development
Youth rodeo clinics with Native Land Insurance featured Navajo athletes Derrick Begay, Danielle Lowman, Kassidy Dennison, Faith Holyan, Miles John, Bailey Bates, Erich Rogers, Ty Romo, and Aaron Tsinigine, with NFR qualifiers Shad Mayfield, Jake Barnes, Clay O'Brien Cooper, and Matt Sherwood
Five Navajo veterans received keys to new homes in Nazlini (2), Low Mountain, Cottonwood, and Naschitti; as of May 2026: 105 homes under construction, 24 awaiting utility connections, 20 turnkey homes ready, 101 home improvements underway

8. Meet and Greets

Joined the Nazlini Veterans Organization on Sunday for their annual Memorial Day Ceremony, "Our Nazlini Heroes Are Never Forgotten – Remembering Those Who Served"

9. Upcoming Events

Friday, June 5: Fort Defiance Chapter Treaty Day — trail ride 9 a.m. from the Navajo Nation Museum, Window Rock; song and dance 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; barbecue 3 p.m.; Barnyard Dance 6 p.m.–midnight

10. Closing: Thank you and tune in next week!

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This audio program and description are produced by the Navajo Nation Office of the President, which is responsible for its content.

Content Coordination: Kristin Carl and OPVP Media Team

Audio Editor: Byron C. Shorty