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

Thursday, May 28, 2026

1. Introduction

2. Treaty Day — June 1, 1868

Treaty Day commemorates the 1868 Treaty that ended forced relocation and allowed the Navajo people to return home
In 1864, tens of thousands endured the "Long Walk" to eastern New Mexico, suffering hunger, disease, and death at Bosque Redondo
The Treaty made the Navajo Nation one of few Indigenous nations to reclaim their ancestral homeland — a symbol of resilience, sovereignty, and enduring identity

3. Local Announcements

Shout-outs: Jimmy and Nevey Francisco (Vander Wagen), Liam Yazzie of the 12U Scouts Baseball (Farmington), the Crosby family (Hogback), the Benallys (Sheep Springs), and Athena B Badonie, 98 years old (White Cone Chapter)
Located: Ariel Begay, Orlando Christopher Paisano, and Burnett Brown have been found and are safe

4. Frequently Asked Question of the Week

Eligible individuals are encouraged to file RECA claims at https://reca.justice.gov/
Eligible: uranium workers in mining, milling, core drilling, ore transport, or remediation (1942–1990); Downwinders also encouraged to apply
Deadline: December 31, 2027. Register online, complete the application, click "Submit My Claim." You may need medical records, proof of presence/employment, and ID
Free help: Office of Navajo Uranium Workers, 2644 Yucca St., Shiprock, NM; community reps also available
NN Uranium Workers Program: 505-368-1260 (Mon–Fri, 8–5 MT) | RECA Help Line: 1-800-729-7327 (Mon–Fri, 8–5 ET)

5. Life Lesson

Mental health is about learning when to rest, ask for help, and give yourself grace — healing begins when we speak honestly about what we feel
Take care of your mind the way you care for your body; your thoughts, emotions, and spirit deserve attention, compassion, and time to heal

6. Accomplishments

On May 26, announced $14.70/hour minimum wage for all NN offices; over 1,200 personnel actions processed under new salary schedules from the REDW compensation study
On May 27, toured the nearly completed $37M Capital Vue Apartments in Window Rock — 60 units (phase one), 10 units (phase two), funded by NHA Indian Housing Block Grant; completion by July 2026
On May 27, visited the $3.6M Indian Wells C-store site funded by the Permanent Trust Fund; Red Mesa Trading facility will include C-store, gas station, deli, and post office along Hwy 77, creating 10–15 jobs
On May 22, NDCFS joined Little Singer Community School in Birdsprings for a sixth-grade promotion with a "Healing through Culture" moccasin making project led by Albert Chase

7. Major Projects

Led Navajo language read-aloud events at Naschitti and Nizhoni Elementary with Save the Children, reading "Jóhonaa'éí: Bringer of Dawn" by Veronica Tsinajinnie
NDOT and NN Washington Office completed two days of Congressional meetings on tribal transportation, including the BUILD America 250 Act with tribal bridge funding and streamlined exclusions
AZ Long Term Care System completed 56 home visits; Developmental Disabilities Program completed 13 visits for members in the State DDD provider transition
Fleet Management registered 47 new vehicles for Natural Resources divisions including Facility Maintenance and Fish and Wildlife

8. Meet and Greets

On Memorial Day, attended the White Cone Veterans Organization event honoring fallen warriors with flag ceremonies by WCVO and Tewa Veterans

9. Upcoming Events

May 29–31: Home of the Navajo PRCA Rodeo at Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena, Window Rock — competitions, youth events, carnival; selected as a 2026 Cheyenne Frontier Days qualifier

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

###

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