Buu Nygren

Buu Van Nygren (born December 25, 1986) is a Navajo politician currently serving as the 10th President of the Navajo Nation.

Early life

Nygren was born on December 25, 1986, in Blanding, Utah. His mother is Navajo and his father is of Vietnamese descent. His mother gave birth to him at 15 and he never knew his father. When giving him a last name his mother misspelled the Vietnamese last name Nguyen as Nygren.

Nygren is Táchiiʼnii (Red Running into Water clan). As his father is not Navajo, he has no paternal clan and is therefore said to be ''born for Vietnamese'' when his clans are named. He attended Red Mesa High School.

Nygren was the running mate of Joe Shirley Jr. in the 2018 Navajo Nation presidential election, losing to Jonathan Nez and Myron Lizer. In the 2022 election, Nygren and running mate Richelle Montoya received 34,890 votes, defeating the Nez-Abeyta campaign who received 31,339 votes. He was sworn in on January 10, 2023. At 35 years of age, Nygren is the youngest person to have been elected President of the Navajo Nation.

President of the Navajo Nation (2023–present)

Nygren received international media attention when he protested human remains being sent to the Moon as part of Peregrine Mission One. Nygren claimed that the moon is the "heritage" of the Navajo and other Indian nations and that sending human remains would desecrate Indian spiritual property. Nygren also stated that NASA had coordinated with the Navajo on the 1998 Lunar Prospector mission, however, NASA has no jurisdiction over Peregrine as it is both launched and operated by private companies.

Historic Water Rights Settlements (2024)

In 2024, President Nygren's administration finalized significant water rights settlements in Arizona and New Mexico, securing long-term access to clean water for Navajo communities.

Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative

Under President Nygren's leadership, the Navajo Nation secured $26 million from the U.S. Treasury through the Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative, aimed at bolstering economic development and supporting local entrepreneurs.

Public Concerns

In August 2024, a petition to recall President Nygren was initiated by a group of organizers citing concerns about his administration’s follow-through on campaign promises, financial management, and workplace environment. The effort drew public attention, prompting dialogue about governance and accountability within the Navajo Nation.

Bipartisan Engagement

Although President Nygren previously endorsed and campaigned for Kamala Harris, he was among the first elected Democrats to extend congratulations to Donald Trump following the 2024 election, reflecting his commitment to working with the current administration in service of the Navajo people.

Official Recognition of the Navajo Language

On December 30, 2024, President Nygren signed legislation making the Navajo language the official language of the Navajo Nation, promoting cultural preservation and intergenerational language transmission.

Sexual harassment allegation

On April 16, 2024, Nygren was accused by Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya, his 2022 running mate, of sexually harassing her during a meeting in August 2023. The President's office has previously been accused of fostering a culture of sexual abuse and violence towards women staffers. This followed a separate accusation a month earlier in which a former male staffer accused Montoya of sexual harassment in January 2023.

Nygren has denied the allegations and accused the Navajo Times of discrediting his administration. In May 2024, three Navajo Nation Chapters drafted a resolution calling to place Nygren and several assistants on administrative leave. On June 14, 2024, Nygren issued a press release alleging the drafters of political motives.

The accusation was investigated by the Navajo Nation Attorney General's office.

The Navajo Nation Attorney General's office concluded that Montoya’s claims did not meet the criteria for sexual harassment or criminal conduct, and no further investigation or special prosecutor is warranted.

Personal life

Nygren has worked in construction management. He is married to former Arizona state representative Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nygren, Buu
1986 births
21st-century American politicians
21st-century Native American politicians
American politicians of Vietnamese descent
Living people
Native American people from Arizona
Native American skateboarders
People from San Juan County, Utah
Presidents of the Navajo Nation