Richelle Montoya is an American politician who is the 11th vice president of the Navajo Nation. She is the first woman elected to the executive office of Navajo Nation. Montoya is from Torreon, Sandoval County, New Mexico and is Hashtł'ishnii (Mud clan) and born for Ta'neeszahnii (Tangle clan). Her maternal grandfather is Kinłichii'nii (Red House clan), and her paternal grandfather is Táchii'nii (Red Running into Water clan). She served as the president of the Torreon/Star Lake

Chapter Chapter or Chapters may refer to: Books * Chapter (books), a main division of a piece of writing or document * Chapter book, a story book intended for intermediate readers, generally age 7–10 * Chapters (bookstore), Canadian big box bookstore ...

and is a member of the Na’ Neelzhiin Ji Olta’ Inc. board. In August 2022, Montoya was selected as the running mate of

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 Vietnam ...

during the 2022 Navajo Nation presidential election. Montoya is an advocate for the usage of the

Navajo language Navajo or Navaho ( ; Navajo: or ) is a Southern Athabaskan languages, Southern Athabaskan language of the Na-Dene languages, Na-Dené family, through which it is related to languages spoken across the western areas of North America. Navajo i ...

. She was married to

U.S. Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of the United Stat ...

veteran Olsen Chee. The pair separated in August 2023. On April 16, 2024, Montoya accused Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren of sexually harassing her during a meeting in August 2023. This allegation followed a month after a former Nygren staffer accused Montoya of sexually harassing him during a January 2023 incident. Nygren has denied the allegation and in a June 14, 2024 press release, accused the

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calling for his administrative leave of politically ulterior motives. The allegation is currently being investigated by the Navajo Nation Attorney General's office. In October 2024, Nygren announced that Montoya's responsibilities as vice president had been reduced and he suggested she resign from her position.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Montoya, Richelle Living people Year of birth missing (living people) Place of birth missing (living people) 21st-century American women politicians 21st-century Native American women 21st-century Native American politicians Vice presidents of the Navajo Nation Native American women in politics Women in New Mexico politics Native American people from New Mexico 21st-century American politicians People from Sandoval County, New Mexico