June 18, 2026

<p>Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren&#39;s Weekly Radio Address (in Diné Bizaad)</p><p>Thursday, June 18, 2026</p><p><br></p><p>1. Introduction</p><p><br></p><p>2. Juneteenth</p><ul><li>Juneteenth (June 19) commemorates the 1865 announcement of freedom to the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation</li><li>A day to honor resilience, reflect on progress, and reaffirm commitment to freedom, dignity, and equality for all</li></ul><p><br></p><p>3. Local Announcements</p><ul><li>Located: Alissandra Begay has been found and is safe</li><li>Located: Matthew Earl Etsitty has been located</li></ul><p><br></p><p>4. Frequently Asked Question of the Week</p><ul><li>The Navajo Nation Division of Behavioral and Mental Health Services in Window Rock provides counseling, therapy, crisis intervention, substance abuse treatment, traditional healing, and wellness programs</li><li>Contact: (928) 871-6240 or (928) 871-6235; after-hours crisis: (928) 551-0508</li></ul><p><br></p><p>5. Life Lesson</p><ul><li>Balance between the four directions and the connection of body and spirit is central to Navajo teaching</li><li>Seeking help is not weakness but a step toward restoring hózhǫ́; walking in beauty begins with caring for yourself</li></ul><p><br></p><p>6. Accomplishments</p><ul><li>NTEC distributed a record $5.5 million dividend to the Navajo Nation, a 74.6% increase from $3.15 million in September 2025; NTEC contributes $128 million through taxes, royalties, wages, and charitable giving, with total impact expected to exceed $136 million</li><li>Oak Springs broadband tower will bring wireless internet to over 320 households; the 180-foot tower is part of $50.8 million in NTIA Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program investments across the Navajo Nation</li><li>Broadband progress also includes towers in Nazlini and Low Mountain, fiber for 602 families in Ramah, completion of the Navajo Mountain fiber project, and satellite deployment for remote chapters</li><li>Chee Dodge Elementary access road project addresses traffic safety; Phase 1 used $1.5 million from New Mexico plus grants, the Navajo Nation allocated ~$900,000 through transportation legislation, and Phase 2 (~$700,000) targets completion before the school year</li><li>Lead waterline replacement completed for Window Rock USD through a $6 million forgivable loan from Arizona WIFA to NTUA, meeting EPA Lead and Copper Rule standards</li></ul><p><br></p><p>7. Major Projects</p><ul><li>Elevate Youth Program to receive a 12-passenger Ford Transit van through $63,631 in ARPA/Fiscal Recovery Funds; serves ~170 students annually in Window Rock ISD with mentoring, leadership, and adventure-based learning</li><li>Visited five CHID housing program homes in Lukachukai, Round Rock, and Rock Point on June 12; more than $100 million allocated through CHID and HIP, with 45+ homes coordinated with NTUA for electrical connections</li><li>Cameron Chapter House groundbreaking held June 17; $4.8 million in legislation signed May 2, 2024, for a new 4,500-sq.-ft. facility replacing two modular buildings used since the 1959 chapterhouse was demolished in August 2023</li><li>Joined the DCFS Job and Training Expo connecting people with careers, training, and resources; administration wage study increased employee pay to over $14/hour, and $2.2 million invested in the Summer Youth Employment Program</li></ul><p><br></p><p>8. Meet and Greets</p><ul><li>Joined cancer survivors at the Relay For Life in Gallup on June 13; emphasized NDOH early detection efforts and advocacy for RECA reauthorization for families affected by uranium exposure</li><li>Joined young leaders at the Diné Youth Summer Conference; Star Wars theme introduced students to robotics, drones, GIS, fiber optics, and AI</li></ul><p><br></p><p>9. Upcoming Events</p><p><br></p><p>10. Closing: Thank you and tune in next week!</p><p><br></p><p>###</p><p><br></p><p>This audio program and descript