← Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren28 May · 20 min

May 28, 2026

May 28, 202628 May20 min

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Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren's Weekly Radio Address (in Diné Bizaad) Thursday, May 28, 2026 1. Introduction 2. Treaty Day — June 1, 1868<ul><li>Treaty Day commemorates the 1868 Treaty that ended forced relocation and allowed the Navajo people to return home</li><li>In 1864, tens of thousands endured the "Long Walk" to eastern New Mexico, suffering hunger, disease, and death at Bosque Redondo</li><li>The Treaty made the Navajo Nation one of few Indigenous nations to reclaim their ancestral homeland — a symbol of resilience, sovereignty, and enduring identity</li></ul> 3. Local Announcements<ul><li>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)</li><li>Located: Ariel Begay, Orlando Christopher Paisano, and Burnett Brown have been found and are safe</li></ul> 4. Frequently Asked Question of the Week<ul><li>Eligible individuals are encouraged to file RECA claims at <a href="https://reca.justice.gov/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://reca.justice.gov/</a></li><li>Eligible: uranium workers in mining, milling, core drilling, ore transport, or remediation (1942–1990); Downwinders also encouraged to apply</li><li>Deadline: December 31, 2027. Register online, complete the application, click "Submit My Claim." You may need medical records, proof of presence/employment, and ID</li><li>Free help: Office of Navajo Uranium Workers, 2644 Yucca St., Shiprock, NM; community reps also available</li><li>NN Uranium Workers Program: 505-368-1260 (Mon–Fri, 8–5 MT) | RECA Help Line: 1-800-729-7327 (Mon–Fri, 8–5 ET)</li></ul> 5. Life Lesson<ul><li>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</li><li>Take care of your mind the way you care for your body; your thoughts, emotions, and spirit deserve attention, compassion, and time to heal</li></ul> 6. Accomplishments<ul><li>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</li><li>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</li><li>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</li><li>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</li></ul> 7. Major Projects<ul><li>Led Navajo language read-aloud events at Naschitti and Nizhoni Elementary with Save the Children, reading "Jóhonaa'éí: Bringer of Dawn" by Veronica Tsinajinnie</li><li>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</li><li>AZ Long Term Care System completed 56 home visits; Developmental Disabilities Program completed 13 visits for members in the State DDD provider transition</li><li>Fleet Management registered 47 new vehicles for Natural Resources divisions including Facility Maintenance and Fish and Wildlife</li></ul> 8. Meet and Greets<ul><li>On Memorial Day, attended the White Cone Veterans Organization event honoring fallen warriors with flag ceremonies by WCVO and Tewa Veterans</li></ul> 9. Upcoming Events<ul><li>May 29–31: Home of the Navajo PRCA