June 25, 2026

<p>Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren&#39;s Weekly Radio Address (in Diné Bizaad)</p><p>Thursday, June 25, 2026</p><p><br></p><p>1. Introduction</p><p><br></p><p>2. LGBTQ+ Equality Day</p><ul><li>June 26 is LGBTQ+ Equality Day, a reminder that every person deserves dignity, respect, and the opportunity to live free from discrimination</li><li>As Diné people, we speak of kinship and caring for one another; despite differing beliefs, we remain one family with a shared responsibility to treat each other with kindness and compassion</li><li>Strong communities are built when people feel valued, heard, and welcomed; by finding common ground, we strengthen our families, our Nation, and our future</li></ul><p><br></p><p>3. Local Announcements</p><ul><li>Radio shout out: Jennie Pete from Huerfano, celebrating 101 years old</li><li>Shout out to Sally Yabeny from the Shiprock RBDO for her work on the NTUA lease at Red Mesa</li><li>Located: Elias Nelson has been found and is safe</li><li>Located: Bernard James has been found and is safe</li><li>Missing person: Brianna Lynn Benally, 21, last heard from Friday, May 15, 2026, experiencing homelessness in Phoenix, Arizona. Contact: 928-657-8075</li></ul><p><br></p><p>4. Life Lesson</p><ul><li>June is Ya&#39;iishjáásh Chilí, the time of planting early crops; planting requires faith and patience, and like seeds growing unseen, our goals often begin small with progress happening even when we cannot see it</li><li>Every positive action is a seed; whether building a career, strengthening family, or serving community, the effort we invest today shapes tomorrow&#39;s harvest</li></ul><p><br></p><p>5. Frequently Asked Question of the Week</p><p><br></p><p>6. Accomplishments</p><ul><li>Grand opening of the $16 million NTUA Red Mesa District Office, expanding service in the Utah Navajo region; funded by $2.5 million in New Markets and $13.5 million in USDA RUS loans; designed by Dyron Murphy Architects, built by Arviso Construction</li><li>NTUA&#39;s Red Mesa Tapaha Solar Farm, a 72-megawatt project on 500+ acres in Red Mesa Chapter, expanded renewable energy on Navajo land</li><li>Encouraged youth at the Shiprock Summer Youth Enrichment Conference for ages 14 to 23; theme &quot;Arise and Soar&quot; focused on leadership, workforce readiness, and cultural awareness</li><li>Ribbon cutting for the $7,295,462.88 N55 Highway Rehabilitation in Alamo: 8.26 miles of BIA Route N55 rehabilitated; awarded to Mountain States Constructors and completed June 19, ahead of schedule</li><li>Visited a family in Black Mesa who received electricity through NTUA&#39;s Light Up Navajo program and a bathroom addition through the Division of Community Development</li></ul><p><br></p><p>7. Major Projects</p><ul><li>Traveled to Red Valley and Cove on June 18 to deliver food boxes to elders through DALTCS</li><li>Visited NDOT crews on Road N15 repairing potholes; $400+ million approved for roads, 6,000+ potholes filled, 74 new employees hired; partnering with Workforce Development and UNM-Gallup for CDL training</li><li>Aviation Summit highlighted the new Navajo Aviation Unit, unifying Air Transportation and Airports Management to strengthen operations and infrastructure planning</li><li>Crownpoint Modular Office Building advances; site prep complete for the facility replacing five existing offices, with delivery coordination underway through CPMD under Marta Quintana</li></ul><p><br></p><p>8. Meet and Greets</p><ul><li>Honored Senior Police Officer JoDonna Salt upon retirement after 20+ years with Navajo Nation Police in the Kayenta District; Officer Salt will continue public service with Arizona Department of Public Safety</li></ul><p><br></p><p>9. Upcoming Events</p><ul><li>Miss Navajo Nation&#39;s 1st Annual Fluted Rock Half and Full Marathon in Kinlichee, Arizona; hosted by Miss Navajo Nation 2025-2026 Camille J. Uentillie, Rocky Mountain Timing, and Navajo YES; Full Marathon at 6:30 a.m., Half Marathon at 7:00 a.m.; conta