May 7, 2026

<p>Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren's Weekly Radio Address (in Diné Bizaad)</p><p>Thursday, May 7, 2026</p><p><br /></p><p>1. Introduction</p><p><br /></p><p>2. National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People</p><ul><li>Monday marked the National Day of Awareness for MMIP. On the Navajo Nation, 241 missing persons cases have been identified.</li><li>We remember Ashlynn Mike, Ella Mae Begay, Maleeka "Mullie" Boone, Zachariah Shorty, and every family still searching.</li><li>OPVP established a Missing and Murdered Diné Relatives liaison, is building a data system with NTU, and committed $5M to search efforts and public safety.</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>3. Local Announcements</p><ul><li>Missing person: Sequoia Cleveland, 17, last seen Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Gallup, NM. Contact 505-786-2050 with any information.</li><li>Located: Natasha June Wilson has been found and is safe.</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>4. Frequently Asked Question of the Week</p><ul><li>Q: When do Navajo Nation Scholarship & Financial Assistance applications open?</li><li>2025–2026 year: opens March 15, 2025; closes June 25, 2025, 5 pm MDT. Winter/Spring 2026: opens Sept. 25, 2025; closes Nov. 25, 2025, 5 pm MST.</li><li>Required: online application, transcripts, FAFSA, Financial Need Analysis, admission letter. New applicants need a Certificate of Indian Blood; some also need a degree checklist or class schedule.</li><li>Submit by mail, hand-delivery, or certified e-transcripts.</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>5. Life Lesson</p><ul><li>Education is a path to sovereignty, identity, and balance — rooted in Sa'ah Naagháí Bik'eh Hózhóón.</li><li>As Chief Manuelito described, education is the ladder — lifting individuals and pushing the Nation toward opportunity and harmony.</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>6. Accomplishments</p><ul><li>Low Mountain South Broadband Tower completed April 16, 2026. Began Nov. 2020 (CARES Act), restarted 2022 (NTIA). Investment: $1M+ ($830K tower, $54K power, $153K transport, $390K equipment). Part of $50M initiative reaching 3,400+ homes.</li><li>Ramah Senior Center legislation signed (CAP-27-26), allocating $7,423,149.02 from the Síhasin Fund. The original $184M package did not include Ramah; this corrects that gap. Appreciation to Delegate Norman Begay.</li><li>Dept. of Child Care and Development received 23 new vehicles. Recognition to Ms. Deannah Nezwood-Gishey and Shiprock team.</li><li>Justice Day commemorated, honoring the judicial system established in 1959. Key projects: modular holding facilities (Shiprock, Fort Defiance), Kayenta Judicial Complex, Tsehootsoi Judicial Public Safety Center, Tohatchi Public Safety Complex.</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>7. Major Projects</p><ul><li>FY 2027 Budget: calling for collaboration among all three branches. FY 2025 operated under a Continuing Resolution impacting 112 Chapters; FY 2026 required 16 legislative corrections. Legislation No. 0091-2026 proposes reducing the Executive Branch base by $897,597 while increasing Legislative and Judicial.</li><li>Ramah fiscal authority: letter signed supporting RNCOGC becoming its own fiscal agent for NM capital projects per Senate Bill 579.</li><li>NTUA began a 115kV transmission line between Bitahochee and Dilkon, AZ — 12.64 miles, May–Dec 2026.</li><li>Ramah Water Project: $10.1M Síhasin Fund investment (CD-55-22) to replace the drinking water system. Legislative options being explored to extend encumbrance deadline.</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>8. Meet and Greets</p><ul><li>President Nygren ran the full Shiprock Marathon; First Lady Jasmine Blackwater Nygren completed the half marathon — together promoting healthy living across the Nation.</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>9. Upcoming Events</p><ul><li>Older Americans Month Elder Fest events:</li><li>May 7 — Sanostee Senior Center, 9:30 a.m.</li><li>May 14 — Bahastl'ah (Twin Lakes) Senior Center, 9:00 a.m.</li><li>May 20 — Blue Gap Senior Center, 10:00 a.m.</li><li>May 21 — Crownpoint, NM (NTU Wellness Cente