Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren's Weekly Radio Address (in Diné Bizaad)

Thursday, September 18, 2025

1. Introduction

2. Upcoming Holidays and Appreciation Day

• Welcome Fall! Autumn Equinox arrives September 22
• Time of balance when day and night are nearly equal
• Season of changing leaves, harvest festivals, and cooler weather

3. Local Announcements

• Missing person: Jonathan Micheal Nelson, 39, last seen August 13 in Albuquerque, NM
• Missing person: Antonio Kinlicheene, 23, last seen August 29 in Tsaile, AZ
• Missing person: Terena Benallie, 13, last contact September 9 in Shiprock, NM
• Located: Amber Pinto has been found and is safe
• Located: Alyssa Bernice Martinez has been found and is safe
• Located: Alex T. Begay has been found and is safe

4. Frequently Asked Question of the Week

• When is President visiting our community?
• President aims to visit all 110 chapters in 2025
• Contact the President's Office for event invitations at 928-871-7000

5. Life Lesson

• Every morning gives us a new page to write on
• Focus on kindness, gratitude, and courage to shape our days
• Small acts of encouragement can spark hope in others

6. Accomplishments

• NAPI resuming September food distributions to chapter houses (potatoes, beans, flour, cornmeal)
• Tornado damage assessment in Aneth, Utah following September 13 incident
• $108 million federal investment in Tribally Controlled Colleges (109% increase)
• Fire restrictions lifted across Navajo Nation following improved conditions

7. Major Projects

• $14.6 million road project groundbreaking in Toadlena and Two Grey Hills
• Fiscal Year 2026 budget message and Council amendment process
• $80,134.89 environmental remediation contract for former Mora's Gas Station in Ganado
• Historic $259 million broadband funding secured ($111M New Mexico, $148M Arizona)
• Homeland Security meeting on cybersecurity and immigration issues

8. Meet and Greets

• OneLife Institute students visit during gap year service learning program
• Meeting with Congressman Eli Crane on Code Talkers and water protection
• Meeting with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree on law enforcement and public health
• Meeting with Senator Mark Kelly on Northern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement

9. Upcoming Events

• Chuska Challenge Mountain Bike Festival & Race on Saturday, September 20 at 10:00 AM
• Event promotes outdoor recreation and environmental awareness in Chooshgai Mountains
• More information available at navajoyes.org/events/chuska-challenge/

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