WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren abruptly exited the Council Chamber July 21 during the State of the Navajo Nation Address, in an attempt to evade critical questions related to ZenniHome.
ZenniHome announced that the company would end housing operations on the Navajo Nation July 14, days after notice that an application will be filed with the Judicial Branch to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate potential unethical or illegal conduct related to a contract with Indigenous Design Studio + Architects and a subcontract with ZenniHome.
The Budget and Finance Committee approved legislation calling for formal investigatory hearings and issued a directive to the Office of the Auditor General to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit into the matter.
During the report during the July 21 opening day of the Summer Session, Council members stated that concerns and questions continue to mount from Navajo constituents and communities, regarding the Nygren Administration’s involvement with ZenniHome.
“The Council has a duty to ensure that any agreements involving outside entities, especially those affecting the livelihood of our people, are held to the highest standards of transparency,” Speaker Crystalyne Curley stated in a July 21 press release. “The President walking out on the Council and the Navajo people is very disappointing and disrespectful. It only adds to the questions being raised.”
Council delegates pressed for clarity and transparency on the scope of ZenniHome’s contract including procurement processes, potential conflicts of interest, sole sourcing, and questionable changes in work orders that reduced the amount of homes that were to be built and delivered.
The Council approved a directive calling on Executive Branch offices to provide a copy of the master contract, directing the Department of Justice to research whether or not ZenniHome and IDSA breached their contract, and directing the Office of the President and Vice President and the Division of Community Development to provide a report on efforts to support the families that will not receive homes.
In addition, the directive also calls on OPVP to correct errors and misstatements in the State of the Navajo Nation Address. Specifically, OPVP shall omit language under the “Budget Message” portion of the written report and update and confirm all financial figures with the Office of the Controller.
The directive requirements are due to the Council by July 22 at 12 pm.
The July 21 action by Nygren marks the second time he has abruptly left the Council Chamber in the middle of the State of the Navajo Nation Address. He has also failed to appear to present the State of the Navajo Nation Address on four separate occasions.
The Council voted 16-0 to table the State of the Navajo Nation Address, providing another opportunity for Nygren to return during the Summer Council Session to complete his report.
