WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The tensions between Navajo Nation leaders escalated in the early days of October as the disputes over the tribe’s fiscal year budget were volleyed back and forth.
CONTROLLER DISPUTES
On Oct. 8, the 25th Navajo Nation Council issued a press release formally recognizing Sean McCabe as the duly confirmed Controller of the Navajo Nation. The Council’s statement dismissed a letter issued a day earlier by President Buu Nygren, who sought to terminate McCabe from his position.
Council leaders stated that the President’s attempt to remove McCabe was done “without legal authority” and alleged it may have been done in retaliation to the Office of the Controller’s role in providing financial documentation regarding the Office of the President and Vice President’s reallocation of funds originally designated for missing persons services to cover presidential travel and operational expenses.
The Council said approximately $229,000 was redirected from the missing persons budget to the President’s travel account after his purchase card was deactivated due to insufficient funds. Speaker Crystalyne Curley criticized the move, stating the Council “will continue to uphold the lawful confirmation of the Controller” and protect financial oversight from political interference.
Nygren’s administration, however, maintains that McCabe previously resigned in July and was later reappointed as Interim Controller, making him subject to presidential oversight and removal. OPVP hasn’t issued a detailed public statement on the matter as of Oct. 9, but previous correspondence cited by the Council indicates that Nygren considered his actions lawful under executive authority.
In July, the Office of Legislative Counsel advised that only the Council may accept the resignation of the Controller, and that any interim appointment by the President requires concurrence from the Budget and Finance Committee. The Council maintains that McCabe’s resignation was never accepted, making Nygren’s termination letter legally invalid.
A BRIEF, TENSE PAUSE TO WIC
Prior to the resignation dispute, Curley issued a memo to Nygren on Oct. 7 urging his administration to take immediate action to expedite the processing and release of Women, Infants, and Children benefits following reports that vendors across the Navajo Nation were notified that WIC benefits that assist thousands of Navajo families were “temporarily paused until further notice.”
Curley’s memo urged OPVP and the Office of Management and Budget to prioritize and expedite all necessary reviews and fund releases to restore WIC operations without further delay.
“Prompt action by the administration is critical,” the memorandum stated. “Families should not shoulder the burden of internal processing issues when it comes to essential nutrition and health services.”
According to information shared with the Council, the Navajo Nation WIC Office has indicated that benefits were temporarily halted due to internal administrative delays within the Executive Branch. This interruption directly impacted approximately 4,200 recipients who depend on WIC assistance for infant formula, healthy food, and nutritional support.
The WIC Office also stated the proposed budget was submitted to the OMB in July and encountered numerous setbacks that has led to a delay in funding availability.
“With the federal government shutdown already creating uncertainty for many programs, this setback due to internal delays is disappointing. It is the President’s duty to have the Executive Branch expedite the funding process,” Curley said. “Families should not suffer from bureaucratic slowdowns within our own government, especially when it comes to nourishing infants and children.”
An Oct. 8 meeting proved productive, as WIC benefits were restored across the Navajo Nation that evening. The Council voiced its appreciation to all the workers who helped expedite this process.
“Families should never have to worry about losing access to essential nutrition programs,” Curley said. “We’re thankful these benefits are back in place for our people due to the dedication of the Navajo WIC Nutrition Program. We also thanks Bashas’ and all vendors across the Nation that provide nutrition for our families.”
OPVP issued its own statement thanking their staff for working to resolve this issue, and passed the ball back to the Council saying it’s time to pass the appropriate funding legislature.
“Without funding, we cannot fully provide the services our people rely on,” Nygren wrote on Facebook. “This includes school clothing support for our youth and operations at Diné Youth facilities.”
He also warned readers about the upcoming storm from the south, rain coming up from Hurricane Priscilla that is expected to reach the Navajo Nation around Oct. 10.
“Now it’s time for Council to fund critical programs and Department of Emergency Management before the storms hit — our people can’t wait any longer,” Nygren said. “This is not about politics. It’s about protecting and serving our people. I’m ready to sign any meaningful legislation that gets resources where they’re needed most.”
