https://www.facebook.com/385075208370232/

Tachinii Seams, Taos, NM (2026)

10/25/2024

Craft fair tomorrow

07/22/2024

President Buu Nygren advocates for Navajo people in White House meeting on Office of Navajo-Hopi Indian Relocation

WASHINGTON – Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren met with White House officials this week to seek the appointment of a commissioner for the Office of Navajo-Hopi Indian Relocation in Flagstaff.

"The Nation does not want ONHIR to close,” he said. “We seek its reform and proper funding to achieve our goals.”

Speaking to White House Senior Domestic Policy Special Assistant Anthony “Morgan” Rodman and Director of Tribal Affairs Rose Petoskey here Tuesday, President Nygren thanked them for their continued commitment to work in advocacy for thousands of Navajo people impacted by forced relocation resulting from the 1974 Navajo-Hopi Relocation Act.

President Nygren reiterated three key requests to the White House: the approval of an appointed commissioner by President Biden, the future status of the ONHIR office, and a potential visit from President Biden or Vice President Harris to the Navajo Nation.

He provided a historical context on the creation of relocation office. The Relocation Act mandated the removal of Navajo and Hopi families from their ancestral lands.

"This was the largest removal of U.S. citizens since the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II,” President Nygren said. “Nearly 16,000 Navajos and 100 Hopis were relocated."

He said the position of relocation commissioner has been vacant since 1994, with the agency being led by Executive Director Chris Bavasi ever since.

"Me, my predecessor Jonathan Nez, and other Navajo Nation Presidents have repeatedly called on the White House to appoint an ONHIR Commissioner, he said. “It is time for this call to be answered."

The President said he would like to see action on current efforts and requests, including pursuing another report by the Government Accounting Office on why the U.S. President has not appointed a commissioner.

He said a need continues for the relocation office to remain operational.

"We request that the President appoint a commissioner with a mandate to faithfully carry out the relocation with care and humanity, working closely with the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe," President Nygren said.

He asked that funding for the office continue for the next 10 years to ensure the relocation process is brought to a just and humane conclusion.

President Nygren reaffirmed his commitment to work collaboratively with the White House until relocation impacts are addressed and resolved.

"Together, we can address these longstanding issues to ensure that the Navajo people affected by the relocation receive the justice and support they deserve."