Harassment probe appears to clear Navajo president, stokes new wave of political upheaval
SANTA FE, N.M. — Political unrest erupted Monday in one of the largest Native American tribes in the U.S. when the attorney general of the Navajo Nation announced that an investigation had cleared the Navajo president of allegations of sexual harassment by the vice president.
On the same day, Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch was removed from office by lawmakers by the Navajo Nation Council by a vote of 13-6 without public discussion.
The tribe has been embroiled in political turmoil since April, when Navajo Vice President Richelle Montoya publicly raised allegations of intimidation and sexual harassment against President Buu Nygren, stemming from interactions during an August 2023 meeting in Nygren’s office.
The results of an investigation by outside counsel into the harassment allegations were announced in a Branch news release Monday morning.
The investigation found that the “incident does not constitute sexual harassment under the policies applicable to elected officials or employees of the Navajo Nation,” and that further investigation was not warranted.
“The reported facts would not violate any criminal law of the Navajo Nation,” an excerpt of the findings said.
Nygren expressed his justification, describing the “need to heal from this and focus on moving forward.” But he also warned that the resignation of the attorney general without clear explanation sends a message of political instability, with consequences for major government projects.
Branch, a Harvard-educated attorney who previously served as attorney general under Navajo President Russell Begaye, recently worked on a proposed settlement that would guarantee water rights for the Navajo Nation and two other tribes in the drought-stricken Southwest and regulatory focus safe transport of radioactive materials about the reservation.
Navajo Vice President Michelle Montoya said she would like to read the full investigative report when it is publicly released, and that she has heard of an “avalanche” of people who have suffered harassing behavior in tribal government workplaces.
“Then I know what definition they used to say I was not sexually harassed,” Montoya said. “I know the Council and the people of the Navajo Nation are frustrated by this investigation.”
Branch said she was “pleased that no stone was left unturned in seeking evidence of possible misconduct” in the harassment investigation by outside counsel.
“I do not believe it is in the best interest of the (Navajo) nation to continue to spend the nation’s money on allegations that, even if found true, would not amount to any violation of Navajo law” , Branch said. “I encourage any Navajo employee who feels they have been a victim of sexual harassment to report it.”
But Branch also announced the termination of the law firm’s contracts for outside counsel in the harassment investigation, expressing frustration over an “inordinate delay” in completing the investigation that “increased the instability in the Navajo government created by the accusations were caused, aggravated’.