Navajo VP Richelle Montoya Demands Transparency in Sexual Harassment Investigation

Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya has publicly called for the release of a full report detailing the investigation into her sexual harassment allegations against President Buu Nygren. Following the announcement that the inquiry would not proceed further, Montoya expressed her desire to understand the basis for this conclusion.

“I expect to receive a full copy of the investigation report to come to my own conclusions,” she stated. Montoya is particularly interested in understanding which Navajo Nation laws influenced this decision. She emphasized that she will not accept the investigation’s summary provided in a press release, stating she has been informed that the complete report will be available to the public after being submitted to Navajo leadership.

However, Montoya remains uncertain if she qualifies as part of that leadership. Following the termination of Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch on Monday, she reached out for the full report but has yet to receive a response.

The independent investigation, which lasted eight months, concluded that the incidents described by Montoya did not amount to sexual harassment according to the Navajo Nation’s policies. Investigators noted, “Vice President Montoya’s recounting of the August 17, 2023, incident does not constitute sexual harassment under policies applicable to either Navajo Nation elected officials or employees.”

The investigation was initiated in April after Montoya voiced her concerns regarding harassment and bullying within the Navajo Nation’s Office of the President and Vice President. During a session on April 15, she disclosed her experiences, later elaborating during a Facebook Live event.

Montoya alleged that she was sexually harassed during the August incident, a claim confirmed by Nygren in a May press conference. In reaction to the investigation’s findings, she remarked that such outcomes risk trivializing harassment claims made by high-ranking tribal officials.

“President Nygren did harass me that day in his office, and he has been harassing me every day since,” Montoya stated, indicating a pattern of behavior that has allegedly fostered a hostile work environment.

Nygren responded to the allegations, branding them a “disgraceful power grab” aimed at undermining his presidency. In an interview with the Arizona Mirror, Montoya dismissed that assertion, affirming her commitment to her role as vice president without any ambition for the presidency.

Despite ongoing tensions, Montoya continues to conduct her duties from her office at the capitol in Window Rock. She reported minimal interactions with Nygren since April and refuted any thoughts of resigning, a proposition he previously suggested.

“I still do my job,” she said, reaffirming her dedication to her elected role. Montoya is focusing on critical issues such as addressing missing and murdered Indigenous relatives and pushing for policy updates to safeguard those employed by the Navajo Nation.

She acknowledged the challenges she faced in reporting the August incident, noting a lack of guidance or support from legal advisors within the Navajo Nation government. “Nobody knew what to do,” she lamented, highlighting the need for clearer sexual harassment policies.

Montoya reported receiving numerous accounts from individuals sharing their own experiences with harassment. She expressed disappointment that the findings of the investigation did not reflect the gravity of the issue, a sentiment she believes resonates with many others who struggle to have their experiences validated.

“I know what I saw that day,” she asserted, urging others to feel believed and supported as they navigate their own experiences with harassment.