By Jan-Mikael Patterson Navajo Times WINDOW ROCK – Six runners and four cyclists participated in this year’s Arizona Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on Thursday. The course traversed 11 miles from the top of the Summit, at the intersection of Navajo Route 2010 and Highway 264, to the Navajo Nation Veterans Memorial Park. “It’s to raise awareness for the Special Olympics and law enforcement agencies to participate (internationally),” said Samantha Yazzie, a criminal investigator with the Window Rock District. Yazzie has organized the run for 17 of her 24 years of service. About 2 ..read more

WINDOW ROCK – Vice President Richelle Montoya alleges she was sexually harassed during a meeting last August. With John L. Tsosie’s help and encouragement to write a statement detailing what happened in that meeting, the vice president described how she felt. Tsosie is President Buu Nygren’s former Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Task Force liaison. “I was not physically hurt,” Montoya said. “I’m OK. “But I was made to feel that I had no power to leave the room,” she added. “I was made to feel that what I was trying to accomplish didn’t mean anything. That I was less than––” The vice pr ..read more

By Jan- Mikael Patterson Navajo Times WINDOW ROCK – It did not take long after President Buu Nygren delivered his State of the Nation Address to come under fire from Delegate Vince James. After asking several follow-up questions to the address, James sternly voiced his concern. “I will not tolerate any disrespect to our Navajo women, our Navajo women’s leadership,” James said. “You are the president. You selected a woman to be your vice president. That is how you’re in the president’s seat.” James pointed out that recently another (male) delegate (intimidated) a (woman) delegate on the Council ..read more

By Jan-Mikael Patterson Navajo Times WINDOW ROCK – Six runners and four cyclists participated in this year’s Arizona Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on Thursday. The course traversed 11 miles from the top of the Summit, at the intersection of Navajo Route 2010 and Highway 264, to the Navajo Nation Veterans Memorial Park. “It’s to raise awareness for the Special Olympics and law enforcement agencies to participate (internationally),” said Samantha Yazzie, a criminal investigator with the Window Rock District. Yazzie has organized the run for 17 of her 24 years of service. About 2 ..read more

WINDOW ROCK – The SAT has allowed students to show colleges their potential in what they know, but since time has changed, the new digital SAT is a complete experience. Announced by the College Board in 2021, the digital SAT, known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, provides a shorter test with more time per question and an overall testing experience for students who some have said is “less stressful.” As of last month, the College Board completed the transition of the SAT Suite of Assessments to digital testing after the digital SAT launched internationally in March 2023, the Preliminary SAT/Na ..read more

WINDOW ROCK – Judge Deborah Ann Begay, known as Ann, continues to shimmer in Maricopa County’s Moon Valley Justice of the Peace in Phoenix. Begay became the first Native American to be elected as a judge in 2020 and was sworn in as justice of the peace in 2021. She believed she needed to do more for her people and to help those who came to her court to resolve an issue. “They made a mistake–hit a pitfall in life, which so many people do,” Begay said, “it is my job to help restore them to wholeness.” The two-spirit Lupton, Arizona, Diné said she treats those before her as customers in her court ..read more

Michael Manson COPPERMINE, Ariz. — Michael Manson, of Coppermine Arizona, passed away April 11, 2024, in Tucson, at the age of 64. He was born in Tuba City, to Carol Begay Manson and Johnny Manson. Michael Manson, 64 Michael was born into the Tsé Deeshgizhnii (Rock Gap Clan), born for Bįįh bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan). His cheii is Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House); nálí is Honágháahnii (one-walks-around). Michael served in the Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton. He was an artist his whole life, using his skill with woodworking to not only create art, but build homes, and help commu ..read more

Thoreau High sophomores want no uranium waste in their town Editor, We are writing to you today to gain essential exposure regarding the proposed uranium waste facility in Thoreau, New Mexico. Thoreau is situated on the Navajo Reservation, between Grants and Gallup. We have reached out to various authorities, including Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham, USEPA, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, NMED, Council delegates, chapter houses, and Holtec, the company responsible for constructing the nuclear waste facility in our town. From our understanding of the proposal, the plan involves transferring 50 ..read more

GALLUP – Window Rock’s Jayden Bia celebrated his 18th birthday Saturday by competing in the Angelo DiPaolo Invitational. The Window Rock senior ran the second leg in the 4×100 relay race as his relay team set a school record of 46.03 seconds. The unit, which consists of Aayanma Quimayoysie, Bia, Kanaan Marianito and Tyrone Sam, broke the previous school record of 46.13 seconds that had stood since 2015. Bia also took part in the boys long jump and javelin events with some success. He placed fourth in the long jump with a 17-feet, 4.5-inch effort and ninth in the javelin, throwing the spear 105 ..read more

WINDOW ROCK The annual Marilyn Sepulveda Meet of Champions is being held today at the UNM Track and Soccer Complex in Albuquerque. The all-star meet attracts the best track athletes in New Mexico regardless of class. The field events begin at 3 p.m. and the running finals will start at 5:15 p.m. Three athletes from Gallup High were invited to the prestigious meet, as athletes were selected based on their top marks and times this season. Senior Theodore Roundface qualified in the 1600-meter run while juniors Brady Thompson and Tiana Tom earned invitations in the throwing events. Tom made the sh ..read more