Richelle Montoya | |
---|---|
11th Vice President of the Navajo Nation | |
Assumed office January 10, 2023 | |
President | Buu Nygren |
Preceded by | Myron Lizer |
Personal details | |
Spouse | Olsen Chee (sep. 2023) [1] |
Richelle Montoya is an American politician who is the 11th vice president of the Navajo Nation. [2] She is the first woman elected to the executive office of Navajo Nation. [2]
Montoya is from Torreon,Sandoval County,New Mexico and is Hashtł'ishnii (Mud clan) and born for Ta'neeszahnii (Tangle clan). [3] Her maternal grandfather is Kinłichii'nii (Red House clan),and her paternal grandfather is Táchii'nii (Red Running into Water clan). [4]
She served as the president of the Torreon/Star Lake Chapter and is a member of the Na’Neelzhiin Ji Olta’Inc. board. [5] In August 2022,Montoya was selected as the running mate of Buu Nygren during the 2022 Navajo Nation presidential election. [6]
Montoya is an advocate for the usage of the Navajo language. [4]
She was married to U.S. Army veteran Olsen Chee. [5] The pair separated in August 2023. [1]
On April 16,2024,Montoya accused Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren of sexually harassing her during a meeting in August 2023. [7] This allegation followed a month after a former Nygren staffer accused Montoya of sexually harassing him during a January 2023 incident. [7] Nygren has denied the allegation and in a June 14,2024 press release,accused the chapters calling for his administrative leave of politically ulterior motives. [8] The allegation is currently being investigated by the Navajo Nation Attorney General's office. [9] In October 2024,Nygren announced that Montoya's responsibilities as vice president had been reduced and he suggested she resign from her position. [10]
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The Navajo Nation,also known as Navajoland,is an Indian reservation of Navajo people in the United States. It occupies portions of northeastern Arizona,northwestern New Mexico,and southeastern Utah. The seat of government is located in Window Rock,Arizona.
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The Navajo are a Native American people of the Southwestern United States.
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The 2022 Navajo Nation presidential election took place on Tuesday,November 8,2022,to elect the president and vice president of the Navajo Nation. The primary election was held on August 2. Incumbent president Jonathan Nez ran for reelection with attorney Chad Abeyta as his running mate. Incumbent Vice President Myron Lizer did not seek re-election,instead running for U.S. House in Arizona. Nez and Abeyta advanced to the general election,as did the challenging ticket of construction manager Buu Nygren and Torreon/Star Lake Chapter President Richelle Montoya. Nygren and Montoya won the general election by a 6-point margin,and Montoya became the Navajo Nation's first female vice president.
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