Buu Nygren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Buu Nygren
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Nygren in 2023
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| 10th President of the Navajo Nation | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2023 |
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| Vice President | Richelle Montoya |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Nez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 25, 1986 Blanding, Utah, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jasmine Blackwater |
| Education | Arizona State University (BS, MBA) University of Southern California (EdD) |
Buu Van Nygren, born on December 25, 1986, is an American politician. He is currently the 10th president of the Navajo Nation, a large Native American government. He took office on January 10, 2023.
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Early Life and Education
Buu Nygren was born in Blanding, Utah, on December 25, 1986. His mother is Navajo, and his father was from Vietnam. His mother gave him the last name Nygren, which was a misspelling of the Vietnamese name Nguyen.
He belongs to the Táchiiʼnii (Red Running into Water) clan of the Navajo people. Since his father was not Navajo, he is described as 'born for Vietnamese' in the Navajo clan system. He went to Red Mesa High School. Nygren studied at Arizona State University, earning a bachelor's degree and an MBA. He also earned a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Southern California.
Political Beginnings
Nygren first ran for office in the 2018 Navajo Nation presidential election. He was the running mate for Joe Shirley Jr. They lost that election to Jonathan Nez and Myron Lizer.
In the 2022 Navajo Nation presidential election, Nygren ran again. This time, his running mate was Richelle Montoya. They won the election with 34,890 votes. They defeated the team of Jonathan Nez and Myron Lizer, who received 31,339 votes.
Becoming President
Buu Nygren was sworn in as president on January 10, 2023. At 35 years old, he became the youngest person ever elected to lead the Navajo Nation.
As president, Buu Nygren has focused on several important issues for the Navajo Nation.
Protecting Cultural Heritage
President Nygren gained international attention in 2024. He spoke out against sending human remains to the Moon as part of a private space mission. Nygren stated that the Moon is sacred to the Navajo and other Native American nations. He believed sending human remains there would disrespect their spiritual beliefs. He also mentioned that NASA had worked with the Navajo on a mission in 1998. However, the 2024 mission was run by private companies, not NASA.
Securing Water Rights
In 2024, President Nygren's team completed important agreements about water rights. These agreements were made in Arizona and New Mexico. They help make sure Navajo communities have access to clean water for a long time.
Supporting Small Businesses
Under President Nygren's leadership, the Navajo Nation received $26 million from the U.S. Treasury. This money is part of the Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative. It aims to help grow the economy and support local business owners.
Working with Other Leaders
President Nygren has shown he is willing to work with leaders from different political parties. Even though he supported Kamala Harris in the past, he was one of the first Democrats to congratulate Donald Trump after the 2024 election. This shows his commitment to working with the current U.S. administration for the benefit of the Navajo people.
On December 30, 2024, President Nygren signed a new law. This law made the Navajo language the official language of the Navajo Nation. This step helps protect the Navajo culture and ensures the language is passed down to future generations.
Personal Life
Before becoming president, Buu Nygren worked in construction management. He is married to Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren, who used to be an Arizona state representative.
