Richelle Montoya Explained
Richelle Montoya is an American politician who is the 11th vice president of the Navajo Nation.[1] She is the first woman elected to the executive office of Navajo Nation.
Montoya is from Torreon, Sandoval County, New Mexico and is Hashtł'ishnii (Mud clan) and born for Ta'neeszahnii (Tangle clan).[2] Her maternal grandfather is Kinłichii'nii (Red House clan), and her paternal grandfather is Táchii'nii (Red Running into Water clan).[3]
She served as the president of the Torreon/Star Lake Chapter and is a member of the Na’ Neelzhiin Ji Olta’ Inc. board.[4] In August 2022, Montoya was selected as the running mate of Buu Nygren during the 2022 Navajo Nation presidential election.[5]
Montoya is an advocate for the usage of the Navajo language.
She was married to U.S. Army veteran Olsen Chee. The pair separated in August 2023.[6]
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. 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]
Notes and References
- News: November 9, 2022 . Indigenous leaders elected . 2022-11-10 . Ict News . en.
- Web site: Silversmith . Shondiin . Navajo voters elect Buu Nygren as president, ousting Jonathan Nez . 2022-11-10 . Longview News-Journal . en . 2022-11-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221110192229/https://www.news-journal.com/navajo-voters-elect-buu-nygren-as-president-ousting-jonathan-nez/article_6bf16e5e-3f48-5380-9e04-ef52e6c59d45.html . dead .
- Web site: Silversmith . Shondiin . Buu Nygren becomes youngest Navajo president, Richelle Montoya becomes the first woman VP . 2023-01-12 . Tucson Sentinel . en-US.
- Web site: Krisst . Rima . 2022-08-11 . Aiming for balance: Nygren picks Richelle Montoya-Chee as running mate . 2022-11-10 . Navajo Times . en-US.
- Web site: 2022-08-09 . Nygren chooses New Mexico leader as running mate in Navajo president election . 2022-11-10 . KNAU Arizona Public Radio . en.
- Web site: 2023-11-02 . Abasta . Rick . Olsen Chee believes protecting his wife led to separation . 2023-12-31 . Navajo Times . en.
- Web site: Allen . Krista . 2024-05-30 . Former Nygren staffer files sexual harassment complaint against Montoya . https://archive.today/20240619054554/https://navajotimes.com/reznews/richelle-montoya-says-she-was-sexually-harassed-nygren-staffers-dont-help/ . 2024-06-19 . 2024-06-19 . . en-US.
- Web site: Wittenberg . Alexandra . 2024-06-17 . Chapters present resolution to place Nygren on administrative leave . https://archive.today/20240619065645/https://www.nhonews.com/news/chapters-present-resolution-to-place-nygren-on-administrative-leave/article_a503e4f2-2d02-11ef-a905-5bc05c41d149.html . 2024-06-19 . 2024-06-19 . . en-US.
- Web site: Rickert . Levi . 2024-06-04 . Navajo Nation president disputes ‘false accusations’ . https://archive.today/20240619065322/https://www.nhonews.com/news/navajo-nation-president-disputes-false-accusations/article_432de7b6-2297-11ef-a245-bf2f867ea6f5.html . 2024-06-19 . 2024-06-19 . Navajo-Hopi Observer . en-US.
- News: Montoya Brian . Susan . 2024-10-15 . Navajo leader calls for tribal vice president's resignation amid political upheaval . 2024-10-24 . The Associated Press . en.
