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FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. — Hundreds of Navajo citizens, elected officials, and non-Native dignitaries gathered on Tuesday to witness history as the youngest person ever to lead the Navajo Nation, Buu Nygren, took the oath of office.  There was other history made during the day's events, as well. 

Others firsts included the swearing in of Richelle Montoya, the vice woman to become the Navajo Nation vice president.

Navajo Nation Supreme Court Chief Justice JoAnn Jayne administers the oath of office to Vice President Richelle Montoya. (Photo: Levi Rickert)

In her address to the audience, Montoya acknowledged the historic significance that she is the first woman ever to become vice president of the Navajo Nation, but also noted, "Before anything else, I am a mother, a daughter and a granddaughter."

Another first was the historic swearing in of nine females to the 25th Navajo Nation Council. 

For the first time in the Navajo Nation's history a record nine women will serve on the Navajo Nation Council. (Photo: Levi Rickert)

After the inauguration ceremony, which lasted four hours, festivities continued at the Navajo Naiton fairgrounds in Window Rock, Ariz.

At about 2:35 p.m. an Air Force plane from Kirklan Airforce Base in Albuquerque, N.M. flew over the crowd to celebrate the new leaders of the Navajo Nation. 

The crowd loved the US Air Force fly by. (Photo: Levi Rickert) 

 

Photo Gallery Credit: Native News Online Editor & Publisher Levi Rickert 

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About The Author
Levi Rickert
Author: Levi RickertEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Levi "Calm Before the Storm" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at [email protected].