Overview:
Speaker Crystalyne Curley said the report reflects the Council's commitment to improving services and protecting Navajo interests while recognizing that significant work remains ahead. The report also honors cultural traditions and community advocacy showcased during the Summer Session.
The 25th Navajo Nation Council voted Monday to accept the 2026 Summer Session Speaker’s Report, affirming the accomplishments and legislative priorities presented by Speaker Crystalyne Curley during the opening day of the Council’s Summer Session.
The report, which was accepted by a 14-5 vote, outlines the Legislative Branch’s work over recent months and highlights major investments in broadband infrastructure, transportation improvements, youth leadership, Missing and Murdered Diné Relatives (MMDR) initiatives, water rights advocacy, and federal land issues.
During the presentation, Speaker Curley was joined by Navajo Nation Youth Advisory Council Chairwoman Aryiah James and council members Kendri Kinlacheeny and Nikko Yazzie, underscoring the Council’s commitment to cultivating youth leadership.
“The Speaker’s Report reflects the work of the 25th Navajo Nation Council and our continued commitment to addressing the priorities of the Navajo people,” Curley said. “From expanding broadband access and investing in transportation infrastructure to advancing water rights, supporting our youth, and strengthening protections for our communities, the report demonstrates the progress we have made together while recognizing the important work that still lies ahead.”
Among the report’s most significant accomplishments is the Council’s approval of a historic $244.6 million investment to expand broadband access across the Navajo Nation. The funding will extend connectivity to all 110 Navajo chapters while providing matching funds to leverage federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program resources.
The report also highlights the enactment of $120 million from the SÃhasin Fund for transportation infrastructure projects, including road rehabilitation and long-term planning to improve travel throughout the reservation.
Council leaders also pointed to ongoing work by the Navajo Nation Youth Advisory Council, which has established four priority pillars to guide its efforts, and the continued progress of the Missing and Murdered Diné Relatives Task Force. Current MMDR initiatives include finalizing a Tribal Community Response Plan, completing a Navajo Nation MMDR database, and expanding services for affected families.
Speaker Curley also reaffirmed the Council’s advocacy for congressional approval of the Northern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement, legislation viewed as critical to securing long-term water resources for the Navajo Nation. The report also details the Council’s efforts to protect the interests of Navajo allottees affected by proposed federal actions involving Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
In addition to legislative achievements, the report recognized community members who participated in longstanding cultural traditions surrounding the Summer Session. Horse riders from communities across the Navajo Nation traveled to the Council Chamber, continuing a tradition that symbolizes Navajo leadership, perseverance, and cultural values.
The Council also acknowledged participants in the Every Child Matters Awareness Walk and other grassroots advocates who gathered during the Summer Session to raise awareness about issues affecting Navajo communities.
The full 2026 Summer Session Speaker’s Report is available on the Navajo Nation Council’s website under the Summer Session reports and presentations.
