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]
- ^ a b Abasta, Rick (2023-11-02). "Olsen Chee believes protecting his wife led to separation". Navajo Times. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
- ^ a b "Indigenous leaders elected". Ict News. November 9, 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
- ^ Silversmith, Shondiin. "Navajo voters elect Buu Nygren as president, ousting Jonathan Nez". Longview News-Journal. Archived from the original on 2022-11-10. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
- ^ a b Silversmith, Shondiin. "Buu Nygren becomes youngest Navajo president, Richelle Montoya becomes the first woman VP". Tucson Sentinel. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
- ^ a b Krisst, Rima (2022-08-11). "Aiming for balance: Nygren picks Richelle Montoya-Chee as running mate". Navajo Times. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
- ^ "Nygren chooses New Mexico leader as running mate in Navajo president election". KNAU Arizona Public Radio. 2022-08-09. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
- ^ a b Allen, Krista (2024-05-30). "Former Nygren staffer files sexual harassment complaint against Montoya". Navajo Times. Archived from the original on 2024-06-19. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ Wittenberg, Alexandra (2024-06-17). "Chapters present resolution to place Nygren on administrative leave". Navajo-Hopi Observer. Archived from the original on 2024-06-19. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ Rickert, Levi (2024-06-04). "Navajo Nation president disputes 'false accusations'". Navajo-Hopi Observer. Archived from the original on 2024-06-19. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ Montoya Brian, Susan (2024-10-15). "Navajo leader calls for tribal vice president's resignation amid political upheaval". The Associated Press. Retrieved 2024-10-24.