Buu Nygren, president of the Navajo Nation, the largest federally recognized Native American tribe in the U.S., has signed Resolution No. 0169-25, a measure that increases funding for tribal higher education institutions and student financial assistance programs.
The signing ceremony brought together leaders from Navajo Technical University, Diné College and the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance. The resolution amends the Diné Higher Education Grant Fund and represents one of the largest coordinated investments in Navajo higher education in recent years.
Beginning in Fiscal Year 2028, annual funding will increase to $19 million. Diné College and Navajo Technical University will each receive $6 million, while the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance will receive $7 million to expand scholarship access and student support services.
The measure passed the Navajo Nation Council with a 17-0 vote, with one member not voting, after review by multiple standing committees and the addition of strengthened accountability provisions.
The resolution requires annual reporting on enrollment, graduation rates, workforce outcomes, community impact and audited financial statements. Both colleges must allocate at least 5 percent of the funding to Diné language teacher programming, alongside investments in endowments and K–12 education pipeline initiatives.
Education leaders also highlighted efforts to expand internships and externships, teacher certification programs, Diné language assessments for K–8 students, and early childhood intervention services.
Nygren said the investment aims to strengthen higher education access while preserving Diné language and culture and preparing future leaders for the Navajo Nation workforce.
