Richelle Montoya

Richelle Montoya
11th Vice President of the Navajo Nation
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 10, 2023
PresidentBuu Nygren
Preceded byMyron Lizer
Personal details
Spouse
Olsen Chee
​
(sep. 2023)​
[1]
EducationSan Juan College (AA)
University of New Mexico (BA)

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] 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] In October 2024, Nygren announced that Montoya's responsibilities as vice president had been reduced and he suggested she resign from her position.[9] The accusations against Nygen were investigated by the tribe's attorney general during an eight-month period in 2024; the investigation found the claims of sexual harassment to be "not warranted."[10]

References

  1. 1 2 Abasta, Rick (2023-11-02). "Olsen Chee believes protecting his wife led to separation". Navajo Times. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  2. 1 2 "Indigenous leaders elected". Ict News. November 9, 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. 1 2 Silversmith, Shondiin. "Buu Nygren becomes youngest Navajo president, Richelle Montoya becomes the first woman VP". Tucson Sentinel. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  5. 1 2 Krisst, Rima (2022-08-11). "Aiming for balance: Nygren picks Richelle Montoya-Chee as running mate". Navajo Times. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  6. ↑ "Nygren chooses New Mexico leader as running mate in Navajo president election". KNAU Arizona Public Radio. 2022-08-09. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  7. ↑ Allen, Krista (2024-05-30). "Former Nygren staffer files sexual harassment complaint against Montoya". Navajo Times. Retrieved 2024-06-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ↑ Wittenberg, Alexandra (2024-06-17). "Chapters present resolution to place Nygren on administrative leave". Navajo-Hopi Observer. Retrieved 2024-06-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ Silversmith, Shondiin (16 December 2024). "Investigation finds Navajo Prez Nygren didn't sexually harass his VP". Arizona Mirror. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
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