WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The shareholder representatives of the Naat’áanii Development Corporation (NDC) voted unanimously to remove all seven of the board of directors during a special meeting held March 13, according to a press release from the Navajo Nation Council.
NDC, a federally chartered corporation under Section 17 of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 and wholly owned by the Navajo Nation, was created in 2018 to boost economic opportunities for the Navajo Nation. However, shareholders say there has been little to no movement with NDC.
The NDC shareholders include Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren and Speaker Crystalyne Curley, both of whom are shareholder representatives by virtue of their elected positions, and Sheyenne Lacy and Reuben Mike.
Nygren and Speaker Curley sent a joint letter to the NDC board of directors and then-CEO Robert Joe, in November 2023 inquiring into the financial health of the company and the board’s plans to call an annual meeting to review audits and reports for 2022.
The board’s president responded to the inquiry but provided minimal details, the Navajo Nation Council said. Majority of the shareholders then sent follow up correspondence requesting that Joe call a special meeting, which he did not.
As a result, the shareholders called their own special meeting pursuant to NDC’s federal charter and requested all board of directors’ presence and participation in the special meetings of the shareholders. The first was held on Jan. 17, then on Feb. 19, and the last was March 13. All requests for board and CEO participation went unanswered and requests for records and information related to NDC were ignored, the council said.
After shareholders received notice that Greg Bigman was selected as NDC’s new CEO, they made requests for the information related to the vetting and selection process of Bigman, but were ignored, the council said.
In preparation of the Feb. 19 special meeting, the shareholders prepared and provided a list of written questions to the board in advance, all related to past annual reports, financial audits, corporate books and records of NDC, the council said, adding that the NDC board failed to provide written responses to the shareholders.
In a final effort to work with the board, shareholders invited the board to attend the third special meeting on March 13. After no communication and participation from the board, the shareholders unanimously voted to remove all seven board members for their failure to respond and provide information to the shareholders and Navajo leadership regarding the financial health of NDC.
NDC received a $2.5 million payment in 2018. Since its inception, community members and Navajo leadership has inquired into NDC, its finances, and general welfare of the company but there has been little to no communication from the NDC board, the council said.
“The Naat’aani Development Corporation was established to be an economic driver for the Navajo Nation and ultimately to benefit our people,” Curley said. “Unfortunately, we have witnessed very little progress over the past several years. As we move forward, we seek new leadership through the board of directors to guide and lead NDC in the right direction so that we see progress and development.”
“Our hope is to fill the board positions with people that will fulfill what NDC was created to do — to bring revenue-generating projects to the Navajo Nation and enhance economic prosperity for our people,” Nygren said.
With that, the NDC is seeking a new board and is now accepting applications. View qualifications online.
Interested applicants may submit a letter of interest, resume and copy of applicant’s Certificate of Indian Birth (if applicable) to Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President legal secretary Brittany Smith at brittany.smith@navajo-nsn.gov or to the 25th Navajo Nation Council, Office of the Speaker Deputy Chief of Staff Jared Touchin at jared.touchin@navajo-nsn.gov.
Information from Navajo Nation Office of President and Vice President
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