On Monday Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren submitted his quarterly state of the nation address in written form to tribal lawmakers. It was the fifth time he did not deliver the speech in person during his tenure as leader of the tribe.

The president says he opted not to appear at council chambers in Window Rock because of a lawsuit brought against him by Speaker Crystalyne Curley. It alleges the president’s recent firing of the tribe’s controller was illegal.

A district court blocked Nygren from taking further action until a hearing next week.

According to the council, the court order did not prevent Nygren from appearing in person. According to Curley, he showed a disregard for the legislative process and transparency in skipping the address.

“The State of the Navajo Nation Address

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