08/06/2026
To all Veterans,
Aaron Long has been selected and is currently shadowing Bobbie Ann Baldwin. Who is Aaron Long? Mr. Long served in the United States Marine Corps for a short period of time, reportedly reaching the rank of Corporal or Sergeant at most after about four years of service. He is from Klagetoh and was neither a Commander nor a Vice Commander. He is a political appointee, roughly the same age as President Buu Nygren, and was a strong supporter of Nygren’s campaign for Navajo Nation President in the primary. Mr. Long also claims to be an entrepreneur running a tree business.
At the start of this administration, President Nygren appointed a Veteran Liaison with only one year of service (as proven in court) and another individual who had served just a couple of years, with limited managerial experience. That person was later terminated or forced to resign after agencies passed no-confidence resolutions. The Navajo Nation Council had to intervene, and a resolution led by Council Delegate George Tolth ultimately pushed the Director toward resignation or termination.
Navajo veterans had high hopes that President Nygren would appoint a mature, experienced veteran capable of leading a large agency with many employees and restoring trust and confidence in the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration. Instead, he has chosen one of his own political allies—someone with little to no experience running an organization of this size.
This pattern shows a lack of consistent respect and appreciation for our Navajo veterans. It suggests that veterans matter mainly during election season. Now that President Nygren has been voted out in the primary, he has shown his true colors by moving to place his buddy into one of the Nation’s most important positions rather than consulting veterans about who is most qualified to lead the Navajo Nation Department of Veterans Administration.
Veterans should remember these choices.