Richelle_Montoya
Richelle Montoya
11th Vice President of the Navajo Nation
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]