In a move that has sparked both support and controversy, the Chandler Unified School District has decided to incorporate a land acknowledgment video at all future meetings and graduation ceremonies. The decision follows a contentious public debate and a close 3-2 vote by the district’s governing board.
The acknowledgment, a short video lasting one minute and 43 seconds, was created by Indigenous students and holds significant meaning for members of the Indigenous Parent Committee. Monique John, co-president of the committee and of Navajo and Jemez descent, expressed the importance of this gesture. “We went into creating this video with positive intentions for our students and communities, all students: Native and non-Native,” she explained.
However, the decision has not been without its detractors. Board member Kurt Rohrs voiced strong opposition, describing the land acknowledgment as a “performance gesture of wokeness” that could potentially deter parents from enrolling their children in the district. Rohrs also raised concerns about the video being used beyond its intended settings, such as in sports events and other school functions.
Despite these objections, some students within the district see the video as an essential recognition of Indigenous heritage and history. Syndel Preston, a senior at Basha High and president of the school’s Indigenous student club, emphasized the validation the acknowledgment provides. “I want my Indigenous peers to know that they are seen, that the lands CUSD stands on is theirs as well,” Preston stated.
The vote to implement the video was narrowly passed, with board members Patti Serrano, Barb Mozdzen, and Claudia Mendoza supporting the measure, while Ryan Heap and Rohrs opposed it. The decision highlights ongoing discussions about the role and significance of land acknowledgments in educational settings.
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