Chandler Unified School District adds Land Acknowledgment
October 23, 2026
Emma Hughes
Community Newspeerson
CHANDLER, Ariz. — The Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) Governing Board recently voted to formally include an Indigenous land acknowledgment, during their regular board meeting held on Sept. 9.
“Chandler Unified School District recognizes and respects the sovereignty, history, and contributions of Indigenous peoples and, alongside state and federal laws, acknowledges the importance of honoring the lands and communities where our students learn, grow, and build their futures,” said CUSD President Patti Serrano.
Last year, CUSD’s Indigenous Education Program put together a land acknowledgment video, which will now be used for the official land acknowledgment for every governing board meeting and graduation ceremonies moving forward.
Serrano added, “As a school district committed to creating a high-quality learning community that welcomes and connects all students to successful future pathways, the District will incorporate this Land Acknowledgment as a meaningful expression of respect and recognition.”
Nearly 30 parents, students, and teachers spoke out during the boarding meeting on the land acknowledgment proposal, sharing both their concerns and support.
One parent, Ann Adams, expressed her concern and questioned, “Whether this land acknowledgment advances CUSD’s educational mission to simply become a politically charged platitude,” she said. “Every culture experiences hardship, injustice, sacrifice and triumph; no child should inherit guilt from any past wrongdoings.”
Others, like Ceyshe Napa, attended the meeting in full support of the land acknowledgment.
“I’m a current board member and the first Indigenous person elected to represent Phoenix Union High School District in its 131-year history,” Napa said. “I’m here tonight in my private capacity to ask you to vote yes on the land acknowledgment but don’t stop there, our native students deserve to see themselves in their education. They should not have to wait until college, as I did, to learn about Indigenous history and literature.”
The proposal to approve the land acknowledgment ultimately passed, with three board members, Patti Serrano, Barb Mozdzen, and Claudia Mendoza voting yes, and Ryan Heap and Kurt Rohrs voting against.
“It has no real purpose in addressing our primary mission of improving academic performance for our students,” said Board Member Kurt Rohrs. “The statement is an empty performance gesture of wokeness which really doesn’t accomplish anything and distracts from our core mission.”
Serrano stated, “This land acknowledgment was absolutely not singular. It was not led or driven by one person or myself, it was a community effort and I’m very proud to say that it was born out of our student voices.”
Gila River Indian Community member and student, Syndel Preston, was present to express his support, “I believe that implementing the land acknowledgment into more Chandler Unified events will spread further awareness to my peers and give validation to the Indigenous students already attending CUSD schools,”
Preston is a senior at Basha High School where he is also the president of the Indigenous Student Club and shared that while being part of CUSD for most of his teenage years, he initially struggled to feel comfortable or even acknowledged among the larger groups within CUSD.
“Perhaps a younger version of me or another Indigenous student right now who is struggling with their identity would greatly appreciate the brief mention of the land acknowledgment at future events,” Preston said. “I don’t believe it is divisive to that for my community and those like me.”