Chandler district recognizes Indigenous students, faculty

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

The Chandler Unified Governing Board and others at the board’s Nov. 12 meeting saw what has become one of the most anticipated in-meeting celebrations of the year: Indigenous Heritage Month.

Antonette Shirley is CUSD’s Indigenous Engagement Specialist. She was recognized during the celebration for the 2025 Johnson-O’Malley Association National Teacher of the Year.

The district’s Indigenous Education Program was also recently named an “exemplary program -runner-up” by the Johnson O’Malley Program, according to a news release.

Shirley praised the hard work of her predecessors in CUSD Indigenous engagement, including Vicki Narducci and Bethany Allison, both of whom were in the audience.

Shirley later took pictures with the awards and with gifts presented to her, alongside CUSD Superintendent Frank Narducci and Board President Patti Serrano.

“I am committed to sustaining this effort in the coming years,” Shirley said.

After a dance performed by the Taylor family, Shirley’s award was detailed by Ava Peterson, a junior at Chandler High School and member of the Navajo Nation, who introduced herself in Diné, the Navajo language.

A student read the district’s land acknowledgment in a short video, saying Chandler Unified is located on the land of the Piipaash, Akimel Oʼodham, Gila River, Salt River, Maricopa and Yaqui tribes.

Alexis Cruz, a Hamilton High senior from the Muskogee Creek Nation in Oklahoma, and her mother, Tiffany Staten-Cruz, presented about the video and some heritage topics.

Tiffany Staten-Cruz said she and others would like to see the land acknowledgement video played at more regular district events, such as routine board meetings and graduation ceremonies.

Lynnann Yazzie, of the Arizona Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education, also spoke during the celebration, praising Chandler’s program and Shirley and encouraging the district to keep elevating and listening to Indigenous voices.

Also mentioned was the planned first Chandler Unified powwow, set for Saturday, April 11 at Chandler High School, with more details to be published later. Superintendent Narducci said Niki Tapia of Chandler Impact confirmed the city will contribute $2,500 to the first powwow.

The district’s first Native American parent booster club, at Chandler High, was also recently formed.

Dr. Adama Sallu, CUSD’s director of educational access and strategic partnerships, oversaw the celebration.

Jason W. Brooks can be reached at jbrooks@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as those meet our  Civility Guidelines.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.