Our Story

Fighting for What We Believe In. Together.

As Arizona's first Indigenous Teacher of the Year, Lynette Stant's (Diné) cares about the voices that are typically left out of decision-making conversations. In March 2020, Lynette reached out to other Indigenous educators with the questions, "How are you promoting equity through a cultural lens during this COVID-19 pandemic? How are you reaching out to students and families during this time?"

It was through those questions that Lynette connected with Amanda Cheromiah (Laguna Pueblo) and Felisia Tagaban (Diné/Tlingit/Filipino). They quickly recognized the need for more voices to come to the table. In a span of a few hours, Indigenous Educators Unite was born.

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Over 70 people attended the first Indigenous Educators Unite Zoom meeting on March 26. Indigenous Educators Unite meets weekly during the spring semester, and we will continue to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing learning environments in tribal nations and beyond.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, a Zuni Pueblo elder told his niece, who is a graduating senior at Northern Arizona University, "We're built to last." This simple phrase encapsulates the resiliency, perseverance, and ancestral stamina of our Indigenous community.