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TOUGH CHOICES IN KYRENE
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CARRYING ON A LEGACY
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TU board begins a regular tribute to local tribes tonight BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
W
hen the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board meets tonight, March 3, something possibly unprecedented among Arizona school districts will become a regular part of its meetings. Immediately after the welcome, Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silent, the board will have a “land acknowledge statement” reminding people that district facilities sit on the ancestral lands of two Native American tribes – the Akimel O’odham and Piipaash. The addition was approved without comment at the board’s last meeting on Feb. 17 and it is unclear what the statement will precisely say. District spokeswoman Megan Sterling noted that in the past when each board member has a chance to deliver a report on their districtrelated activities, board President Brian Garcia “has recognized Indigenous Peoples Day and Native Americans.”
“Tempe Union sits on the ancestral lands of the Akimel O’odham and Piipaash peoples,” she said. “Language to that effect – honoring the ancestral lands that TUHSD is on – will be placed in the public content section of the Land Acknowledgement agenda item. This acknowledgement will be on every agenda going forward until/unless a future board decides to change policy.” Though Garcia did not return a request for comment and Sterling said she has not heard of any other district instituting a regular land acknowledgment statement, such declarations are gradually taking hold among public entities across the country. “Many organizations of all kinds are doing land acknowledgments,” said Dr. Traci L. Morris, executive director of the American Indian Policy Institute at Arizona State University and a member of the Chickasaw Nation. “It is very appropriate and respectful,” Morris explained. “There are many Native Ameri-
cans living in your district that will be honored by this acknowledgment.” She noted that her emails carry, along with her contact information, a statement. “I acknowledge that ASU sits on the ancestral homelands of those American Indian tribes that have inhabited this land for centuries, including the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee Posh (Maricopa) peoples,” Morris explained in an email. “I also acknowledge and pay respect to Indigenous elders – past, present, and future – who have stewarded this land throughout the generations.” The Maricopa peoples have several spellings for their tribe, including those used by Tempe Union and Morris. Land acknowledgements have become commonplace in countries such as New Zealand, Australia and Canada as well as among tribal nations in the U.S. The National Hockey League
see NATIVE page 11
MARKET GETS EVEN TIGHTER
COVID-19 metrics show Ahwatukee is getting safer
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THUNDER CHALLENGE
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Wednesday March 3, 2021
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
OVID-19 transmission in Ahwatukee continues to plummet and is now largely at levels indicating minimal or moderate spread, according to data released last Thursday by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. But when Pecos Park will be open for team sports is anybody’s guess as the city’s ban on those activities remains in effect and the agenda for City Council meeting scheduled for yesterday, March 2, had no action time for changing the prohibition. The continuation of the ban – put in place by City Council last December – has infuriated the Arizona Soccer Association, which last week urged its supporters to write City Council members in protest.
see VIRUS page 15
Like other non-contact athletic activities, pickleball is allowed at Pecos Park and games haven’t been impacted by the pandemic-related ban on team sports. Players Saturday enjoyed some time on the courts while team sports organizers blasted the city. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer)