Navajo government students join NAFIS call

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Page Unified School District Superintendent Larry Wallen and two district board members, Des Fowler and Dee McKerry, attended the annual National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS) conference in September. This year, some students from the high school’s Navajo government class got to attend part of the conference.

NAFIS is an organization that offers school districts that qualify for federal Impact Aid monies up to date information and a professional network and technical assistance and support on the program.

During a typical year, the superintendent, board members and other representatives from PUSD have traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the three-day NAFIS conference, but last year, due to COVID restrictions, the NAFIS conference was held virtually. This year, the NAFIS conference was also held virtually.

During the first two days of the conference, PUSD representatives attend virtual meetings and break-out sessions regarding the latest news and developments affecting Impact Aid.

On the third day of the conference, districts and school seeking Impact Aid have a chance to meet with the staff members of Arizona congressmen.

Last year, when Des Fowler, one of PUSD’s board members, had a virtual meeting with a congressional staffer, she made the virtual Zoom call from the back of her pickup truck from her property in Coppermine. A big part of the face-to-face meetings allows the PUSD representatives a chance express to the congressional staffers how PUSD will utilize its impact aid funds. Fowler’s remote location was visible and apparent during the call, and she believes that had a positive impact, as part of her message was expressing to the congressional staffer that Impact Aid could play a big role for PUSD’s students living in remote parts of the Navajo Reservation, trying to attend classes virtually.

This year, Fowler had the idea to make that same Zoom call to congressional staffers during Page High School teacher Carlos Begay’s Navajo government class. She was joined on the call by board member Dee McKerry.

The benefits were twofold, said Fowler.

“I thought it was a great opportunity for some of our students to witness first-hand some of the workings of government at that level,” she said. “It had the second advantage to let the staffers see a class of Navajo students in class.”

Prior to making the Zoom call to the congressional staffers, Fowler and McKerry talked to the

students about community advocacy.

“At the last minute, we asked the students if any of them wanted to take part in the call,” Fowler said.  “If so, we wanted them to talk about their experience of home life and commuting to school, and all that was involved in that.”

“As a board member, we’re a voice for our students, and this was a great chance for the students to be their own voice,” Fowler said. “It’s always good to hear the students’ voice and get their point of view. I think it was beneficial for the staffers to hear that, too.”

Four students from the Navajo Government class shared their stories and experiences to the congressional staffers. The students were Tyler Tsosie, Arianna Jenkins, Chaunacy June and Tehyah Black.

Tsosie said he was happy to be involved and help if he could.

“They [Congress] have the ability to help us, or not,” he said. “It’s important to get their attention. At the time of the call, their attention was on COVID-19 issues, Afghanistan and the economy. It’s important to remind them that small communities like ours are also affected by their decisions.”

Jenkins told the congressional staffers about her personal experience attending Page High School. Jenkins lives in Tuba City but travels to Page every day to attend school here because she and her family believe the educational opportunities in Page are better.

“I told them about using Chromebooks and hotspots to attend the first part of the school year last year, and how that wouldn’t have been possible without Impact Aid,” she said.

One of the staffers related to Jenkins, and the government class, that she too had traveled an hour a day to attend school when she was a student.

“I think she really related to my story,” Jenkins said. “I think it helped. I think it had a deeper impact on them to let them see my face and hear my story.”