Native American Education Program

Phoenix Union's NAEP is funded by the federal Title VII Indian Education Program, Johnson O’Malley funds, and the district’s Dropout Prevention Program. It encourages Native students to stay in school, graduate, and succeed in their college and career endeavors.

Through our native advisors and our specialist, we provide referral services, connect with students and their parents, and otherwise provide support to the 700 or so Natives attending our schools.

We partner with several programs, including many services offered by the Native American Community Services Center (NACSC), the Maricopa Community Colleges (HOL, ACE), and others provided by the district itself.

Native advisors regularly check student progress, monitor attendance and disciplinary referrals, call parents when issues arise, share information with students and parents, assist school staff with understanding cultural issues, and promote cultural and academic enrichment through sponsorship of events.

We encourage participation of all Native students and their families in our activities.

Title VII Johnson O’Malley Funding

Johnson O’Malley (JOM) funds provide programs to meet the special educational needs of eligible JOM children and to make program funding available for allowable administrative and Indian Education Committee costs.

Title VII of the Indian Education Act supports the efforts of school districts, Indian tribes, and organizations to meet unique educational and culturally related academic needs of American Indian students so they can meet the same challenging state academic achievement standards as all other students.

Programs are governed by a set of by-laws established by parent committees. In our district, the Indian Education Committee (JOM) and the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) are combined. More specifically, a PAC subcommittee advises JOM.

While mainly supported by the district’s general education funds, PXU's Native American programs receive approximately $19,000 in Johnson O’Malley funds and approximately $129,000 in Title VII funds each year.

The PAC has a wide area of advisory capability, including program planning, curriculum, and evaluation. However, the PAC’s responsibility does not extend into the realm of the school district. It remains advisory.

Native American Education Program Staff

Karen Cárdenas, Director of Student Learning
CEE - 3rd Floor
Phone: (602) 764-1324
Email: Karen Cárdenas

Kelcie Franklin, Native American Specialist
CEE – 3rd Floor
Bioscience, Camelback, North, Wilson, Alhambra, Bostrom, Desiderata, Maryvale, Trevor Browne, Phoenix Educator Prep.
Phone: (602) 764-1350
Email: Kelcie Franklin

Deanna Talayumptewa, Native American Advisor
Carl Hayden, Cesar Chavez, Phoenix Digital, Betty Fairfax, Academies at South Mountain
Phone: (602) 764-4029     
Email: Deanna Talayumptewa

Lance Sanchez, Native American Advisor- GRIC TED
Cesar Chavez
Phone: (602) 610-0794 
Email: Lance Sanchez

Anna Blackwater, Native American Advisor - GRIC TED
Betty Fairfax 
Phone: (520) 610-4195     
Email: Anna Blackwater