It’s no secret that Native students have faced longstanding attendance gaps and achievement disparities for years in New Mexico. To address this concern, Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) has partnered with Native-led groups, including the One Generation Fund, to introduce the “Being a Good Relative” program.
According to APS, the initiative will focus on four main areas: Culturally Responsive Curriculum, Career and College Readiness, Support for Student Clubs, and Hands-on, Experiential Learning. With 10% of Native students comprising APS enrollment, this program aims to improve their educational outcomes.
Superintendent Gabriella Blakey initially announced the partnership last fall, though the initiative officially began in 2022.
In its quest to better serve Native students and understand their needs, APS held Tribal Leader Meetings in early 2025. Attended by Pueblo presidents, as well as leaders of the Navajo and Apache communities, the gathering facilitated meaningful conversations to take a step forward in involving local indigenous communities in K-12 education.
Tanya Campos, the APS Chief of Equity and Engagement and a member of the Isleta Pueblo, emphasized the importance of honoring Native American identity. She stressed that the initiative isn’t just “symbolic” but a step toward “creating spaces where Native culture can flourish authentically and consistently.
Recently, APS partnered with Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) to help Native students acquire practical skills in areas like business planning, public speaking, and project design. Students who participated in JAG revealed better attendance records and improved school participation, and are more likely to graduate from high school.
The district school also introduced language instruction in Navajo (Diné) and Zuni (A:shiwi), as well as other Native-focused courses.
As APS further extends its plans for Native students in New Mexico, the district school hired more culturally competitive Native educators through grants and residency initiatives to encourage Native students to consider careers in education and strengthen the community.
Over 125 tribal communities widely accepted these APS initiatives, with 6,800 Native students enrolled in the academic year 2023 – 2024.
The “Being a Good Relative” initiative is a responsive approach to address the historical neglect experienced by Native students in New Mexico. APS is confident that its goal of building an inclusive educational environment will lead the way for Native students’ success.
