Rachel Gudgel- do what is right for New Mexico’s Indigenous students, students of color, students with disabilities, English language learners and at risk youth by resigning as director of the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC). As director of New Mexico’s Legislative Education Study Committee, Gudgel made hurtful and derogatory comments about Indigenous people. Five members of her own staff first reported this behavior in 2017, which led to an investigative report in 2019 detailing the awful complaints made against her. The cultures of Native people and their children were the subject of derision by Ms. Gudgel.

In 2018, a state district court held the State of New Mexico had violated the rights of indigenous children by not providing them an adequate education. The “Yazzie/Martinez ruling” recognized the devastating history of systemic racism that indigenous children have endured at the hands of federal and state government. The Court ordered the State to provide Native students a culturally responsive education – as required under the NM Indian Education Act.

Gudgel’s role is to: 1) conduct a continuing study of education in New Mexico, the laws governing education and the policies and costs of the New Mexico educational system, including the training of certified teaching personnel in postsecondary institutions; and 2) recommend funding levels for public education and changes in laws relating to education.

We as Indigenous youth seek your support in asking Ms. Gudgel to resign from her role as LESC director – a key position of influence on important education issues that our state legislators must address. We ask that the future decision makers of our education system be guided by love, understanding, generosity and hope. We ask for this on behalf of ourselves and our little brothers and sisters of New Mexico, who deserve a brighter, kinder future.

Do the right thing, Ms. Gudgel, and give our future a chance -- please resign.
All Pueblo Council of Governors Youth Committee