Navajo Nation report cites discrimination in Gallup-McKinley schools; AG finds troubling practices

A report by the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission describes harsh discipline of Navajo students, pervasive discrimination, and a climate of fear in the Gallup-McKinley County Schools district.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A report released by the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission (NNHRC) describes harsh discipline of Navajo students, pervasive discrimination, and a climate of fear and retaliation in the Gallup-McKinley County Schools district. The report draws on testimony from parents and community members and urges the New Mexico Attorney General's Office to release findings from a two-and-a-half-year investigation into the district's discipline of Indigenous students. The Attorney General's Office has found "troubling disciplinary practices" but says it's unclear if they can pursue formal legal action under current state law.

Why it matters

The report highlights longstanding concerns about racial disparities in student discipline, with Indigenous students in the Gallup-McKinley district facing harsher punishment than their peers. This raises questions about systemic racism and the need for greater accountability and oversight in the district's practices.

The details

The NNHRC report cites an investigation that found Indigenous students in New Mexico were punished more harshly than other students, with Gallup-McKinley largely responsible for that disparity. The report also describes testimony from parents, students, and community members about harsh discipline, language barriers, discriminatory hiring, problems with special education, and inadequate classroom conditions. The commission is seeking a formal agreement for the district to adopt a restorative justice-oriented discipline policy.

  • The NNHRC report was released on Tuesday, March 6, 2026.
  • The Attorney General's Office investigation into Gallup-McKinley's disciplinary practices began in 2023 and was completed in 2026.

The players

Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission (NNHRC)

A commission that released a report describing discrimination and troubling practices in the Gallup-McKinley County Schools district.

Raúl Torrez

The New Mexico Attorney General whose office conducted a two-and-a-half-year investigation into the Gallup-McKinley district's discipline of Indigenous students.

Wendy Greyeyes

An associate professor of Native American studies at the University of New Mexico and the chair of the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission.

Lauren Rodriguez

The chief of staff for Attorney General Raúl Torrez.

Gallup-McKinley County Schools district

The school district that serves a large Indigenous student population and is the focus of the NNHRC report and Attorney General investigation.

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What they’re saying

“It's our kids, our students, who are suffering the consequences of entrenched racism.”

— Wendy Greyeyes, Associate professor of Native American studies, University of New Mexico; Chair, Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission (nmindepth.com)

“There's obviously not a clear auditing of data that's being collected.”

— Wendy Greyeyes, Associate professor of Native American studies, University of New Mexico; Chair, Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission (nmindepth.com)

“It goes beyond school disciplinary actions. It goes beyond the racism issues. A lot of other things were brought up in terms of systematic failures of funding structures, of keeping and maintaining buildings, and being responsive to creating a culturally inclusive environment.”

— Wendy Greyeyes, Associate professor of Native American studies, University of New Mexico; Chair, Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission (nmindepth.com)

What’s next

The New Mexico Attorney General's Office has said its investigation identified "troubling disciplinary practices" in the Gallup-McKinley County Schools district, but it's unclear if the office can pursue formal legal action under current state law. This has prompted the Attorney General to push for comprehensive state civil rights legislation that would provide his office with the legal tools necessary to address civil rights violations like racial disparities in student discipline.

The takeaway

The Navajo Nation report and Attorney General's investigation highlight longstanding concerns about systemic racism and a lack of accountability in the Gallup-McKinley school district's treatment of Indigenous students. This case underscores the need for greater oversight, data transparency, and culturally responsive policies to ensure equitable education for all students.