Seattle Public Schools

Student Family Portal
Departments
Seattle Public Schools / Departments / Native American Education

Native American Education

SPS Native American Education

We work with students, parents and guardians, teachers, principals, and SPS departments on a case-by-case basis to address the broad scope of needs our Native students face.

We want every family to understand how to navigate the district’s resources and support all schools in understanding the unique experience Native students face interacting with our system. Our goal is to ensure all Native students have a high-quality educational experience and reach the goal of graduation.

Wear Orange on September 30th in Recognition of Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day graphic with two hands holding a bird with text Every Child Matters

In 1973, Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nations citizen Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s new orange shirt, given to her by her grandmother, was taken away the day she arrived at Mission School. She was six years old. In 2013, she founded the Orange Shirt Society as part of her healing journey. For more information about Orange Shirt Day, click on the links below.

Join us for our first Family Culture Night with the Sounder Bots Team!

Tuesday, September 29, 6-7:30 p.m. at JSCEE Auditorium

robot

For our first Culture Night, the Sounder Bots Robotics Team will be joining us for a presentation and demonstration with hands on engagement for students with their robots! They will be on hand to provide information on how students can join their competitive robotics team and get involved in the robotics field (must be in high school to join the team ).

Dinner will be served but please bring a dish to share if you can. We’ll see you there!

For more information, please see the Sounder Bots website.

Join the Seattle Public Schools Title VI Indian Parent Advisory Committee (IPAC)

All positions are open for the 2026-2027 school year

Who Can Join?

Parents and guardians of currently enrolled SPS Title VI Native students are welcome! Become a board member or participate by attending monthly meetings. *Elections take place in October 2026 for board positions.

Board Member duties include:

  • Attending monthly meetings
  • Volunteering at Native American Education events
  • Sharing your ideas and expertise with SPS and the Native community
  • Fundraising
  • Advising on and approving the Title VI Grant programming and budget

Interested? Please fill out the IPAC interest form and we will contact you!

IPAC Interest Form