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    Native American Education

     

    A Proclamation on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, 2021

    "Now, therefore, I, Joseph Biden Jr., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 5, 2021, as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. I call on all Americans and ask all levels of government to support Tribal governments and Tribal communities’ efforts to increase awareness of the issue of missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives through appropriate programs and activities.

    In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.

    Joseph Biden Jr."

    Read the full proclamation here.

    On 4/7/2021, a team from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) completed a review of federal and state programs in which Seattle Public Schools participates. In the review, OSPI stated, “Seattle Public Schools is to be commended for adoption of policy and for providing high quality, consistent, and comprehensive professional learning for staff to fully implement the Since Time Immemorial tribal sovereignty curriculum.”

    Seattle Public Schools would not have been able to achieve such high praise were it not for the unyielding efforts of Native Education Program Manager Gail T. Morris and her staff. Morris’s efforts yielded a blue ribbon program model that not only tells the truth about the past, present, and future of tribal people, but also “re-indigenizes” history and civics in a way that promotes pride and genuinely values the identities of our Native students. We are excited that her vision continues to expand and gain momentum into the future, and all SPS students and staff will continue to benefit.


    Land Acknowledgement with Southern Lushootseed


    SPS's Native American Education Program Is a Referral Service

    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.

    Please call or email us! We are here to help, problem solve, and inspire.

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    Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: National Week of Action

    April 29th-May 5th, 2021
    No More Stolen Sisters. We Need to Act Now: Poster

    Did you know?
    Indigenous women are murdered at a rate 10 times higher than other ethnicities and it's the third leading cause of death for our Women (Centers for Disease Control). The majority of these murders are committed by non-Native people on Native-owned land. Because of the lack of communication between state, local, and tribal law enforcement, it's difficult to begin the investigation process.

    The National Week of Action calls the nation and world to action in honor of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center encourages all individuals and organizations to take action by participating in the virtual events and organizing additional actions in your communities on and around May 5th.

    On Wednesday, May 5th, wear red to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Take pictures and video and send to American Indian Resource Librarian: Rachel Kresl (rmkresl@seattleschools.org ) See the Native American Education Event Calendar page for daily events.

    This Just In: A Message From the White House 

    A Proclamation on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Day, 2021
    "Now, therefore, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 5, 2021, as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. I call on all Americans and ask all levels of government to support Tribal governments and Tribal communities’ efforts to increase awareness of the issue of missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives through appropriate programs and activities.

    In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.

    Joseph Biden Jr."

    Read the full proclamation here. 

    Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women Legislation Signed Into Law



    S.227 - Savanna's Act 
    The bill requires the Department of Justice to:

     - provide training to law enforcement agencies on how to record tribal enrollment for victims in federal databases;
     - develop and implement a strategy to educate the public on National Missing and Unidentified Persons System;
     - conduct specific outreach to tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations regarding the ability to publicly enter information through the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System or other now-law enforcement sensitive portal;
     - develop regionally appropriate guidelines for response cases of missing or murdered Native Americans;
     - provide training and technical assistance to tribes and law enforcement agencies for implementation of the developed guidelines; and
     - report statistics on missing or murdered Native Americans. 


    S.982 - Not Invisible Act of 2019

    This bill increases the coordination of efforts to reduce violent crime within Indian lands and against Indians.

    Specifically, the Department of the Interior must designate an official within the Bureau of Indian Affairs to coordinate prevention efforts, grants, and programs related to missing Indians and the murder and human trafficking of Indians.

    In addition, Interior and the Department of Justice must (1) establish a joint commission on violent crime within Indian lands and against Indians, and (2) submit a written response to the recommendations developed by the joint commission. 

    Explore Our Native Knowledge Resources!

    Explore our selection of resources focused on Native American and Alaska Native knowledge curated by SPS Native American Education staff. Our aim is to make it easy for teachers to integrate teaching about contemporary culture and people as well as Washington State tribal history with their lessons all year long.

    View Resources

    March 9th is Billy Frank Jr. Day

    Photo of Billy Frank Jr.Billy Frank Jr., a Northwest Native American (Nisqually) activist, played a key role in the “Fish Wars” of the 1960's and 1970's, resulting in a landmark decision affirming tribal fishing rights. Join us in honoring him on March 9th!

    On February 24, 2021, the Seattle School Board approved a resolution designating March 9, 2021 a day of observance recognizing and honoring the life and legacy of Billy Frank Jr.

    Learn more about this influential leader in our Billy Frank Jr. collection of resources: Billy Frank Jr. Online Collection

    I Am Native: A Video Highlighting Native American SPS Students and Leaders

    I Am Native: A Discussion Between Seattle Public Schools Native American Students and Leaders (9:29-minute video on Vimeo) features Superintendent Denise Juneau, Board President Zachary DeWolf, Vice-President Chandra Hampson and students from Nathan Hale High School’s šəqačib program.

    Recognizing Our Students

    We are so proud of our students! Below, watch Rose Glen and Wes Calf Robe receiving a custom wool blanket and Huchoosedah paddle necklace to honor and celebrate their achievements.

     

    photo of paddle necklace with Huchoosedah text on top of red-and-white wool blanketphoto of Gail White EagleThe wool blankets were specially designed by Gail White Eagle (Muckleshoot, Chehalis), pictured left, who has been weaving for 25 years.  

    photo of Renee Remlinger-Tee, Louie Gong, Lauren Fonoimoana

    Eighth Generation, a Native-owned Seattle company founded by Louie Gong (Nooksack), created the blankets and paddles.

    Pictured right: Louie Gong (center) with Native American Education staff Lauren Nabahe Fonoimoana (Paiute-Shoshone, Navajo, Mono), high school re-entry/intervention specialist (right), and Renée Remlinger-Tee, librarian (left).

    Nathan Hale Student Creates Film about Climate Change Affecting Indigenous Nations

    image of film title Interconnectedphoto of Rosie Port

    Interconnected: The Effect of Climate Change on Indigenous Nations is a film produced by Rosie Port, a graduate of Nathan Hale (2020), and her brother Gabe. Rosie created and beautifully produced this powerful film for her Hale Senior Action Project. It is an important piece of student work about issues facing indigenous culture and what individuals can do to reduce their environmental impact.

    I Am Native Film Honors Students

    I Am Native is a short film (7:38 minutes) showcasing Seattle Public Schools' Native high school students and staff sharing their stories, hopes and dreams for their future. Read more about I Am Native.

    Read more Native Ed News >

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    Contact Us

    Gail T. Morris 
    Program Manager, Native American Education
    206-252-0948
    gtmorris@seattleschools.org

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    Seattle Public Schools is committed to ensuring equitable access, closing the opportunity gaps and excellence in education for every student.