Native American Education

Land Acknowledgement with Southern Lushootseed

SPS Native American Education Program

welcome to Native Education

Native Education 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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Celebrating Native American Heritage

Resources for Native American Heritage Month & Beyond

For Native American Heritage Month and throughout the year, explore this 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.

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Governor Inslee's Proclamation of Native American Heritage Month & Day 2020

Read Governor Inslee's proclamation of November 2020 as Native American Heritage Month and Nov. 27th as Native American Heritage Day.

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.

Superintendent Juneau Signs Indigenous Peoples' Day Proclamation

Celebrated across Seattle Public Schools, October 12, 2020 is Indigenous Peoples' Day. All schools are encouraged to support the well-being and growth of American Indian and Indigenous students and recognize the contributions of Native Peoples. Read the Indigenous Peoples' Day Proclamation.

20 Native American Women to Know

To celebrate Native American Heritage Month, the YWCA of Minneapolis is "uplifting the wisdom and work of Native American women, stewards and leaders from our earliest history to now. Read about 20 Native women whose leadership, innovation and creativity have made and continue to make vast contributions to our history."

Grandmother Song - Nîpisîy

Enjoy this video of Grandmother Song - Nîpisîy by Leo McGilvery in the spirit of happiness, health and healing! (3:30-minute video) Performed by Sherryl Sewepagaham, Debbie Houle, Donita Large and Cindy Paul. Cree lyrics:

Âsaweyminan nimâmâ
Bless us my mother.

Kanaweyminan nimâmâ
Be with us my mother.

Salmon Homecoming Virtual School Days

Each fall since 1992, the Salmon Homecoming Celebration commemorates the return of salmon to our local waters and introduces attendees to Coast Salish cultural activities. Access videos, activities and download the Salmon Homecoming student workbook at your convenience by visiting Salmon Homecoming Virtual School Days. Videos include:

Welcome - Muckleshoot Indian Tribe's Canoe Family
Salmon Homecoming Dive - Seattle Aquarium
Wolf Haven Sanctuary Visit - Wolf Haven International
sčədadxʷ (salmon) - Salmon Defense's animated short film featuring Billy Frank Jr.
Science Careers & Studying Juvenile Steelhead - Seattle City Light
Salmon Problems: Saving Salmon in the Pacific Northwest - Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
Old Cows, New Tricks - Stillaguamish Tribe, The Nature Conservancy of Washington, Janicki Corporation & Natural Milk Dairy

Recognizing Our Students

We are so proud of our 2020 high school graduates! To honor and celebrate their achievements, each graduate received a custom wool blanket and Huchoosedah paddle necklace. Below, watch two of our amazing students, Rose Glen and Wes Calf Robe, receiving theirs.

photo of paddle necklace with Huchoosedah text on top of red-and-white wool blanket photo of Gail White Eagle The 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

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.

Native Education for All: Online Learning Resources

IllumiNative has partnered with the National Indian Education Association and Amplifier to create Native Education for All, an initiative providing online lesson plans, tools and resources for Pre-K through 8th grade students. Each lesson—available as a downloadable pdf—guides teachers and students through learning about Native American art, culture, history and contemporary life.

Read more Native Ed News >