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.
- March’s Family Culture Night
- Tribal History and Culture Extended Core Instructional Materials
- Native Education Updates
- Making Natives Visible
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Week of Action
- Native American Poets and Pop Culture
- Native American Observances
- The Boldt Decision
- Social-Emotional Learning Through Plant Teachings
March’s Family Culture Night
Join us on Thursday, March 13th from 5-7pm at Meany Middle School for Family Culture Night!
We will be serving beef lasagna, veggie lasagna, Caesar salad, roasted chicken sandwiches, and chicken wraps as well as dessert. Please feel free to bring a dish to share.
The craft activity will be lead by our new Culture Night teacher, Karen Flores (Huichol Hopi), constructing and designing gourd rattles with a short presentation on the history and importance of the rattle in many Native tribal traditions.
The IPAC board will also be in attendance, so please join us for a fun night of food and community. Hope to see you there!
Questions? Please contact: Kym Hogan at 252-0858 or email kmhogan@lixubing.com
See our Family Culture Nights Page for more information on upcoming dates:
Family Culture Night Dates for 2025
Tribal History and Culture Extended Core Instructional Materials
Tribal History and Culture Extended Core Instructional Materials Adoption Board Action Report Update
The goal of this report is to summarize the process and progress of the expanded Tribal Sovereignty and History curriculum, including the Since Time Immemorial adoption, in Seattle Public Schools.
View the report here: Tribal History and Culture Adoption Report
Native Education Updates
Nathan Hale Native Club Welcomes Japanese Sister School
On February 28th, Nathan Hale High School celebrated their 50th Anniversary Celebration and welcomed students from their sister school in Naha, Okinawa, Japan with an assembly attended by Mayor Brue Harrell, SPS Superintendent, Dr. Brent Jones, and the Japanese Consul General Makoto Iyori.
The Nathan Hale Native Club provided a moving welcome song with traditional Native drumming lead by Mr. Harter. We are so proud of our students in the Native Club that worked so hard preparing for this event.
The Nathan Hale Native Club meets on Wednesday’s during lunch in room 2104. For more information, contact Levi Harter lpharter@lixubing.com
Family Culture Night- Thursday, March 13th 5-7pm
Join us for Family Culture Night at Meany Middle School! Dinner will be provided, but please feel free to bring a dish to share.
This month’s Native craft activity will be to construct and design a gourd rattle with our new Culture Night teacher, Karen Flores. If you have any questions, please email Kym Hogan kmhogan@lixubing.com
Hope to see you there!
Billy Frank Jr. Day- March 7th, 2025
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. SPS celebrates Billy Frank Jr. Day on March 7th, but the official Billy Frank Jr. Day is on his birthday, March 9.
Learn more about this influential leader in our Billy Frank Jr. collection of resources: Billy Frank Jr. Online Collection
March is Women’s History Month
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the American Indian Resource Library at SPS is showcasing literature that support the many accomplishments and impacts that Native American women have had on our society. Check out their website to explore the resources available for teachers and students.
American Indian Resource Library
NEW Online 506 Form- Title VI Enrollment
The SPS Native Education Department is pleased to have fulfilled one of our biggest goals for 2025- digitizing our 506 Indian Student Eligibility Certification form for enrollment in Title VI services.
Previously, the 506 form was a paper document that could only be filled out pen to paper and submitted in person to your child’s school. With the creation of our new online form, we have streamlined this documentation so you can easily and confidentially submit your completed 506 form securely to the Native Education Department from a laptop, iPad, or cellular phone.
If you currently have a paper form on file with us, you do not need to fill out the new digital form. For questions on whether you have a current 506 form on file with the Native Education Department, please email: spsnativeed506@lixubing.com
For more information on Title VI, see our 506 Title VI page.
Family Culture Night- February 11th 5-7pm Meany Middle School
Join us for our next Family Culture Night at Meany Middle School on Tuesday, February 11th from 5-7pm. Our new Culture Night teacher, Karen Flores, (Huichol Hopi), will be leading the cultural programming activity for both kids and parents. Dinner and dessert will be provided, but please feel free to bring a dish to share. Hope to see you there!
February SPS Calendar
- Month of February- Black History Month
- Mid-Winter Break- February 17th-21st *Including Presidents’ Day
Native American Education Represented at SPS Enrollment Fair
On February 1st, Seattle Public Schools held their Enrollment Fair for new families who are exploring the Seattle School District. The Native American Education Department was excited to be on hand to share information to prospective students and families about the important role of Native Education in the SPS community.
Winter Coat Give Away
If you haven’t received winter coats yet and would still like to participate in our give away, please email Kym Hogan kmhogan@lixubing.com.
Please make sure to include:
- Whether you prefer a male or female style or no preference
- Your child’s/children’s names
- The sizes you require (specify adult and/or children’s sizes)
January SPS Calendar
- Monday, Jan. 6: First day back to school
- Monday, Jan. 20: NO SCHOOL Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Tuesday, Jan. 28:
- Family Culture Night – Meany Middle School 5-7 p.m.
- Last day of Semester 1
- Wednesday, Jan. 29: First day of Semester 2
Many Thanks to our Supporters and Families that made our Family Culture Night Holiday Celebration a Success!
- Trina Nonis for her support with planning and for providing the coffee
- Chandra Hampson & family for generously donating raffle items, creating beautiful centerpieces, providing the coloring station, and helping with setup
- Tess Gamez for donating the traditional tea
- Nic Berry for playing Santa
- Chef Liv for providing the amazing food
- Kathleen Magellan from Seattle Public Library for handing out free books, tote bags, and other library goodies
- Toys for Tots and the Seattle Community at large for their generosity in donating toys for our event
Family Culture Night Holiday Celebration
Please join us Tuesday, December 17 from 5-7 p.m. for our annual Family Culture Night Holiday Party at Meany Middle School, where we will come together in community to celebrate the holiday season!
- Delicious food by Chef Olivia from Liiv For Flavor
- Free books and goodies for the kids from The Seattle Public Library
- A gift give away sponsored by Toys for Tots
- Craft making activities
- Holiday selfie booth with Santa
We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating in the holiday season!
Is your student or family in need of support?
We have an amazing student and family support team available to help!
Victoria Hildebrand, Consulting Teacher
vlhildebrand@lixubing.com
Kurstyn Allen, Social Worker
kjallen@lixubing.com
Helpful Online Resources:
- Emerald City Resource Guide online
Comprehensive list of local resources. Service providers range from clothing, food, and financial assistance to employment services. - Teen Link
Teen Link is a program for Washington teens in crisis. Their online site offers information on the services they provide and a teen help line. - Youth Care
Local organization with a mission to end youth homelessness offering food, medical, housing, & mental health services for youths ages 12-24.
December SPS Calendar
- Tuesday, Dec. 17 – Family Culture Night Holiday Party 5-7 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 20 – 1-hour early dismissal
- Monday, Dec. 23 – Friday Jan. 3rd: NO SCHOOL Christmas Break
Turkey, Coat, and Hygiene Kit Deliveries Completed!
The Native Education district office staff were busy before the Thanksgiving holiday purchasing, packing up, and delivering turkeys, winter coats, and hygiene kits to our Native families in the community.
If you were put on the waiting list for a coat, we will be contacting you as soon as we are able to get more.
Native American Heritage Month Celebrated at JSCEE
On Friday, November 22, our Native Education team lead an informative lunchtime celebration in honor of Native American Heritage month. Shana Brown, our talented and dedicated Curriculum Specialist, created learning opportunities for the district office staff centered around indigenous land-based values. Culinary Services also provided delicious Indian tacos!
Some of the activities included a sorting game to identify quotes that reflect Settler/Colonial Land Based Values versus Indigenous Land Based Values. Another activity, facilitated by our wonderful Native American Education Resource librarian, Katie, highlighted how educators can identify whether popular literature poses a stereotype threat through the use of biased language and Indian stereotypes.
Thank you Shana for your hard work and passion in creating this fun and engaging celebration and everyone who contributed to making it a success!!
November is Native American Heritage Month!
Native American Heritage Month celebrates the rich cultures, traditions, and histories of Native Americans. This month fosters awareness of Native American issues, promotes respect for diverse Native cultures, and encourages inclusivity and understanding within our communities.
For Native students, this is a great time to celebrate and reconnect with your tribal community by attending cultural events and activities and sharing your traditions with your classmates.
Native American Heritage Month Resources
Is Your Student Enrolled in Seattle Public Schools’ Title VI Native Education Program?
Title VI is a federal program that ensures schools provide a quality education for Native students as required by Tribal treaties. Funding for our program helps all Native students receive academic support and cultural programming.
Title VI FAQs
- WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
All students who have tribal membership in a federally recognized tribe or a parent or grandparent with tribal membership. - HOW CAN A STUDENT ENROLL IN TITLE VI?
Enrollment into the program is completed by filling out an ED 506 form which documents tribal status. Even if you do not anticipate taking advantage of Title VI services, filling out a form will increase the grant funds available to all Native students& families who are in need of support - HOW LONG DOES ENROLLMENT LAST?
For as long as a student remains in the SPS school district, they will be enrolled in our program &Title VI without needing to fill out a newform each year. If you are unsure if your student has a 506 form on file, contact our team! - NEED HELP ENROLLING? WANT TO KNOW IF YOUR STUDENT ALREADY HAS A 506 FORM ON FILE?
Contact our team! spsnativeed506@lixubing.com
November SPS Calendar
- Wednesday, Nov. 6 – End of Quarter 1
- Monday, Nov. 11 – NO SCHOOL Veterans Day
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Nov. 25-27 – Parent-Teacher Conferences Elementary & K-8
- Thursday, Nov. 28 – NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving
- Friday, Nov. 29 – NO SCHOOL Native American Heritage Day
Our Netse Mot: One People Gathering Field Trip was a SUCESS!
A BIG thank you to Children of the Setting Sun Productions for performing a special matinee for our SPS students on October 22 at the Paramount Theatre. We had close to 2000 students attend this special event. Look for more collaboration between Children of the Setting Sun Productions and SPS in the future!
Native Education Represented at Sanislo Elementary’s Resource and STEM Fair
The Native Education Department was invited to host an informational table at Sanislo Elementary’s Resource and STEM Fair on November 7th. We chatted with SPS families, passed out Orange Shirt Day stickers and Coast Salish coloring sheets to the kids, and provided information about Title VI and Native Education.
It was a great night, and we hope to continue to collaborate with other schools in the district to get the word out about Native Education!
Making Natives Visible
Whitman Middle School Raises Awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People
Thank you to Principal John Houston and art teacher Dever Dunnett for an amazing Multicultural Night that featured Native artists and student art. Students created faceless dolls to bear witness to the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous people within the borders of the United States.
Learn more about the Faceless Dolls Project
Learn more about the Red Dress Project
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Week of Action
Ask your teachers about Schoology classroom resources provided by Native American Education!
Learn about the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
Native American Poets and Pop Culture
National Poetry Month is April
- Native American Poetry and Culture (Poetry Foundation)
- A Tribe Called Geek (entertainment, art, media, lit, and culture links, reviews, and news)
- MovieWeb – Native American TV Shows
- Native America – PBS series on contemporary Indian Country
- 12 TV and Streaming Shows about the Native American Experience and That Celebrate Indigenous Culture [the title is unfortunate, but the resource is worthwhile] – Rotten Tomatoes article with links
- Native American Music Awards – Explore contemporary and traditional music from Indian Country
- Indigenous Futures – Storytelling Project that highlights resiliency of Native peoples
Native American Observances
Billy Frank, Jr. Day
- Learn more about Billy Frank, Jr.
- Teacher Resources (Requires login)
February is African-American History Month
Learn about the past, present, and future of Black Indians, also known as Afro-Indigenous, African American Indian, and African and Native American.
What do Tina Turner, Crispus Attucks, Jimi Hendrix, and James Earl Jones have in common? They have Native American Ancestry!
Orange Shirt Day
In 1973, Stwecem’c Xgat’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.
Learn more…
- Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition
- Residential Schools in Canada Education Guide
- Orange Shirt Society
- Cultural Survival
The Boldt Decision
Boldt Decision at 50 WA State Historical Society, Tacoma Symposium
March 30 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Town Hall Panel Discussion and Program Boldt at 50 – Reflecting on Treaty
Justice and Tribal Sovereignty February 12, 7:30 p.m.
Hot off the Press “Treaty Justice: The Northwest Tribes, the Boldt Decision, and the Recognition of Fishing Rights” by Charles Wilkinson, pub. January 2024
University of Washington School of Law Article and Links
“A 50 year Legacy of Excellence”
As the 50th anniversary of the Boldt Decision approaches, we review the legacy of pioneering UW Law professor Ralph Johnson and his impact on the most complex case in Native American law history.
Social-Emotional Learning Through Plant Teachings
Native American Education collaborated with Social-Emotional Learning to prepare activities for SELtember. These activities promote social-emotional learning using plant teachings. Listen to Victoria Plumage tell the Licorice Fern story…