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Native Boys with Long Hair

For Native Americans having long hair is culturally relevant and significant. The importance of having long hair differs from tribes and nations. Some tribes’ belief long hair gives them power and knowledge, others feel connected to the cosmos, and some grow it long to honor their ancestors and culture.

Many are unaware of the historical significance having long hair is to Native peoples. The impact of systematic colonization and forced assimilation brought on new euro-centric values and standards. Native American children were specifically stripped of their cultural identity in schools through not being permitted to speak their Native languages, being given new “white” names, wearing uniforms, and having their long hair forcibly cut short. It is important to acknowledge these kinds of racist practices in our school systems history to ensure students today safely can express their cultural identities in our schools.

Growing long hair is a way many commemorate Native history and honor ancestors that were forced to “civilize.” Unfortunately, Native boys face ridicule, bullying, and often being called girls by not only peers but also adults in the school setting. These actions continue destructive colonizing tenants lingering in our schools and the impact on our Native students is tremendous. This is an Intent vs. Impact moment. Mistakenly identifying a student’s gender happens but the responsibility is on us to empower students who push our mainstream norms. Native student response to this kind of interaction can range from big to passive but none the less it breaks the spirit of Native students, taking away their independence and Nationhood.

Following are recommendations how to support cultural and traditional practices in the classroom:

• Be an ally to Native student. Ask them about themselves and how they choose to exhibit their culture to build stronger one-on-one relationships. Show the student you respect their culture and support their traditional practices.
• Pay attention, acknowledge, and create space for Native student’s voice and knowledge in the classroom without making them the expert on all things Native American.
• Accommodate multiple world-views acknowledging that of the 500 Native Nations in the US each has its own cultural norms and students today may present with multiple tribal affiliations/cultures.
• Work with parents, elders, family, community, and tribal members to educate yourself and classroom.
• You are on Indigenous land, learn about the tribes’ culture, customs, traditions, language, and community.

Georgina Badoni, Diné Ph.D.
Native Education Consulting Teacher
Seattle Public Schools

WHEREAS, Washington is home to 20 federally-recognized Indian Tribes, as well as out-of-state tribes with treaty-reserved rights in Washington, and members and descendants of tribes from all over the country also reside in the state of Washington; and

WHEREAS, Native American contributions and values have helped shape the social, political, environmental, and economic fabric of the state, while also enhancing freedom, prosperity, and cultural diversity; and

WHEREAS, state law, RCW 28A.320.170, mandates the teaching of tribal history, culture, and government in common schools; which will contribute greatly to improving school's history curriculum and enhances awareness for a better cultural understanding; and

WHEREAS,  the state of Washington is committed to strengthening the government-to-government relationships with Tribal Nations, and continues to work with tribal governments on issues of mutual concern for the betterment of all; and 

WHEREAS, the state of Washington has designated the Friday immediately following the fourth Thursday in November a state legal and school holiday known as Native American Heritage Day; and 

WHEREAS, Washington joins other states across the nation in celebrating Native American Heritage Month, honoring the unique heritage of this continent's First People, and reaffirming the commitment to respect each tribe's sovereignty and cultural identity; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim November 2018 to be 

Native American Heritage Month

and November 23, 2018 to be

Native American Heritage Day

in Washington State, and I encourage all people in our state to join me in this special observance. 

Signed this 30th day of October, 2018

Governor Jay Inslee

Build confidence in your science skills under the mentorship of real scientists from the Burke Museum and the University of Washington. Girls in Science is designed for girls who are looking for female role models, or who are inexperienced or unconfident in the sciences.

Seattle Public Schools Native Education
Title Vl, Parent Advisory Committee Meeting
Thursday September 6, 2018
5:00-6:30
John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence
2445 3rd Ave South
Seattle, WA 98124
Third Floor Commons

• School Planning, 18/19 school year
• Back to school supplies
• Updates
• Official Notice of PAC Elections, October 11, 2018, 5:00 PM Meany Middle School 301 21st Ave E Seattle, WA 98112, room 46 Potluck

We encourage all parents and guardians of Seattle Public Schools Native American and Alaskan Native Students to attend. The role of the Title Vl Native Education Parent Advisory Committee is to consult with and advise the Seattle School District on the development and operation of the Title Vl Program, assist in the development and approval of the Title Vl grant, and to help organize and conduct community cultural events, it’s important to know that the PAC helps to organize events and raise funds as well. By serving on the PAC parents and guardians of Native American/Alaskan Native Students in Seattle Public Schools can help decide the program goals and activities.

For information contact Gail Morris gtmorris@seattleschools.org 206 252 0948

Summer STEAM Camp for girls 12 to 18
August 13th -17th, 10am to 3pm daily
FREE Program
Limited transportation & lunch provided
University of Washington
Spend the week with University of Washington field experst working with state of the art technology and learn about STEM and coding.
A special trip to Microsoft on Wednesday!!
To register or for more information, email: 
shawn@haahillahee.org

Title VI Education                   

May 10, 2018

Title VI Indian Education Formula Grant Program

Huchoosedah Native Education applies annually for federally funding through the Title VI Indian Education Formula Grant program that assists Native American, Alaskan Native, and American Indian students in Seattle Public Schools in grades K-12. We believe that the academic success of Native students is grounded in a strong sense of cultural identity and belonging.

NOTICE: May 10th, 2018

Huchoosedah Title VI End of the Year Student K-12 Graduation Student Recognition Supper

June 7, 2018 from 5:30pm-8:00pm
At Daybreak Star Indian
Cultural Center
5011 Bernie Whitebear Way

Mega I Sports Academy

Welcome Native families, if you have Native children in Seattle Schools and want to join our Parent Advisory Committee (PAC), please attend. We need your voices! Please join us for PAC Elections at Meany Middle School.

Native American Education Program
Seattle Public Schools
October 26, 2017
From 5-630
Meany Middle School
301 21st Ave E
Seattle, WA 98112

See event flyer

Dear Parents: If you currently have a Native high school student behind in their graduation requirements, please consider enrolling them in the Native Ed. Summer Credit Retrieval Class at the Seattle World School. This class is FREE to Native Families and ORCA cards or bus tickets will be provided, snacks as well. More details are on the application, please have your student’s counselor sign off on it and return to Native Ed. Your student’s counselor can be found by contacting the student’s school

Gail T. Morris, Native American Education Program Manager, bestowed Enduring Spirit Award.

June 9, 2017 5:30-7:45
Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center
5011 Bernie Whitebear Way

American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES) applications now are available for the 2017-18 academic year award cycle. Individuals interested in applying may download the application materials at the ReadySetGrad website at:

http://www.readysetgrad.org/college/american-indian-endowed-scholarship.

Click the underlined program name below the “How do I apply?” caption to open (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader software version 10.0 or newer). More information

Monday, December 19, 2016
4:00 pm— 8:00 pm

Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center
5011 Bernie Whitebear Way
Seattle, WA 98199

We cordially invite you to join us for holiday fun and cheer. The evening will include dinner & entertainment, presents for kids under 18, and Santa pictures!

NAYLA Sizzle Reel from Sky Bear Media on Vimeo.