What's New

In recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we celebrate notable Northwesterners who are of Native American and Asian/Pacific American descent: Preston Singletary (Tlingit, Filipino), Bernie Whitebear (Colville, Filipino), Sondra Segundo (Haida, Filipino), Louie Gong (Nooksack, Chinese) and Bob Santos (Filipino, Indipino/Native American). Read their bios below to find out about their activist and artistic achievements.

In addition, listen to KNKX's recent story about Bainbridge Island's Indipino community to learn about local Native Americans who are also of Filipino descent: For Bainbridge Island's Indipinos, it's time to 'Honor thy Mother'

On April 30th, author Joy Harjo (Muscogee Creek), the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, was appointed for a second term. She will focus on her project, "Living Nations, Living Words: A Map of First Peoples' Poetry"—an interactive map of contemporary Native poets.

SPS American Indian Studies educators are curating online resources for continuous learning during the COVID-19 closure. Visit the American Indian Studies webpage to access social studies curriculum and other resources for learning about Washington State Tribal History.

The spring issue of American Indian, the magazine of Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMA), features Robert Eagle Staff Middle School and how they are transforming the teaching of Indian history and tribal sovereignty with the NMAI's Native Knowledge 360º and Since Time Immemorial curriculum. Read the article: Native History is American History: NMAI is Bringing Indigenous Perspectives into the Classroom

On March 9th, we honor Billy Frank Jr., a Northwest Native American (Nisqually) activist, who played a key role in the “Fish Wars” of the 1960's and 1970's, resulting in a landmark decision affirming tribal fishing rights.

Learn more about this influential leader in our Billy Frank Jr. collection of websites and articles: 

Billy Frank Jr. Online Collection

Written by student: Lucy W. The following article is from the Jane Addams Middle School Pawprint Newspaper, November 2019

Jane Addams and Nathan Hale share a class a class for Native kids to learn about their culture. The class teaches the children to have pride in their culture and to be successful in life. When I visited their classroom I was taught that they believe “for each young person that grows up strong and healthy, they bring health and healing to seven generations ahead of them and seven generations behind them.”

By Isabel S., Sentinel Staff Writer; Ruby W., Guest Writer; Olivia C., Sentinel Spread Writer

Origin of the month

In 1990 President George W. Bush approved and designated the month of November as “National American Indian Heritage Month” (some other names the month is called includes “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”).

Why it's important

Native American Heritage Month is a time to recognize and remind current day Americans of the people who were here first.

It exists to acknowledge native people and their contributions to the past and present day, in an attempt to amend the gaps in the traditional education system.

By Isabel S., Staff Writer, The Sentinel, Nathan Hale High School

Candy corn. Ghosts. Scary movies. Pumpkin patches. The Halloween season is upon us and with it comes many exciting activities. An important decision during Halloween is your costume. Will you be a ghost? A celebrity? A pun? Maybe you want to dress up as something from another culture. If you do want to wear a costume from another culture, be careful because what you choose to wear could affect others.

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

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

May 10, 2018

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

On Friday, June 2, Gail T. Morris received the Enduring Spirit Award. Presented by the Native Action Network for lifetime achievements of Native women who, through their commitment of time, energy, and volunteerism contribute to healthy communities. The issues they champion are varied and include environment, education, youth and family, holistic health (mind, body, spirit), continuation and retention of culture, preservation of treaty rights, sacred sites, and economic empowerment.

NAYLA Sizzle Reel from Sky Bear Media on Vimeo.