The night was hosted by the Muckleshoot Tribe, who set the tone with a heartfelt presentation by the Muckleshoot Canoe Family. Willie Frank Jr., son of Billy Frank Jr. of the Nisqually Tribe, threw the ceremonial first pitch, symbolizing both the pride of his family and the legacy of Native leadership. Adding a soulful touch to the evening, Aidan Bowen, opera singer and artist from the Upper Skagit Tribe, sang the national anthem, captivating the crowd with her powerful voice.
Children from tribes across Washington State and beyond proudly welcomed fans in their own languages, filling the stadium with energy and reminding everyone of the resilience and pride of Native youth. Musician Travis Thompson, from the Diné Tribe, shared his perspective on the Native experience: “...Music is always playing, someone is always trying to make someone laugh. The Native experience is everywhere. It might have a slightly different accent, it might be slightly different food on the table, but it’s the same feeling… it’s just home...”
Art and creativity were on full display, with Native American vendors and artists showcasing their work-from intricate beadwork, weaving, carving to unique designs from various tribes. The night’s official jersey (image above), adorned with a hummingbird designed by Muckleshoot artist Amy Yates, was a visual testament to the beauty and depth of Native art.
The crowd was a living celebration of culture, spanning generations—from grandbabies to great-grandparents. Fans wore stunning Native jewelry and clothing that proudly displayed their heritage. Families shared the joy of the game together, with younger generations helping elders navigate the excitement of the night. It was a true reflection of community: strong, supportive, and rooted in tradition.
Seattle Mariners’ Native American Heritage Night was more than a baseball game. It was a celebration of identity, creativity, and connection. Through music, art, family, and community, the evening honored the vibrant cultures of Native peoples while sharing their stories with a wider audience. It was a night of pride, joy, and togetherness-a night that will be remembered long after the final inning.
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Technical Assistance Available to Prospective Child Care Providers
As part of statewide efforts to make it easier for licensed child care providers to open their doors, DCYF is now offering technical assistance services to help individuals during the application process. Read more. If you are interested in becoming a licensed child care provider, visit the Licensing Process webpage or email dcyf.welcome@dcyf.wa.gov.
Resources for Families Impacted by Immigration-Related Concerns
We are excited to announce that the Family Separation Rapid Response Team Resource Flyer is now available in multiple languages on our website. This is a comprehensive list of trusted resources for families at risk of separation due to immigration-related detention or deportation.
View and download the flyer here:
Resources for Families Impacted by Immigration-Related Concerns
Check out the flyer for the following:
- Links to community partner websites
- Sample Immigrant Safety Plans and related documents
- Resources for finance and business transitions
- School guidance
- Know Your Rights information and training
- Legal supports
- Information about the Keep Washington Working Act
- REAL ID guidance
For information about the Family Separation Rapid Response Team or to sign up to receive updates, visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/FamilySeparationRapidResponseTeam.
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Early Learning Facilities Expansion and Maintenance Grant
The Early Learning Facilities (ELF) program supports Washington’s commitment to develop additional high quality early learning opportunities for children from low-income households. The program aims to help Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) contractors and Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) providers to expand, remodel, purchase, or construct early learning facilities and classrooms necessary to support early learning opportunities for children from low-income households.
ELF funding is open to nonprofits, public entities, K-12 schools and districts, tribes and for-profit businesses.
The application period closes at 5 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2025.
We encourage you to utilize the new “Live” Office Hours that will be provided for this funding round. For full program and grant information, and for office hours, visit Early Learning Facilities Program – Washington State Department of Commerce.
American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention: Tribal Community Grant Opportunity
The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention is offering grants to tribes and tribal community organizations to work toward increasing access among tribal communities to safe infant sleep products and supplies. Up to 8 grants of $20,000 will be awarded to qualified applicants. Grantees will be funded for a 9-month project period, September 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026.
The deadline to apply is Sep. 30, 2025.
Visit Tribal Community Grant Opportunity for information and to apply.
Indigenous Children, Youth & Families (ICYF) Conference
Oct. 15-16, 2025 | Virtual
The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) is excited to announce that registration for the 6th annual Indigenous, Children, Youth & Families (ICYF) conference is now open! Taking place this year on Oct. 15-16, the conference is a free, virtual event open to DCYF staff, tribal partners, and the community.
This year’s theme – Restoring Balance: Healing Ourselves and Strengthening Our Communities – will focus on coming together to learn, connect, and support each other as we continue to deepen and improve our practice.
To register, visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/ICYF-2025.
Download and share the ICYF conference flyer with your friends and colleagues!
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Orange Shirt Day T-Shirts
September 30 is the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (or “Orange Shirt Day”), a holiday celebrated in Canada and honored by many in the United States. Alongside our relatives in Canada, we honor September 30 as a day to reconcile and share the truth about the experience of Indigenous children within government-run boarding schools.
To carry this remembrance beyond the day, the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition is offering a 2025 Day of Remembrance T-shirt. Wearing it is a way to honor survivors, uplift community healing, and show your commitment to truth, justice, and healing.
Visit National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition to purchase your T-shirt. Shirts must be purchased by Sep. 15 to ensure delivery in time for the Sep. 30 observance.
Native & Strong Lifeline Expands Access with Text and Chat
The Native & Strong Lifeline, Washington’s suicide-prevention, crisis, and help line for all Native and Indigenous people in the state, now offers text and chat services. These new options expand the line's efforts to provide culturally affirming support for American Indian and Alaska Native people experiencing thoughts of suicide, substance use concerns, mental health crises, or emotional distress.
How to contact the Native & Strong Lifeline:
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Call: 988 then press 4
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Text: N8V to 988
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Chat: Select the "All Native people in Washington state” box in the pre-chat survey when chatting online.
The Native & Strong Lifeline is free, confidential, and available 24/7/365. It’s available to all Tribal and Indigenous people in Washington or anyone contacting the line from a Washington area code.
Post-Adoption Center Post-Permanency Support For Tribal Nations
A unique opportunity to develop and implement post-permanency services is being offered through the Post-Adoption Center, which is a Children's Bureau initiative. Post-permanency services are a type of support for families and children who have achieved permanency through guardianship, customary adoption or adoption. Post-permanency services are designed to meet the unique needs of families and children in promoting a stable family environment.
For more information, you are encouraged to attend the one-hour webinar on Sep. 16, 2025 at 10 a.m. The webinar will provide a general overview of the universal and on-site technical assistance available to Tribal Nations through this project.
Visit Tribal Nations - National Center for Enhanced Post-Adoption Support for information and to register for the webinar.
Foster Support Night
Sep. 18, 2025 | 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Casey Family Services
1123 23rd Ave., Seattle, WA 98122
For more information, visit Foster Care Support » United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. To RSVP, contact zdavis@unitedindians.org or call (541) 292-1537.
Free & Low-Cost Child Care
Many families living in Washington state qualify for free or low-cost child care, but they may not know about it. You can help by sharing information with parents, caregivers, and your community.
DCYF has put together a toolkit with ready-to-use materials that make spreading the word easy! Visit the digital toolkit to access printable flyers, sample social media posts, and email templates. Whether you work directly with families or want to help your community stay informed, these resources make it easy to connect families to the support they need.
Want to know more about the Working Connections Child Care Subsidy Program? Visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/childcare or call 844-626-8687. Help is available in multiple languages.
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Tribe’s Partnership with Sounders Helps Canoe Journey Host
"When Seattle Sounders FC learned the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe needed water after an unfortunate gas spill occurred right before it was set to host Canoe Journey, the organization didn’t hesitate to step up to lend a helping hand." Read more: Tribe’s partnership with Sounders helps Canoe Journey host | Puyallup Tribe
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