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“You say that you are our father and I am your son.”
We say, ‘We will not be like Father and Son, but like Brothers’.”
This wampum belt confirms our words. These two rows will symbolize two paths or two vessels, traveling down the same river together. One, a birch bark canoe, will be for the Indian People, their laws, their customs and their ways. We shall each travel the river together, side by side, but in our own boat. Neither of us will make compulsory laws or interfere in the internal affairs of the other. Neither of us will try to steer the other’s vessel.”
-The Guswenta: Two Row Wampum Belt is a Symbol of Sovereignty, from a 1614 agreement between the Haudenosaunee and representatives of the Dutch government, declaring peaceful coexistence. The agreement has been kept by the Haudenosaunee to this date.
Each week, DCYF ESIT Tribal Program Consultant, Brian Frisina, provides a key topic to help us get to know our Tribal Nation Partners better.
This week’s term is:
Two Row Wampum Belt is a Symbol of Sovereignty
The Haudenosaunee see the Two Row Wampum as a living treaty; a way that they have established for their people to live together in peace; that each nation will respect the ways of the other as they meet to discuss solutions to the issues that come before them. Read to learn more:
Two Row Wampum – Gaswéñdah
Elder Bill shares the captivating story of the Two Row Wampum Belt of the Haudenosaunee. The belt symbolizes an agreement of mutual respect and peace between the Haudenosaunee and European newcomers to North America (watch time 2:20):
The Story of the Two Row Wampum Belt as told by Elder William Woodworth
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Exiled in the Land of the Free: Democracy, Indian Nations & the U.S. Constitution, by Oren Lyons (Editor) and John Mohawk: It is little known that the Revolutionary War and the writing of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights were strongly influenced by Native American traditions [...] This book, which was written into the Congressional Record, has major implications for future relations between Indian tribes and the governments of the United States and other nations. It presents the strongest case ever made for Native American sovereignty. American history has finally been written--not from the European point of view--but from an Indian perspective.
Sources
This space will be held in Spanish to provide reflective practice support and promote relationship building amongst Spanish speaking ESIT Providers to support wellbeing, uplift sense of belonging, and build on bilingual professional development. This will be an ongoing space to process, connect, and reflect on topics important to Spanish speaking providers.
The first session will launch during Latinx/Latine Heritage Month and will be led by King County ESIT Policy and Language Access Lead, Norma Lobo. This session will include cultural celebration sharing and relationship building. Providers will have the opportunity to co-create the ongoing connection and reflection space in which they want to participate.
Mon., Oct. 6 | 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Register for Spanish Speaking ESIT Providers Connection Space
Questions & Accommodation Requests
For questions, or to request access accommodations, contact Norma Lobo at nrenteri@kingcounty.gov.
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*CLAs and ESIT Provider Agencies, please widely share with your ESIT contractors*
ESIT's Resource and Sustainability Team is hosting several Fiscal Learning Opportunities! Priority registration will be given to budget/fiscal staff.
Fiscal Workshops
Fiscal Workshops will include guidance on the following topics:
- Part C Purpose and Fiscal Requirements,
- State Lead Agency (SLA) Responsibilities, and
- ESIT Fund Sources and Contracts.
* Workshops are two hours. All workshops will cover the same material (no need to attend all four).
Dates and Times
Accommodation Requests
ASL, live captioning, and other accommodations to fully participate in this webinar are available to you upon request. Please submit the Training and Event Access Support request form at least two weeks prior to the event. DYCF may not be able to fulfill requests made less than two weeks in advance.
Questions?
Email ESIT Resource Allocation Manager, Kali Wraspir, at kali.wraspir@dcyf.wa.gov.
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SICC Member Application
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is recruiting members for two open positions on the State Interagency Coordinating Council:
- (1) Public or private provider of Early Intervention Services,
- (1) Member of the State Legislature.
Apply on the Governor's website, and under 'Board Information,' select Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and Their Families, State Interagency Coordinating Council:
Apply here for SICC board
SICC Sub-Committees Application
The SICC Data, Finance, Personnel & Training, Public Policy, and Service Delivery Committees are accepting applications from qualified and interested individuals:
Complete Sub-Committee Interest form
If you have any questions, please contact DCYF ESIT Community Collaboration Coordinator, E Renae` Antalan.
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DCYF 2026 Legislative Session Webinar
DCYF is hosting a webinar from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, to provide updates on our Agency Request Legislation and Decision Package submissions for the 2026 Legislative Session.
To learn more, read the web article.
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Spread the Word about 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.
The Washington state Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) has put together a toolkit with ready-to-use materials that make spreading the word easy!
Visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/childcare/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 by phone in multiple languages.
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ICYF Conference Agenda Now Available
The agenda for the upcoming 2025 Indigenous Children, Youth & Families (ICYF) conference is now available online. Taking place on Oct. 15-16, this virtual event gathers caregivers, Tribal partners, caseworkers, early learning providers, and juvenile rehabilitation staff to learn together and improve our shared practice.
To view the agenda and to register, read the web article.
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We are seeking to center black excellence for children and families in King County Early Support for Infants and Toddlers. Share your own story in a community conversation this fall!
We want to hear from Black & African American families who:
- Have children with delays or disabilities who are under age 8,
- Used Early Support services in the past 5 years,
- Didn’t know about or access services when children were 0 to 3.
Please complete this form to participate in a Community Conversation about Centering Black Excellence within Early Support for Infants & Toddlers (ESIT):
ESIT Centering Black Excellence: Community Conversations
Virtual & In-Person Community Conversations
- Sat., Sept. 27 | 10 a.m. | Noon | Rainier Beach
- Mon., Sept. 29 | 6 – 8 p.m. | Kent
- Wed., Oct. 8 | 6 – 8 p.m. | Bellevue
- Sat., Oct. 11 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Northgate
- Wed., Oct. 29 | 6 – 8 p.m. | Virtual on Zoom
View and download the flyer for more information. Participants will receive a $75 stipend upon completing a session.
For any questions or support, please e-mail bsk-wested@wested.org.
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