By: Tana Peterman, Senior Program Officer, K12 STEM Jenée Myers Twitchell, Chief Impact & Policy Officer - Washington STEM

Washington STEM has been building relationships with and working in partnership with staff from the Office of Native Education (ONE) for nearly two years, and we are so grateful. Washington STEM works to address systemic barriers to increase access to education pathways leading to household-sustaining wage jobs, focused on student populations, including Indigenous students. Initially, we aimed to increase collaboration around career connected learning opportunities via Career Connect Washington. However, early on it became clear that we needed to deepen our own learning regarding the history of tribes in Washington, the concepts of sovereignty and government-to-government relations, and the practice of tribal consultation.

With guidance from ONE, we watched videos (e.g., The Canary Effect), read books (e.g., All the Real Indians Died Off), listened to podcasts (e.g.,This Land), pored over websites and materials (e.g., NIEA’s resources for schools), and tested our understanding at weekly meetings with ONE. We held ourselves accountable to action; to that end, we realized that many of our peers and partners across the state would benefit from a “primer” on the very same things we were learning. In spring 2022, building on our learning with ONE, we generated an interactive pre-assessment of knowledge of tribal relations, sovereignty, and understanding of the basis of tribal consultation in our state. We pulled together commonly held myths and facts and Washington state-specific knowledge to create an adaptable (one- to three-hour) overview, primarily for non-Native partners. It is an open-source activity, with a replicable Mentimeter interactive quiz, that helps folks assess the knowledge, biases, and harmful tropes they may harbor, and to work on shifting their approach and perspective on tribal relations. We presented it to Washington STEM staff, Career Connect Washington-affiliated partners across the state, and graduate students earning education-related degrees. Continue Reading...

Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State

In 2015, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 5433 modifying the original 2005 legislation, now requiring the Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington state or other tribally-developed curriculum be taught in all schools.  The use of the Since Time Immemorial curriculum has been endorsed by all 29 federally recognized tribes.

Ready to Go Lessons:

To support the continuous teaching and learning you are providing your students, these “Ready to Go” lessons have been shared by Tribes and educators to provide you with quick access to a variety of complete lessons to implement along with or in addition to the Since Time Immemorial tribal sovereignty curriculum.

If you have any questions, please contact Joan Banker, Office of Native Education, OSPI.

True Partnership

By: Dr. Grant Storey, CTE & Dual Credit Coordinator, Methow Valley School District

I would like to highlight the work of and thank Joshua Porter of the Western Washington University Sustainability Pathways Program, Shandy Abrahamson of the OSPI Office of Native Education, Meghan Francis of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation’s Youth Development Program and Sue Kane and Linda Dezellem of the North Central Education Service District for their efforts in deepening relationships and partnerships in Okanogan County and North Central Washington to support culturally relevant learning for our local youth. 

Over the past several months these educational leaders have worked to recruit a diverse group of innovative regional CTE teachers and administrators across a variety of CTE pathways and program areas to form a Sustainability and Tribal Sovereignty Community of Practice convened with the support of a Career Prep program-builder grant through Career Connect WA 

By emphasizing co-learning through a series of in-person and virtual convenings and design lab workshops this community of practice hopes to use a systems thinking approach to generate place-based practices that are relevant to local youth and best position CTE educators to engage in regional cross-sector work focused on dimensions of human and public health, economic vitality and opportunity, ecological quality, social justice, and cultural sustainability. Additionally, the region is actively working together to start conversations around questions such as: 

• How do we prepare our CTE programs to support youth in gaining essential skills and credentials to be successful in gaining employment in sustainability and emerging green economy careers?
• What sustainability skills are industry partners looking for in our region? 
• How can we build better CTE advisories to develop partnerships and deepen relationships with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and experience how Tribal Consultation and ways of knowing can lead to development of new supports for both our tribal and non-tribal students?
• What are some opportunities for CTE instructors to refine teaching for cultural relevance and student success? 
• How does connecting Tribal sovereignty and relations naturally fit in a CTE curriculum? 
• How do place-based community projects develop leadership and cultural sustainability?

After two convenings this community or practice is already producing positive and impactful change. At least in the Methow Valley, It has sparked new conversations and emboldened teachers to think creatively. It has opened up resources and led to new connections within our region and with other partners across the state.  More importantly, these meetings have helped to break down “silos” that keep us working isolated outside of partnership and devoid of different perspectives such as geographic distance, CTE program area, Secondary vs Post-Secondary, Education vs Economic Development, Tribal vs Non-Tribal, Government Agency vs Non-government Agency that will help us stay true to our commitment to our students and families to promote and develop innovative career and technical education pathways in high-demand, livable-wage, locally and regionally relevant industries that honor each students personalized strengths, interests, and culture.   

2023 Washington Mentoring Conference

Hope Science: Utilizing Hope to Improve Mental Health & Wellness

• May 10th | 9-4pm, General Conference Day
• May 11th | 9-1pm, Senior Leadership Day

Keynote Speakers: Dr. Chan Hellman & Dr. John Gaines

This virtual conference is specifically aimed at mentoring and youth development professionals across Washington State. This conference will provide an opportunity for organizations to come together and explore how hope science and wellness can support their work and health of youth, families, and communities. If you have any questions, please email Laura Mendoza.

April: National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of preventing child abuse and neglect. We are committed to creating safe and nurturing environments for all children, and we encourage our community to join us in this effort. Resources such as the WA State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (1-866-END-HARM), Safe Kids Washington, and the National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD) can provide guidance and support for those who suspect a child may be at risk of harm. Together, we can work to protect children.

April: Month of the Military Child

April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices and the challenges they overcome.

April: School Library Month

School Librarian Day: April 4

School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians' celebration of school librarians and school libraries. Every April school librarians are encouraged to host activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school libraries play in transforming learning. Feel free to use these promotional and advocacy tools as conversation starters with your administrator. Meet Northwest ESD 189 Regional Teacher of the Year Linsey Kitchens - YouTube

Ramadan: March 22 - April 21

Ramadan is a month-long spiritual period of fasting and prayer. It is a period of time when Muslims strive for spiritual purification through fasting, self-sacrifice, and increased prayer. This year it starts the evening of Wed, Mar 22, 2023 - evening of Fri, Apr 21, 2023.

Please consider cultural awareness and how you can support students during fasting. Fasting is an important part of Ramadan, students may be experiencing low blood sugar, weakness, and other symptoms. Many Muslim students will ask to modify their exercise or to be excused from PE. Others will choose to participate fully in these activities. Either way, it’s important to talk to your principal about the school’s policy and have alternative ideas for students who may need them.