Meet the ONE Team!
The Office of Native Education (ONE) decided to kick off this shiny new year with a glimpse into the concerted efforts at keeping humor at the foundation of our team. It has been a longstanding joke that we would sit for a JC Penney portrait in our Adidas track suits and, though we really didn't think it would happen, it did!
At our December ONE planning meeting at OSPI, we took a break to swiftly change into our superhero track suits and do several awkward family photos poses. A huge shoutout goes to our awesome Communications Team: Ker Malkin Gesulga and Flora Fu, for the photo op. Though our Assistant Director, Willard Bill Jr., was out on bereavement and could not join us in person, he was certainly there in spirit (in back, looking at the camera).
We'd like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves:
Front, left to right:
Jolee Isturis, AA3 for Tribal Consultation & Native Literacy
Kathrine (Kat) Lawrence, APS1 for JMLSTI & STECs
Kari Tally, AA4 for ONE Executive Director & WSNAEAC
Second row, left to right:
Destiney Petty, Tribal Languages Program Supervisor
Shandy Abrahamson, Career Connected Learning Tribal Liaison Program Supervisor
Maxine Alex: Tribal Consultation Program Supervisor
Back row, left to right:
Rebecca Purser, Native Educator Cultivation Program Supervisor
Henry Strom, ONE Executive Director
Willard Bill Jr., ONE Assistant Director
Bawaajigekwe (buh waahh ji gay quay) Boulley, Native Student Success Program Supervisor
Contact us for questions, concerns, suggestions, or if you just want to say hi!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Our Commitment to Sovereignty and Support
Over the last year, there has been a significant push to enhance services provided to Tribal communities. This initiative is rooted in a deep respect for Tribal sovereignty and a commitment to supporting the unique needs of these communities. By increasing access to educational support and services we can positively affect Native student success.
Developing a Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum
Education plays a crucial role in fostering understanding and respect for Tribal sovereignty. Our new curriculum development project focuses on integrating Tribal history, governance, and contemporary issues into educational programs. This curriculum is designed to educate both Tribal and non-Tribal students about the importance of sovereignty, self-determination, and the rich cultural contributions of Tribal nations. We have been successful in developing a Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) unit that will be forthcoming with our concerted efforts around website improvement for the JMLSTI website.
Supporting Tribal Legislation
As we enter the 2025 Legislative session we want to include some relevant information for the upcoming session. One is the OSPI sponsored Bill that will be asking for matching Title VI funds and the other is a guide to participating in the legislative process.
What Does Student Success Mean to You?
Happy New Year from the Native Student Success Program and Office of Native Education!
As we welcome 2025, we honor the brilliance and excellence of Native students, families, and communities. This is a time to reflect on the teachings of our ancestors and carry forward a shared vision for Indigenous education that uplifts our children, their dreams, and their purpose. Native Student Success is not just an outcome but a journey we take together, rooted in relationships, cultural knowledge, and community connections.
To deepen this work, the Native Student Success program invites you—educators, leaders, community members, and partners—to participate in our Native Student Success Survey, open now through March 1, 2025. Your voices, perspectives, and lived experiences are essential to shaping programs and policies that truly reflect the needs and strengths of Native students. Whether sharing successes, identifying barriers, or envisioning new supports, your input will guide our path forward.
Let us begin this year with intention, focusing on the power of collective effort and the possibilities we create together. Please take the survey and share it within your networks. Together, we can ensure that Native students thrive in schools and communities where their identities are seen, valued, and celebrated.
Take the survey
For questions, contact us at NativeEducation@k12.wa.us. Thank you for your contributions, and may this new year bring blessings and opportunities for all.
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JMLSTI Website Update
The John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State (JMLSTI) curriculum, which is endorsed by all 29 federally recognized tribes, and its website are currently undergoing a redesign through the collaboration between ONE and the newly-formed JMLSTI Advisory Council.
The JMLSTI Council, made up of six original curriculum developers, with the help of ONE, is working to clean up broken links and make the Elementary, Middle School, and High School social studies curriculum a highlight to the many additional resources and videos available. The website layout is being reorganized, and content is being expanded to include tribal place-based curriculum.
We believe these changes will significantly improve user experience and make it easier for educators to engage with our educational resources.
Photo: JMLSTI curriculum advisor, Elese Washines, describes a hand embroidered map of tribal lands to inform ONE staff, December 4, 2024
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Tribal Language Program
Way’ ul Xast Sic Spintk! Hello and Happy New Year. This month, the Tribal Language Program is focusing on partnering with members of the ONE team to capture how language learning and implementation are an integral part of holistic Native student success. Do you have a student or school “Language Win” to share? Let’s connect! Please reach out to Destiney at destiney.petty@k12.wa.us
Photo: Destiney Petty with her family, 2024
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Title VI Grant Funding Match
A Special Duty to AI/AN Students
AI/AN students hold a unique legal status as both U.S. citizens and members of sovereign tribes. As a result of this status, Washington has a special duty to educate these students under both the state constitution and under treaty, yet AI/AN students experience persistent and long-standing opportunity gaps in Washington’s K–12 education system.
The solution is to invest in district-level programs and practices that support Native student success through a state match of the federal Title VI grant. For more information, please see OSPI’s 2025-27 Biennial Operating Budget Decision Packages.
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Medicaid Reimbursement: Opportunities for Feedback
As part of the work to expand Medicaid reimbursement opportunities for schools, the Health Care Authority (HCA) and the Office of the Superintendent (OSPI) are offering the following engagement opportunities.
Behavioral Health Staff | January 16 | 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Register for Zoom meeting
LEA Special Education Service Providers | January 21 | 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Register for Zoom meeting
Other sessions will focus on special education, education leadership and business offices, school-based health care services providers and Medicaid administrative claiming coordinators, parents and students. For dates, times, and registration links for the entire series please see Upcoming Medicaid reimbursement feedback sessions.
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AI Innovation Summit Scholarship
Shaping the Future of K-12 Education
Statewide education association partners are co-hosting a second AI Innovation Summit which is designed to meet participants wherever they are in the AI journey. There will be beginning, intermediate, and advanced options for learning throughout all three participation pathways.
February 3-5 | SeaTac Doubletree Hotel | Complete the Interest Form
This At-a-Glance provides an overview of the program.
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ONE to Attend the ATNI Conference
Office of Native Education Executive Director, Henry Strom, Assistant Director, Willard Bill Jr., Career Connected Learning Tribal Liaison, Shandy Abrahamson, and Tribal Consultation Program Supervisor, Maxine Alex, will be attending the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) 2025 Winter Convention to represent Washington State to convey current areas of focus in response to needs and concerns of our 29 Federally Recognized Tribes.
January 26-30, 2025 | Downtown Portland Hilton
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TLCE Will Meet at OSPI
Tribal Leaders Congress on Education Hosting Hybrid Meeting
Agenda requests please send to: triballeaderscongresseducation@gmail.com
Purpose: To provide a forum for tribal leaders to work in collaboration with state agencies, institutions, and organizations to advocate for legislative, policy, and research efforts that increase educational opportunities available for Native peoples in Washington State.
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 22
In-Person: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction | Salish Room
Please check in at the front desk (Washington Street side) *Limited capacity*
Virtual via Zoom | Meeting ID: 871 6520 6203784
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Government-to-Government Relationships Training
January 24 | Virtual Training
Register now through January 23, 2025
You can find more information on our Tribal Consultation website.
This training fulfills the Government-to-Government Relationships with federally recognized Tribes new certificate renewal requirements for all teachers, administrators, including all principals, assistant principals, program administrators, Career and Technical Education (CTE) directors, and superintendents. New requirements are a result of HB 1426 and WAC 181-79A-244.
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Native Educators’ PLC
Earn free equity clock hours! The Native Educators’ Professional Learning Community (PLC) will meet on the following dates:
Thursday, February 6 | 4–5:30pm
Thursday, February 20 | 4–5:30pm
Thursday, March 6 | 4–5:30pm
Thursday, March 20 | 4–5:30pm
Register now through pdEnroller or visit our website for more information.
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