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As we move into October and settle into the school year, we recognize the dedication, resilience, and care being demonstrated by students, families, educators, communities, and Tribes across Washington. This time of year often brings new routines, opportunities for connection, and continued efforts to support student success and well-being.
While some changes have taken place within our office this year, our commitment to serving Native students, families, communities, and educational partners remains strong. We are here to provide support, share resources, and help navigate questions and opportunities throughout the school year.
If you have questions or need support, please feel free to email us at NativeEducation@k12.wa.us.
We value our partnership with you and look forward to continuing to work together in support of Native students and communities across Washington.
Sincerely,
Bawaajigekwe Boulley
Maxine Alex
Kathrine Lawrence
Kari Tally
Office updates, announcements, policy changes, funding opportunities, and important deadlines.
Join the WSNAEAC: Nominations Now Open
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is seeking nominations for membership on the Washington State Native American Education Advisory Committee (WSNAEAC). This committee provides Native American perspectives and guidance to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, helping strengthen relationships among public schools, tribal compact schools, Tribal leadership, and Native communities throughout Washington.
We are currently recruiting for two vacancies:
Elementary/Secondary (East) Representative
Pre-K/Early Learning Representative
Print or download the WSNAEAC nomination form
Submit Nominations by November 1, 2026
We encourage Tribal Leaders and education partners to nominate individuals who are committed to advancing Native education and supporting Native student success. Your participation helps ensure Native voices are represented in educational decision-making across the state.
For more information, please read the WSNAEAC recruitment memo, visit the WSNAEAC website, or contact the Office of Native Education.
ESSA Tribal Consultation Office Hours
To support districts in meeting the ESSA Tribal Consultation requirement, the Office of Native Education is hosting weekly Office Hours.
The sessions provide a dedicated opportunity for participants to ask questions, share insights, and receive updates related to Tribal Consultation processes, including Strengthening Tribal Consultation and Administrator Government to Government Relationships Training initiatives.
Fridays, now through November 27
11am–12pm | Join on Teams
The discussions are open to Tribal Education Departments, Local Education Agencies (LEAs), school directors, school administrators, and other interested partners. Sessions are held in a group setting and may include multiple participants to encourage collaboration, shared learning, and collective problem-solving.
Whether you are new to ESSA Tribal Consultation or looking for support with this year's requirements, we encourage you to participate.
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OIE Confirms Continued Use of Current ED506 Form Pending OMB Approval
The Indian Student Eligibility Certification (ED506 Form), which displays an expiration date of 06/30/2026, will remain active until the new form is approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). While you wait for a new date to be applied, grantees should continue to use forms with the expiration date 06/30/2026. Once OMB provides a new expiration date, the Office of Indian Education (OIE) will promptly share that information with grantees.
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ONE Calendar of Events & Dates
This section highlights upcoming events scheduled over the next several months. Additional details for some events may be included elsewhere in this newsletter.
NIEA Conference
October 7–10
Buffalo, NY
Find out more about NIEA
37th Annual Centennial Accord
October 11–15
Snoqualmie Casino Hotel
Visit GOIA for more details
Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 12
Government-to-Government (G2G) Training
October 26
Kennewick
In-Person G2G Registration
Virtual G2G Registration
Native American Heritage Month
November 1–30
Veterans Day
November 11
OSPI CLOSED
WWNAEC Meeting
November 19
Renton ESD
View WWNAEC details
WSSDA Conference
November 19–21
Spokane, WA
Check out WSSDACON!
Thanksgiving Day
November 26
OSPI CLOSED
Native American Heritage Day
November 27
OSPI CLOSED
Government-to-Government (G2G) Training
December 11
Vancouver, WA
Registration coming soon
G2G Online Modules Open
December 14
View more G2G details
WWNAEC Holiday Luncheon
December 17
Bethel
View WWNAEAC details
Christmas Day
December 25
OSPI CLOSED
New Years Day
January 1, 2027
OSPI CLOSED
WSNAEAC Winter Meeting
January 11, 2027
Virtual - Open to Public
WWNAEC Meeting
January 14, 2027
White River
View WWNAEC details
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 19, 2027
OSPI CLOSED
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Highlights from Tribal visits, school districts, conferences, community partnerships, and staff engagement across Washington.
Celebrating the Nakia Academy Cohort 2 Launch at Muckleshoot Tribal College
On September 26, Indigenous Educators gathered at Muckleshoot Tribal College to celebrate the launch of the second year of the Nakia Academy Indigenous Educator Cohort. This inspiring community of leaders and mentors supports Indigenous Educators through relationship building, professional growth, and the honoring of Indigenous identities, cultures, sovereignty, and Ways of Knowing.
Read the full story about the Nakia Cohort 2 kickoff celebration.
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A featured story showcasing promising practices, educator innovation, Tribal partnerships, and/or student success.
Welcome to a New School Year
As a new school year begins, we are thinking about the many ways Native student success takes shape across our schools, Tribal communities, and families. Through the development of the Native Student Success Framework, we continue to hear that success is about more than academics. It is also found in identity, belonging, relationships, community, leadership, self-determination, and the opportunity to contribute.
A new school year brings another season of possibility. As students return to classrooms and communities reconnect, we hope we continue creating spaces where Native students are known, valued, supported, and able to recognize the gifts they already carry. Our Native Student Success Spotlight is one way we can celebrate those stories together.
Kenzie Brown | Quiet Leadership, Strong Community
Senior, Lake Roosevelt High School | Grand Coulee Dam School District | Citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Nominated by Ashley Three Irons-Atkins, Indian Education Director, Grand Coulee Dam School District
Leadership does not always call attention to itself. Sometimes it looks like recognizing when your community needs you and stepping forward to help.
Kenzie Brown, a senior at Lake Roosevelt High School and a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, did exactly that this summer. As families were displaced or evacuated by the Kaiser Canyon Fire on the Colville Indian Reservation, Kenzie gave her time and energy to help families and community organizations provide care and assistance to those affected.
Her nominator, Ashley Three Irons-Atkins, describes Kenzie as a quiet leader whose strength is reflected in her actions. That leadership carries into other parts of her life as well. Kenzie is a dedicated member of Lake Roosevelt’s varsity girls’ basketball and soccer teams and represents her school, Tribe, and community with strength and dependability.
Kenzie’s story reminds us that Native student success can be seen in how young people care for their communities, show up for others, and recognize their own ability to contribute. Leadership does not have to be loud to have an impact.
Congratulations, Kenzie, and thank you for showing what community-centered leadership can look like.
Help Us Find Our Next Native Student Success Spotlight
Do you know a student, educator, program, or community member doing meaningful work to support Native student success? We want to celebrate them!
We have made nominations easier with a new Native Student Success Spotlight Nomination Form. Share who you would like to recognize, tell us a little about what they are doing and why it matters, and we will take it from there.
Submit a Native Student Success Spotlight Nomination
Scan the QR code or click the link above to submit a nomination.
Photos, links, and student-created work are welcome, but not required. The nomination form also includes information about photo permissions for nominees under 18.
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Native Student Success Office Hours: Let’s Connect
Dear Readers,
I hold virtual office hours every Friday at 10:00 am. If you are a student, family member, educator, or community partner and want to connect, share feedback, or process together, I invite you to email me for the virtual link.
We are doing this work together, and I would love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Bawaajigekwe Boulley
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Upcoming trainings, conferences, webinars, registration links, and learning resources.
See ONE at the 2026 NIEA Conference!
October 7–10 | Buffalo, NY
The Office of Native Education (ONE) will be attending the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Conference, where this year's theme, “Strength in Community: Building the Future Together,” highlights our shared commitment to supporting Native students and advancing education systems that honor tribal sovereignty, language, and identity.
Attending the conference helps ONE strengthen partnerships with Tribal leaders, Native education advocates, and state and national organizations dedicated to Native student success while learning from promising practices across the country. The conference also supports ONE’s ongoing efforts to strengthen tribal consultation and collaboration among OSPI, tribal governments, school districts, tribal schools, Native communities, and Tribal Education Compact schools to better serve Native students and families.
If you are at NIEA, come see us on Friday, October 9th for a session on Tribal Consultation as a Template for Social Justice: Building Policy with Community, By Community (Session: 619). Details are as follows:
- Date: October 9
- Time: 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM
- Location: Buffalo Convention Center, 101B
- Role: Lead Presenter - Maxine Alex
The conference also features Educator Day, a special event dedicated to celebrating and supporting Native-serving educators through professional learning, collaboration, and networking with educators and advocates from across the nation.
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Administrators Government-to-Government (G2G) Relationships Training
House Bill 1426 (2022) mandates in renewing an administrator certificate on or after July 1, 2023, continuing administrators must attend a 5-hour Government-to-Government Relationships Training to focus on:
- Introduction to Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State
- Boarding Schools and Historical Trauma
- Identifying Native Students in Public Schools
- Agents of Change: School Leadership Behaviors and Dispositions
- Creation of Government-to-Government Systems
Next G2G Training: October 26 | Kennewick, WA
Visit the Tribal Consultation website for more information about G2G training.
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Upcoming events, grant deadlines, observances, and opportunities to engage with the Office of Native Education.
Highline Public Schools Seeks Native Literacy and Culture Specialist
The Family Engagement & Student Support Department is seeking a full-time Native Education Literacy and Culture Specialist to join their team for the 2026-2027 school year.
This position would support culturally responsive language and literacy learning for American Indian and Alaska Native students. The position helps engage students and families in improving reading and writing skills while supporting Native Education initiatives and implementation of Washington State’s Since Time Immemorial Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum.
Review the Highline Schools Native Education Literacy and Culture Specialist position description.
Position closes October 2. APPLY for the Native Literacy and Culture Specialist NOW!
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Apply for ArtsWA Tribal Cultural Affairs (TCA) Program Manager
The Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) is seeking an individual with knowledge of Native arts, cultures, and communities. The successful candidate will collaborate with partners statewide and demonstrate strong program management, attention to detail, and the ability to oversee staff and multiple projects.
Application Deadline: October 8. APPLY for ArtsWA NOW!
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Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Gather, Celebrate, and Connect
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is Monday, October 12. Across the region, Tribal Nations, Native organizations, colleges, and communities are creating opportunities to gather, learn, and celebrate the cultures, contributions, and continued presence of Indigenous peoples.
Here are a few opportunities to gather and celebrate this October:
Kent | October 3: Unkitawa Indigenous Days will be held from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. at Unkitawa in Kent. The Indigenous celebration includes live music, a powwow, vendors, and a free BBQ. Visit the Unkitawa website to see more events.
Olympia | October 12: The Squaxin Island Tribe and City of Olympia will come together for an Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration at Squaxin Park. Learn more from the City of Olympia.
Seattle | October 12: United Indians of All Tribes Foundation’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration will be held from 4–7 p.m. at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center.
North Seattle | October 12: North Seattle College will host an Indigenous Peoples’ Day Powwow & Coastal Jam at the Roy Flores Wellness Center. The Coastal Jam begins at 3 p.m., followed by dinner at 5 p.m. and Grand Entry at 6 p.m.
These are just a few of the gatherings happening across the region. We encourage you to connect with Tribal Nations and Native organizations in your area to learn about Indigenous Peoples’ Day events and opportunities in your own community.
Artwork by Louie Gong created special for Indigenous Peoples' Day
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Looking Ahead: November is Native American Heritage Month
As we enter October and celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day on the 12th, we encourage everyone to begin preparing for Native American Heritage Month in November, a time to recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures, traditions, and contributions of Native peoples and Tribal Nations across Washington and the United States.
To learn more about Native American Heritage Month visit the Native American Heritage Month: A Collaborative Federal Resource, National Native American Heritage Month | U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Affairs, or the Native American Heritage Month Resources | National Archives.
Don't miss our November newsletter which will feature valuable information, resources, and opportunities to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.
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Statewide Civic Leadership Opportunity for Girls & Young Women (Ages 14–22)
Girls need a seat at the table.
The Washington State Women's Commission Youth Advisory Council (WCYAC) is calling all girls and young women ages 14–22 who want to make a difference in their communities and across Washington.
The council’s 13 members will shape state policy, elevate issues affecting their communities, and build leadership experience while helping the Women’s Commission achieve its mission: ensuring state policies and programs reflect and respond to the real needs of women and girls.
All interested youth ages 14-22 who live in Washington and identify as a girl or young woman are encouraged to apply!
Apply by October 25th: WCYAC Application
Download & share: WCYAC Youth Advisory Council Flyer
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The Office of Native Education shares resources, learning opportunities, and information to support educators, families, and communities. Inclusion in this newsletter does not constitute endorsement by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Some resources may be intended for educators, families, or community members and may not be designed for classroom use. We encourage recipients to review all materials for alignment with district policies, local needs, and applicable state and federal requirements before implementation. The views and opinions expressed in linked articles, events, and external resources do not necessarily reflect those of OSPI or the Office of Native Education.
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ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.
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