Native Education Program




by Dale Faulstich, carver for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe

Phrases in nəxʷsƛ̕ay̕əmúcən (SKlallam language):

ʔənʔá či č̕ə́yəxʷ! (Welcome!)                                  ʔə́y̕ skʷáči! (Good day!)

ʔə́y̕ skʷáči ʔáynəkʷ! (Its a good day today!)    ʔiʔánəŋct st! (We learn together!)

We acknowledge the land we stand on:

The Sequim School District administrative and school buildings sit on the ancestral land of the nəxʷsƛ̕ay̕əm̕ (S’Klallam) People. While the S’Klallam traditionally come from one nation, history has led to the formation of three sovereign S’Klallam/Klallam tribal governments: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (located in Port Angeles, WA), Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe (located in Sequim, WA), and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe (located in Kingston, WA). Today, the Tribe and District share a partnership that includes official consultation on program and funding changes that may directly affect American Indian and Alaska Native students.

What is the Native Education Program?

The Native Education Program is a partnership between the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and the Sequim School District to increase the access of education resources for American Indian/Alaska Native students in the Sequim School District. This program is made possible by funding that comes from Title VI (Title Six) of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015.

Click here to read more about the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015: ESSA Ed.gov Website.

Click here to read more about Title VI section on Indian and Alaska Native Education:

Title VI - Indian and Alaska Native Education

What is the Title VI funding used for?

The funds are primarily used to pay a Native Education Advocate, hired by the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. The Advocate then provides direct services to students within the schools or can refer students and families to other necessary services that will increase education success.

The Native Education Advocate can provide the following services:

  • Sitting in the classroom with a student during the lesson to help guide learning and assignment work;
  • Provide one-on-one assistance with a student in a separate learning area to work on daily classroom assignments or homework;
  • Attend Individual Education Plan meetings with parents and teachers;
  • Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences with parents and teachers;
  • Attend truancy meetings and advocate for student needs to increase attendance;
  • Act as a connection between students’ parents and teachers;
  • Assist in access to school supplies;
  • Connection to cultural events;
  • Make referrals to tribal or other providers for
    • Financial assistance;
    • Food assistance;
    • Rental and home energy assistance;
    • Employment and Higher Education assistance; and
    • Mental health counseling or substance use disorder counseling.

The Native Education Program also:

  • Supports the integration and ongoing development of the Washington State Since Time Immemorial Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum. Click here to learn more about this curriculum:

Since Time Immemorial - WA State Curriculum; and

  • Provides information and advisement about tribal affiliation and enrollment processes to American Indian or Alaska Native students.

Is Your Student Eligible?

In order to be eligible, the student, student’s parent, or student’s grandparent must be enrolled in a Federally Recognized Tribe in the United States. This means that if the grandparent is enrolled in a tribe and the student is not, the student still qualifies for this program.

We encourage all American Indian and Alaska Native students to enroll in the program and participate in program activities, even if your student does not need to access all of the services.

Click here to view and print the form: Native American Program Enrollment - 506 Form

Please mail, or scan and email, the completed form to Robin Hall, Native American Advocate, at the contact information below. 

Do you have questions or would like more information?

Robin Hall, Native American Advocate                     
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Phone: 360) 809-9124

Jessica Humphries, Youth & Indian Child Welfare Program Supervisor
Email: [email protected]

Phone: (360) 681-5602

Location:

Jamestown Tribe Social Services
1033 Old Blyn Highway
Sequim, WA 98382                                                                         


Other Resources Available Through the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe for American Indians/Alaska Native Families in the Sequim School District:

Child Care Assistance may be available for income-eligible families for children ages 0 to 12 years old. Please contact Jessica Humphries, Indian Child Welfare Case Manager, at 360-681-5602 or [email protected], for more information and for an application to be sent to you. Our childcare assistance is made possible by the Administration of Children and Families Child Care Development Grant.

Other Websites of Interest:

Click here to visit the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s website: Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Website

Click here to visit the Elwha Klallam Tribe’s website: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Website

Click here to visit the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe’s website: Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe Website

Click here to visit the WA State Office of Public Instruction Guidance on the Since Time Immemorial Curriculum on tribal sovereignty and tribal history: http://www.indian-ed.org/

Click here to visit the WA State Office of Public Instruction Native Education webpage:

WA State OSPI: Native Education