The Yelm Community Schools Native American Education Program is committed to supporting the wellness, cultural empowerment, and academic achievement of all Native students. The program offers a range of services and resources to support Native students’ cultural activities and family events. In addition, the district values its relationship with the Nisqually Tribe and recognizes the importance of Native culture and traditions in promoting the academic success of Native students. The program works closely with the Nisqually Tribe to ensure that cultural perspectives and practices are integrated into the program and to provide opportunities for Native students to engage with their cultural heritage. Through its commitment to supporting the wellness, cultural empowerment, and academic achievement of all Native students, the Yelm Community Schools Native American Education Program is helping to create a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.

We envision a thriving and inclusive school community that promotes wellness, cultural empowerment, and academic achievement of all Native students. 

As students, we will strive daily to demonstrate behavior and attitudes that represent the following:

Respect – Foster harmonious relationships that honor self, peers, family, elders, ancestors, teachers, school, community, and tribe/nation.
Responsibility – Take responsibility for our People; past, present and future, as well as our environment, and all living things. 
Culture – Honor and value our cultures and those of others. We are influenced by many different cultures, including Native and contemporary western cultures. We are mindful of how various cultures impact the development of our identities.
Perseverance – Understand that Native people have endured because of the perseverance of our ancestors. Each one of us has inborn strengths and limitless potential. We make our ancestors proud when we persist through challenges to achieve our goals.
Reflection – Native thinking and learning involves self-awareness, reflection, and contemplation of life’s deeper meanings. We strive to be thoughtful learners who value personal growth and positive change.
Service – We belong to the YCS NAEP community, the community of Yelm, and our tribes/nations. We strive to serve all our communities, making them better places for everyone.

Social Emotional Support and Cultural Identity

• Nisqually Recognitions and Celebrations - Provide training for new teachers.
  • Nisqually Day - September 29
  • Native American Heritage Month - November
  • Treaty of Medicine Creek - December 26
  • Chief Leschi Day - January 28
  • Billy Frank Jr. Day - March 9
• Staff Professional Development on Nisqually History, Culture, and Language - Provide training for new teachers.
• Nisqually Language Program - The elementary language program is taught during the instructional day at Southworth Elementary one day per month and the secondary program is taught after school at Yelm Middle School twice a month.
• Student Biweekly Lunch Bunch Meetings - Continue meeting with elementary, middle school, and high school students to build relationships, support culture, establish postsecondary pathways, and provide ongoing support. 
• Regalia for Yelm High School Graduates - Continue supporting Native seniors in creating regalia for commencement as desired.

Academic Growth and Achievement

• 100% On-time Graduation with a plan - Work with the Assessment Director to ensure every Native student is on a path, starting in kindergarten.
• Nisqually History Taught in Yelm Schools - Continue strengthening the Since Time Immemorial Curriculum implementation at grades 4, 7, and 11 as part of our district social studies curriculum review process.
• Dual-Credit/Worksite Learning - Collaborate with the Nisqually Tribe and Nisqually River Education Project to create a summer program connecting youth with their cultural heritage and natural resources.
• Graduation Ceremony for Native Students - Continue the Moving Up Ceremony for students in grades 5th, 8th, 12th and expand participation.
• Nisqually Cultural STEM Experience for YCS 4th Graders - Working with Nisqually Tribe and Nisqually River Education Project to plan event.

Preparation for College and Careers

• Support college and career-connected learning activities for students in grades 9-12 - college visitations, scholarship information, and support completing financial aid forms and college applications
• Monitor - On-time graduation for Native Seniors.

Collaborations to Support Native Students 

• Yelm High School Student Mentor Program - Officer Trey Birdtail and Liz Satiacum will collaborate to provide positive support and mentorship for YHS Native American Students.
• Parent Advisory Committee Meetings - Continue elevating Native family voice in educational programming and increasing meeting participation.
• Regional Alliance Meetings Between Nisqually Tribe and School District Native American Program Coordinators - Continue weekly collaboration meetings with the Nisqually Tribe and regional school districts.
• Teacher Professional Development Collaboration - Invite Nisqually Language Teachers to participate in district trainings as desired.
• South Sound Back to School Pow Wow - Held on September 23, 2023 at Bethel High School
• South Puget Sound Community College Fire Summit for Native Youth - Planning for spring, 2024.

Students must be enrolled in Yelm Community Schools and parents/guardians must complete a Title VI Student Eligibility Certification Form (ED Form 506) to receive program benefits and services. Forms may be obtained from your child's school, this link Title VI ED 506 Form, or an email request to Title VI Native Education Program office.

The following information must be included in the form for EACH eligible child:

• Student name and birthdate (as listed in school records)
• Name of Federally recognized Tribe or Alaskan Village/Corporation
• Tribal Enrollment number or copy of enrollment card
• Name of Tribal member (child, child's natural parent, or natural grandparent)
• Parent or guardian signature and date

Title VI ED 506 Form Instructions for Parent/Guardians

Definitions:
Indian means an individual who is (1) A member of an Indian Tribe or Band, as membership is defined by the Indian Tribe or Band, including any Tribe or Band terminated since 1940, and any Tribe or Band recognized by the State in which the Tribe or Band resides; (2) A descendant of a parent or grandparent who meets the requirements described in paragraph (1) of this definition; (3) Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian for any purpose; (4) An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native; or (5) A member of an organized Indian group that received a grant under the Indian Education Act of 1988 as it was in effect on October 19, 1994.

Student Information: 
Write the name of the child, date of birth, grade level, name of school and school district. Only name one child per form.

Tribal Membership:
Write the name of the individual with the tribal membership, if it is not the child listed. Only one name is needed for this section, even though multiple people may have tribal membership. Select only one identifier, the child, child’s parent or grandparent, for whom you can provide membership information. Write the name and address of the organization that maintains updated and accurate membership data for such Tribe or Band of Indians. The name does not need to be the official name as it appears exactly on the Department of Interior’s list of federally recognized Tribes, but the name must be recognizable and be of sufficient detail to permit verification of the eligibility of the Tribe. Check only one box indicated whether it is a Federally Recognized, State Recognized, Terminated Tribe or Organized Indian Group. Write the enrollment number establishing the membership for the child, parent or grandparent, if readily available, or other evidence of membership.

Attestation Statement:
Provide the printed name of parent/guardian and signature, address, phone number and email of the parent or guardian of the child. The signature of the parent or guardian of the child verifies the accuracy of the information supplied.

Paperwork Burden Statement:
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1810-0021. The time required to complete this portion of the information collection per type of respondent is estimated to average: 15 minutes per Indian student certification (ED 506) form; including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection.

If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4651. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, write directly to: Office of Indian Education, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., LBJ/Room 3W238, Washington, D.C. 20202-6335.

Native American Education Coordinator at 360.458.6120 or email Elizabeth Satiacum