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National Native American Heritage Month 2025

  • Culture Appreciation
National Native American Heritage Month 2025

Image of our Native Scholars at the 2024 graduation

November is National Native American Heritage Month, a time our district and schools celebrate the significant and countless contributions, rich and diverse ancestry, cultures, traditions, and histories of our nation’s first people.

Federal Way Public Schools acknowledge that our schools are on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup and Muckleshoot Tribes. The Puyallup and Muckleshoot people have lived on and stewarded these lands since the beginning of time and continue to do so today. We recognize that this land acknowledgement is one small step toward true allyship, and we commit to uplifting the voices, experiences, and histories of the Indigenous people of this land and beyond. 

We are honored to join together in ensuring a strengthened and meaningful public-tribal relationship with our closest federally recognized tribe, The Puyallup Tribe. FWPS is deeply committed in cultivating relationships with our local tribal community, educating our scholars on Native American history and the ancestral lands we reside on, and supporting our scholars who identify as Native Americans. Learn more about the FWPS Native Education Program.

Heritage Month is more than a date on the calendar; it's a reflection of who we are. At FWPS, we strive to ensure our schools reflect the rich diversity of our community where every scholar feels a deep sense of belonging and is truly seen, valued, and heard.

Celebrating and learning about all cultures enriches our scholars' experiences and strengthens our collective understanding. Join us in using this time to uplift Indigenous histories, cultures, and traditions — not just during Heritage Month, but throughout the year. Let’s share stories, knowledge, and resources as we honor truth and deepen our commitment to inclusive education. Here are additional resources to help you explore Native American Heritage and Culture:

·       The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Website

·       Puyallup Tribal Language

·       Muckleshoot Language

·       Illuminative

·       Native Knowledge 360° Education Interactive Teaching Resources

·       Native Education | OSPI

·       Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month | NEA

View additional recognitions in the FWPS Cultural & Religious Calendar here: www.fwps.org/culturalcalendar

 

Learning in the Classroom through Culinary Experiences

Our young students across our elementary schools and preschools are learning about Native American culture with fun, culinary learning experiences!

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, our Uptown ECEAP scholars with Ms. Tiffany welcomed PSESD Director of Native American Education and Decatur High Schools Native Gators NA Coalition to her classroom for a Frybread Lesson. The kids read the book Frybread, experienced drumming and a round dance, and each of them made their own frybread!

Mixing, Kneading, and Learning at Green Gables Elementary

Third Graders at Green Gables Elementary had a hands-on culinary adventure making Native American–inspired fry bread! Guided by their teachers, Decatur HS senior Amani (Choctaw), and the FWPS Native Education Department, scholars learned to mix, knead, and fry this delicious treat.

📖 As part of the “John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial” curriculum, students also explored the cultural and historical significance of fry bread through storytelling and reading.

Amani shared, “My grandparents got me involved in Native culture during my elementary years… it’s important that kids know where they are, and if they’re part of a tribe, they can learn more about who they are and where they come from.”

🌾 A beautiful blend of food, culture, and learning!

FWPS schools celebrated Native American Heritage Month with vibrant assemblies!

 “Oki Nitanikkoo Madison!” (Hello, my name is Madison!)

Madison, a fourth grader at Panther Lake Elementary joined by her twin Violet and first-grade sister Elliana, proudly introduced themselves in Blackfoot at their school’s assembly.

Wearing beautiful ribbon skirts and earrings, all handcrafted by their aunties, the sisters were joined by members of the school’s Native Club, including Malaya and her cousins Josiah and Jarvis, and Asher, for a stunning dance accompanied by drumming from FWPS staff and alumni.

Following the students, Deborah Joan Guerrero (Tlingit, Snohomish Cowlitz, Snoqualmie, Nez Perce, Eagle Brown Bear) shared her heritage through song as all students joined respectfully. “To be asked to share knowledge about Indigenous people who have always been here is a gift,” Deborah shared following the assembly. Across FWPS, some schools honored Native American heritage with assemblies, stories, and songs.

Song and Storytelling at Valhalla Elementary

At Valhalla Elementary, the assembly was also filled with energy and excitement. It featured Justice Bill from Muckleshoot and scholars from Sacajawea Middle School ’s Native Club who read “The Story of the Little Rabbit.”

Thank you to all who made these celebrations unforgettable! 

 

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