Recognizing American Indian Heritage Month
November 1, 2026, marks the beginning of American Indian Heritage Month, and we are proud to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, traditions, and contributions of our Native American students and families, who represent more than 8% of our Toppenish School District student population.
Throughout November, we look forward to sharing highlights that honor the heritage, voices, and contributions of our Native students and community.
We also want to extend a special thank you to our Johnson-O'Malley (JOM) students who came together to recite our official American Indian Heritage Month proclamation at our October School Board meeting. We are proud of the courage they demonstrated in speaking before our Board and community and the leadership they showed in representing their peers and honoring their heritage.
Our official American Indian Heritage Month proclamation is shared below:
WHEREAS, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation retains inherent rights reserved in the unique landscape of over 10 million acres of ceded land in central Washington and the Yakama Reservation area, where Toppenish School District #202 is located; and
WHEREAS, Yakama Nation students and a diverse student body are enrolled in the Toppenish School District Preschool to 12th grade in schools, where culturally responsive education is essential to the students' overall growth and development; and
WHEREAS, the Yakama Treaty of 1855 with the U.S. Government is upheld in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (13 September 2007) and states, "indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places and persons"; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous education is met through the Toppenish School District Indian Education program which supports students in the following ways:
1. The social, mental and spiritual growth of students is enriched by the lchiiskiin Sinwit (Yakama Language) class, increasing implementation of the John (luli/as) McCoy Since Time Immemorial Curriculum in the elementary middle and high school. Language revitalization, cultural activities district-wide, and High School Kamiakin Club; with the goal to perpetuate the rich forms of indigenous narratives and ways of life.
2. Meaningful Tribal Consultation and inclusion of families and community in programs and policy development to support the students' education and well-being.
3. Partnerships with the Vaka ma Nation, Northwest Tribes, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, University of Washington, University of Oregon, Heritage University, Professional Education Standards Board (PESB), and other organizations to build Native student leadership.
WHEREAS, the designation of American Indian Heritage Month in November calls upon federal, state and local agencies to commemorate the rich Native American heritage, history and cultures of the Native peoples of the United States and its' rich landscape.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Toppenish School District Board of Directors hereby proclaims November 2026 as American Indian Heritage Month and calls upon the schools to commemorate the month and school year with a culturally responsive education.