TACOMA, WA – For over 20 years, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians has supported efforts in local classrooms to educate students about the history of the tribe and the land. Last week, 13 local school districts signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the tribe to coordinate, engage in and support meaningful consultation on education about tribal culture and history.
The signing took place at the brand-new Puyallup Tribal Administration building. Remarks were shared from Puyallup Tribal Council and superintendents from the participating districts. Puyallup Tribe Curriculum Developer/School Liaison Patricia Conway shared a presentation highlighting the goals of the MOU.
The MOU covers curriculum for school districts in King and Pierce County: Bethel, Chief Leschi, Clover Park, Franklin Pierce, Fife, Federal Way, Orting, Peninsula, Puyallup, Sumner-Bonney Lake, Tacoma, University Place and Vashon Island.
Under the agreement, the districts will work with the tribe to develop a plan for language, culture and oral traditions education pathways, provide a common framework for elective credit education opportunities in all high schools, and by 2034, offer a First People’s language online curriculum to high school students for language credit.
“This MOU goes beyond annual consultations, Since Time Immemorial and the Puyallup Tribe curriculum,” said Patricia Conway, the tribe’s Curriculum Developer/School Liaison and part of the Heritage Division. “We are prioritizing teaching Lushootseed in the classroom, recruiting and retaining efforts for Native American staff across school campuses and programs for Native youth to work and receive high school credit.”
Schools and the tribe will consult for appropriate language, art and materials to ensure they are respectful to Native history, culture and traditions. The tribe will also consult on decision-making in the use of Native names, symbols and images within district facilities, names and mascots.
“We are excited to see local schools taking action at an early age to ensure Natives are treated with respect,” wrote the Puyallup Tribal Council.
