Empowering Heritage: The Native American Education Program at North Kitsap School District
The Native American Education Program within the North Kitsap School District is primarily funded by a Title VI grant from the Department of Education. This grant, renewable on an annual basis, allows for a multitude of services and activities specifically designed to support and enrich the education of our Native American/Alaska Native students. The implementation of the Title VI Indian Education Program aligns with the U.S. Government's commitment to upholding treaty obligations towards Native Peoples, as stated in Article 6, Section 2 of the Constitution.
In addition to this federal funding, we actively seek support from Native American tribes and charitable organizations to further bolster our program's activities. The aim is to ensure a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to Native American education, tailored to the unique needs and heritage of our students.
While our program primarily serves students of Native American/Alaska Native heritage, it is worth mentioning that we also welcome participation from non-Native students. This fosters a broader cultural understanding and exchange within the program and contributes to the creation of an inclusive, diverse educational environment.
Activities within the Native American Program
The Native American Program offers a diverse range of activities designed to support our Native American/Alaska Native students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. These activities provide students with enriching cultural experiences, scholarship opportunities, and various forms of support aimed at helping them reach their educational and life objectives. The support extends beyond the students, reaching their families, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a nurturing, holistic educational environment.
Furthermore, recognizing the interconnection between family life and academic success, the program provides support in the form of social services. This aid seeks to alleviate conditions that may impede the student's educational journey, illustrating our commitment to ensure every student has the best possible opportunity to thrive academically.
Culture Based Education
Studies, such as the one conducted by Demmert & Towner in 2003, have shown the significant benefits of Culture-Based Education. When Native American/Alaska Native students are given opportunities to learn about and connect with their culture within their educational environment, they exhibit increased self-esteem and display higher graduation rates.
In essence, culture encapsulates a group's collective ways of thinking and living. It is their "design for living" (Nobles, 1985), characterized by shared knowledge, consciousness, skills, values, expressive forms, social institutions, and behaviors that enable a group to thrive as a people.
Culture-Based Education, as defined by Kana'iaupuni & Kawai'ae'a in 2008, embeds instruction and student learning within the foundational values, norms, knowledge, beliefs, practices, and language of a culture. It's an educational approach that enriches learning by placing students' cultural heritage at the heart of their educational journey.
How to Join
If you're interested in participating in the Native American Education Program, please reach out to your child's school for more information. It's important to note that there are no blood quantum requirements, and tribal registration is not necessary for program eligibility. However, being aware of your tribal heritage is essential, as this information is needed when completing the 506 form, an integral part of the participation process.