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Honoring Native American Heritage Month

Presentation on Mount Baker Theatre for Treaty Day

BPS students attended the Treaty Day Film Festival at the Mt. Baker Theatre in winter 2025

LaClair mural at Sehome was unveiled at March 2025 all school assembly

Jason LaClair (Lummi and Nooksack) mural at Sehome was unveiled at March 2025 all school assembly

West Shore Canoe Family performs at the JMLSTI community event in May

Westshore Canoe Family provided the table song and the opening blessing at the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial (JMLSTI) Community Night

Students look at weavings that were hung as part of the 3rd Annual John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial Community Night

Students look at weavings that were hung as part of the 3rd Annual John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial Community Night

The district’s Native American Family Committee was tabling to answer questions and connect with families about their efforts

The Native American Family Committee, represented by Michaela Vendiola (Walker River Paiute & Swinomish) and Isabel Meaker, Executive Director of Family Engagement, participated as an exhibitor to answer questions and connect with families

Children of the Setting Sun Productions filmed the event and shared many of their works

Children of the Setting Sun Productions filmed the event and shared many of their works

Emcee daniseten Michael Vendiola greets Antone George of West Shore Canoe Family welcomed families to the Since Time Immemorial community night

Emcee daniseten Michael Vendiola (Swinomish & Lummi) greets Antone George of West Shore Canoe Family welcomed families to the Since Time Immemorial community night

Elementary students presented during the May JMSTI community night

Student learning for the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial (JMLSTI) curriculum was on display through student presentations, art, and projects.

Elementary students visit the Billy Frank Jr. maquette at the Whatcom Museum

Elementary students visit the Billy Frank Jr. maquette at the Whatcom Museum

Happy Valley students created salmon art to honor the activism and work of Billy Frank Jr.

Happy Valley students created salmon art to honor the activism and work of Billy Frank Jr.

Cordata students displayed their study of Billy Frank Jr.

Cordata students displayed their study of Billy Frank Jr.

Bulletin boards across the district honored the work and activism of Billy Frank Jr. in March 2025

Bulletin boards across the district honored the work and activism of Billy Frank Jr. in March 2025

Author Ellie Kinley visited classrooms to read her book Our Hearts Beat as One

Author Tah-Mahs Ellie Kinley (Lummi) visited elementary classrooms to read her book “Our Hearts Beat as One”

Elementary student artwork reflects back the story of Our Hearts Beat as One about the captured orca

Elementary student artwork reflects back the story of Our Hearts Beat as One about the captured orca

Squi-le-he-le Raynell Morris of Lummi Nation spoke to Fairhaven seventh graders about the significance of orcas (qwe 'lhol mechen) and the rights of nature. She talked about her work on Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut's release as documented in the film Resident Orca

Squi-le-he-le Raynell Morris (Lummi) spoke to Fairhaven seventh graders about the significance of orcas (qwe 'lhol mechen) and the rights of nature

Elementary students visit the new Children of the Setting Sun Productions space downtown Bellingham

Elementary students visit the new Children of the Setting Sun Productions space downtown Bellingham

Elementary students visit the alleyway mural outside the CSSP downtown space

Elementary students visit the alleyway mural outside the CSSP downtown space

Orange Shirt Day activities took place on Sept. 30 across schools

Orange Shirt Day activities took place on Sept. 30 across schools

Members of Squalicum Native American Student Union (NASU) speak to Fairhaven Middle School students

Members of Squalicum High School's Native American Student Union (NASU) speak to Fairhaven Middle School students

Student leader Betty Canete from Squalicum Native American Student Union (NASU) speaks to the attendees of the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at Lummi Nation School

Student leader Betty Canete (Nooksack) from Squalicum High School's Native American Student Union (NASU) speaks to the attendees of the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at Lummi Nation School

  • A One Schoolhouse Approach
  • Artists and performers
  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Great Teaching with Strong Support
  • Historians and global thinkers
  • Multilingual readers and speakers
  • Readers and writers
  • Student, Family and Community Engagement
Honoring Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to honor and learn from the histories, teachings, and invaluable contributions of Native and Indigenous communities—locally, nationally, and globally. This month invites us to reflect on the deep connections between land, culture, and community, and to truly listen to the voices and leadership who continue to shape our shared future.

Throughout November and beyond, we are honored to learn from Native educators, artists, and leaders who share their knowledge and traditions with our students and staff. Recent highlights include:

  • School visits from Lummi leaders, such as Tah-Mahs Ellie Kinley (Our Hearts Beat as One) and Squi-le-he-le Raynell Morris (Resident Orca film). These leaders help our school communities understand the role of living beings (such as salmon and orcas) in Coast Salish culture and our local environment, as well as their relationship to treaty rights.

  • Artist Jason LaClair (Lummi and Nooksack) and Michelle DeAsis (Tlingit) have worked with students in multiple schools. Jason has painted Coast Salish murals in schools and Michelle has taught about weaving and the significance of cedar.

  • Students in several schools commemorated Boarding Schools Truth and Reconciliation Day (Orange Shirt Day).

  • Squalicum High School’s Native American Student Union (NASU) participated in a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women event panel, led an assembly for their peers, and visited with students in other schools.

  • Skwetslatse’ mot Tammy Cooper-Woodrich (Nooksack), who has been a Tribal Storyteller since 1985, was joined by her daughter Skwetslatse’elhot Si’li’xw’tunawt Angela Letoi (Nooksack & Lummi) as they shared stories with students in elementary schools.

We continue our partnership with Children of the Setting Sun Productions (CSSP), a Lummi-led organization that creates audio/visual resources used in our schools for student learning related to the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial curriculum. CSSP also supports in-person learning about local Native tribes, cultures, histories, and contemporary issues.

Native American Heritage Month reminds us that this work is not limited to one month. We remain committed to building strong relationships with Native and Indigenous families, honoring tribal sovereignty, and creating learning spaces rooted in respect and reciprocity—all year long.

  • Students and Families in Action