Although the number of Native American graduates in the Class of 2009 total just 26, the ceremony honoring these students was important and meaningful. The Tacoma Public Schools Indian Education Coordinator David Syth, Crow, said the graduates belong to 16 tribes of the nearly 100 tribes represented in the Tacoma student population.
Denny Hurtado, Skokomish, program supervisor with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Indian Education program, gave the keynote address. He told the graduates, “The most important things are relationships with people and the earth—relationships are the key to all you will do in life.” He stressed that people need to take care of the earth and they will see the impacts if they do not.
Hurtado said there were six key values to incorporate in their lives and relationships: respect, generosity, honesty, love and humor. He said, “When we develop relationships with people, then the trust begins to develop. When there is trust, things begin to happen.”
The Chief Leschi elementary dancers and drum group performed several dances and sang the opening and closing songs under the direction of Teresa Harvey and Eir Van-Kleece.
Each graduate present at the May 27 ceremony honored a special teacher and presented him/her with a blanket.
Graduating seniors received a Native American drum with the Indian Education logo painted on it, a blanket, a dream catcher and a framed certificate. Superintendent Art Jarvis and Indian Education staff members presented the graduates with the gifts. The students also received a hooded sweatshirt with the Indian Education logo and the tribes represented by the graduates.
Master of ceremonies was Arnold Littlehead. Parent Advisory Council (PAC) Elder DeWayne Martin, Santee Sioux, led the opening and closing of the ceremony. PAC members presenting gifts included President Winona Stevens, Ho-Chunk, and Vice President Teresa Bingham, White Earth Chippewa.
Indian Education specialists assisting Syth were Martha Sherman, George Brooker and Myrna Fisher.
For a list of the Native American graduates, click here.