Central Administration Building
601 South 8th Street
Indian Education
The Indian Education Program is committed to connecting families of Native American students with culture, community and education.
Indian Education Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony
Tuesday, May 20 from 4-7 p.m.
Foss High School
2112 S Tyler St.
Tacoma, WA 98405
Tacoma Public Schools acknowledges that we are on the traditional ancestral and historical lands of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Puyallup Tribe. This acknowledgement serves as a first step in honoring our nearest tribal neighbors and partners who have inhabited this region since time immemorial, and whom we give thanks for allowing us passage to their lands. We shall intentionally create inclusive and respectful partnerships that honor Indigenous cultures, histories, identities, and sociopolitical realities.
Native American Student Spotlight
![Xylie, student spotlight]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743541042/tacomak12waus/h8jxygx2d0dh6yvegdsd/xylier.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743541042/tacomak12waus/h8jxygx2d0dh6yvegdsd/xylier.jpg","width":484}])
Xylie R., Truman Middle School
Truman Middle School Native American student Xyllie R. recently placed second in the AAU Oregon state taekwondo championship and qualified for the national competition this summer. Xyllie is an enrolled member of the Lakota Nation in South Dakota. Congratulations, Xyllie!
Native American Student Resources
General Tribal Resources
- Community Resources Overview
- Cultural and Historical Resources
- Map of Federally Recognized Tribes of Washington State
- Map of Washington State Tribal Reservations and Draft Treaty Ceded Areas
Enrollment in a Federally Recognized Tribe- WA Tribes Overview (2022)
- National Congress of American Indian (NCAI) Tribal Directory
- WA Native Tribal Hub Brochure
- Native & Strong Lifeline
Right to Tribal Regalia Act
Effective March 18, 2020, RCW 28A.600.500 affirms the inherent rights assured through tribal sovereignty and expressly provides that school districts must allow American Indian and Alaska Native K–12 and higher education students who are members of federally recognized tribes to wear traditional tribal regalia and objects of cultural significance at graduation ceremonies and related events. In addition, school districts and higher education institutions are required, when necessary, to update relevant policies or procedures in accordance with this law.
Bulletin 014-23 was issued by OSPI Superintendent Reykdal to every district superintendent, school principal, and school counselor affirming the right of American Indian and Alaska Native students to wear traditional regalia and items of cultural significance at graduation and other related events.
Upcoming Events and Learning Opportunities
Stay Informed! Click the orange bell in the top right corner of the calendar to receive email notifications for upcoming events.
David Syth, M.Ed. (Crow/Blackfeet Nation)
Assistant Director, Indian Education/Title III
253-571-1846
dsyth@tacoma.k12.wa.us
Liz Leines
Indian Education Specialist
Robin Brooks
Indian Education Specialist