Why We Should Have A Native Focused School by Cante Tadashi

The Constitution was written in 1776 by white men for white men. It promised many things like Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion, but for only European peoples. Those freedoms did not extend to African American and Native American peoples.

In fact, it wasn't until 1978 that our Native American languages and spiritual practices were finally legalized and not criminal anymore here in the United States of America, our own homelands, with the passage of the American Indian Religious Freedom. My parents were one and two years old when this passed. That is not ancient history.

Education was also created to benefit European settlers. History classes are written by and for them. Most curriculum taught in schools comes from a European perspective. They even teach that Columbus “discovered” America. How can you discover a land where peoples already lived? History classes lie about contact with Native Americans. They will not mention that they committed genocide. They also don’t mention how many Tribes won their wars against Europeans. My ancestors won many battles and wars against the European settlers. My ancestors were in Red Cloud’s war, the Battle of the Little Big Horn and more.

They won’t teach you that in the schools. School hasn’t been a good experience for Native Americans.

My parents often tell us about boarding schools and the harm they caused our families. My Mom’s Grandpa and my Dad’s grandparents, great grandparents and several relatives all went to boarding schools. My mom says public schools are not much better because they don't teach us much about culture and when they do it is not a real or current representation of us.

One thing they took from us in the boarding schools is our languages. It is our right to practice our religious practices and to speak our traditional languages. We deserve to be able to learn about our culture from our Tribal elders and leaders.

In a city named after a famous chief, Chief Sealth, we should have a school that reflects indigenous teaching. A Native focus School would allow us a place to exist as Native Americans today.

I hope it is a place I can wear my hair long without being called a girl. A Native focus School would allow me to learn Native languages and get credit for it without having to do extra testing.

A Native focus school should be our a place of healing, indigenous learning, and a place I am allowed to be proud of my heritage.

By Canta Tadashi 7th grade (Lakota/Paiute)

*Re-Imaging education is a project of the Seattle Clear Sky Native Youth council. The project worked with Native youth to re-think how education for Native youth could look like, adapt them with critical thinking skills, photo journalism skills and journalism skills. In partnership with Last Real Indians, we will be running a series on essays the youth wrote, edited and took photographs for.