PHOTOS: First-ever Indigenous Peoples’ Day assembly @ Chief Sealth International High School

Photos by Leda Costa for West Seattle Blog

Dominique Salinas (Jicarilla Apache/Navajo) and Marcos Arellano Martinez (Mexivo, Otomi) performing a Deer Dance. Diana Romero (far left) is on the drums.
(Dominique Salinas [Jicarilla Apache/Navajo] and Marcos Arellano Martinez [Mexivo, Otomi] performing a Deer Dance, with Diana Romero [far left] on drums.)

Neighboring Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School have the largest Native population of any school in Seattle Public Schools, according to Sealth principal Aida Fraser-Hammer, who hosted the schools’ first Indigenous Peoples’ Day assembly today.

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Leda Costa was there for WSB – more of her photos, ahead:

The students who were onstage weren’t just performers. Below, Sierra Carpitcher (Seminole/Creek Nations) spoke about the Dakota Access Pipeline situation, which has brought a massive turnout of Native/Indigenous people and their allies to the Midwest to try to stop the controversial pipeline.

Sierra Carpitcher (Seminole/Creek Nations) delivering a speech on the Dakota Access Pipeline.

There was poetry, too – Michaela Yellowbear (Northern Arapaho) and Dominique Salinas (Jicarilla Apache) recited their poem “What Do You See?”:

Michaela Yellowbear (Northern Arapho) and Dominique Salinas (Jicarilla Apache) recite their poem "What do you See"

Salinas also danced with Marcos Arellano Martinez:

Dominique Salinas (Jicarilla Apache/Navajo) and Marcos Arellano Martinez (Mexivo, Otomi) performing a Deer Dance.

Dominique Salinas (Jicarilla Apache/Navajo) and Marcos Arellano Martinez (Mexivo, Otomi) performing a Deer Dance.

Dominique Salinas (Jicarilla Apache/Navajo) and Marcos Arellano Martinez (Mexivo, Otomi) performing a Deer Dance.

Pacific Islanders were spotlighted at the assembly too – these students represented Fiji, Hawai’i, the Philippines, Samoa, Tahiti, Thailand, and Tonga;

Pacific Islanders dancing. They are from Fiji, Hawai'i, Philippines, Samoa, Tahiti, Thailand, and Tonga.

From the Chief Sealth Folklorico Club, four members performed the Dancza Del Fuego (Fire Dance):

Four members of the Chief Sealth Folklorico Club performing the Dancza Del Fuego (Fire Dance).

And Juan Betancourt and his family, representing the Squamish/Blackfeet/Yakama Nations, performed a Grass Dance:

Juan Betancourt and his family (Squamish/Blackfeet/Yakama Nations) perforning a Grass Dance.

Sealth also is home to the Native leadership class Šǝqačib.

7 Replies to "PHOTOS: First-ever Indigenous Peoples' Day assembly @ Chief Sealth International High School"

  • Maria October 28, 2016 (5:11 am)

    Great action pics.  Colorful! 

  • Mz. C October 28, 2016 (7:59 am)

    So proud of you, Chief Sealth!    I wish I had been there.   

  • Sillygoose October 28, 2016 (8:54 am)

    This is just FANTASTIC!!!  What a wonderful ceremony with beautiful performers wow, as a Yaqui/Mexican Indian I wish more of this was present in our schools.  Thank you chief Sealth.

  • Seattle parent October 28, 2016 (10:38 am)

    Wonderful!  Thank you Chief Sealth!  I also wish I could have attended.  

  • Supportive Mother October 28, 2016 (12:16 pm)

    Being present for the assembly, I want to speak up about the power our indigenous students conveyed to the audience. Their words, songs and dances expressed the true beauty of each of their cultures. Chief Sealth truly represented its name during this event.

  • Jennie October 29, 2016 (8:16 am)

    If this ever turned into an evening event too, I would love to come see it!

  • Floatingspirit October 31, 2016 (4:12 pm)

    This event was AWESOME. The crowd was into it and everything was moving right along. When it concluded, the audience gave out a collective sigh of disappointment. Kudos to all involved and to those assembled for showing respect and appreciation!

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