WESD Native American Education Program

Families,
Our Public Hearing is coming up! Join us, Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 4:30pm. This is your opportunity to give input.
Following the meeting with be our STEM Family Night in partnership with the Arizona Science Center. Explore STEM- Engineer a tower, explore the planets, test your balance and more! RSVP today! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcjeBvt02g8nyvI_Ax3EdtoPDwWF7-Y_QUUHMoOH8GkOOA5w/viewform?usp=header

Good afternoon and Happy Thursday!
The WESD Native American Education Program is proud to announce an exciting opportunity for WESD students in Kindergarten through eighth grades, Hoop Dance Classes for the Youth.
Students will learn how to hoop dance in this eight-class workshop, taught by Yellow Bird Productions. Yellow Bird is a professional family dance company based in Phoenix, Arizona under the direction of Ken Duncan, member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe specializing in cultural presentations that celebrate the unique spirit of the American Indian. REGISTER YOUR CHILD TODAY!
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will need to be present throughout the duration of the classes. There will be 8 classes, two classes per week for 2 hours. Participants are required to attend all 8 classes.

Click on the link to register https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffce5ExRYVixstQiMF3t5rspFb7u0pQ7s0OKC-JE8JQB3Rbw/viewform?usp=header
ONLY 20 SPOTS AVAILABLE; first come, first serve.

Dates: Week of March 30, 2026- April 20, 2026
Location: Chaparral Elementary School (3808 W. Joan De Arc Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85029)
Days of the Week: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Times: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Light snacks and beverages will be provided for participants.
Class Dates:
March 31, 2026 & April 1, 2026
April 7, 2026 & April 8, 2026
April 15, 2026
April 21, 2026 & April 22, 2026
April 28, 2026
If you have questions, reach out to Jaimie Brown at [email protected] or 602-347-2897.
We would love to have your family participate.

Join us for our upcoming March Family Culture Night!
This event will have three cultural workshops that families in attendance will participate in. The three cultural workshops are:
Spinning Fiber: Learn how to spin fiber on different spindles from around the world
Jacla Necklace: Learn how to bead a jacla necklace out of pony beads
Crochet: Lean how to crochet a dishcloth/washcloth

This event is a family event. Children and parents are both invited. The Indian Education Committee will be providing pizza for the event. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) may bring a side dish or dessert.
✍️RSVP to attend https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-xyaIfbN6_SbMkTLTydFoIm34dd-q0HZBynTgQmOESXrasw/viewform?usp=preview

Date & Time: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 from 4:30pm-6:30pm
Location: Washington Elementary School District Office
Navajo and Hopi Meeting Rooms
4650 W. Sweetwater Ave. Glendale, AZ 85304

Join us and attend our upcoming Parent Committee Meetings. Connect with other Native American Parents and be part of our upcoming events. This is a great opportunity to get involved.
Parents, guardians and students are welcome to attend.
We hope to see you at our next meeting, Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 4:30pm.

Are you looking for a math tutoring for your child? There is Free Math Tutoring for all Arizona K-12 students offered by the STEMM: Student Thinking Enrichment Through Mathematics Mentors. Scan the QR Code to access tutoring for your child. NO APPOINMENT NECESSARY.
https://crr.math.arizona.edu/tutors

As a reminder, the WESD will hold its next Food Pantry distribution on Friday, Jan. 9, from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Washington Resource Information Center at Ocotillo Elementary School. Please join us to receive food at no cost, while supplies last!

Join us for our upcoming December Event, Winter Storytelling with Carlos Begay Jr. Carlos is a Dine(Navajo) Cultural Storyteller from Page, Arizona. Carlos will be sharing traditional winter stories, all are welcome to attend. Bring your family and eat some stew, frybread and enjoy some cookies and hot cocoa.
Each child will receive a holiday STEM Kit that they can complete at home with their families and a bag of school supplies and indigenous books.
Meeting Room(s): Navajo and Hopi Rooms
Date and Time: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 4:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m.
RSVP to attend: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScV8CspDdiWNEqAeftpKQ2geTeNH9wWw20pPcuuHQf_k0W7bg/viewform?usp=header

Sharing from the The Cherokee Language Master Apprentice Program. Read below.

The Cherokee Language Master Apprentice Program is now accepting applications for its Tahlequah Spring 2026 and Kenwood Fall 2026 cohort!

The program is dedicated to creating more second-language Cherokee speakers and teachers. Participants take classes for two years full time immersing themselves in the Cherokee language.

➡️ To apply, visit: https://language.cherokee.org/language-programs/cherokee-language-master-apprentice-program/

TOMORROW ! LOCATION CHANGE (inside in case it rains) - NEW FLYER! Sharing info on tomorrow's ASU Native American Social Pow Wow, Saturday, November 22, at ASU West Valley Campus, La Sala Ballroom, 4701 W. Thunderbird, in Glendale, 11 am-10 pm.

The Title VI Native American Education Program and Indian Education Committee(IEC) will be hosting it's second event of the School Year. Indigenous author, Daniel Vandever, author of Children's indigenous books, "We Weave, Horizon, and Fall in Line, Holden". Daniel's presentation will include readings of his books, history behind each book, and inspiration for becoming an author. The event will include a Q & A and book signing for attendees. FREE BOOK, "We Weave", 1 per family.
This event is a family event. WESD Children and parent(s)/guardian(s) are encouraged to attend. The Indian Parent Committee will be providing the pizza and water/juice for attendees.
RSVP to attend
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSg7D60_ZSMlFqvmlY5xxnYZ797_2jWNvoERcR3ByZyxd0kg/viewform?usp=header

NATIVE HEALTH is partnering with Borderlands Produce Rescue to host a FREE PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION event for those in need on SUNDAY, November 16, 9 am-noon, at NHW Community Health Center, 8800 N. 22nd Avenue in Phoenix. This is one block south of Dunlap off 22nd Avenue. Drive-thru distribution is open to the public, no ID or qualifications! FREE and ALL ARE WELCOME.

For questions, email [email protected] or call (602) 279-5262, x 11011.