Yakama Nation Higher Education

08/21/2026

Today, Mount Adams School District opened the new school year by honoring the people, traditions, and community that continue to shape our schools.
❤️
A special recognition was given to 32 teachers and educators serving in the district who are also proud graduates of White Swan High School. They once walked these halls as students—and today, they have returned to guide, teach, and inspire the next generation. Their journeys bring this year’s theme beautifully to life:
🌲 Rooted in Tradition, Growing Together 🌲
What a powerful reflection of community: our students growing into educators, returning home, and carrying forward the knowledge, relationships, and traditions that helped shape them.
❤️ 🤍🖤
Congratulations and thank you to these 32 White Swan High School graduates for investing their talents, experience, and hearts back into our children and community. ❤️🤍 Yakama Nation Higher Education was honored to be a part of the opening day for the district and represent our Tribe's continued efforts to support students in the Mt Adams Schools.

08/21/2026

Honored to witness one of our Graduate Students Kaui'lani Lawrence be honored at Chief Kitsap Academy for her work supporting students and teachers in the Suquamish homelands. We are so happy to have witnessed her journey from student to educational leadership all while upholding who she is as a strong native woman and raising her family. What a wonderful way to start the school year!

08/07/2026

🎒 🎒 🎒 Kwałanuishamatash Yakama Nation Credit Enterprise 🎒 🎒 🎒 for their ongoing commitment to community and dedication to supporting the next generation. Because of their investment of time and resources to organize the giveaway, the Yakama students will start their school year with confidence, dignity, and the exact tools they need to succeed!

07/22/2026

Attention Graduates! If you graduated from College, University, or Vocational/Trade School between October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026, please submit your final transcripts/diploma to the Higher Education office.
**Transcripts can be unofficial, but they must show your Graduation/Conferred Date and Degree Information.
**If you're still attending SUMMER TERM, send us an email with your expected completion date.

07/08/2026

Today Yakama Nation Tribal Council renewed the Memorandum of Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding with YVC. YVC President Dr Teresa Holland Rich and Tenya Moravec and Tiinma Club student leaders shared their commitment to supporting indigenous students through high quality classes, student advising, and events. The MoU/MoA renewals provide for continued on-site advising from Yakama Nation Higher Education and access to the YVC Learning Center in Toppen*sh, WA for Yakama Ichishkiin Language classes through our SKC Yakama Campus.

07/01/2026

🗺 Maps tell stories. 🗺 Surveys shape history.🗺 GIS helps protect our future. 🗺

The Yakama Nation is proud to be one of Washington's leading employers of GIS professionals, and we're helping ensure the next generation is ready to continue this important work.

Yakama Nation GIS Manager Matthew Ike and Higher Ed & AVT Manager DrElese Washines recently joined GIS professionals, educators, and industry leaders from across Washington to develop the state's first Career & Technical Education (CTE) GIS course framework. This work will create career-connected learning opportunities for high school students while preparing them for high-demand careers in geospatial science.

The gathering began with the story of the Return of Pahto (Mt. Adams) to the Yakama Nation following the correction of a historic surveying error - a powerful reminder that surveying is much more than drawing lines on a map. It is about honoring treaty language, protecting natural landmarks, preserving history, and upholding Tribal sovereignty. This history was supported with a historical account from Archie Washines, who has dedicated more than 54 years as a forestry surveyor for the Yakama Nation.

We're excited to help create this pathway and inspire Yakama youth to pursue careers where technology, science, history, and Tribal sovereignty come together. Kwałanuishamatash to Pacific Education Institute for leading this important effort! 🗺

California has one. So does Virginia. But when Sageview High School science teacher Amanda Helland went looking for a Career and Technical Education (CTE) framework for teaching Geographic Information Systems […]

06/29/2026

‼️2026-2027 Academic Year Tribal Scholarship DUE Wednesday, July 1!! Get your apps in! ⏳
https://yakamascholar.smapply.io/

06/26/2026

Reminder! Deadline is fast approaching!!
www.yakamascholar.smapply.io

Currently accepting applications for the 2026-2027 Academic Year!
Who needs to apply?
- NEW students starting Fall 2026
- RETURNING students (must re-apply each year)

How do I apply?
Online: https://yakamascholar.smapply.io

When's the deadline?
- JULY 1st! Don't wait until the last minute, get it done today!

**Class of 2026 HS Graduates who applied for the priority MAY 1 Deadline - you do not need to complete a new application. Please make sure your current application is complete, i.e. documents uploaded and signed Terms & Conditions

06/22/2026

Currently accepting applications for the 2026-2027 Academic Year!
Who needs to apply?
- NEW students starting Fall 2026
- RETURNING students (must re-apply each year)

How do I apply?
Online: https://yakamascholar.smapply.io

When's the deadline?
- JULY 1st! Don't wait until the last minute, get it done today!

**Class of 2026 HS Graduates who applied for the priority MAY 1 Deadline - you do not need to complete a new application. Please make sure your current application is complete, i.e. documents uploaded and signed Terms & Conditions