Students ask Shelton board to allow Squaxin Island Tribal flag at Olympic Middle School

A group of students and a tribal educator asked the Shelton School District board to permit the Squaxin Island Tribal Nation flag to be flown at Olympic Middle School (OMS). Several students delivered brief statements describing personal and cultural reasons for the request.

Lori Chapel (Native education staff at Olympic Middle School) introduced students who said they wanted the flag to show that “we are still here” and to provide representation for Squaxin youth. Students described the flag as a sign of welcome and respect that would honor ancestors and help non-Native classmates learn local tribal history. One student said flying the flag would “show Shelton and Squaxin’s mutual commitment to each other.” Another student suggested flying flags from both tribes because the district sits between two tribal nations and students from both tribes attend district schools.

Chapel said flag-flying commonly involves leadership-to-leadership discussions and pointed to other districts where tribal flags are flown after coordination with tribal leadership. Students present said they had already approached the Squaxin Tribal Council, which presented them with a flag.

Board members thanked students for their courage in speaking and said the request would be considered as part of leadership conversations. The district did not make a formal decision at the meeting; staff indicated the process typically involves consultation with tribal leadership and school leadership before flag-flying is authorized.

The students’ comments were delivered in public comment and included multiple personal identifications of tribal lineage and family names. The board did not take formal action at the meeting on the request.