Washington Unified School District used its Oct. 23 board meeting to mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a district presentation of Native heritage shadow boxes, tribal consultation and an in‑person cultural program that included a prayer song and a coming‑of‑age ceremony performance.

June Marie Flores, director of the district’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, said the shadowbox project "lives within our strategic plan" and was created so students at every school can see "living proof that native culture is still here, strong, visible, and respected." She said the displays were installed at every district school and at the district office.

Flores said the district consulted with tribal advisors for accuracy, explicitly naming outreach to the Klatsow? (chairman Wright was referenced in the meeting) and the UC Davis Patwin Memorial for guidance on language and imagery. Members of the Hoopa, Yurok and Karuk communities joined the program; Leslie McCovey and family (Hoopa/Yurok/Karuk) described making traditional dresses locally and shared a prayer song used in a coming‑of‑age ceremony. "This is a coming of age ceremony for a young woman," Leslie McCovey said, explaining the cultural context of the music and dress.

Annette Ochoa and other community members emphasized that the project is intended to show Native people as present and active in the community rather than historical artifacts. Flores urged the community to use a state‑developed Native American studies curriculum released this year, noting the district made a QR code available to teachers and said students helped create some lessons.

Trustees joined community presenters in recognizing the cultural program and the district’s work to move beyond a printed land acknowledgment to installations and classroom materials. No formal board action was required; the item was presented as a celebration and informational update.