The Eastside Native American Education Program will host their seventh annual Veteran’s Honoring Powwow on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Juanita High School in Kirkland.

The Title VII program works with Native American K-12 students from Bellevue, Northshore and Lake Washington school districts.

As an opening ceremony, a flag will be raised honoring a fallen veteran at 3 p.m., followed by a dinner and program sponsored by the program volunteers and served by the students.

Ann Yazzie Tso, the wife of Navajo Code Talker Samuel Tso, is traveling from Arizona with her family to attend. He passed away in 2012, not too long after he was a special guest at the 2011 Veteran’s Powwow. During the flag raising ceremony, Tso’s flag will be raised.

Eastside Native American Education Program students will present every veteran with a booklet of personal thank you messages. During the dinner, students will recite their poems, letters and other expressions of thanks.

“I am grateful for our soldiers who fought in the war so we can have peace and a safe world to live in today,” said Jon Wilber, an Eastside Native American Education Program student.

After the dinner, the event moves to Juanita’s gym with a 6 p.m. grand entry. Native American arts and crafts vendors from around the region will line the dance circle.

During the course of this traditional powwow, many intertribal and round dances will occur and all spectators are welcome to join the dancers in the circle.

The Veteran’s Honoring Powwow is a great expression of the cultural pride and knowledge alive in the younger generation. The event is run and directed 100 percent by student leaders, and is a testament to their strong planning, organization, and communication skills.

The Veteran’s Honoring dinner and powwow are free for all veterans, guests and community members.

Juanita High School is located at 10601 NE 132nd St., Kirkland.