Students in the Eastside Native American Education Program (ENAEP) shared stories via video that incorporated words from their tribal languages during a cultural event on March 21 at Lake Washington High School. The girls wore elaborate shawls and the boys wore ribbon shirts they have been working on during the year.

Native story-teller Roger Fernandes set the tone for the evening with a story about coyote learning new tricks. All of the students received a book from their tribe.

Native Education Coordinator Mary Wilber, who is a member of the Okanagan Nation, said the event is a powerful activity for budding language speakers. “The seed has been planted,” she said. ENAEP will continue with language exploration and cultural activities for its 270 students representing 87 different tribes. The program reaches students in the Lake Washington, Bellevue, and Northshore school districts.