tmix^w - In this place, we are all related

 

June 2025 marks the return of Washington State’s Indian Education Summer Teaching Institute. First held in 2016, this year’s forum, tmix^w (Nsəlxcin), “In this place, we are all related,” will be held on June 24, 25, and 26 in Omak at Wenatchee Valley College, the Omak School District, and Paschal Sherman Indian School. Washington PreK-12 teachers, school administrators, board of directors, and post-secondary higher education professionals are invited to attend. 

The Indian Education Summer Teaching Institute is hosted in partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Omak School District, Wenatchee Valley College Omak, Paschal Sherman Indian School, OSPI Office of Native Education, and North Central Washington Education Service District. 

tmix^w will be grounded in Indigenous theory and invites educators to share and learn best cultural-responsive practices and policies alongside Washington State Tribes, Indigenous scholars, Elders, and First Peoples.  

The second iteration of the Summer Teaching Institute will build on the inaugural forum, sqlxʷsmʼaʔmʼáyʼaʔm (Nsəlxcin), “The People’s Story.” The theme of this year’s institute, tmix^w (Nsəlxcin), “In this place, we are all related,” encapsulates the interconnectedness of all participants and the shared responsibility of educating students about Indigenous cultures. Christine Quintasket-Mourning Dove wrote, “everything on earth has a purpose, every disease a herb to cure it, and every person a mission,” which serves as the guiding principle for our discussions on education and community. 

The Summer Teaching Institute was first designed in 2016 to support Washington state schools as they implemented WA State Senate Bill 5433. The bill mandates that Washington’s tribal history, culture, and governance be taught in all schools, and reaffirms the state’s legislative commitment to the Centennial Accord and the Centennial Accord Millenium Agreement with the tribes. 

This initiative is essential to fostering understanding and respect for Indigenous perspectives and practices among students and educators. Our mission is to continue to provide educators with training in John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State curriculum and locally developed tribal-based curriculum. We are committed to: 

“Educating the citizens of our state, particularly the youth who are our future leaders, about tribal history, culture, treaty rights, contemporary tribal and state government institutions and relations and the contribution of Indian Nations to the State of Washington to move us forward on the Centennial Accord's promise that, 'The parties recognize that implementation of this Accord will require a comprehensive educational effort to promote understanding of the government-to-government relationship within their own governmental organizations and with the public.’" 
—Excerpt from the Centennial Accord Millenium Agreement 

We invite you to join us for tmix^w — In this place, we are all related... This year’s institute will feature keynote speakers, workshops, community building, and cultural events. We look forward to highlighting positive outcomes for educators who have centered Indigenous pedagogy in their teaching practices.  

Stay tuned for more information!

 

Registration

The priority registration rate for the 2025 Indian Education Summer Teaching Institute is $250 through May 16.  

Individuals who are interested in attending and in need of financial assistance may apply for a scholarship. Through this scholarship initiative, the Summer Teaching Institute’s goal is to expand access to Indigenous pedagogy and curriculum development, as well as culturally responsive practices and policies to educators across Washington. 

Registration opens March 1, 2025!

 

Call for Proposals

Educators with teaching and leadership experience in the areas of Indian Education policies, teaching tribal history, governance, and culture, cross-cultural leadership, and other Indigenous knowledge and teaching methodologies, are invited to submit a proposal to present. 

2025 Proposal Themes

• Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • Office of Native Education
• School Leadership
  • WA Legislation & G2G Best Practices
• Teaching & Learning
  • Indigenous Pedagogy & Curriculum Development
  • Developing Faculty Learning Communities with Schools
• Post-Secondary Higher Education Indigenous Teacher Education Programs
  • Colleges & Universities
• Development of a Tribal Education Resource Center
  • Vision Maker Media
• Early Childhood

To submit a proposal, please scan the QR code below or choose this Washington State Indian Education Summer Teaching Institute form link. 

 

Travel Accommodations

Summer Teaching Institute participants will be responsible for their lodging in Omak. Free parking will be available at all of our Institute locations and hotels.  

Discounted rates for participants will be available at the following hotels while rooms remain available: 

• 12 Tribes Omak Casino Hotel - $107 per night 
  To make a reservation, call (509) 422-8500 referencing the Booking ID #BKG137. 

• Best Western Plus Peppertree Inn at Omak - $136 per night 
  Visit the link above to book your reservation online by May 25, 2025. 

 

2025 Award Nominations

In recognition of the educators who successfully implement place-based curriculum that honors Indigenous perspectives and complies with WA State Senate Bill 5433, the 2025 Summer Teaching Institute invites you to nominate an outstanding educator in the following categories: 

• 2025 Place-Based Curriculum 

• 2025 Place-Based Educator 

• 2025 Place-Based School Board/Tribal Partnerships 

• 2025 Higher Education Teacher Training Program 

To nominate an educator for one of the awards, visit the 2025 Award Nomination for Educators Implementing Place-Based Curriculum form. 

Nominations are due Friday, May 23.

Partners

The Indian Education Summer Teaching Institute reflects the partnership of: Wenatchee Valley College Omak, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Omak School District, Paschal Sherman Indian School, OSPI Office of Native Education, and the North Central Washington Education Service District.