WSA Honors Indigenous Voices and Boarding School Survivors Ahead of Orange Shirt Day.
On Monday, September 28, the entire West Sound Academy community—spanning
grades 6 through 12—stepped away from our regular class schedules to participate in a
profoundly moving day of remembrance ahead of Orange Shirt Day. At the generous invitation of the Suquamish Tribe, our student body and faculty gathered alongside peers from Chief Kitsap Academy and the children of the Marion Forsman-Boushie Early Learning Center to collectively honor survivors of the Indian boarding school systems and uphold the universal truth that Every Child Matters.
The atmosphere was a sea of vibrant orange, representing a collective commitment to
acknowledging history and fostering healing. For our students, the day transformed
history from a textbook lesson into a deeply felt, living experience of community
listening and cultural resilience.
Hearing the Truth from Tribal Voices
The heart of the gathering centered on oral tradition. Students sat in quiet, respectful attention during a powerful presentation featuring an esteemed Suquamish Elder and a panel of tribal cultural experts.
The Elder shared personal and generational accounts, speaking candidly about the
historical trauma inflicted by state-sponsored assimilation policies that systematically
stripped Indigenous children of their language, families, and identity. Complementing
these stories, the tribal cultural experts provided critical historical context, explaining
how these policies affected local families and detailing ongoing efforts to preserve and
revitalize Suquamish culture and the Lushootseed language today. Hearing these
testimonies firsthand provided our independent school community with an invaluable
lesson in historical truth-telling and empathy.
A Celebration of Resilience through Song and Dance
Following the panel discussion, the environment shifted into a powerful celebration of
cultural survival and vibrant joy. We watched in awe as traditional ceremonial dances
were performed, accompanied by the deep, resonant rhythm of drums and ancestral
songs. The precision, beauty, and energy of the dances served as a breathtaking
testament to a culture that could not be erased.
The most unforgettable moment of the day came when the invitation to participate was extended directly to the audience. West Sound Academy students and staff were invited to join in a traditional "warrior dance."
Moving in unison with the students from Chief Kitsap Academy and the young children from the Early Learning Center, our community danced to honor the strength, courage, and perseverance of past and present generations.
Looking Forward as Global Citizens
As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, West Sound Academy prioritizes intercultural understanding and global citizenship. True citizenship, however, begins right here at home by honoring the sovereignty, history, and people of the land we reside upon.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Suquamish Tribe, Chief Kitsap Academy, and the Marion Forsman-Boushie Early Learning Center for welcoming our whole school into this sacred space of remembrance and celebration. West Sound Academy returns to campus with a deeper understanding of the past and a renewed commitment to walk forward together in the spirit of respect and shared community.
