WPS Native American Education Program

On Wednesday, our summer camp began with students creating vision books, taking time to think about who they are, the strengths they bring, and their hopes and goals for the future.

In the afternoon, students visited C-Arrow Stables, where they received a tour where they had the opportunity to learn about daily animal care responsibilities, ask questions, and ride horses.

It was a wonderful day of self-discovery and fun!

The next community food distribution is Wednesday, June 17th. The distribution will begin at 5:00pm while supplies last in the south parking lot of the Alvin Morris Administrative Center (903 S Edgemoor). Please share!

The first two days of our Native Summer Camp with 5th–7th graders have flown by. They’ve been packed with learning, creativity, and fun!

On Monday, students kicked off the week by getting to know one another through a team-building challenge that encouraged collaboration, communication, and new friendships. In the afternoon, community members Taiomah and Kineu from Warclan Collective led a lesson on ledger art, sharing both the history and significance of this important Indigenous art form.

On Tuesday, Newman from Hunter Health returned to lead another session on self-care and wellness. He shared his personal experiences with self-care, cultural teachings, and ceremonies, encouraging students to think about the many ways we can care for ourselves and stay connected to our communities. In the afternoon, community member Tashina taught students how to create beaded keychains, giving them an opportunity to express their creativity while learning a new skill.

This week, we are excited to have students representing 14 different Wichita Public Schools and 9 different Tribal Nations. It has been wonderful to see them learning from one another, building connections, and celebrating their cultures together.

A huge thank you to our community members and presenters who are helping teach, inspire, and invest in the next generation. We appreciate you! 💛

Join us for our next Native American Parent Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 17th, at the Alvin Morris Administrative Center. The meeting will begin at 6:30 in the evening. Look forward to seeing you all there!

FINAL CHANCE TO APPLY! 🚨

Don’t miss our deadline tonight at 11:59pm MST to apply for Native Forward scholarships! Through one application, Native students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees may be considered for more than 40 scholarship opportunities.

Know a Native scholar pursuing higher education? Share this opportunity with students, families, Tribal communities, educators, and organizations to help us reach future Native leaders!

DEADLINE: 11:59 PM MST TONIGHT June 1st 2026 🚨
Apply today at nativeforward.org

On our final day of the Native Youth Leadership Summit, we focused on civic engagement, leadership, and caring for our community.

We started the day with a team-building activity that challenged students to work together to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles through communication, trust, and collaboration.

Next, students assembled gratitude packages to be gifted to community elders, taking time to reflect on the importance of giving back and honoring those who have helped pave the way for future generations.

In the afternoon, students learned about the different levels of government, the responsibilities of each, and how decisions made at every level impact their daily lives. They also had the opportunity to hear from Council Member Joseph W. Shepard from Wichita District 1 and Wichita Public Schools Board of Education member, Ngoc Vuong for Wichita School Board. Both shared their experiences as young elected officials, discussed overcoming imposter syndrome, and emphasized the importance of young people using their voices and engaging in their communities.

Throughout the week, students engaged in meaningful conversations, challenged themselves to think deeply, and spent time reflecting on their identities, goals, and leadership journeys. We are incredibly proud of how they embraced these lessons, and supported one another. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Native Youth Leadership Summit such a meaningful experience. 🙏🏼

Day 3 was another great day of learning and growth for our Native Youth Leadership Summit students! Students started the day with Prime Fit Youth Foundation, where they discussed the importance of self-care, prioritizing mental wellness, and embracing vulnerability as a strength.

Afterward, students had the opportunity to visit the Mid-America All-Indian Museum’s special exhibit celebrating its 50th anniversary, learning more about its history, impact, and contributions over the years.

To wrap up the day, Credit Union of America led an engaging financial literacy session focused on understanding credit and building healthy financial habits.

Thank you to our presenters and partners!

Yesterday, our Native Youth Leadership Summit students traveled to Haskell Indian Nations University for a day filled with learning and inspiration. Students had the opportunity to tour the campus and museum while learning more about higher education opportunities and Indigenous leadership pathways.

During lunch, students heard from an incredible panel of Indigenous professionals, current students, and Haskell alumni who shared their personal journeys, challenges, and experiences navigating life as Native people through high school, college, and their careers.

Levi Horn, a Northern Cheyenne former NFL player who spent time with the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, led students through a powerful mental skills workshop focused on resilience, mindset, overcoming adversity, and empowering Native youth.

We ended the day hearing from the KU Office of Sovereign Partnerships, who shared information about their department, opportunities at KU, and the Haskell-KU exchange program.

Thank you to everyone who welcomed our students and poured into the next generation of Indigenous leaders. 💛

Community event for students this weekend!

The Summer Food program starts today! Free breakfasts and lunches will be offered to all children 18 years old and younger at 33 locations as part of our Summer Food Program, which runs through Friday, July 24. Learn more at usd259.org/summerfood