Tribal Languages

Tribal Languages in Practice

Seal of Biliteracy

Each Tribe develops the methods and processes for determining biliteracy proficiency in their respective Tribal languages. To earn the Seal of Biliteracy, students must present proficiency in English and one or more other languages.

Contact Information

Please email our general inbox while we transition to a new Tribal Language Program Supervisor. We will do our best to support you. Thank you for your patience.

Native Education
360-725-6160

Since time immemorial, tribal peoples have practiced, valued, and shared their Tribal languages across generations and geography. Tribal language is specific and special to the place and peoples who speak it, and as such is a crucial piece of culture for the First Peoples.

Grants

The Tribal, Heritage, and Dual Language Grant provides seed funds to plan and build capacity for effective P-12 tribal, heritage, and dual language programs. See the Tribal Language Timeline for more information.

The 2024–2025 Tribal Language Grant applications closed October 18, 2024, and are currently under review. Once an application is approved, recipients may begin making claims. All funds must be spent by June 30, 2025.

Previous Grant Recipients

Certification

First Peoples’ languages are falling silent. This is a loss to the cultural heritage of the affected tribes and to the cultural resources of Washington state. Teaching First Peoples’ languages can be a critical factor in successful educational experiences and promoting cultural sensitivity for all students.

For certification legislation, please review WAC 181-78A-700, WAC 181-79A-140, and the Centennial accord.

Course Codes

The following course codes are specific to Washington state's tribal language and culture.

PLEASE NOTE: Any course below must be taught by an educator who holds a First Peoples’ Language, Culture and Oral Tradition certification, and approved by a partner Tribal Language/Culture Program Manager.

 

CEDARS Course Data – Washington State Tribal Languages

Any course below must be taught by an educator who holds a First Peoples’ Language, Culture and Oral Tradition certification, and approved by partner Tribal Language Program Manager.

Appendix K – Language Codes

  • Columbia River Sehaptin 521
  • Colville 711
  • Hoh 532
  • Klallam 665
  • Lummi 712
  • Lushootseed 704
  • Makah 504
  • Muckleshoot 558
  • Nez Perce 541
  • Sahaptian 505
  • Salish 502
  • Puyallup 575
  • Quileute 503
  • Quilshootseed 713
  • Quinault 576
  • Squaxin 578
  • Yakama 501

For more information, review the Comprehensive Education Data and Research System (CEDARS) Appendices.

Appendix V - State Course Codes

  • 24900: American Indian Language (prior to secondary)
  • 24901: American Indian Language Immersion (prior-to-secondary)
  • 24902: American Indian Language I
  • 24903: American Indian Language II
  • 24904: American Indian Language III
  • 24905: American Indian Language IV
  • 24906: American Indian Language V
  • 24907: American Indian Language for Native Speakers
  • 24908: American Indian Language Field Experience
  • 24909: American Indian Language Conversation and Culture
  • 24910: American Indian Literature
  • 24911: Particular Topics in American Indian Language
  • 24916: IB Language B (American Indian Language), Middle Years Program
  • 24949: American Indian Language—Other

For more information, review the Comprehensive Education Data and Research System (CEDARS) web page.

CEDARS Course Data – First Peoples’ Courses

Any course below must be taught by an educator who holds a First Peoples’ Language, Culture and Oral Tradition certification, and approved by partner Tribal Language/Culture Program Manager.

  • WA0010: Indigenous Arts Prior-to-Secondary
  • WA0011: Indigenous Arts I
  • WA0012: Indigenous Arts II
  • WA0013: Indigenous Arts III
  • WA0014: Indigenous Arts IV
  • WA0015: Indigenous Arts V
  • WA0016: Indigenous Culture Prior to secondary
  • WA0017: Indigenous Culture I
  • WA0018: Indigenous Culture II
  • WA0019: Indigenous Culture III
  • WA0020: Indigenous Culture IV
  • WA0021: Indigenous Culture V
  • WA0022: Indigenous Music/Performing Arts Prior to secondary
  • WA0023: Indigenous Music/Performing Arts I
  • WA0024: Indigenous Music/Performing Arts II
  • WA0025: Indigenous Music/Performing Arts III
  • WA0026: Indigenous Music/Performing Arts IV
  • WA0027: Indigenous Music/Performing Arts V
  • WA0028: Indigenous PE/Health Prior to secondary
  • WA0029: Indigenous PE/Health I
  • WA0030: Indigenous PE/Health II
  • WA0031: Indigenous PE/Health III
  • WA0032: Indigenous PE/Health IV
  • WA0033: Indigenous PE/Health V
  • WA0034: Healing of the Canoe
  • WA0035: Healing through Traditional Cultural Practices

For more information, review the Comprehensive Education Data and Research System (CEDARS) State Course Codes

Tribal Language Professional Learning Communities

The Tribal Language Educators’ Professional Learning Community (PLC) is designed to offer
support to Tribal language educators and leaders across the state. See the 2024-25 Tribal Language Educators' PLC schedule and agenda for more information.