To the editor:

Inspired by a letter (several weeks ago) from a family who has been feeling the pains of racism in our community, I want to thank Christine Rolfes for co-sponsoring Senate Bill 5433, which makes the wonderful curriculum “Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State,” developed by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and Native Nations of Washington, mandatory in our children’s education.

This new direction in Washington state history will provide a foundation of understanding between people of different cultures. Our children will understand sovereignty and the authority of the Native Nations, they will carry with them lessons about humanity. For native youth, it will be empowering.

For me this has special meaning as we have been working for years to eliminate the institutionalized racism presented under the section on Native American history in our required textbook on Washington state history.

As we were working to remove the required text from our schools, little did we know that Christine Rolfes was working to establish the curriculum in our schools, developed by the Tribes, that gives our children a true understanding of native culture and native history. Education is a very important tool as we work to eliminate racism and stereotypes in our community and we all have a lot to learn (no matter how old we are).

Thank you Christine and all of the sponsors of 5433 for working to create an educational journey bound to the ideology of respect. One that teaches the beauty of diversity and one that is empowering not only to the tribes but all of our children. The real trick is that we are dependent on our schools to harbor that lesson.

Yes – let’s keep continuing the conversation at the dinner table.

ANDY ROVELSTAD

Community Works PNW