What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S. has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.

Every November, the Pendleton School District Board of Directors holds their regular board meeting on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.  As part of the meeting, principals have the honor of recognizing outstanding Native American students from their buildings.

2023 Honorees are:

PELC – Sis Moses, Aurora Sohappy, Marilyn Spencer
McKay – Paxton Warner, Wahape Paradise
Sherwood – Jakob Thomas, Azalia Monthorn
Washington – Mila Michelle Aguilar, Van John Sohappy Jr.
Sunridge – Dymond Say, Lainey Surber, Paisley McLaughlin
PHS – Persephone Bearchum, Marie Templin
Nixyaawii – Allen Zamudio, Liana Higheagle