Savannah Soliz, Native Education Parent Advisory Committee – Culture is Prevention

Meet Savannah Soliz

We want to encourage our native youth to lean on their native culture. We know that culture is prevention and we want to make sure that we are guiding them somewhere where they can feed their soul, feed their spirit in a good way.
Savannah Soliz, SKPS Parent
Native Education Program, Parent Advisory Committee Chair 
Klamath and Modoc

In Salem-Keizer, more than 1,800 students identify as American Indian/Alaska Native and receive services such as academic coaching, mentorship and more through the district’s Native Education Program. As a core part of the program, families from students, local native community members and educational partners serve on the Native Education Parent Advisory Committee to support the fidelity of the program and ensure that our programs accurately reflect the needs of our native students. 

On November 2, the NEP staff held the annual American Indian Alaska Native Celebration which was made possible through the collaboration of the NEP program staff, families from the Parent Advisory Committee and several other partners. This event brought together native students, families and community members from around the region to join together for a special evening of music, dance, connection and community. 
 

 

We are not a monolith. That’s the interesting thing about being here in a city. We have about 100 different tribes here right now. We are all different, we are all unique, we have our own languages, and our own customs and our own ways. So when we try to build a community together, it's important to recognize every single person has their own customs.
Savannah Soliz, SKPS Parent
Native Education Program, Parent Advisory Committee Chair 
Klamath and Modoc

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