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HR4679 • 2026
Commending the Wapato School District for its leadership in teaching the Ichishkiin language.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Wapato S.D./Ichishkiin lang.
Adopted.
Wapato S.D./Ichishkiin lang.
WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature recognizes the 1 sovereignty, culture, and enduring heritage of the Yakama Nation and 2 the importance of preserving Indigenous languages as an essential 3 component of identity, history, and community; and 4 WHEREAS, The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation 5 has over 10,000 enrolled tribal members, representing one of the 6 largest Native American nations in the state of Washington; and7 WHEREAS, Ichishkiin, a Sahaptin language of the Yakama Nation, 8 has been taught in Wapato public schools since 2011, beginning under 9 the leadership of Túulhɨnch (Roger Jacob) with the support and 10 advocacy of Native American parents participating in the federal 11 Johnson-O'Malley program; and 12 WHEREAS, The program currently serves students in grades four 13 through 12. Students in grades six through 12 may enroll in 14 Ichishkiin language courses as part of their academic pathway, and 15 upper-level courses offer students the opportunity to earn college 16 credit through Heritage University with three continuous years of 17 study; and 18 WHEREAS, Wapato School District is the first high school in the 19 state of Washington to enable students to earn the Washington State 20 Seal of Biliteracy in an Indigenous language; and 21 WHEREAS, The excellence of the Ichishkiin language program has 22 been recognized nationally, with the Wapato School District's 23 HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2026-4679 , by Representatives Manjarrez, Pollet, Taylor, Chase, Dufault, Schmick, Mendoza, and Corry p. 1 HR 4679 Johnson-O'Malley program named Exemplary Program of the Year for 1 Region 6 in 2025 by the National Johnson-O'Malley Association, and 2 Túulhɨnch (Roger Jacob) recognized as Region 6 Teacher of the Year 3 for his outstanding leadership in Indigenous language education; and4 WHEREAS, The Ichishkiin language program at Wapato School 5 District serves as a model for language revitalization, academic 6 achievement, and collaboration between public schools, tribal 7 communities, and institutions of higher education; 8 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives 9 commend Wapato School District for its leadership in teaching the 10 Ichishkiin language and for its commitment to preserving and 11 advancing Indigenous languages through public education; and12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives 13 recognize the students, educators, families, and Yakama Nation 14 community members whose dedication has made this program a success.15 16 I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of17 Resolution 4679 adopted by the House of Representatives18 February 20, 2026 19 20 21 22 23 __________________________ 24 Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk 25 p. 2 HR 4679