Good Day! Niix Pachwai
My name is Merle Kirk (Cayuse/Yakama/Warm Springs/Navajo) and I am the new Indian Ed Coordinator/Title VI for Pilot Rock and Athena - Weston School Districts. I am a former Warm Springs language instructor/Documentation Specialist (11yrs) from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation. It has been a great experience learning the Umatilla language and helping teach with my mother Mildred Queampts on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation since 2019.
I am very happy to be part of these school districts and have the opportunity to work with the Native youth. I will be helping Native youth (who have a filled 506 form) with their schooling (grades, attendance, support, etc.) and acknowledge their tribal identities as Native children to help empower positive self-esteem. I plan on greeting in Umatilla and respected languages and engaging with them on a weekly basis. I am excited to hold space for our children and to get to know them more.
Here are my scheduled days for each school district:
Athena - Weston School District -Monday & Wednesday
Pilot Rock School District – Tuesdays & Thursdays
506 forms are due ASAP for any new students who are Tribal enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe or descendants of a tribal member.
merlekirk@ctuir.org Work Cell (541-215-5461