Title VI: DDSD Native Education

The Title VI Indian Education Program is a federally funded program that provides students of documented American Indian ancestry with supplementary culturally appropriate educational opportunities.

The Title VI grant requires

  • Official 506 student eligibility forms
  • A Parent Advisory Committee
  • Two objectives chosen by district families

The goal of the David Douglas School District’s Native Project is to improve academic success through culturally related learning.

Our project is currently focused on two major areas:

  • Increase knowledge of cultural identity and awareness through culturally-responsive academic enrichment.
  • Increase parent and student involvement.

Oregon Department of Education: Title VI

Native American Parents Advisory Committee (NAPAC)


NAPAC is the parent group that leads and guides the Native Education Project. NAPAC sets the priorities, goals, and activities of the program; they also sign off on the yearly Title VI grant application.

NAPAC is always welcoming new members! For more information, meeting agendas, and how to join, visit our NAPAC webpage.

Indigenous Student Union at DDHS


The Indigenous Student Union (ISU) is a student led group at DDHS. The weekly ISU meeting provides a safe space for Native identifying students and respectful allies. Participants will learn more about native culture, celebrate Indigenous heritage, and participate in culturally responsive enrichment opportunities through field trips and workshops.

How to Apply for the 506 Form
  • Student must be enrolled in The David Douglas School District
  • Student must meet federal eligibility requirements (student, parent or grandparent enrolled in a State, Federally-recognized, or select – terminated Tribe/Band/Nation)
  • Complete a 506 Enrollment Form
    • The form must be completed for each student
    • It does not need to be completed annually
    • If your family moves into a new district, a new form is needed
    • If you have completed the form but moved out of district and have returned to DDSD, please notify Lisa Thomas
  • Once the form is completed, email it to Lisa_Thomas@ddsd40.org
    • OR mail to Lisa Thomas at 11300 NE Halsey ST, Portland, OR 97220
  • If you have questions or need support completing the form, please contact Lisa Thomas at Lisa_Thomas@ddsd40.org

David Douglas School District Land Acknowledgement

The Portland Metro area rests on traditional village sites of the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other tribes who made their homes along the Columbia River creating communities and summer encampments to harvest and use the plentiful natural resources of the area. 

We recognize and pay respect to the first peoples of this region and to the nine federally recognized tribal nations who have lived in what we now call Oregon since time immemorial. We acknowledge that the lands of David Douglas School District were forcibly or illegally obtained from these tribes. 

In addition to the traditional caretakers of this beautiful place, Portland is now home to Native American and Alaskan Natives from across the continent. In our school district, families report 20 unique tribal affiliations on their enrollment paperwork. 

A land acknowledgment is incomplete without a commitment to reconciliation. We commit to working collaboratively with our partners to ensure that our educators acknowledge, respect, and effectively teach the history of native peoples in Oregon. We commit to supporting a parent-run Indian Education program. We commit to becoming a school district where indigenous students and their communities learn, grow, and thrive.