Seattle Indian School Is At A Crossroads

SOME SAY the American Indian Heritage School lost its soul when principal and leading light Robert Eaglestaff died last July. Others say it's merely in transition.

Maria Bravo will graduate from Seattle's American Indian Heritage School and Program next spring. She used to dream about the proud moment when her principal would hand her a high-school diploma and an eagle feather at commencement.

Now Bravo, 17, breaks into tears when she thinks about it.

It's been four months since the death of Robert Eaglestaff - Native-American leader, community activist and principal of American Indian Heritage School and Program. Eaglestaff, 43, died of a heart attack in July while dancing at a powwow in Enterprise, Ore.

As the Seattle School District nears completion of its search for a new principal for the school, students and staff at this small alternative school in North Seattle continue to face their own challenges - returning to a school that some say "lost its soul" when Eaglestaff died, deciding on whether to rename the institution after their longtime leader, and accepting a new principal.

"There's a really big gap in our school, and a lot of things are crazy," Bravo said.

Eaglestaff turned a school whose reputation he once characterized as "The Last Stop on the Way to No Future" into a successful academic program with a family-like atmosphere for young Native Americans. School enrollment doubled to 120 during his

seven-year tenure, and for the past four years, every graduating senior has enrolled in a higher-education program.

"Bob was a fighter for these kids," said Amy Markishtum, the school's registrar and athletic director.

Returning to American Indian Heritage in September was the hardest part of the loss for many students, said Virgil Holland, interim principal. Counselors from the Seattle Indian Health Board worked with students in "talking circles," traditional Native-American small-group discussions. Several graduates also returned to the school for guidance and grief counseling.

"In our culture, you mourn for at least a year," said Markishtum.

The district has had 27 applicants from around the country for the principal opening, although few are from the Seattle area. The search committee - consisting of parents, school staff and Native-American community members - interviewed six finalists last Friday and recommended two. Experience with Native-American education or alternative education programs was one of the minimum qualifications for the job, said school-district spokeswoman Dorothy Dubia.

Of the six interviewed, most are Native American, but it has not been disclosed if either of the finalists are. Superintendent John Stanford is expected to make his decision at any time.

"I think they (the search-committee members) are very enthused about the candidates," Holland said.

In the next few months, school officials and students will also decide whether to change the school's name in memory of their late leader. Administrators have been working with Eaglestaff's family to come up with an appropriate name. One of their suggestions: The Robert Eaglestaff American Indian Heritage School.

Many students are in favor of honoring Eaglestaff by changing the school's name, but others feel it's just a formality.

"You could change it to any name, and you would still remember Indian Heritage as Bob," said seventh-grader Amber Michel, 13. "He took the time to talk to you and be a friend. That's what he was to me - a friend."

Talon Joe, 17, a junior, said Eaglestaff taught him leadership while encouraging him to excel in sports. He hopes the school's new principal is more than a disciplinarian.

"A new principal could come in and try to organize and teach the kids," he said. "But to talk to kids, every now and then, and say a positive thing about them is what they need."

Eaglestaff was considered a visionary leader by many. He founded the Indian Heritage Dance Theater, a group of professional dancers and students that tours the Northwest, performing and interpreting traditional Native-American dances and music.

He promoted the school continually and kept it open to the community. American Indian Heritage hosts culture and tutoring classes for the public every Tuesday night. A senior-citizens organization and Coho Elementary are also on the school's campus.

"We're still feeling the impact of his work," Markishtum said. Just last week, someone donated a book Eaglestaff had wanted for the school's library.