TOPPENISH — Native American students in the Toppenish school district are fighting against the use of the drug methamphetamine. “Don’t meth with us,” was the theme for the first ever school district hosted pow wow. 
“The students worked really hard to put this together,” Noberta Scabbyrobe, Native American Case Manager said.   
Students partnered with the Learn and Serve Methamphetamine Project to raise awareness against the use of the drug. 
About 150 people attended the pow wow on Saturday at the Toppenish Middle School. Students worked alongside the Title VII parent committee, who “put in a lot of time and energy to serve their children,” Patsy Whitefoot, High School Indian Club advisor said.
About eight middle school students and some from the high school took ownership of organizing and getting sponsorship of the event, Scabbyrobe said. 
“It’s exciting that this is our first ever pow wow,” she added. 
The Yakama Warrior Society brought in the flags to show unity, and the Yakama Nation Tribal School participated on the honor drum.
“The tribal school and the warriors do so much for our children with asking nothing in return,” Scabbyrobe said. 
Businesses and organizations from the Valley came together to support the meth awareness pow wow, and sponsors included: Learn and Serve Methamphetamine Project , JOM Committee host drum and honor drum, Eagles of Toppenish, Yakama Juice, Yakama Land Enterprise, Papa Murphy’s, Yakama Nation Tribal School, We’ve Got Your Bag, Roses Native Design, Kraff’s, Wapato Pawn and Trade, and the 88cents store.