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David W. Whitener Sr., of the Squaxin Island Tribe, spent 17 years on the faculty at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, in the Native American Studies Program before retiring in 1996. But his love of education started much earlier when he graduated with a master’s degree in the subject from Western Washington University in the 1950


David Whitener Sr.
He was 78 when he lost his battle to Parkinson’s disease on November 2 surrounded by family. “Mr. Whitener was dedicated to education and the Native American heritage,” reads his obituary. He was not only a member of the Squaxin Island Tribe, but part of his ancestry is also from the Tsimshian from Alaska. Whitener is of the Raven Clan. His tribal name in the Makah language is ahkwateed.