POULSBO — A friendly connotation may be landing just off West Kingston Road.

A welcoming sign, “Siyaya Avenue,” has been suggested to Kitsap County by the North Kitsap School Board as the name of the access road that serves the NKSD transportation building, Spectrum Community School and the soon-to-be-built Kingston High School.

“We, as a district, wanted to take this opportunity to honor the rich cultural diversity we have in this area,” said school board member and tribal liaison Dan Delaney.

The word “siyaya” comes from the ancient Lushootseed language, which is spoken by tribes around the Puget Sound, including the Suquamish. Translated to English, the word means “very good/family-like friend.”

Siyaya was originally suggested as the name for the new high school by Kingston resident Rhonda Williamson.

However, the school board chose Kingston High School, and at that time, Delaney began thinking about using the word to name the road that provides access to it.

“The word means good friend, but it also carries a very powerful connotation that everyone who comes here is considered a friend,” Delaney said. He believes the name could be a beacon to all visitors. “These buildings belong to everyone and hopefully (using) this name will help people of the area feel welcome.”

The district’s recommendation is now in the hands of the county, which is making necessary checks and will provide the final say on Siyaya Avenue.