PHOTOS BY CLARE JENSEN

Male and female dancers of all ages entered the field at Chief Leschi school for the grand entrance of the Pow-wow Aug. 30. Hundreds of tribal members from across the country paraded by onlookers in a flurry of colors, beads, feathers and shells, before gathering around tribal veterans and speakers who blessed the people and events of the day.

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Pow-wow a reflection of Natives past, present, and future

By John Larson

Local residents joined people who traveled great distances to celebrate their Native American heritage during the Puyallup Tribe’s Annual Pow-wow, held Aug. 29-31 at Chief Leschi School.

“It has been great. Just

fabulous,” said Tribal Council Chairman Herman Dillon, Sr. He was pleased with the turnout and happy to see some friends and acquaintances he had not seen for a while. “That is what it is all about, catching up with old friends and making new ones,” he remarked.

Despite some clouds that appeared several times over the weekend, Tribal Council-member David Bean was pleased that rain stayed away and the participants had pleasant weather. He noted one young man did a special dance to bring sunny weather upon the event.

David Bean first began attending the event when he was about 13 or 14. Back then his family operated a food concession stand.

He also enjoyed seeing people he had not seen in some time, such as the vice chair of the Warm Springs Tribal Council. The event draws people from around the country, he observed, noting he met one young man who traveled from his home in Oklahoma to participate.

“The organizers do a great job in putting this together,” David Bean remarked.

Tribal member Ramona Bennett addressed the gathering Aug. 31. She expressed gratitude to all the people who participate and help pass along the Tribe’s cultural heritage to the youth. “I am so thankful to each of you who keep this circle together,” she said. Ramona Bennett noted many people spend considerable amounts of money on gasoline to drive long distances to participate, as well as devoting their time on a long holiday weekend.

“You always come to

show the children that wonderful experience, the beautiful music and beautiful people,” she remarked. “If no one danced, there would be no reason to sing.”

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