Photos by Dawn Quinn
YOUNG TRIBAL MEN JOSE PEDRAZA (LEFT) AND DAVID HUDSON (RIGHT) CARRIED THE PLANK HOLDING THE FIRST FISH TO BEGIN THE ANNUAL CEREMONY THAT TOOK PLACE ON JUNE 13.
Tribal members from many generations were in attendance on June 13 for a first fish ceremony that took place along the Puyallup River.
Families gathered around at 10 a.m. to wait for the fishermen, who had been out on the water since 6 a.m. that morning before the tide got too low to come back with salmon for the event.
This occasion, which has been taking place on weekdays for the past few years, was moved to a Saturday so that more members would hopefully be able to take part in the ceremony, which was led by Puyallup Tribal Councilmember David Bean.
Two young Tribal men, David Hudson and Jose Pedraza, carried the salmon on a plank from the boat up to the top of the levee to rest before the ceremony.
Tribal member Connie McCloud spoke to the group and gave some historical background on the ceremony.
“All of our food at one time was people and animals. Humans were fighting them, and the humans won. All the fish, plants and berries said they’d be food always as long as we were thankful. That’s why we do this.”
Mark Bridges, a fish buyer for the Tribe, spoke about how important it was to him to see everyone there taking part in this important event.
“The past and future are both here. You (children) will do more things like this in the future. If it wasn’t for our salmon we wouldn’t be here,” he stated.
Tribal members Billie Barnes and Eric Bennett came up next along with two children, Harrar Conway and Serenity Bennett as witnesses, and all of them were wrapped in traditional blankets. Billie Barnes said a few words about her personal history and feelings about the ritual.
“(I remember) my excitement when I first came to the river to learn to fish. It excites my very spirit to see you here, and to see the young ones…it is important to come back and stay connected to the earth. Salmon are happy to feed our people,” she commented.
Eric Bennett spoke about giving thanks for what the Tribe is given from the river. “All we needed was one fish, so we are blessed. We have more than what we need.”
Steve Dillon cleaned and filleted the first fish for the ceremony, as those in attendance sang Tribal songs and Shawn Donathan, David Bean and Jim Rideout played drums. Steve Dillon placed the head and tail of the salmon back into the Puyallup River when finished so it could return home.
David Bean gave a few words about living up to the Tribe’s word to end the ceremony.
“When the salmon people lost, they kept their word. We’re keeping our word by taking care of our fish and the environment,” he said.
Tribal members gathered together for a dinner celebrating the first fish after the ceremony at the old Elders Center. Members were able to share words and stories there while dining on the salmon caught that day. David Bean thanked Connie McCloud, the fishermen, and every member in attendance.
