Update Muckleshoot, WA Pow Wow
July 17-24, 2011
I’m finally able to have an opportunity to update my experiences at the Muckleshoot Sobriety Pow Wow, and also post an album with the photos I took during the event. I wrote a brief story when I first arrived at the pow wow. The Native Americans are very diligent to not have any drugs and alcohol at the pow wows and other events. Evidently, drugs and alcohol not only cause problems and deaths in the American and other cultures, but also in the Native American culture.
This pow wow was a sobriety pow wow. Meetings were held in a tee pee. There were also the traditional grand entry ceremonies with dancers, singers, drummers, etc. This year the pow wow coincided with the Canoe Journey Paddle to Swinomish. The canoe families of numerous tribes paddled from places in Alaska, British Columbia, Canada, Oregon, Washington, California, and I believe one from New Zealand. I think they came to the USA and then paddled to Washington. On Wednesday afternoon the canoes landed at Alki Landing near Seattle and then they either drove or took a family bus to the Muckleshoot tribal grounds where their family and friends had tents set up for each family group. It was inspiring to see so many people of various tribes coming together for this celebration.
There was a camp feed on Wednesday night. About 600 people were there and we had a feast of salmon, tacos, salad, Nettle Soup which is a traditional soup, fruit, pies, etc. We all ate until we were stuffed! Then each canoe family got to do a protocol ceremony in which they offered the host tribe songs, dances, and stories of their traditions.
When a visiting tribe arrives at the shores of a host tribe, they request permission to land and come ashore. The host tribe grants the permission and then there is a protocol ceremony later that day or evening. Also, when a tribe is ready to go on to the next destination, they request and receive permission from the host tribe. It is always granted and included in the permission is a prayer for safe journeys, calm waters, that the tribe share the stories of their journey with their tribal members, etc. It is all very ceremonial and interesting.
While waiting for the dinner Wednesday night, I was talking with several of the people and learning where they were from and telling them about my personal journey. There was a young lady with a 9 month old baby. She had a small drum for her son which was gifted to him when he was born, it had his name, birthdate, and weight printed on the drum. He had the tiny drum beater in his hand and she was singing a Native American song to him and he was beating the drum in rhythm, and it sounded like he was trying to make sounds to sing. It was really amazing to watch them interact together.
The Native American culture really honors and values the elders and veterans. I can see it constantly in their celebrations and ceremonies, and also when there are meals. Elders always get special consideration and are served first. The Muckleshoot tribe had a Senior Center and meals were provided for lunch free of charge for them. They call them elders, not seniors, and since I am considered an elder, hard to believe it but I’m old enough, I was able to eat a lunch with them. It was really good and I got to talk with some of them.
The weather was still cold and mostly rainy, but we did have some patches of sunshine and the weather some days got up to 70 degrees. The closing ceremony was interesting. They had grand entry with the various dancers in full regalia. Then they had a sobriety countdown starting with 60 years. They gave a medallion to those coming forward that said Muckleshoot Tribe, and words that said Today I Get To Be Sober. When someone took a medallion, they stood along the sidelines of the arena and then the next person that took a medallion shook hands with the others in line and then took their place in the lineup. You could see and hear words of encouragement, congratulations, and support being given to each person. The line eventually went about three quarters of the way around the arena. Several of the kids that looked just barely in their teens picked up medallions. From hearing stories during the protocols and ceremonies, you could tell that there is a really large drug and alcohol problem and that it is really emotional for the families.
It rained several days, but the ceremonies went on despite the cold and rain. There were very large long tents set up so the dancers and people in attendance could watch and be sheltered from the weather. The sun did come out some of the time, and I could tell that they weren’t used to the heat, which I thought felt good, but they were hot. It got to 72 degrees one or two days during the daytime, at night it was still in the 60s. I have been wearing a jacket, scarf, socks, and boots. My feet are ready to wear my sandals again!!! They are saying what’s with shoes and socks? I have been wearing them for almost a month now.
Sunday afternoon, I left and drove to the Swinomish Tribal grounds near LaConner, WA for the canoe journey event.
