By Katie Manzanares, Puyallup Tribal News
The Puyallup Tribe is often known for being generous and welcoming, but recently the Tribe was on the receiving end of amazing generosity.
Tacoma City Ballet gifted the Tribe 400 tickets to its Dec. 20 performance of “The Nutcracker” at the historic Pantages Theater. Valued at over $26,000, the gift was a powerful acknowledgment of the deep cultural and historical ties between Native communities and the arts.
The Puyallup Tribe’s Language Department was also invited to open the show with a land acknowledgment in Lushootseed, the Tribe’s ancestral language.
The language opening serves as a powerful recognition of the Puyallup Tribe’s enduring connection to the land and waterways. It also highlights the reality that the land on which the Pantages Theater stands was stolen from the Puyallup people, a reminder of the historical injustices Indigenous communities have endured.
This year’s Nutcracker performance also features two Puyallup Tribal Members, Sarah K. Bryant, and her 13-year-old daughter, Charlotte Wilcoxen. Wilcoxen has landed two roles as the Arabian Corps de Ballet and Clara’s Friend, demonstrating how dedication and hard work can pay off in ballet.
Bryant danced for Tacoma City Ballet for seven years before becoming a professional dancer for the Seattle Seahawks. She is proud to see her daughter following in her footsteps and embracing the art form of ballet. Bryant has been part of the Nutcracker for 10 years while her daughter is in her seventh year. The two have shared the stage for the past four years, a tradition Bryant cherishes and hopes to continue in the future.
For Executive and Artistic Director of Tacoma City Ballet Erin Ceragioli, this collaboration holds personal significance. Ceragioli was trained by Maria Tallchief, the trailblazing Osage Nation ballerina who broke barriers to become America’s first prima ballerina.
Tallchief’s legacy continues to inspire as this year she was honored with a commemorative Barbie doll released during Native American Heritage Month, and was featured last year on a U.S. coin celebrating her monumental contributions to ballet.
“Maria Tallchief showed the world what is possible for Native dancers,” Ceragioli said.
In a symbolic gesture of Tallchief’s influence, Ceragioli plans to donate one of Tallchief’s tutus to the Puyallup Tribe’s museum. The donation not only celebrates Tallchief’s legacy, but also reinforces the shared values of culture, storytelling and perseverance between ballet and Native traditions.
The collaboration comes at a pivotal moment as the Puyallup Tribe and Tacoma City Ballet work to increase access to ballet for Native youth. Historically, Native dancers have faced barriers to opportunities in the arts, including misconceptions about taxes and scholarships in the City of Tacoma through Tacoma Creates.
Ceragioli is committed to changing that narrative by offering free ballet classes to Puyallup Tribal Members. Tribal youth can use the code “The Hawk” to sign up for free classes. There are also free classes for adults wishing to take ballet on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. with live accompaniment.
“Ballet teaches discipline, focus and resilience,” Ceragioli said. “These are life skills that benefit people throughout their lives.”
This collaboration between the Tribe and Tacoma City Ballet is about more than dance, it’s about honoring the past, celebrating the present and inspiring future generations.
