By Puyallup Tribal News Staff
The Puyallup Tribe held its 45th Annual Powwow over Labor Day weekend where the Tribal community near and far came together for three days of drumming, dancing and royalty contests.
Inside the tent, drummers and dancers competed for prizes. Outside the tent, a variety of vendors were set up selling food, jewelry, art, clothing and more.
Outgoing Royalty specials were performed by Gwen Conway (Junior Princess), Naiyeli Cruz-Garcia (Senior Princess), Sitka Firepower DoubleRunner-Earl (Junior Warrior) and Ché Ortiz Conway (Senior Warrior). Each of them took turns on the floor thanking and acknowledging anyone who helped them get where they are today.
With outgoing royalty, comes incoming royalty and three new Puyallup Tribal Members were chosen to represent as royalty for the next year. Cecilia Dillon won the Senior Princess contest, Patricia Finley was chosen as Junior Princess and Lawrence Butler-Lopez was named Junior Warrior.
Puyallup Tribal Councilwoman Annette Bryan congratulated the new royalty and shared a bit about what the powwow means to her.
“The powwow is a way to connect with mother Earth as we dance on the floor to the beat of the drum. The drum beat represents the heartbeat and its brings us closer to our creator,” she said. “I have been dancing at our powwow since the first one over 45 years ago and it is a big part of my spirituality. I credit my mother, Sharron Nelson, who is on the committee, with getting me out on the dance floor, making my regalia, making sure my hair looked good and making sure we had gas money to get to the powwow. I was the oldest of four girls and she did that for all of us, so it was quite a feat. I’m proud of all the parents who are doing that for their little ones and so proud of all of our royalty and the great job they did. Congratulations to the new royalty, our future is bright.”
Outside of the royalty contests, plenty of other Tribal Members of all age groups won committee specials and were able to go home with cash prizes.
