By Michael Sisson, Puyallup Tribal Veterans Representative
The Puyallup Tribal Veterans Committee is in the process of collecting names for a lottery/drawing to attend the 75th Anniversary of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising Commemoration Parade on Feb. 22.
This event is held in Sacaton, Arizona. It honors Ira Hayes, a World War II United States Marine who participated in the raising of the American flag over Iwo Jima after the Americans took the hill back from the Japanese during World War II.
This is an annual parade that Puyallup Tribal Council has allowed Puyallup Tribal Veterans to attend for more than a decade. It is great to be recognized as a regular attendee at the parade by local veterans and others who have attended the parade before.
The Tribal Veterans Committee would like to offer attendance to other Puyallup Tribal Veterans who have not had the opportunity to attend this event in the past. There will be a van available for veterans who cannot carry a flag with the color guard.
If you wish to participate with the Puyallup Tribal Color Guard in this event, please submit your request in writing no later than Jan. 14 to Puyallup Tribe of Indians; ATTN: Tribal Veterans Representative; 3009 East Portland Avenue; Tacoma, WA 98404-4926.
Wisconsin powwow May 15-17
The Puyallup Tribal Veterans Committee is also in the process of collecting names for a lottery/drawing to attend the 31st Annual Veterans of the Menominee Nation “Gathering of Warriors” Pow-Wow, which is held on the Menominee Indian Reservation in the Woodland Bowl, Keshena, Wis. on May 15-17.
This will be the ninth year the Puyallup Tribal Council has allowed Puyallup Tribal Veterans to attend this annual event. We are also hoping to take along the Puyallup Tribal Princess Kylie Reed.
The Tribal Veterans Committee would like to offer attendance to all other Puyallup Tribal Veterans who have not had the opportunity to attend this event in the past.
The Puyallup Tribe has a strong connection to our Tribal Veteran brothers of the People of the “Wild Rice,” the Menominee Nation, from December 2011 when the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Company of Tacoma launched a Navy Tug, the YT-807 “Menominee.” Menominee Nation veterans came to Tacoma for the launch. The “Menominee” was deployed to Japan to work with her sister tug, the YT-806 “Puyallup,” which was launched and deployed to Japan earlier in 2011. The Menominee Tribal Veterans returned to visit and present their Eagle Staff and Colors for our annual Labor Day Pow-Wow in September 2012 and in 2016.
Should you be interested in assisting with the “Raising of the Family Flags,” the “Veteran’s Snake Dance,” and in carrying the colors for Grand Entry as well as participating in the other Pow-Wow festivities, please submit your request in writing no later than April 14 to Puyallup Tribe of Indians; ATTN: Tribal Veterans Representative; 3009 East Portland Avenue; Tacoma, WA 98404-4926.
National Gathering of American Indian Veterans July 17-19
The Puyallup Tribal Veterans Committee is in the process of collecting names for a lottery/drawing to attend the 6th Annual National Gathering of American Indian Veterans, which will be held at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL on July 17-19.
This event honors veterans and military personnel of all cultures, eras, and branches in a Native way.
Watch entertaining performances from cultural groups and participate in powwow-style dancing with other veterans. If approved, this will be the sixth year the Puyallup Tribal Council has allowed Puyallup Tribal Veterans to attend this annual event that spends time to celebrate and remember the untold story of American Indianpeople’s contribution to the military.
The Tribal Veterans Committee would like to offer attendance to all other Puyallup Tribal Veterans who have not had the opportunity to attend this event in the past.
More will be revealed regarding this event as the information becomes available. You can also check it out online at https://www.trickstergallery.com/events/6th-annual-national-gathering-of-american-indian-veterans/.
You may also view the documentary from last year at https://www.pbs.org/video/connecting-our-generations-voices-of-native-veterans-ppiiry/?fbclid=IwAR121JPzXp_wZx_3HkbRhJGvotg7qSyETt0UQbspopqFhwPcnphfXOcEgOI.
Should you be interested in carrying the colors for Grand Entry as well as participating in the other Gathering festivities, please submit your request in writing no later than June 9, 2020 to Puyallup Tribe of Indians; ATTN: Tribal Veterans Representative; 3009 East Portland Avenue; Tacoma, WA 98404-4926.
National Native American Veterans Memorial dedication Nov. 11
The Puyallup Tribal Veterans Committee is also in the process of collecting names for a lottery/drawing to attend the dedication of the National Native American Veterans Memorial on Nov. 11. This event will be held in Washington, DC; it will honor the Service of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians in the U.S. Armed Forces.
This dedication will include a Native Veterans Procession, a dedication ceremony, and a concert, followed by a multi-day celebration that will include access to the Memorial, exhibition tours, and cultural performances until Nov. 15. The Tribal Veterans Committee would like to offer attendance to all Puyallup Tribal Veterans.
Should you wish to participate with your fellow Puyallup Tribal Veterans in this event, please submit your request in writing no later than September 8, 2020 to Puyallup Tribe of Indians; ATTN: Tribal Veterans Representative; 3009 East Portland Avenue; Tacoma, WA 98404-4926.
Tribal General Membership Meeting on Jan. 25
On Saturday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m. there will be a Tribal General Membership Meeting at the EQC Riverboat, located at 2102 East Alexander Avenue; Tacoma, WA 98421. Puyallup Tribal Veterans will post colors for this event. Please arrive no later than 9:45 am.
Alternate location for Surprise Lake Powwow on March 7
On Saturday, March 7, the Puyallup Tribal Veterans will post the colors for Surprise Lake Middle School Powwow at 1 p.m.
Due to the construction at Surprise Lake Middle School, this year’s Powwow will be held at Puyallup High School, located at 105 7th St SW, Puyallup, WA 98371. Please arrive no later than 12:45 pm.
State Cannabis Conference March 25
On Wednesday, March 25, the Puyallup Tribal Veterans will post the colors for Washington State Medical Cannabis Conference at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, located at 1500 Commerce Street; Tacoma, WA 98402.
Please watch for more information.
On Thursday, March 26, 2020, the Puyallup Tribal Veterans will retire the colors for Washington State Medical Cannabis Conference at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, located at 1500 Commerce Street; Tacoma, WA 98402.
Please watch for more information.
Association of American Indian Physicians Aug. 6 and 8
On Thursday, Aug. 6, the Puyallup Tribal Veterans will post the colors for the Association of American Indian Physicians at noon. The location is yet to be determined.
Please arrive no later than 11:45 a.m.
On Saturday, Aug. 8, the Puyallup Tribal Veterans will post the colors for the Association of American Indian Physicians Powwow. We will also retire the colors at the conclusion of the Powwow as well. The location and time is yet to be determined.
The uniform for these events will be black trousers, black shoes, long sleeve white shirt, our white Tribal Veterans ball cap and the Pendleton Grateful Nation Vest that we wear to all Tribal veteran events (please see the picture to the left).
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