By Corvo Rohwer, Puyallup Tribal News
The Puyallup Tribe welcomed in Tribal Members from around the area to take part in the Winter Solstice Coastal Jam on Dec. 21.
Community members and their families took part in a warm meal of fry bread and hamburger soup following stories by the fire from Puyallup Tribal Member Peggy McCloud, who shared the origin of her drum.
Culture Coordinator/Carver Assistant Yell-xla-bate-soot, also known as Yelkie Bill, expressed hosting jam sessions is especially important for the youth, and having Elders present to share stories was something he cherished.
“It gives the youth something to do on a Friday night, something they may not have had the opportunity to do in the past. It reconnects our youth with one another and the culture.” Bill said. “Our aunt Peggy McCloud told the same stories when I was a child, and we have different generations being able to hear the same stories that we did when growing up.”
The jam session began shortly after dinner as attendees took to the floor of the Puyallup Tribal Youth Center gym to dance and share songs together throughout the rest of the evening.
