By Corvo Rohwer, Puyallup Tribal News
Onlookers stood at dxʷłalilali — a place to come ashore — and watched as Puyallup Tribal fishermen returned to shore with salmon in hand to celebrate this year’s First Fish ceremony on May 24.
“It’s a big day today for all Puyallup people,” Puyallup Tribal Council Chairman Bill Sterud said. “We’re celebrating our homeland.”
Honoring the first salmon run of spring, the First Fish ceremony gives a chance for the community to offer gratitude to our salmon relatives, and bring awareness to their crucial role in both the environment and Tribal culture.
“What today really is, is like a new year for our Tribe,” Councilwoman Anna Bean said. “It was the marking of the fresh salmon that were here, and it was also the marking of when we were going to begin our gatherings and our celebrations.”
Puyallup Tribal Councilmembers Annette Bryan, Monica Miller and Fred Dillon also addressed the crowd, explaining why the ceremony was impactful for them.
“It’s such a beautiful opportunity for us to thank our salmon people who feed us and sustain us,” Councilwoman Bryan said.
“The water and the fish are very important to Tribal Members. It’s a way of life,” Councilwoman Miller said. “Fish, water and land is our life.”
“We’re always considered people connected to our relatives, and this salmon here is one of our relatives that sacrificed themselves today,” Councilman Dillon said. “To me, this is recognizing our relative to show him off in a good way.”
Councilman James Rideout added the celebration was also for those who came before, recognizing the fishermen who passed traditions down.
“I want to think about them today, our fishermen who aren’t here today,” he said. “Those that stood and sacrificed to fight for us to survive.”
During the ceremony, the Tribal fishermen who spent their morning on the water to bring in the first fish were also honored for their dedication and respect of the natural resource. These fishermen included Don Coats, Ryan Conway, Councilman Dillon, Dennis LaPointe, Taima Mitchell, Rodney Sisson and Dale Varbel.
“We’re standing up for the salmon, and we’re going to keep doing it,” Sisson said. “No matter what happens, we’re going to make sure the fish come home.”
Visitors from the wider community also came to show their support and celebrate, including local city officials and a special visit from Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribal Nation Councilor Michele Scott.
Following communal speeches, songs and dances, the event concluded with the serving of the first fish alongside a wealthy and varied seafood meal to wrap up the celebration.
