By Shaun Scott, Puyallup Tribal News
The sight of dancers in regalia and the sound of roaring drums filled the tent as the Puyallup Tribe hosted its 46th-annual Labor Day Powwow the final three days of August.
The three-day event included drumming, dancing and royalty contests along with food trucks and vendors for the three-day event. A salmon bake dinner was served Saturday night for attendees.
Councilwoman Anna Bean welcomed the crowd on the first day of the Powwow and also announced the incoming 2025-26 royalty on Aug. 30. Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller was on the mic following Grand Entry on Saturday and Sunday, addressing those in attendance.
“I can remember our very first one (powwow), it’s a great honor to be able to have this land back. I appreciate each and every one of you for being here. I want to say how important it is for each and every one of us to keep these dances, these songs, in our hearts always and keep practicing and teaching our children,” Miller said. “From the Elders to the youth that are gathered here today and all of your beautiful regalia, I just want to say the Puyallup Tribe appreciates you guys coming each year and sharing with us.”
Lydia Butler-Smith was in charge of the Labor Day Powwow committee for the first time. She grew up watching her mom, Lauren Butler, participate in the planning and implementation of the yearly powwow.
“My mom has helped run it since its beginning. I love to learn and I have learned from everybody that has been a part of this before me,” Butler-Smith said. “Just watching Sharron Nelson, Jim Young, Norma EagleSpeaker all my life and how they’ve done everything has shaped me into who I am today.”
Lydia Butler-Smith said staff members worked hard to ensure the powwow was a success.
“It’s not about one person, it was everybody coming together to do something great for our community,” she said.
The group of Puyallup Tribal veterans leading Grand Entry each day included representative Michael Sisson.
“You see so many people here that you may not normally see throughout the year and that is always good. It’s a gathering of families and really, a region,” Sisson said. “I know there is people that come down from Canada and come up from California for this powwow. To me, that’s amazing.”
Councilwoman Annette Bryan said she has danced at powwows for 40 years and that they are good medicine.
“Everybody has celebration or healings to do. This is a place where they can do it. I’m just happy to see all the little ones coming to the dance floor and growing into this tradition. It is such a wonderful event,” Bryan said.
The powwow served as Cecilia Dillon (Senior Princess), Patricia Finley (Junior Princess) and Lawrence Butler-Lopez’s (Junior Warrior) final time in their royalty roles. Newly crowned incoming royalty for 2025-26 included Z’nya Berys (Senior Princess), Valentina Carrillo (Junior Princess), Che Ortiz-Conway (Senior Warrior) and Prince Satiacum-Billie (Junior Warrior).
Dillon crowned Berys in front of the crowd Saturday night.
“I’m a little emotional because it’s the last time I’m repping my crown,” Dillon said a few hours prior to crowning Berys. “I loved showing gratitude to other Tribes and communities while representing who I am and where I come from.”
Berys unveiled a huge smile after being crowned and embraced by Dillon in front of the crowd.
“It made me so happy. I love spending time with her. She is a real friend,” Berys said.
Berys said she was inspired to aspire for royalty because of the encouragement from her great-grandfather, Jim Young.
“This means so much to my family. I was running for my great-grandfather. He wasn’t here the second day or today (Sunday), but he has always supported me and wanted me to run this year,” Berys said.
Councilwoman Bean said royalty during the powwow is an exciting time and enjoys how the youth of the community have the opportunity to share their strengths and leadership qualities throughout the process.
“I think its absolutely beautiful how they get to present themselves to our community. They give speeches on who they are, why they are running and they dance in their own style and regalia showcasing their individual talents and personalities,” Bean said. “They properly introduced themselves and their families, while speaking Lushootseed. They are not the leadership of the future, they are the leadership of today.”
Competition Winners
Saul Jurado (Senior Men’s Traditional)
Maxine Alex (Women’s Junior Golden Age)
Darrell Paskimin (Men’s Junior Golden Age)
Audrey Olney (Women’s Senior Golden Age)
Peter Jo Olney (Men’s Senior Golden Age)
Gary Olney (Senior Men’s Fancy)
Ron Kickingwoman Sr. (Senior Men’s Grass)
Gary Villa (Senior Men’s Old Style Grass)
Algin Scabbyrobe (Senior Men’s Chicken)
Chelsa Bull (Senior Women’s Traditional)
Rose Greene (Senior Women’s Fancy)
Angelin Gadwa (Senior Women’s Jingle)
Brisa Paskimin (Senior Women’s Old Style Jingle)
Adam Baker (Junior Men’s Traditional)
Daniel Scholfield (Junior Men’s Fancy)
Mario Sittinghorse (Junior Men’s Grass)
Robert Sanchez (Junior Men’s Old Style Grass)
Caius BullBear (Junior Men’s Chicken)
Shawna Waheneka (Junior Women’s Traditional)
Shelby Snyder (Junior Women’s Fancy)
Leilani ODaye (Junior Women’s Jingle)
Hokian Win McCloud (Junior Women’s Old Style Jingle)
Linakay Russell (Women’s Cloth Traditional)
Sonny Walsey (Teen Boys Fancy)
Sunhawk Barney (Teen Boys Grass)
Sitka Double Runner Earl (Teen Boys Traditional)
Valerie ScabbyRobe (Teen Girls Fancy)
Kerri Roon-Zorthian (Teen Girls Jingle)
Willena Whitegrass (Teen Girls Traditional)
Jeremiah Wahchumwah (Boys Fancy)
Ivy Miller (Boys Grass)
Dravus Coin (Boys Traditional)
Nikiyah Longee (Girls Fancy)
Tamia Bullbear (Junior Girls Jingle)
Aliesse Whitegrass (Junior Girls Traditional)
Daniel Schofield (Men’s Fancy)
Tilda Walsey (Women’s Old Style Fancy)
Alex Meninick (Men’s Chicken)
Bad Eagle (Hand Drum Contest)
Valerie ScabbyRobe (Teen Girls All Around)
Bad Eagle (Drum Contest)
