Spokanes Nourish Heritage Tribe Marks Anniversary With Dinner, Powwow

At the dinner, the elders went first, followed by the kids who formed a long line that trailed along the walls of the town’s community center.

For everyone, young and old, it was a feast of a lifetime. To honor the dead. To cherish the living.

About 120 people gathered Saturday afternoon at the Spokane Indian Reservation’s Long House to celebrate the tribe’s 115th anniversary at a dinner and powwow. On Jan. 18, 1881, the U.S. government officially recognized the Spokane Indians as a tribe.

“I think this should be planned and celebrated every year so the young people will know what happened to their ancestors,” said Inez Hubert, 62, dressed in a traditional wing dress and beaded moccasins.

The anniversary was last observed with a powwow 15 years ago. Every year, however, tribal members mark the occasion with a day off.

Hubert, who attended the event with her husband, Milo, said the anniversary makes her think of the elders in the tribe who tried to pass down the culture, but have since passed away.

“We’re not taking enough time to learn about our culture,” Hubert said. “We need to stress that.”

Patrina Cox, 24, said the social gathering was a chance for the kids to get involved with the community as well as carry on Indian traditions.

“I learned by helping out at dinners when I was a kid that our elders should be fed first,” Cox said. “Now, my kids are learning by helping out. It shows them respect.”

The celebration also was a time for bonding.

“We wanted to create something that would bring our people together,” said Warren Seyler, chairman of the Spokane Tribe.

For the past 115 years, the American Indians have suffered much, losing their land, their people, and their culture, Seyler said. The celebration is a reminder of the importance in preventing the Indian community from deteriorating.

“It was the strength of our culture, our heritage, and the strength of our people that has kept us together,” Seyler said.

The event, which was open to everyone, was also a chance to meet new people.

“I came to see friends and visit with other people from other reservations,” said Joseph Wallette, 17.

Wallette, who is on the tribe’s Youth Council, said the celebration also gives him a chance to reclaim his identity.

“I’m proud to be Spokane Indian,” Wallette said. “I want to hold onto the culture” - a culture that can be found in the food.

For dinner, there was a choice of salmon or elk meat - foods that are culturally and historically significant to the tribe, according to Pat Moses, who helped prepare the meal.

“When we sit down together to eat, we think of the sacrifices people had to make for us to get here,” said Moses, 49. “It makes everybody feel good to be here and to be a part of today’s activities, especially the meal.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo