Head Man Dancer Ed Wulf leads the Grand Entry into the 2014 Cowlitz Pow Wow at Toledo High School on Saturday as youths participating in the event look on.
Members of the Cowlitz tribe sing as part of a call-and-response during a portion of the 2014 Cowlitz Pow Wow in Toledo on Saturday.
Members of the Allen Family Singers drum circle pause briefly during introductions of veterans, in which they would loudly beat the drum as a sign of appreciation for their service during the 2014 Cowlitz Pow Wow on Saturday at Toledo High School.
Veterans of various military branches, many of whom stated their connections to varied tribes throughout Washington state, lead the procession as part of the Grand Entry into the Cowlitz Pow Wow on Saturday.
For one day, the Toledo High School gymnasium became home to a celebration of tribes that its nickname honor.
Dancers in full native regalia moved to the beat of thumping drums as songs of native tribes filled the air in the full gymnasium at the Cowlitz Pow Wow Saturday afternoon. The event, which serves as a celebratory gathering of the Cowlitz Tribe that welcomes members from other tribes through the Northwest and beyond, was likely the best-attended in the 15-year history of the event, organizers told The Chronicle.
“People come and go throughout the day, but we probably had 700 to 1,000 people,” Pow Wow Committee chairperson Suzanne Donaldson-Stephens said. “We’re almost outgrowing the high school.”
The Cowlitz Pow Wow began in 1999 as a way to bring tribal members together and celebrate a family spirit they hold dear.
“We had a lot of people say it had a good feeling and a good spirit,” Donaldson-Stephens said.
The ceremonies began with the Grand Entry at 1 p.m., in which the head dancers for the event led a large procession of people dressed in traditional regalia — complete with intricate designs, weavings, beads and bells — through the gymnasium to traditional music and chanting. Military veterans were honored off the top, with thunderous beats of the drum sounding after each veteran stated their name, branch of service and connection to the tribe.
Roy Wilson, the tribe’s spiritual leader, gave a blessing in a native tongue. A second spiritual blessing came courtesy of Perry Gerhart, who blew a ram’s horn as a traditional Jewish invocation, then prayed in Hebrew.
“How blessed it is when the Creator’s children come together in unity,” Gerhart said, ending his prayer.
Gerhart, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, said he had been traveling across the country for four months and wanted to attend the Cowlitz Pow Wow as part of his travels.
“I’ve been traveling because I want to connect with and bless our first peoples,” Gerhart told The Chronicle.
Many who addressed the crowds at the Pow Wow stressed the importance of instilling a sense of culture and family unity to the younger generation, including tribal chairman William Iyall, who told the adults present to honor the youth as the youth honor them.
“This is the best we can do, to see the youth that come here and grow each year,” Iyall said.
Other highlights of the event included the signature salmon feed, and a dance competition that included several groups — one notable group being native students currently serving their time at Green Hill School in Chehalis.
“They may have made a poor choice in life, but it’s important for them to participate in their culture,” Donaldson-Stephens said.
Event emcee Don Ryan said he was impressed with the number of attendees, and recalled the days of the event being held at the St. Mary’s Center. Now in its third year back at Toledo High School, the sheer number of people present showed those in leadership that the spirit of family among the Cowlitz people is alive and well.
“To nearly outgrow the high school is a good sign,” Ryan said from the podium. “I’m so proud of our Cowlitz People.”
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Christopher Brewer: (360) 807-8235
