Stories – Puyallup Tribal News

30 Dec

A message from Dr. Shelton: Looking back at 2020 and forward to 2021

COVID-19, Puyallup Tribal Council, Puyallup Tribe, Puyallup Tribe of Indians

In reflecting over the last year, I am thankful of how well the Tribal community has handled the COVID-19 crisis. Tribal Council was proactive from the beginning of the pandemic – stopping gatherings and encouraging people to work from home, even before it was widely recommended. The COVID team helped with many protocols and responses to small outbreaks. Overall, we have done better than other Tribal communities and what was expected. Thank you all for playing a part. But of course, we are not done! Soon the vaccine will be available (as soon as early January), and we encourage everyone…

26 Dec

Toy donations brighten the holidays for CLS families

charity, Chief Leschi, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Toys for Tots

Chief Leschi Schools held its annual Toys for Tots event on Dec. 21. “Thank you to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians for providing ‘Toys for Tots’ for our families in need this holiday season,” CLS posted on Facebook. “Families were able to pick from a variety of tables with items for babies to teenagers.” Puyallup Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller, Council Member James Rideout and Superintendent Marc Brouillet helped set up the event, which included adequate spacing for families to select stuffed animals, games and other toys in a socially distanced manner. Council Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller (left) and…

24 Dec

Tribe’s charitable donations help feed the hungry in Pierce County

charity, Emerald Queen Casino, Food bank, hunger, Puyallup Tribe of Indians

Historically, the Puyallups were known to exhibit generous and welcoming behavior to all people (friends and strangers) who enter their lands. Today, this continues to ring true with their efforts to stop hunger locally. Even while reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians was able to provide charitable contributions of $568,000 in the first two quarters of 2020. The third and fourth quarter information will be made available at a later date. Charitable contributions are part of the Tribe’s gaming compact with the state. Four organizations that received large donations ($50,000 or more) are helping in the…

15 Dec

Dorothy Earl shares family’s fry bread recipe for future generations

fry bread, Indian tacos, Little Wild Wolves Youth Center, Puyallup Tribe of Indians

By Lisa Pemberton, Puyallup Tribal News Editor Puyallup Tribal Member Dorothy Earl has been making fry bread for more than 40 years. She estimates she’s probably made about 200,000 pieces of fry bread – for youth dinners, funerals, the 2018 Canoe Journey and other special events over the years. Earl, who is the cook at the Little Wild Wolves Youth Center and known to many as “Auntie Dot,” uses a baking powder fry bread recipe that was passed down to her by her great-auntie on her mom’s side of the family. “It originated in Yakima, where I grew up,” Earl…

01 Aug

Tribal police respond to fatal shooting

Updated 10:30 a.m. TACOMA, Wash. – Near midnight Friday, July 31, Puyallup Tribal Police responded to a report of a shooting at the south parking garage of Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma. A male suspect fled on foot. Tribal officers assisted Emerald Queen security in performing CPR on the victim, also a male. Tacoma Fire Department and Tacoma Police Department units also responded. The victim was pronounced deceased shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday. Police said the shooting did not appear to be a robbery. Following standard procedure for major crimes on the Puyallup reservation, Tribal police called in the FBI…

28 Aug

40th Annual Labor Day Pow-wow at Puyallup: a time for Native heritage and joy

Join the fun and festivities at the 40th Annual Labor Day Pow-wow at Puyallup. A fun time for the whole family, the annual pow-wow is a chance to celebrate Native heritage and experience the joy of our communities with the whole family. Puyallup Tribal member and Elder Sharron Nelson has been on the powwow committee for 40 years. Along with Jim Young, Sr. (committee chair), and Lauren Butler (administration), these tribal members help create a weekend of fun and joy every year, giving the Puyallup Tribe and larger Native community the chance to celebrate our histories and traditions. “It’s one…

22 Aug

U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI visit reservation

Clockwise from lower left are Chairman Bean, Councilmember Tim Reynon, Tribal Police Chief Joe Duenas, Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Cohen, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tate London, FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Eric Reese, Councilmember Anna Bean, Councilmember James Rideout and Councilmember Annette Bryan. With Tribal operations returned to normal following a fatal shooting in Eastside Tacoma last week, Tribal Council invited representatives of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI into Chambers on Wednesday, Aug. 21, to discuss measures to counter violence, gang activity and other problems. Councilmembers agreed people should not feel they must live in fear but also thanked the…