Puyallup Tribe of Indians

Sisters share what it takes to become powwow royalty

Sisters Tala and Taiah Mitchell, who are members of the Puyallup Tribe, have been attending powwows since they were young. As children, they looked up to older girls who held powwow royalty titles and considered them role models within the community. “Once I came into the powwow circle, I always admired the looks of the crowns and the way they set a good example for everybody,” said Tala. Their cousins also ran for powwow royalty, further inspiring Tala and Taiah. “We were able to watch them and follow the example of what title they held,” said Taiah. Each contestant is…
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A Justice for Jackie update from Councilman Rideout

A Justice for Jackie update from Councilman Rideout

A COMMUNITY MATTERS / JUSTICE FOR JACKIE UPDATE This is a last-minute post to inform family, tribal members and community I was asked to attend President Biden’s new Police Reform Executive Order signing. On Saturday night I received a call from the White House Presidential Staff asking me and my sister Lisa Earl (Jackie’s mother) to attend the signing. President Biden’s overture to me was heartfelt knowing all the hard work that our family, tribe, and community have put into the Justice for Jackie movement and the push for the nation’s first De-Escalation law here in Washington State. Let’s be…
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Council lands in D.C. on first trip to capital since pandemic began; Chairman meets with President Biden

Council lands in D.C. on first trip to capital since pandemic began; Chairman meets with President Biden

Chairman Bill Sterud meets with President Biden on Tuesday, Feb. 15, to discuss how the Investment, Infrastructure and Jobs Act can support ambitious new plans for the Tribe’s 200+ acres of port property. The meeting took place virtually due to COVID-19 concerns while the Chairman was on the first Tribal Council trip to the nation’s capital since the pandemic began. Chairman Sterud, Councilman James Rideout and Councilwoman Monica Miller are meeting with lawmakers, including Sen. Maria Cantwell, and key staff in the federal government. Tribal Financial and Economic Development Officer Matt Wadhwani and Government Relations Director Ehren Flygare accompanied the…
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Puyallup Tribe’s PRIDE event was fabulous, honey!

Puyallup Tribe’s PRIDE event was fabulous, honey!

Tribal community members turned out to show support and solidarity at the Tribe’s annual Pride Event on Sunday. This year’s event – in-person after last year’s virtual celebrations – included cotton candy, tie-dye masks, a bounce house, face painting, the selection of Pride royalty and more. Many Tribal departments and Tacoma’s Rainbow Center were there to offer resources for visitors. The Tribe’s volunteer Pride Working Group put on the event with the support of Tribal Council. Filthy FemCorps put on a live music performance with hits such as "Like a Prayer" and led the Pride Walk, which was lined with…
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New paint recycling program helps protect our natural resources

New paint recycling program helps protect our natural resources

Submitted by the Sustainability Working Group Great news! The Washington paint stewardship program launched on April 1. Through the new program, you can take unused and unwanted paint to participating drop-off locations throughout the state at no charge. These drop-off sites are available to households, businesses, government agencies, and others with leftover paint in Washington. The Paint Stewardship Law was an eight-year effort by Zero Waste Washington, Northwest Product Stewardship Council, Product Stewardship Institute, together with many partners and municipalities, to promote an industry-supported bill that is now in effect. Washington State Rep. Strom Peterson of Edmonds championed the bill…
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