This entire day consisted of three consecutive events; the
Opening of a new Veteran’s Exhibit at the Yakama Nation Heritage Museum, the
Elder’s Honoring Luncheon at the Yakama Nation Tribal School, and finally, the
Native American Heritage Month Assembly at my very own Wapato High School. Fortunately
for me, I was very interested in being part of as many things as I could so I
was alright with having an action packed day. To start with, the Opening of the
Veteran’s Exhibit began at 8 am sharp. The exhibit was a display of the many
Yakama veterans along with a gifting of a very special American Flag to our
people. Like my presentation at the Veteran’s Camp, I was asked to do the
Welcome Dance and say a few words. (I was rescued by the Library Staff Merida
and Ezilda who had a copy of the song.) During my talk, I spoke about my Pusha
(my grandfather on my dad’s side), Joe Jay Pinkham Jr, and his life’s work for
Native Veterans across this country. I’m always proud to share that he was one
of the first Native Master Gunner Sergeant’s of the Korean War, and that he
served on our General Council for nearly 50 years. But the highlight of the
program surely went to Virginia Beavert, one of the 4 remaining Yakama veterans
of World War II, and also the prominent linguist of our Tribe. She gave a
powerful speech which everyone responded with a standing ovation.
Yakama Warriors
After the presenting of the new flag, Dad and I headed over
to the Tribal School for the Elders Honoring Luncheon. This luncheon is put on
by the students and teachers of the Yakama Nation Tribal School which serves
students between middle school and high school. It was my first time attending
the event and this year was made even more special with the return of the
Waptu, or wild Potato. After 50 years, without any replanting, the potato came
back. Calvin Wahsise, the little brother of my good friend Andrea Wahsise requested
that we welcome the food with a set of seven songs; old Wa’shut way. In Yakama
culture, Wa’shut religion governed and continues to govern, how the bands organized
feasts, by aligning themselves with the cycles of nature, and conducted sacred
prayer in thanksgiving for these feasts, through ancient songs and ceremonies. Calvin
invited elders in the audience to do the drumming and it was soothing for me to
hear these songs again. As we ate, I was asked to come up and speak a few
words. I shared my story of having to move back and forth between the Rez and
Seattle, and how what protected me amidst those years of culture confusion (not
to mention shock) was knowing who I am as a Yakama. It’s our songs, teachings,
and stories that reinforce our identity and that’s what has given me strength.
With Miss National Indian Days at Wa-Hi
After speaking, Dad and I hustled over to Wapato High School
(now you see why the joke, “Wap-potato” is appropriate) for the Native American
Heritage Month Assembly. I was asked by the Native American Student
Association, the club I myself was once part of, to speak and present the
school with a Yakama Nation flag. Prior to the Assembly, I visited with the
Disability students; my aunt Paige teaches their class, and asked me to come
and speak with them for a few minutes. It was nice to talk with these kids who
are often separated from the rest of the happenings of the school. It was
wonderful visiting with them, and answering their questions, it reminds me that
I need to be more aware of how our communities are impacted by Disability even
on the Reservation. I was anxious as we headed over to the gym for I was truly
thrilled to be part of the assembly, and more proud than I could ever be, to
see how NASA has grown and evolved. To see how these students have really
learned to take initiative in bringing Yakama culture into the schools was
inspiring. Arguably, high school students are probably the most difficult audience
to engage at an assembly so I kind of had to pull out my insider as a Wolf
(class of ’08). I remembered how unaware my non-native classmates were of
Yakama culture when I was in high school, so I had more than a few first-hand experiences
to share. During the 15 min Q&A I was asked to perform the Butterfly Dance,
which I did…on a full stomach. But hey, that’s high school. And it was all
worth it. J
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