Making it in Muckleshoot

The Powwow was held at the Muckleshoot Tribal School, and it was my first time there. There were a few other events going on throughout the day, and earlier that morning I visited the Bazaar at a local Muckleshoot Church. While helping my dad put up his booth, I got the chance to talk with a young girl who was volunteering with the fry bread. She had just won a scholarship to visit DC Arlington National Cemetery for an essay she had entered with her school at Enumclaw! Awesome!! She was already doing great things and she was only in the 8^th grade! It’s always a pleasure to see our youth having the courage to allow their education to take them places. Unfortunately she couldn't make it to the Powwow later that evening, but our conversation was enough to light up the gray overcast day.

With the royalties

That evening we drove into the driveway of the Muckleshoot Tribal School, it was a beautiful newly remodeled building. I know it definitely boosts morale and pride when you’re school building looks as fit as a 4A city school. It’s always special to me when cultural events are held at schools, and I always try to acknowledge and recognize why it’s important that Tribes are the ones teaching our youth. “Education” and “culture” aren’t opposites in my opinion, they go hand in hand. As I walked in the stands, I shook hands with people and wished them happy holidays. The evening was quiet, and I got to enjoy seeing my cousin dance Fancy Shawl. My dad sold his Deer jerky and the raffle tickets for Clear Sky Native Youth Council. As I watched the dancing, I reflected on that girl and how supportive her family was, and how proud her grandmother was when we were speaking. I had shared with her that this was just the tip of the iceberg and that there are many more things to come when you go to college, more opportunities. It makes me glad for the Native mentors both in our families and in our schools, and knowing that little girl has some gives me hope to see more of our youth flexing their talents.