NCAI Day 2: Halloween Native Vote! Event

I never would have thought of having a voting event with an awesome Halloween Party.


Obviously I knew the Conference would be taking place during Halloween, but I didn't pay much attention to the idea of it, until it happened. It was in conjunction with Native Vote! an organization that gave a presentation that very day. Native Vote! seeks to get all of Indian Country to get out the Native vote in the coming elections. But getting young people involved is a key way to 


For more information on Native Vote! 2012


As part of their Native Vote! 2012 campaign, there was a free photo booth! There were costumes everywhere! Along with the awesome Halloween treats and candy apples, were chicken skewers, chocolates and punch. The dance featured an array of classic rock hits to 80's pop, to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller.' Winners of the Costume Contest were a couple who came as Pop Eye and Olive. 


Many of the youth came as well, (I went as Catwoman) and I spent my time meeting and greeting. There were kids dressed as Superman, the Flintstones, even a tiny tot came dressed as a smurf! The lighting wasn't the best for my puny camera, and the following pic was the clearest shot I came out with:

Me and my old friend Tyson Johnston

Day 2 at NCAI: Color Guard, Youth Commission and Halloween! =D

The first day of NCAI got us off to a great start! Bright and early, it’s important to arrive on time, and we planned to be there for the National Prayer Breakfast, as we had purchased tickets. However, our morning was going to go in a way I hadn’t at all expected. It went way better.

We entered the hall, waving at a few councilmen. Among the first people I saw were my Aunt, and my Pusha—my grandpa on my Dad's side—Joe Jay Pinkham Jr. She was in a whirl, trying to get his moccasins on and trying to figure out his place in the Color Guard. My Pusha had served in the Korean War, and he was one of the first Native American Staff Gunner Sergeants. He served 50 years on the Yakama Nation General Council, where he spent his life creating and implementing programs for our Native Veterans. But he'd always been Pusha to me, so I was rather eager to see him in a new element. 

Photo: Courtesy of Jeremy Wade Shockley of the Southern Ute Drum Newsletter

Turns out, he got more attention than I did! Lol, that's saying something as I was wearing a crown, but it was all good. So many people knew who he was, it made me very proud to see just how many lives he'd impacted and how much he made a difference. A lesson for those of you still in high school and younger; learn about what your grandparents, your Elders did for your people. Seeing how our relations all over Indian country kick butt in court and in the White House, and knowing that I was related to this strong person, was really empowering and strengthening. I'm just a kid in college still trying to understand it all! It's such a special and rare gift, my Pusha's 84 now, and my only regret is that I didn't learn it sooner. 

To further my surprise, I was able to escort him in the Color Guard! This was a special honor for me to stand with these strong Native men who have served our country. (Out of all the demographics, Native people have the highest percentage of volunteers in our population.) As I visited with our Yakama Warriors, my friends Tracy Rector and Lou Karsen from Longhouse Media scurried about finding the right angles and requesting interviews. Later I got the chance to assist them in interviewing, and they even interviewed me! It was a very exciting morning, and the day wasn't even over yet. 

Afterwards, my Mom and I scrambled to get to the Youth Commission meeting. Along the way, we ran into Alex Alvarez, aka this year's Miss Shoshone-Bannock! We had met a few days ago at the 42nd Annual National Indian Education Association Convention in Albuquerque NM, so our parting was short-lived.  Together we all headed over. 

The Youth Commission of NCAI is relatively new addition to the Conference; it was established in the 1997 when the Conference was held in Juneau AL, through Resolution #JNU-97-003.

NCAI as a whole is a Conference for Tribal Leaders to make legislation about Tribal issues, such as education, health care, or on other legislation being debated about in the White House, like in the United States' Congress. When NCAI passes legislation, it means that all Tribes associated with NCAI are in favor of a specific issue or topic. It carries a lot of weight to other political leaders in the country. So, having a space at the table and being part of these meetings is very meaningful which is why it’s important that we as Native kids are involved.

Getting youth involved in this Commission is an ongoing process but this year was the highest turnout yet! From what I heard, attendance doubled since the previous year. Admittedly NCAI is during the week, so it’s probably quite difficult to make time to attend the conference. In our workshops, we introduced ourselves (at least 30 kids showed up!), discussed Robert’s Rules of Order (ie “Will all those who are in favor say Aye?”), and the importance of Native Vote campaign.

Throughout our time, I caught up with Tyson Johnston, a good friend of mine from UW (he was President of the First Nations club) and he’s now serving as Quinault Tribal Councilman, and Co-Vice President of the Youth Commission. Here’s the message: get involved in any way you can! It’ll prepare you for leadership roles in the future!

For myself, I was never involved in ASB, or even UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth-a national native student Congress). At the University of Washington, I’ve been involved with the ASUW (college level ASB) Student Senate, and was the Director of the American Indian Student Commission. So, I didn’t learn much about student government until after high school Both these organizations help prepare Native kids in writing legislation, leadership, and you get to learn a LOT about politics and tribal government. 

Day 1, Introducing the 68th Annual National Congress of American Indians!!!!

I had been waiting all year to go to the National Congress of American Indians. I'd been waiting a long time. Ever since I was in high school and first heard of NCAI, I've wanted to go. Tribal leaders, Councilmen, (Councilwomen), Chairs, and Congressmen attend this conference every year to discuss important issues in Indian Country. There are workshops, on sovereignty, education, and legislation and resolution discussions. People as young as high school aged, (I even saw a few little ones running around), all the way to the elders who are honored at the Elders Luncheon. But in all the times I imagined going, I never thought I'd be going as a representing royalty!! 

It was an incredible week of networking, learning, and sitting in on what appeared to be the “grown-up version” of the Student Senate I’m so used of here at University of Washington. Our trip to Portland Oregon for this year's National Congress of American Indians 68^th Annual Convention began the night before as my mom and I frantically packed for the week-long venture. 


Some important issues I was looking forward to; attending the Youth Commission Meetings, my good friend Tyson Johnston of the Quinault Tribal Council is a Co-Vice President and he's been a great mentor and friend to me since our time together here at the University of Washington. Also, I've been yearning to learn more about the Native CLASS Act, legislation that would improve Indian Education nationwide, something that is important for any kid going to class, whether it's at elementary, or high school. Even in light of the conferences I've attended, I was still a little intimidated and unsure of what to expect.

We arrived late Sunday afternoon, just in time for the Welcome Reception. After checking in at the hotel downtown we headed over to the Oregon Convention Center. The building was dazzling and spacious. A large canoe was out in front in the main hallway, and it was more than appropriate for the diversity of Tribal representatives that would be attending throughout the week. The Reception, like the General Assembly, was held in the dimly lit Portland Ballroom. 

It’s important at Tribal Gatherings that we recognize our people and adhere to traditional protocols. Thus, during the Reception, there was a welcoming program and presentations by Oregon and Washington state tribal leaders, introducing people through powerpoint, films, and speakers, to the history and culture of their individual Tribes and Nations. Throughout the Reception I got the chance to meet and greet a few friends from the National Indian Education Association (our parting from the 42nd NIEA Convention a few days before, was short-lived), Longhouse Media (they would be documenting the whole conference), and a few Tribal Councilmen from Ute Mountain, my own Yakama Nation, and Makah Tribal Council. Even my professor, Charlotte Cote, from University of Washington was there. 

So far, so good. It was even more upscale then I expected and seeing so many Tribal leaders from all across the country, was very satisfying. I'm majoring in American Indian Studies and would say my knowledge is a little decent, but I was thirsting to learn more.


After the evening, my mom and I took the “scenic route” while giving some friends, Mary Kim Titla among them, from San Carlos Apache a ride back home. We drove one way, drove the next, my mom and I finally understood the magnets at the Airport that had read, "Keep Portland Weird!" Though it was a minor setback, we got to know each other and we enjoyed the night lights from the City of Roses. We went to bed brimming with excitement for the next day.


Learn more about the National Congress of American Indians at: http://www.ncai.org/

Honoring our Veteran's at Camp Chapparal

I was invited by our Veterans Program to attend their annual Veteran’s Camp at Camp Chapparal. It’s very meaningful for my family and I that I attend because my Pusha (grandfather on my dad’s side) was a Master Gunner Sergeant in the Korean War; he was one of the first Native Americans to hold rank over white soldiers. His work with our Tribe and with Indian Country has been dedicated to honoring our warriors who fight to protect our families, culture and way of life. This Veteran’s Camp is part of his legacy and the legacy of the way we honor our warriors. At this camp, veterans from all over the country would also be attending, and many of them are non-native. But in spite of this, they are joined together in their journey for healing. There are cultural aspects to the week-long camp session; Prayer, Traditional Sweats, and Talking Circles. Because of the diverse veterans in attendance, I was there to share with them a bit of Yakama.

 I had the wonderful honor of performing the Welcome Dance. It’s a social dance, performed only by women. It’s symbolic of welcoming family by the setting out of a large feast or gathering. Young girls learn about this dance, I myself learned it at a young age. This dance, I explained demonstrated how connected Indian tribes were to each other, politically, economically and culturally because we Yakamas actually received this dance from the Tulalip Tribes. There was already strong trade and cross cultural exchange between tribes, even before white contact. (Another example comes from the Makah who have a war song they recieved from the Yakama.) I explained that it’s important that when dances and songs are sung that we acknowledge their origin and maintain protocol when sharing them. This is how we respect and honor the reasons for why they are given, and pass them onto our children.

I was honored to be part of this camp, to be in the presence of so many men and women, warriors, from all over who were visiting our land to find healing and the community support they deserve. Our veterans sacrifice so much, for their families, for their country, for everyone. I'd like to thank the Veterans Program and Warriors Association for allowing me to share the culture and lives of the people they’ve helped to protect. It was a very special blessing to me.

Indigenous Days at the Seattle Center!

A big thank you to Marc Taylor of the Seattle Indian Health Board who invited me to participate in this year’s 2^nd Annual Indigenous Cultures Day in Seattle. This year, it was held outside right next to the fountain! What made it very special for me, was that my 3 younger nieces; Kyra, Karissa, Kenita,  and 2 cousins; Cat and Aspen, all came over and got to participate in the event with me!

For the few days leading up the event, we practiced the Swan Dance, and the Welcome Dance together. These are very special, old, social dances that are performed by girls. Of course, growing up on the Reservation, my nieces and cousins had learned them and practiced them before, but never in front of such a large and diverse audience! My family and I wanted them to feel confident in what they were doing. Also, we hadn’t really gotten the chance to hang out with each other, since we live here in Seattle. So, participating in this event really brought our family closer together.

At the event, we performed in the morning, and again in the afternoon. During my presentation, I handed them the microphone and had them say their names and what tribe they were. Of course, they’re all Yakama, so I wanted to make sure it wasn’t too scary for them. I was surprised when my youngest niece, Kenita, confidently joined me on stage the second time on the along with her older cousin Kyra. The second time, it was at the invitation of last year’s Miss Yakama Nation, Carmen Selam and her brother Eric who was serving as National Indian Days Warrior. 

Whispering to Kenita on stage. 

Throughout the day, I got to visit and shake hands with the various Native vendors who were tabling. Our family was tabling and selling Fry Bread as a fundraiser. The sun came out off and on, and I got to enjoy the other performances that were given. It’s honor for me to be Miss Yakama Nation, and I’m just glad that I got to bring my little cousins and nieces along for the ride. 

Kyra, Aspec, Cat, Kenita, me, and Karissa!! Nice job ladies!
(photo courtesy of Daniella Pawl)

Happy Camping!

I think it’s safe to say that every kid who grew up on the Yakama Reservation has heard of or been to Camp Chaparral, the famed summer getaway for our Native youth. I myself have fond memories of my childhood where my brother and I drove away on the big school bus that came to pick up kids at the beginning of the week. I remember how we made dream catchers, I even weaved my first basket up there (admittedly, it was key chain size, but hey)! I always had fun meeting my cousins and cooling off in the icy river. Once, we went fishing and I took a picture of the pint size trout I managed to catch. (There was even a salamander all the kids tried to poke at!) It has a lot of happy memories and that history stretches even further back to my parent’s time, when the place was brand new. Although it was long ago, my memories of it still feel vivid and I enjoy knowing that there are still people who go up there and volunteer as staff to look after our young ones and make sure they have that safe zone. It is of course drug and alcohol free and this is really important that our youth know that that’s a priority.

At the Open House, there was a Mini-Powwow, led by an all-youth drum. There was even a switch dance which featured the staff and student volunteers, one of them was Sheila Pierce, my old friend from Wapato High School. She and the other staff worked tirelessly all summer to keep the camp running spick and span. Stephen Salam was in charge this year, and during the lunch I got to catch up with him about school and UW Powwow. He too is an Alum of University of Washington, he and my older brother were both part of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society chapter at UW. I was super excited when he invited me to come down to the Open House. It was a great day catching up with folks and seeing how my childhood playground is still being played in. 

Roosevelt Powwow

After Seafair on Saturday, my family and I drove across the state to attend Roosevelt Powwow by the Columbia River. We were invited to go there by our Tribal Councilman Sam Jim Jr, as his family helps put it on every year. Unlike Seattle, which had rained, Roosevelt was dry and hot. Nonetheless, there were of course a lot of Yakamas there, and Miss Warm Springs showed up as well! It was great seeing her and her dad again. (We did hear an announcement for Roosevelt Powwow at Pi-Ume-Sha.) Although it was a smaller Powwow, we had fun with the closer community—shaking hands of course, getting to know the new Miss City of Roses (Delta Park Powwow Queen) and hanging out with some old friends. Of course my mom bought raffle tickets…to no avail. But thankfully there were a few kids walking around selling dried fish, more people were selling popcorn, and we munched a bit while chatting with a family friend and her husband. It was nice just being able to enjoy the weather and watch the river. It is traditional land after all…