PHOTO BY JOHN LARSON

Philip Dillon and Archie Cantrell carry the salmon from the boat to the top of the levee for the first fish ceremony.

Youth taught culture in first fish ceremony

By John Larson

Tribal members from young children to elders gathered on the banks of the Puyallup River June 5 for a first fish ceremony.

Children from Grandview Early Learning Center sang a traditional song at the beginning of the ceremony, then distributed necklaces they brought to elders in attendance.

Tribal fishermen Philip Dillon and Archie Cantrell carried the salmon on a plank from the boat to the top of the levee.

Tulalip elder Isadore Tom, Jr. addressed the children, telling them of the cultural significance of the ceremony.

“What you are doing is not just for today; it is for the duration of your natural life,” he said. Isadore Tom, Jr. told them this salmon had sacrificed its life “to give you strength and character.”

He told them Native people have an obligation to care for the environment and the life that it supports. “We have to respect the water. Most of all we must respect the salmon,” he remarked.

Tribal member Nancy Shippentower-Games discussed how the Puyallups had fought hard to preserve their right to fish. “This is in our DNA. We are the salmon people,” she said.

Mark Bridges, fish buyer for the tribe, told the children how happy he was to see them at the ceremony.

“This is a very big honor to go out and fish on the river,” he commented.

Tribal member Sylvia Miller recalled how she used to fish on the Puyallup River. She noted the light rain that fell during the ceremony.

“Rain like this is a blessing for fishermen and fisherwomen,” she said. “It is important that we keep our traditions.”

Eric Bennett, shellfish director for the tribe, recalled his first time fishing on the river as a young boy in 1969.

“Every time I come back here it brings up

memories,” he remarked.

Steve Dillon performed the task of cleaning the first fish. The head and tail were left on the plank, which was placed back in the river. The swiftly moving water

quickly carried it along towards Commencement Bay.

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