By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News
All dressed up and with somewhere to go. Over 1,200 elders gathered in a tapestry of tradition and pride, embarking on the third annual Elders Potlatch at the Gathering Hall in Tulalip on Thursday, August 21. They came from across the Pacific Northwest and even from Alaska, brought together by a spirit of community and celebration. With thousands in cash prizes, charming gift baskets, and the joy of playing bingo, this event was a heartfelt occasion filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the thrill of winning.
The feast of crab legs, clams, and salmon was a highlight for many, ensuring the elders left well-fed and satisfied. Attendees also enjoyed a photo booth with hand-held signs for taking fun photos, and vendors offered a variety of wares for browsing and purchase.
The excitement of meeting new people and enjoying the community was reflected in Diana John’s words. A member of the Nisqually tribe, she shared her enthusiasm for the event and the connections she made. “This is my second time coming to this event. I absolutely love it. I think it’s beautiful in Tulalip. My favorite part has been meeting all the new people who come. My best moment would have to be winning at the casino,” she said with a laugh.
Elizabeth Bennett from Lower Elwha echoed the sentiment. She spoke about the joy of visiting with elders from various tribes and praised the food served at the potlatch. “I’ve been having a great time at the potlatch. It has been great visiting with all the different elders from different tribes. This is my second time coming. The food has also been delicious; I thought the fish was delicious. You need to come—it’s amazing and gets better every year.”
Dale Jones, Tulalip tribal member and one of the event speakers, expressed hopes for the potlatch’s growth and encouraged attendees to cherish the day. “Thank you for being here. Next year, I hope we have double the size. The more the merrier—enjoy the day and smile, you never know what tomorrow may bring,” he said.
Marlin Fryberg, a member of the Board of Directors, helped MC the event and spoke about the importance of respect for elders and the shared experience of the gathering. “You guys have carried the torch for us for many years,” he said. “We are grateful to be able to share the table like this with all of you who have traveled to get here. We take time to mark these memories.”
Music and ceremony were also central to the celebration. The Three Bears Water Healing Song and the Warriors Healing Song were presented by Josh Fryberg and his family, who drummed in the Tulalip King and Queen. Judy and Leroy Joseph were crowned, and Judy shared a piece of wisdom from her 51 years of marriage: “Keep your head down and your mouth shut.”
Honoring longevity, the oldest attendees were recognized: Dalores Bort, 94, Cheyenne River Sioux, and Al Smith, 97, also Cheyenne River Sioux.
Native athletes from the area were celebrated, receiving sports awards for their achievements. Tulalip tribal members Herman Williams, Hank Williams, Don Hatch, Dale Jones, Rachel Hood, and Red Smith from the Yakima Tribe, Jack McCloud from Nisqually, and Soy Redthunder from the Colville Tribe were all recognized for their contributions.
Leroy Joseph expressed appreciation for both the honorees and the audience, saying, “We thank you all for accepting these awards and for the crowd who accepted everyone who was acknowledged.”
Volunteers from the recovery community played a vital role in supporting the event. Tribal member Avel Medina noted the positive impact of their involvement, saying, “This gives them a chance to showcase their recovery, support each other, and learn to work as a team. It’s amazing to see everything come together. I’m super proud of what they’ve accomplished today.” Twenty people from the recovery community helped ensure the event ran smoothly.
The Elders Potlatch continues to grow each year, honoring tradition, celebrating community, and creating lasting memories for all who attend.