Page 2 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - May, 2018

2

Left: Music duo Williams and Ree
perform at the luncheon.
Above: Chehalis tribal elders
Jessie Goddard (from left),
Tony Medina and Lynn Hoheisel.
ELDERS from Spearfish, South Dakota, and

From page 1 have been entertaining crowds with
their special mix of comedy and music
Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel and youth for more than 50 years.
volunteers who provided assistance at “Some people call us comedians, but
the luncheon. we are not really comedians. We have
The day began with a Colors an act. We sing and talk,” Williams said.
Ceremony to honor military veterans “The musicians say we are
and a welcoming by the Elders comedians and the comedians say we
Committee and Chehalis Tribal are musicians,” Ree added.
Business Committee. As everyone was They explained that during the first
settling in, the first round of raffle 25 years they played together, they just
drawing began. did various performances. But when Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel and the Chehalis
Each person in attendance was Indian casinos started making their Tribal Fisheries department provided the meal.
given a flyswatter both for practical way to the scene, it extended their
career another 25 years. Williams said
purposes when they get home and they’ve done a lot of acts throughout
to indicate where the winner was the years but they enjoy performing for
sitting. When a raffle winner’s name the “real Indians.”
was called over the speaker, he or she “We just want to stress the fact that
would raise the swatter high in the air it’s the universal power of humor to
so a volunteer could bring a prize. give,” Ree said.
Cheryle Starr had a photo booth As a way to honor and give thanks
complete with background and to them for being a part of the event,
humorous props such as hats and the Chehalis Tribe gave Williams and
sunglasses. Many elders sought out Ree Pendleton blankets. The afternoon
the opportunity to take a picture and ended with one last round of raffle
capture memories with an old friend drawings.
they bumped into or the group they Don Tahkeal of the Yakama Nation,
came with. who hails from Toppinish, said
After the first round of raffles and he’s “very proud” to be a part of the Sisters Sylvia Cayenne (left) and Sandra Klatush
photo sessions, elders were ready to Chehalis Tribe’s first Elders Luncheon. capture beautiful memories together.
re-energize with a full-course meal He and 53 other tribal members chose
provided by Lucky Eagle and the to represent the Yakama Nation at the
Chehalis Tribal Fisheries department. gathering.
Volunteers helped by dishing up food Tahkeal said he could remember
and delivering plates to those who visiting the Chehalis Reservation in
needed assistance. the 1960s when the tribe wasn’t fully
As everyone enjoyed their meals developed. At that time, the tribe had
and volunteers brought desserts to unpaved roads and the baseball fields
each row, Chehalis Tribal Animal were just dirt.
Control Officer Brennan Stoelb played “Today, everything is modernized,
acoustic guitar as an opening act for and I’m glad to be here,” Tahkeal said.
the main entertainment. Music duo In honor of this inaugural event,
Williams and Ree, also known as The Chehalis Tribe Chairman Harry
Indian and The White Guy played Pickernell Sr. proclaimed April 26 John Tahkeal (left) and fellow Yakama Nation
during dinner. The performers are as Chehalis Tribal Elders Day. friend enjoy a drum gifted from Cindy Andy.