They came from Port Angeles, Yakima, Tacoma and Chehalis. They had issues. Issues with the Indian Child Welfare Act and the foster care system. They also have issues with voting rights, ballot drop boxes, conservation easements, stewarding and interpreting state park resources and more. They celebrated the passage of the Violence Against Women Act which added new protections for Native women.

They have friends like Representative John McCoy, an Air Force veteran, resident of Snohomish County and former Unisys employee along with Representative Luis Moscoso of Bothell who have sheparded bills like the re-creation of the board of geographic names to help undo some uncomfortable place names.

Most of all, to the visitors who happened to be at the capitol that day, they were surprised by the color, drumming, singing and dancing in the rotunda. The third annual Native American Day at the capitol in Olympia was well-organized and well led by a small group of individuals who now have some experience at understanding how to put together events of this kind. It was a tribute to their persistence, intelligence and commitment to their people’s needs.

Many of the attendees were dressed in ceremonial clothing. Although it makes great gawking and photo ops for those of us un-initiated to their ways, it is deeply meaningful and a source of pride for them to be there in their best cultural costumes, dressed to the nines as original peoples.

The first event was put together by Lacamas area residents Robert and Elizabeth Satiacum and their Tacoma friend Anita Latch. They have remained faithful that by arranging this event, others of like mind would catch on and participate in making the legislature aware of issues that are significant to their culture and needs. Being members of two nations is often more complicated than the average person is aware. For some simply having their tribe recognized has been a long-term project. For others, their lives have been impacted by discrimination, bullying and loss of loved ones to suicides, substance abuse and foster care.

As the drummers and dancers took their place in the rotunda, the smart phones and cameras came out of their pockets and purses. On any other day, visitors might not have had a clue there was a Native American standing next to them. There were many beautiful faces in the crowd, young and old. A school nurse, a social worker, a computer programmer and an activist of far too much life experience prior to the Boldt decision. They came to think together, to discuss and to help solve problems in our  modern world while still cherishing tradition.