MISSION – The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) hosted hundreds of elders from various tribes for fun and food at its annual Elders Honor Day Luncheon on Sept. 6 at the Wildhorse Resort & Casino.
Kathleen Elliott, Local Food Purchase Assistance Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Food Distribution coordinator with CTUIR’s Children and Family Services, said historically Pacific Northwest tribes gathered at Celilo Falls to trade, have ceremonies and celebrate the spring.
“Since the burial of our Celilo Falls our people have continued the celebration of spring by coming together at different reservations,” Elliott said. “I am not sure about when the Elders Honor Day Luncheons began but this is a continuation of the tribes from the PNW getting together and celebrating our accomplishments and losses as well. These trips begin in the spring and go through October and are held at most of the tribes throughout the PNW.”
She said along with the CTUIR, other tribes hosting annual honor meals for elders are:
- Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
- Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
- Coquille Indian Tribe
- Lummi Nation
- Yakama Nation
- Puyallup
- Muckleshoot
- Snoqualmie
- Tulalip
- Swinomish
- Colville
- Coeur d’Alene
- Nez Perce Nation
- Siletz Tribe.
“For the most part it is a way for each tribe to honor our elders by assisting them in getting together and just enjoying the visiting of old friends and relatives and meeting new people and relatives. As we are all related,” Elliott said. “Although we live in a small community, there are times when we do not see our relatives as often as we would like to. When you attend this event or any of the other Elders Honor Day Luncheons in the PNW, all you see are smiles and you hear the best laughter ever. It is such good medicine for our elders and our people in general.”
Tribal elders at least 55 years old may attend, as well as their caretakers if they have one.
Elliott said DCFS has hosted the meal for the past 12 years, but prior to that Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center held the event. She added that the agenda normally pertains to the meal’s theme. This year’s theme was “Continuing the Circle,” and the agenda included vendors, a continental breakfast, music and singing, contests and giveaways and lunch.
Elliott said although the luncheon isn’t an official Pendleton Round-Up event, many visiting elders stay for the Dress Up Parade, which was held Sept. 7 this year, to gather with family and friends. Others stay the entire Round-Up week, she added.
