Portrait of Native American Chief Black Thunder of the Skykomish tribe standing beside a tree. Chief Black Thunder is the leader of the native Americans from Washington and British Columbia that make an annual pilgrimage to pick the hops across the state of Washington. He first journeyed to the valley when he was a boy, at that time his people travelled by canoe from Snohomish County. He is also known as Mr. Bagley. (T. Times 8-30-1934, pg 1+)
Indians of North America--Skykomish tribe; Black Thunder; Migrant agricultural laborers--Puyallup--1930-1940; Migrant laborers--1930-1940; Hops;
In August of 1934, Native Americans from various parts of Washington and British Columbia gathered in Audoma Park, near Alderton, two miles from Puyallup on the Orting Road. They came, as they had for over 40 years, to pick berries and work the local hops fields. In the evening they socialized by holding dances and by taking part in ancient traditions like the "bone game". (T. Times 8/30/1934, pg. 1)
Indians of North America--Social life; Migrant agricultural laborers--Puyallup--1930-1940; Migrant laborers--1930-1940; Hops; Tents; Camping--Puyallup--1930-1940;
In August of 1934, these two unidentified young Native American girls joined other members of their tribes to pick hops in the Puyallup valley. Beginning around 1925 Audoma Park, near Alderton 2 miles from Puyallup on the Orting Road, became an official gathering place for tribes from throughout Washington and British Columbia. Here ancient games were played and the sound of traditional chants mixed with the strains of swing bands as the younger tribe members tried out the newest dance steps. (T. Times 8/30/1934, pg. 1+)
Indians of North America; Migrant agricultural laborers--Puyallup--1930-1940; Migrant laborers--1930-1940; Hops;
In November of 1938, five unidentified young ladies dressed in traditional kimonos rehearsed a ceremonial dance staged among artificial flowering cherry trees. They were members of the 18 person Puyallup Valley Japanese American Citizen's League dance group. The group performed November 12th at "Japan Night," a bazaar hosted at Fife High School. This was the second year that the Citizen's League had sponsored this bazaar, carnival and dance, intended to acquaint Tacoma and Valley people with the group's activities and culture. A mixture of traditional Japanese and American food was served, followed by the evening's entertainment of ceremonial dances performed in front of a background of cherry blossoms and red, white and blue hangings. Over 1,000 people turned out to glimpse the culture of Old Japan. (T. Times 11/10/38, p. 20)
Kimonos; Japanese-American Citizen's League (Tacoma); Japanese Americans--Fife--1930-1940; Ceremonial dancers; Japanese Americans--Dance;
In August of 1944, many servicemen of color turned out for dance night in the main auditorium of the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. During World War II, the US military was still segregated and USO #2 was sponsored by the YMCA for the entertainment of African American servicemen and women. The main auditorium was decorated with transparencies by the Washington State Progress Commission. The project was under the supervision of Bert Smyser. The auditorium was a large space that could be adapted for many uses. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma) (information provided by USO #2 brochure for Recognition Ceremony)
On Sunday February 3, 1946, USOs across the nation celebrated the fifth anniversary of USO (United Service Organization) operation by opening to the public. In Tacoma, all of the USO clubs had open houses but the main event was held at the USO #2, the club reserved for servicemen of color at 713-15 Commerce St. Guests of honor were Tacoma's Mayor Harry Cain (center back table) and Earl Marble, the chairman of the Tacoma USO Council. The anniversary program included performances by the Special Service Band from Fort Lewis, concert pianist Pvt. Glen Michaels and tenor Sgt. Soto Andrews. (TNT 2/3/1946, pg. A-7, 2/4/1946, pg. 1; photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)
ca. 1946. One of the purposes of the USO was to make the holidays more festive for servicemen stationed away from home and their families. This picture of a local pair, left, and four servicemen was taken around Christmas at the USO Club #2. All of the people in the picture are unidentified. The Club was reserved for servicemen of color; at this time, the military was still segregated. (Photograph by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma).
ca. 1946. A group of at a refreshment table at the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St., around 1946. The border in the background is formed of a line of thumbtacked photographs of the USO Club. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)
Volunteers of USO No. 2 shown in this undated World War II era photograph include community activist Helen Stafford, second from right. USO No. 2 opened at 713 Commerce Street in September 1942 to serve Tacoma's African American servicemen and closed in March 1947. This location also served servicemen during World War I as the Army-Navy Club. TPL-5977
ca. 1946. One of the functions of the United Service Organizations (USO) was to create a welcoming atmosphere for servicemen and women away from home, especially during the holidays. From the look of the guests' hats and leis, the social event in this undated photograph was held during the holidays in the main hall of the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. The military was still segregated during World War II, so USO #2 was provided for the entertainment of African American soldiers.
Robert Thomas wears a raven headdress during the dedication ceremonies for the new Nisqually Tribal Center west of Yelm. Several hundred tribal members and guests attended the ceremonies which included speeches, songs, dances, and an outdoor feast prepared by Army and Nisqually cooks.
Two Nisqually tribal members prepare nets in lower Nisqually River in defiance of state regulations. Nisqually tribal members planned to exercise their right to fish under the Medicine Creek Treaty following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision which allowed states to regulate off-reservation Native fishing.
Steve Wilson, left, and Nisqually leader George Kalama inspect gravel channel created for rearing fish on the Nisqually River to supplement fish that are produced naturally.
Confrontation between Puyallup tribal members and police about fishing rights guaranteed in the Medicine Creek Treaty (1854) resulted in a riot police unit being brought in to disperse the fishing camp. Shots were fired and tear gas was used. Photo taken by Tribune staff member Warren Anderson.
U.S. District Court Judge Walter T. McGovern signed a temporary injunction citing a federal statute that prohibits liquor sales on tribal lands unless under a tribal liquor code. Judge McGovern stated that because the Puyallup Tribe does not have a liquor code it was illegal to sell liquor there. Some establishments continued to sell alcohol throughout the day. The image is of the Indian Trading Post located on Puyallup Tribal land and owned by Robert Satiacum and Victoria Satiacum.
Puyallup Tribal members and others served as security guards during the sale of fireworks for Fourth of July. It was part of an ongoing conflict of who should be allowed to sell fireworks consisting of jury trials and public protests. The United States Marshalls only did a single drive by. Two people sit on the hood of a car holding pump shotguns.
Puyallup Tribal members blocked all entrances to the Cascadia Juvenile Diagnostic Center in protest of a U.S. Supreme court ruling allowing for all cigarettes sold on reservation smoke shops to be taxed by the state and to force the state to pay rent for use of the facility.
Back of Photo: News Southeast Asians on the Radio --- These three people are counselors at the Indochinese Cultural and Service Center in Tacoma. They each take a turn hosting the Sunday morning radio program on KPTS -- each in the native language. From left: Phet Vongvanith, Phan Pham, and Sopheap Keo. Martin - Story Bruce Kellman - Photo
Back of Photo: News/ National Night Out/ Hilltop Celebration and Prayer service. Members of Safe Streets, and Hilltop neighbors joined their hands in prayer on the corner of S. 16th and L streets, where two Tacoma residents where shot and killed July 16th of 1990. The men, Scott Higley, and Chris Sherrod were remembered during a Hilltop celebration of National Night Out, with the theme "Sweep, Walk and Talk" for our neighborhood, or "SWAT." Two members of the gathered held hands and then placed a flower on the spot of the drug related shootings. Left to right in main pic are Randy Herrid, Sister Laura Neal, organizer of celebration, Father Bill Bichsel, and Theda Cherry.
Back of Photo: Ernesto, left, wife Marina, and son David stand in front of their store, El Compadre, at the corner of 40th and McKinley Ave. The store has become the hub of information and assistance for the stream of Mexicans who continue to flow into Pierce County. They will be receiving an award from a new Hispanic organization in town. (photo by David Brandt)
