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.

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Thien Long, his wife, Soeuth Tuy Long and their baby, Ellen Mary Long (age 1.5) rest on a bed in their apartment in Tacoma. This is for a story on welfare for Southeast Asian refugees.
Photo by Joe Giron

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Cultural Fair sponsored by South Puget Sound Adoptive Parents.
As part of a cultural fair to educate children and adults about different cultures Jennifer Yoon, 24, left and Angela Synn, 13, right performed some traditional Korean dances including fan and basket dancing.

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--Learning to Wok--
Merinda Chiu, 7 months, watches her mother, Nancy Chiu, prepare a meal at her restaurant, C&C Chinese Garden, in Spokane on Monday. Chiu says her daughter loves to watch her cook.

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Seattle Mayor-elect Norm Rice, foreground left, and Tacoma Mayor-elect Karen Vialle, foreground right, answer questions and thank the black collective for the support the group has given both Rice and Vialle. The two Mayor-elects met with the Black Collective Saturday morning at 2316 S. Yakima. (12-2-89 photo by David Brandt)
Pierce & S. King County

Back of photo: Cascadia Jan 1 1977

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Demonstrations

Two protestors in warm clothing stand in the center of the photograph, holding signs that read "Chunksa Yuha Is Not Our Messanger," and "Hell No Hanta Yo Is Not Our "Roots."

Native American protesters confront author Ruth Beebe Hill over claims her book Hanta Yo is filled with misinformation about Indigenous history, specifically Hill’s saga about two Sioux families.

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.

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Indians, Nisqually

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Indians, Nisqually

Two people are standing by a campfire, while two other people lead two horses along the bank of a river. Two unmanned boats rest on the shore nearby.

Nugent Kautz Jr., age 2, stands by two salmon placed along the Nisqually River by fisherman George McCloud Jr.

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Nugent Kantz Jr. age 2

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.

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Fisheries Men Watch

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.

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Indians, Nisqually

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Indians, Puyallup

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.

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Indians, Puyallup

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.

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Cascadia - George Ortez

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Indians, Puyallup

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.

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Indians, Puyallup

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.

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Indians, Puyallup
Russ Carmack Photographer

A person hands over two shotguns to another person. One person holds a third shotgun and a fourth gun rests on the hood of a nearby car.

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Indians, Puyallup
Photograph by Jerry Buck

Two people look to be fishing from a boat with an outboard motor on the water.

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Indians, Puyallup
Photograph by Jerry Buck

Two people sit in an encampment.

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Cascadia "Leschi"
Photo by Bruce Kellman

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Miss Salmon Berry Princess

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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

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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.

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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)