New Elders Honored at Big Moe's Luncheon

Suquamish Tribe honored its newest

Tribal Elders on May 20 at the House of Awakened Culture as part of the Tribe’s annual Big Moe’s Luncheon.

Each year, the Tribe welcomes its newest class of Elders with a formal recognition ceremony and blanket wrapping, but – because of the pandemic – the 2020

and 2021 honorings were delayed. In all, 41 new Tribal Elders were recognized.

Students and staff from Chief Kitsap Academy honored the Elders with two traditional songs.

The Elders dined on fresh salmon and baked clams and the Tribe saluted the memory of Manuel “Big Moe” Purcell.

Many were thrilled to see several eagles come join in the feast as the eagle carried off scraps of salmon to their nests overlooking the Salish Sea.

Photos by Jon Anderson