‘It felt like a world away’: Chief Seattle Days | Photos

Photographer Antonia Stoyanovich of Bainbridge Island took these photographs at Chief Seattle Days, Aug. 18-20.

“This yearly event occurs just across the bridge, but felt like a world away,” she wrote. “These images focus on the Chief Seattle royalty pageant, which celebrates the young people of the Tribe. As tradition, these young people are picked up by canoe and escorted to the House of Awakened Culture by water. After arriving, they spoke of their dedication and passion for Tribal culture. By winning in their respective age categories, they take up a commitment to learn and represent the Suquamish people in a year-long community obligation.”

Chief Seattle Days begins with an honoring at Chief Seattle’s gravesite, followed by a weekend of events: a powwow, parade, canoe races, and other sports competitions.

2017-18 Chief Seattle Days Royalty, from left, Chief Seattle Days Jr. Warrior Ibrahim Trawally, Chief Seattle Days Warrior Jayden Sigo, and Jr. Miss Chief Seattle Days Quelisha Brealan-Bayes. (Antonia Stoyanovich photo)

Young women await the arrival of a canoe, from left, 2017-18 Miss Chief Seattle Days Katelynn Pratt, 2016-17 Miss Chief Seattle Days Hailey Crow, 2016-17 Jr. Miss Chief Seattle Days Mackenzie Crow. (Antonia Stoyanovich photo)