Le-La-La dances into Suquamish

Published 12:00 pm Wednesday, May 31, 2006

SUQUAMISH — The Suquamish Tribe is bringing back traditions that were once slowly ebbing away with vigor. This surging tide of singing, dancing and drumming is washing new pride into the waterfront community and creating new relationships.

This weekend, the Suquamish Tribe will focus on the latter as its members meet with and learn a little more about the Kwakwaka’wakw Tribe from northern Vancouver Island, Canada. Both tribes will then go out into the community and spread the knowledge of their dances and songs.

“I’m very excited,” said George Taylor, one of the singers of the Le-La-La group. “We’ve performed in this area before, at Chief Sealth Days last year.”

During the visit, Le-La-La will be performing traditional stories at Bainbridge Performing Arts at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. June 1-2. The group and members of the Suquamish Tribe will also be going to Woodward and Commodore middle schools to teach students about its traditional dances, songs and history.

“There is a protocol for them to come down here, to another tribe’s area,” said Craig Jacob-Brown, who helped organize Le-La-La’s trip. “A tribe must come formally into the territory of another tribe.”

The Le-La-La group’s Suquamish visit will consist of Taylor and three dancers. Taylor said, as the singer, he will interpret each of the tribe’s intricately carved masks to the audience.

Along with performances, each tribe will also have a chance learn more about the other, Taylor said. He and his troupe will be presenting a few workshops about their traditions to the Suquamish Tribe, in an effort to strengthen their relationship.

“We all sing songs of ancestry,” Taylor said. “We all believe we are creator given, and we care for everything around us. We also are both First Nations. We live on the water, live off the land, live off the water. This cultural exchange will allow us to learn more about each other, since we have so many things in common.”

“The two tribes do know something about each other,” Jacob-Brown said. “The Suquamish will follow the protocol to welcome and share their culture with the Le-La-La group.”

The Le-La-La troupe will be staying with Jacob-Brown for two nights, then will stay on Bainbridge Island for its performances.