The Easter Bunny (sometimes known as Santa Claus or Jonny Wilson) poses for a photo with Chantilly Baye’s baby Gretta Hileman during the Easter party.
This year’s Easter party was truly a multi-generational event as Kenaitze and Salamatof families gathered for the annual celebration.
The Tribe’s Traditional Values Wheel is embedded in the floor of the gathering area, where activities and the Easter meal took place.
“This is a generational event,” said Sharon Isaak as she watched children and teens swarm the Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus playground in search of Easter eggs. “Elders are hopping along, and trying to keep up with those grandkids.”
Katherine Juliussen said she is not able to attend many Tribal functions, but was attending the Easter party with her daughter and grandkids.
Children play the Saran Wrap game. Prizes fall out as children take turns unrolling the ball of plastic wrap.
“I see a lot of friends that I haven’t seen in a long time,” Juliussen said.
Juliussen said it was her first time in the Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht Campus, but her grandchildren go to school there.
Children take turns taking a swing at one of several piñatas.
“It’s nice,” she said of the facility, which opened last fall.
Isaak said the building provided a perfect venue for the event. Tables and activities were set up in the large Gathering Space, the buffet-style meal was served in the dining area, and the Easter egg hunt was held on top of the crusted snow on the playground.
Cassel Miller picks out glitter for Easter art he was creating with his dad Nathan Conner.
“To be able to use this facility, it really accommodates the opportunity to do this,” Isaak said.
Isaak said she could feel the excitement in the air.
“Just listen to the chatter and enthusiasm as they’re getting ready to bolt for those eggs,” Isaak said.
Nevaeh Lout poses with eggs she decorated during the party.
Adam Segura said Easter is his 10-year-old daughter Portia’s favorite holiday.
In addition to his wife and children, Segura said he saw plenty of familiar faces and lots of extended family at the event.
“It’s very family-oriented,” he said.
Michael and Sarah Segura said they appreciated all of the activities geared toward kids. There was a piñata, face painting, cookie and egg decorating, and pictures with the Easter bunny, among others. There were also raffle drawings for people of all ages.
Children scramble for eggs during the Easter egg hunt held on the playground.
Michael Segura said their 2 1/2-year-old daughter Sophie wasn’t quite old enough for last year’s party, but now with 2-month-old Oliver added to the family, it might be the start of a new family tradition.
Children scramble for eggs during the Easter egg hunt held on the playground.
Isaak said she was especially grateful for the Tribe’s employees who put on the event. Staff were involved in planning the party, putting together Easter baskets and prizes, preparing and serving the meal, facilitating activities, and setting up and cleaning up after the event.
“This is great. My kids look forward to it each year,” Adam Segura said.
