Puyallup Father Brings Disability Accommodations to Powwow Circuit with Accessible Special
On September 26, 2026, Bethel High School in Graham, Washington, hosted the Fourth Annual South Sound Powwow, organized by Shawn Reynolds, a member of the Puyallup Tribe. This special event emphasized accessibility, welcoming dancers of all ages and abilities with provisions such as headphones and caregivers. Motivated by his autistic children—Cheyenne, Nakotah, and Dakotah—Reynolds proposed the concept to directors Rachel Barger and Grace Leatham, who were supportive. Leatham highlighted the lack of participation from special needs students in powwows. Among the dancers was Hadlee, a young Sioux Nation descendant with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, who danced with joy. Reynolds hopes to inspire similar events throughout the U.S. and Canada. This story was covered by Owen Henderson for KUOW.
Key facts
- Shawn Reynolds, a Puyallup Tribe member, organized an accessibility-focused special at the Fourth Annual South Sound Powwow on September 26, 2026.
- The event took place at Bethel High School in Graham, Washington.
- Reynolds' three youngest children—Cheyenne, Nakotah, and Dakotah—are autistic and find traditional powwow elements overstimulating.
- His twin sons, Nakotah and Dakotah, held royalty titles from an April powwow, allowing them to sponsor a special.
- South Sound Powwow directors Rachel Barger and Grace Leatham supported the accessible special.
- Participants were allowed to use accommodations such as headphones, caregivers, and not wearing regalia.
- Hadlee, a young Sioux Nation descendant with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, participated in the dance.
- Reynolds plans to advocate for similar accessible specials and full dance categories at powwows across the U.S. and Canada.
Entities
Artists
- Shawn Reynolds
- Nakotah Reynolds
- Dakotah Reynolds
- Cheyenne Reynolds
- Kailee Reynolds
- Lisa Reynolds
- Rachel Barger
- Grace Leatham
- Hadlee
- Aundrea Carmichael
- Owen Henderson
Institutions
- Puyallup Tribe
- Otoe-Missouria Tribes
- South Sound Powwow
- Bethel High School
- KUOW
- Northwest News Network
- OPB
- Sioux Nation
Locations
- Graham
- Washington
- United States
- Canada
- Oregon