The long tradition of bestowing a family name upon members took place years ago for George Lee Jr., but he received another honor New Year’s Day in 2019 when his father gave him a second name — one for a warrior.

 

“Powatathla,” his father — George Lee — pronounced, explaining the spelling was phonetic, and not technically correct. His name — Powatathla — is Ichiskíin for warrior. Also known as Sahaptin, Ichiskíin is the language spoken by the Yakama people in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

 

Conferring a second name on someone who has already received a family name is not necessarily rare for the Yakama, but it’s also not necessarily common, George Lee said.

 

As a member of the Air Force, George Lee Jr. has been on seven deployments. Though he has received medals and awards, he speaks little about his service. But he wanted the naming ceremony to happen.

 

“When my son was deployed he felt like he was being protected by something or someone and he said at that time that he needed to honor those — whoever was protecting him,” the elder Lee explained. “It is kind of unusual, but in this situation it’s not.”

 

It was a day shared with another member of the Lee family. Eight-year-old Jacoby Lee received his family name. Like his uncle, the name is not spelled correctly here, but it’s the way his grandfather said it would sound when spoken.Elders of the family pick a person’s family name, Lee explained. It’s the name the Creator calls out when they die, leading them to a greater place.

 

Elders of the family pick a person’s family name, Lee explained. It’s the name the Creator calls out when they die, leading them to a greater place.

 

Lee said elders also go to the family tree of those who have passed, deciding on a good name to share.

There’s no definitive way to gauge when family names are bestowed, but the tradition is one for all involved to remember.