On Sunday, May 18, the Daughters of Norway officially welcomed their newest lodge, Skadi Lodge #57, with a formal installation ceremony at Mt. Si Lutheran Church in North Bend. The event included initiating charter members, installing officers, traditional music, and a reception featuring Scandinavian treats.
The effort to create a lodge in the Snoqualmie Valley began with three local women—Sharon Stai, Kathy Chavers, and Mary Jessen—who had previously been active members of Gina Krog Lodge #38 in Bellevue.
While Bellevue wasn’t far, they believed the Snoqualmie Valley had enough Nordic heritage and community interest to support its own chapter. They hosted informational sessions at libraries last fall and were surprised and thrilled by the response.
“We were elated with the enthusiasm and curiosity people in the community showed,” said Stai.
In the months leading up to the ceremony, the lodge steadily grew. With 42 paid charter members and more expressing interest, organizers paused recruitment temporarily to focus on preparations. “We took a break in recruiting new members, until we are formerly instituted because there was so much to do,” Stai explained. “We will continue to spread the word from North Bend, Snoqualmie, Fall City, Issaquah, Carnation, and Duvall.”
Those who join by the end of June will still be recognized as charter members. Annual dues are $35; first-time members pay $51 to cover Grand Lodge expenses and receive Døtre av Norge, the organization’s bi-monthly magazine.
When choosing a name, members considered several possibilities—all honoring women or goddesses with historical or cultural significance to Norway. The name Skadi, a Norse goddess associated with mountains, skiing, and winter landscapes, stood out. “Skadi was popular and voted as an obvious choice because of the area’s proximity to nature, skiing and the outdoors,” said Stai. “Skadi’s love of the mountains and wildlife highlights the deep respect Nordic people have for the environment.”
Skadi’s symbolism resonates strongly in the Snoqualmie Valley, where mountain life and winter sports are part of the local culture. Members also appreciated the name’s ties to the broader Scandinavian landscape.
The lodge secured its meeting space at Mt. Si Lutheran Church, a location that offered both practicality and affordability. “We needed a space that could accommodate 50+ people, and we needed the rental space to be affordable because, being a brand-new lodge, we are low on funds,” said Stai. “We were thrilled when we approached Pastor Krista at Mt Si Lutheran Church, and she said we could meet there. We really needed a space with a kitchen facility, too. So, this is perfect.”
The May 18 ceremony followed official Daughters of Norway protocols for establishing a new lodge. Charter members were initiated, elected officers were installed, and local leaders and visiting Grand Lodge representatives offered remarks, including President Joy Tweedt Cook and Organizational Chair Norma Barnes.
“The Grand Lodge plays an important role in supporting and forming new lodges,” said Stai. “Norma Barnes from Sioux Falls, SD is the organizational chair, and she has been a wonderful resource in getting us prepared and ready for our institution day.”
Lodge officers were selected through a collaborative process in which members volunteered for positions, committed to their duties, and were confirmed by a group vote.
Guests heard traditional Norwegian folk tunes performed on the Hardanger fiddle by Shan Ray Ray, an Embla Lodge #2 member and part of the day’s escort team. Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed a reception featuring kransekake, Swedish hard tack, and various cookies.
The institution ceremony for Skadi Lodge #57 was a tremendous success, drawing approximately 75 attendees. Members of the Grand Lodge traveled from as far as South Dakota, Nebraska, and California to participate in the celebration. The event was marked by heartfelt moments, strong camaraderie, and a deep sense of shared tradition.
Guests were led through the ceremony by escort teams, who guided members and officers around the room to the patriotic song “Norge i Rødt, Hvitt, og Blått.” Many attendees wore bunads, the traditional folk dress of various Scandinavian regions, adding vibrant visual symbolism to the day.
One member described the experience as heartwarming, emotional, bonding, inspiring, and rich in historical context. Speeches emphasized the lodge’s commitment to the Daughters of Norway constitution and the importance of creating a supportive sisterhood rooted in heritage and mutual learning. As member Joan Torget reflected afterward, “I feel it in my heart that this is truly a very special group of women.”
Although Norwegian by name, Skadi Lodge celebrates all Nordic cultures, including Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Icelandic, and Sámi heritage. The lodge plans to offer a wide range of cultural activities led by cultural director, Sydney Smith Zvara, including cooking demonstrations, genealogy workshops, folk music, author talks, and visits from Nordic historians or museum representatives. Members with traditional skills—such as bunad sewing, rosemaling, or lefse baking—are also encouraged to share their expertise.
The lodge welcomes younger members starting at age 13 and already includes families with multiple generations involved. Youth were included in the institution ceremony to give them a hands-on introduction to the organization and its traditions. Skadi Lodge also hopes to expand its community outreach, building on past participation in school multicultural nights where members shared displays highlighting various Nordic countries and Sámi culture.
Membership is open to women with Nordic ancestry or a family connection through marriage. Several mother-daughter pairs are already involved, and the lodge encourages women of all ages to connect through shared heritage and sisterhood.
For Stai, the organization is both personal and meaningful. “I am 100% Norwegian by marriage, and I am thrilled I can be a part of this organization because I have really adopted the Norwegian culture and traditions through my husband who came to the US in 1986 as an exchange student,” she said. “I’ve been traveling to Norway yearly since 1989, I love to share my experiences. Meeting and learning from others with similar interests and experiences means a lot to me.”
Skadi Lodge is the first new Daughters of Norway chapter established in the Pacific Northwest since 2011. Previous new lodges in the region include Freya Lodge #50 in Spokane (2009) and Agnes Mathilde Wergeland Lodge #52 in Junction City, Oregon (2011).
Looking ahead, members hope to grow in both numbers and connection. “Grow in membership, build and nurture relationships, learn from each other, laugh, and have a great time together exploring Nordic Cultures and traditions,” said Stai.
To learn more about Skadi Lodge #57 or membership, visit www.daughtersofnorway.org or email snovalleydon@gmail.com.
