Image provided by: Oregon Historical Society; Portland, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 20, 1981)
AUGUST 20,1981 PAGE 3 SPILYAY TYMOO Feast remains part of tradition in Warm Springs Religious ceremonies begin long before the day of Huckleberry Feast. Women who the elders learning the songs and the true meaning of Huckleberry Feast. These ladle? pick the fruit prepare themselves by fasting and prayer. Young people accompany performed the services commencing picking the Huckleberries near Government Camp. A s in the days long ago Huckleberry motivation, ” Prunie says, “because they Feast remains a part o f the religious and o have forgotten all o f these things. ’’ She cultural traditions o f the Indian people goes on to say, “ Children need to know o f this area. Preparations fo r the feast they are a part o f this culture and have begin weeks in advance o f the event. this heritage. ’’ The children need to be . Fasting prayers are necessary to cleanse taught these things throughout life, she the body and mind, according to says. tradition. The modem society has overidden Only good thoughts must enter many o f the spiritual values, Prunie p eo p le’s mind while picking the bounty rem arks. H er p e r s o n a l fe e lin g s o f huckleberries given to the people b y emphasize spiritual teachings as taking the creator. This is passed on to thefolks first place in her own life. She says, “I will probably get my doctor’s degree who share the feast. “ People used to live with nature, ’’says someday, ’’ but as fa r as spiritual culture, elder, Prunie Williams. “ They lived to be “ I don ’t forget it. I live it daily. My table over 100. ” Now, she feels, many people is my altar. ’’ Huckleberry Feast is only one o f do not adhere to religious ceremonies. They w ill go out and eat the several religious days throughout the hu ckleberries before prayers and year where Indian people gather to give services are held. They f a i l to thanks fo r their bounty. It is time when acknowledge that thanksgiving is due reflection is made on spiritual life and the Creator fo r providing fo o d fo r the physical well-being. Prunie mentions, Huckleberries were created by our people, she says. Creator to help us with our daily life and Prunie Williams, along with many o f to use as a spiritual food. The mountains the community’s elders, fe e l that the breathe on the huckleberries and they children need to be instructed in these ripen with the strength that goes into religious beliefs. “ They have no them. ” After religious ceremonies are over huckleberries can be freely eaten. Keith M oody relishes a small plate of the wild fruit. Spilyay T y m o o p h o to by Sh ew czyk
