f FAMILY FORUM 1
v. J
Shaker Spirit Power
Long ago many Oregon tribes were taken to the Grand
Ronde Reservation. They were assigned different
locations on the reserve where they would live.
Their homes were built of log and board and rudely
put together. It should be remembered that each of
these boards cost them an acre of land. Each log
counted for so much money given in compensation for
their birth right to the soil of
the Willamette Valley.
On the reserve, they built a
longhouse for spiritual
ceremonies and their
children went to Spirit
Mountain when it came time
for them to seek their
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personal spirit power and
learn their dream power
song.
Over the years, the Catho
lic and Methodist religion
had a great influence on
these people. Yet they
remained faithful to many of
the old ways.
Perhaps, out of a need to
incorporate this new religion
within the Indian faith, the
Indian Shaker religion was
born. It became so widely
practiced in Oregon and
Washington. This only
forced Indian Shakers to
worship in secret..
Some of the people known
as Shakers lived on the Siletz Reservation and were
friends of people at Grand Ronde. '
One day, the son of a Kalapuya man named Abe
Hartless disappeared. The boy was a child about seven
years old. His family feared he had fallen into the
Yamhill River. A search party was formed and looked
for him without success.
After about two days, several White men arrived from
Tcami'gide or the place known today as Salem. They
also looked for the child. When they could not find him,
they returned to their homes. However, the boys father
would not give up hope.
He sent a message to Siletz explaining the problem and
asking the Shakers to help him find his son.
The next morning they arrived at Grand Ronde. The
Shakers were Jakie Johnson, Hank Johnson, Tommy
Jackson, Orton, Oscar Wood and an elderly woman
whose identity is uncertain. She may have been 'the wife
of John Albert.
When they arrived, this elderly woman announced she
had seen the child in her dream that morning and he
had been brought into the house of the dead. All the
Shakers agreed they would try to learn the location of
his body from their spirit powers.
These Shakers had with them many small bells and
candles. Holding the candles and ringing the bells, they
sang and danced outside the Grand Ronde schoolhouse.
All day long they sang and danced.
After it became dark, the Shakers had many discus
sions among themselves. Finally, they told Abe Hartless
they knew the child had slipped on a foot log bridge and
had fallen into the river, but being of different dream
power knowledge, they could not determine the location
of the body.
Feeling as though they had failed, the next morning
they wanted to return to Siletz. However, Abe Hartless
asked them to stay and try once more to learn from their
dream powers where the body of his son might be
found.
Then the elderly woman spoke. She said she had seen
the child again that morning in her dream. He had been
brought into the house wearing trousers and a coat. She
said she felt if they
searched for his body,
they might find it.
Now all the Shakers
agreed to search for the
boy. One went on either
side of the Yamhill
River, while three of
them got into a canoe
and searched the middle
of the river. As they went
along they sang, seeking
the help of their dream
powers.
It is said one of the
people in the canoe saw
the boy first lying face
down in the water.
Which one of the
Shakers it was who found
the boy is not known. It
is said it was the one with
the strongest dream
power and the other
Shakers helped this
person bring him up out
of the water. Then they
Congratulations to Cindy Martin and
Lee Butler!!
They are the proud parents of a 61b. 3 oz.
baby girl, Halona Rae Butler, born on January
17, 1992. Halona is the granddaughter of
Bonnie Martin of Grand Ronde and Lillie and
Reginald Butler of Siletz. She is also the great
granddaughter of Joe and Fran Mercier of
Grand Ronde, Alton Butler of Siletz, and
Elinor Logan of Weitchpec, California.
W NICE TEAM WORK!!!!! jl
I
Thanks to everyone who volunteered their
time and energy on getting the "Desert Storm
Surplus" distributed on such short notice. It's
great to see everyone working together.
An Elder of the Shasta Tribe who was removed to the Grand
Ronde reservation in the 1850s.
took him to the home of Abe Hartless where he was laid
out as the old woman had seen him in her dreams.
-By June Olson
SPAGHETTI DINNER
Spaghetti dinner with salad and bread will be served to
raise money for clients of the Grand Ronde drug and
alcohol program to participate in educational and
therapy workshops.
The cost is $3.50 for adults and $1.50 for children
under 12.
The dinner will be held at the Nazarene Church on
February 3, 1992 at 5pm to 8pm. Live music will be
provided (easy listening guitarists). EVERYONE IS
INVITED. SEE YOU THERE!
QUEEN GARDNER TO MARCH IN PARADE!
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will
be represented in Oregon's most prestigious
parade.
Senior Miss Grand Ronde of 1991-92, Deana
Gardner, will be marching in the Rose Festival
Grand Floral Parade the first weekend in June.
Her goal is to march in traditional regalia
described from history. Deana would like her
regalia to be as traditional as possible and she is
asking those of you who know exactly how
traditional regalia should be made or how it
should look when it is complete to please call
Victoria Hunt at 635-2515 or 635-5548.
With the encouragement of the Tribal Council,
Victoria Hunt, Deana's mother, will be sponsor
ing a fundraiser to purchase the materials for
Deana's regalia.
On February 23, Victoria Hunt and Charlene
Freeman, both professional hairstylists, will be
offering haircuts for only $5.00 at the Depot in
Grand Ronde from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. Come
by and help support your tribal representatives.
Deana will be there to answer any questions you
may have about her experience as Senior Miss
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HfV sei ilill!
Deana Gardner, Senior Miss Grand Ronde of 1991-92
Grand Ronde 1991-1992.
You may call Tracy Hubbell or Mary Trevino at the
tribal offices at 879-5872 to make an appointment.
Please be sure to wash your hair first.