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Wellbriety Day in Spokane

The Spokane River runs fast and strong through this city in the flat country of eastern Washington State. In traditional times the Spokane People fished the river for the salmon that were able to return from the ocean before the dams blocked their way in the 20th century. Wellbriety Day began for Spokane on Canada Island, a traditional sacred site in the river at Riverfront Park.

Don Coyhis smudged four runners who would take the 100 Eagle Feather Hoop from Canada Island to Mission Park, about half way to Spokane Community College, the location for the day's Wellbriety events. About 15 people gathered for the early start as the Drum sang a good song to give them strength and to bless the Hoop. The mist of the swollen river created a rainbow and the runners were off.

Walk From Mission Park
About two miles, and a half-hour later, the runners brought the Hoop upriver into the meadow at Mission Park. There were about 75 People waiting in the meadow when the runners came from a pathway thru the woods and into the open, green area. Wellbriety Day coordinator Deborah Abrahamson welcomed the people and spoke about the strength of the people and the need and hope for healing in the gathering that day. Dave Melting Tallow also spoke, and approximately forty people began the spiritual walk from Mission Park to the College.

		Wellbriety Day in Spokane began at Riverfront Park on the Spokane River. This photo shows a footbridge to Canada Island, a traditional sacred site of the Spokane people. The river rushes around both sides of the island. The Hoop was run from Canada Island to Mission Park, and then walked to Spokane Community College for the day's events. Can you see the rainbow that began Wellbriety Day in Spokane?
		People sing and drum to send off the Hoop runners at Riverfront Park early on the morning of Wellbriety Day in Spokane. Don Coyhis is in the red jacket. To his right in a colorful shawl is Dr. Martina Whehula, and to his left is the red silhouette of Brandy Jo.
		Victor Piengkham, Kayleen Sherwood, Jonathan W. Ankney, and Chase Currieran ran with the Hoop for approximately 2 miles to Mission Park. They synchronized their steps so that the Hoop was steady, balanced and protected.

Red silhouettes were carried by individuals to honor the spirit of a family member who passed on. The red silhouettes are the symbols of the nation-wide Silent Witness Program that works for the ending of domestic and family violence. The walkers also carried beautiful cradleboards from the regional tribes. These tribes include the Spokane, Coeur D' Alene, Kalispell, Colville, Nez Perce, Umatilla, and Yakama. The cradleboards were carried empty to signify that the roots for those yet unborn are being planted deeper by the day's events. "We are the bridge," said coordinator Abrahamson. "The emphasis of the walk is that we are the bridge from those who have passed on to those yet unborn. What we do today to honor and value ourselves and our community is to make a better life."

Don Coyhis and the runners set up the Hoop in the outdoor courtyard in the center of the main buildings of the campus. The red silhouette of Brandy Jo stood by and the empty cradleboards took their place on a blanket beneath the Hoop. Then came a breakfast in the multicultural center sponsored by the Coeur d' Alene Casino/Resort from the Coeur d' Alene Nation in nearby Idaho, leading into the events of the day.

The Day's Events
Wellbriety Day in Spokane included a Youth and Women's Panel as well as a presentation on Family Constellations by Dr. Martina Whehula. Family Constellation Work is about healing the family as a whole, including the many traumas that may have led to the family's difficulties in the present. For Native people this would include generational baggage such as historic oppression, prohibition of religion and culture, boarding or residential schools, and alcohol.

Coordinator Abrahamson says, "The level of historic trauma and genocide that has impacted our communities encompasses not only substance abuse but all the other ramifications from substance abuse—domestic violence, child abuse, etc. We are looking at it on a holistic level and not just focusing on one problem and forgetting that there is need for change." These issues form the raw material of healing that will take a family, and then a community forward, if they are understood and worked on in a group.

		The runners arrive at Mission Park, about half way to the college from Canada Island. They were met by a crowd of about 75 people waiting to greet them. About 40 people joined them in the spiritual walk with the Hoop to the college.
		Deborah Abrahamson and Dave Melting Tallow meet and greet the Hoop runners at Mission Park. Deborah is the Spokane Hoop Journey Visit Coordinator who, with her team of more than 12 volunteers from the Spokane area, made it possible for the wonderful Wellbriety Day in Spokane. Thank you Deborah and all who helped in Spokane!
		Don Coyhis tells the Story of the Sacred Hoop, the Wellbriety Movement, and Brandy Jo at the conclusion of the walk from Mission Park to Spokane Community College at the start of the Hoop Journey visit in Spokane. Brandy Jo is the Red Silhouette of the five year-old girl who died in an incident of domestic violence. When Don asked if anyone would carry Brandy Jo from Mission Park to the college, a young boy came forward to carry her on the walk to the campus.

Besides being a wonderful feast, lunch in Spokane was a teaching about how traditional foods play a role in creating wellness. A group of about 125 people shared a diabetic prevention lunch of buffalo roast, wild rice, veggies, roots baked and steamed, salmon and huckleberry dessert. Everyone was also given a small cup containing traditional roots, such as camas and bitterroot, that traditionally helped kept the people alive.

During lunch Veronica Red Star talked about the sacredness and medicine aspect of traditional foods. She said, "There was a time in my life when I was not living the right way, when I was doing things that I should not do, and I would ask my Mom if I could help at our ceremonial times with the gathering of the roots. My Mother would say 'no, you'd better not, not now.' After I changed, cleaned up myself and changed my life, I went to my Mother and said that I would like to help our people—to dig the roots for our gatherings, to do the work that is sacred. My mom gathered together many things and she had a 'give-away' in my honor as a way to bring me back into that circle, as a nurturing woman, as a woman who could dig the roots and feed the people in a good and sacred way. I am very grateful to my mom that she told me 'no, not now,' and I'm also grateful to my Mom that when it was time she went to all that trouble for me to have that give-away, to make things right for me to return to our traditional ways." It was a powerful teaching with many lessons. It was more than just about food and digging roots that Veronica Red Star shared with us during Wellbriety Day.

The sacred Hoop Journey Video was shown during the afternoon in a dark auditorium, well received with lots of tears, and lots of people streaming out of the auditorium afterward to get a copy of the video at the White Bison table.

Stop By and Visit!
Many people stopped by to visit with the White Bison Hoop Carriers as the day went on. Some came by the table to see Ingrid's picture and to ask questions about her and about her life. They expressed great sadness that her life was taken in such a way. Yet, at the same time, many made comments about her being a martyr, a warrior for peace, and a role model for coming together. So, in a way, it was as if her spirit was very much alive as her life and contributions were shared. A brief summary of Ingrid's life and work, as well as some good words from her husband Ali, who carries on her work, are in Issue #3 of this special issue of Wellbriety Magazine.

		Brandy Jo, the Hoop, and empty cradleboards are set up at Spokane Community College to begin the Wellbriety Day events at the college. The empty cradleboards are from local tribes and represent the unborn--the future of the People.
		Dr. Martina Whehula gives a presentation on Family Constellations during Wellbriety Day at Spokane Community College. This family healing work starts with family stories and moves into historical and cultural issues--generational baggage, and how a family system can evolve in a healthy way. Family Constellations also deals with historic oppression, alcohol, and boarding schools.
		Brother and sister, Albert Red Star and Veronica Red Star provided a luncheon presentation for over 125 guests at Wellbriety Day. Albert gave the prayer and sang a traditional song. Veronica spoke about the sacredness of gathering roots and nurturing the family with traditional foods. Each lunch setting included a tiny cup of roots native to the area and traditionally eaten by local tribes.
	Left to right, Don Coyhis, Marcy Morris, and Vette Middleton in the lobby of the Coeur D' Alene Casino/Resort in western Idaho.	Surprise Visit to Coeur D' Alene It's not far from Spokane to the Coeur D' Alene Nation in the Idaho panhandle. When the doings were complete in Spokane, the Hoop made an unplanned stop at the Coeur D' Alene Casino/Resort as guests of the resort, facilitated by General Sales Manager Marcy Morris. Ms. Morris made it possible for 35 people to hear the message of Wellbriety, the Story of the Hoop, and to offer their prayers and tobacco for loved ones and for the Journey in a Hoop Ceremony. The announcement at Coeur D A'lene said, "The Hoop has 100 eagle feathers on it. It is blessed by the Elders. The Hoop symbolizes strength for all peoples." Thank You Coeur D'Alene and Marcy Morris for your welcome, hard work and your interest in Wellbriety!

Lot's of people who visited the table asked about Daughters of Tradition and Sons of Tradition, the White Bison programs for youth. Many people stopped by to share about their experiences with The Medicine Wheel and 12 Steps as well.

The closing Hoop Ceremony began with words from Don Coyhis as well as from Dave Melting Tallow, who spoke about how glad he is that he is awake now, and how grateful he is to have this opportunity for Wellbriety and the opportunity to tell his wife how much he loves her. "Things were not always good for me, for her, and between us," he said. "But now I am so happy she is with me and that we have this path to walk together now. I feel good about this day and am glad I made the effort to be a part of this whole day--the run, the walk and the Wellbriety movement." Dr. Martina and others sang with a hand drum as the people offered their prayers thru tobacco offerings into the Sacred Hoop.

All told, about 300 people lent their presence, strength, and wellness to Wellbriety Day in Spokane, Washington on Hoop Journey III.