White Grizzly Bear’s Legacy, Learning to be Indian
"White Grizzly Bear's Legacy, Learning to be Indian" is an autobiography of Lawney Reyes' life and an important account of the Sin Aikst Indians, now known as the Lakes and part of the Colville Confederated Tribes. Lawney Reyes is the grandson of Pic Ah Kelowna or White Grizzly Bear, a leader in the Sin Aikst tribe. In his book, Mr. Reyes describes Native American life in easternWashington before the 1942 completion of Grand Coulee Dam and after. The book recalls the early salmon fishing at Kettle Falls, and its importance to the People. It speaks of sacred beliefs, legends and respect for plants and wildlife. It details the rich history of the Sin Aikst tribe, and the hardships they had to endure as they lost their homeland and their traditional way of life to the white man. The author vividly describes the thunder of the Swah-net-ka, (Columbia River) as it roared over Kettle Falls, the land below peppered with teepees. Lawney shares memories of his young life, the divorce of his parents and the court-ordered time spent at the Chemawa Indian boarding school in Oregon. Indian children were sent to the Chemawa school to learn more about the white ways, but ironically it was at Chemawa that Lawney learned the most about the Indian traditions of the Sin Aikst and other tribes.
I received a copy of "White Grizzly Bear's Legacy" as a gift from my mother. I was filled with pride as I studied the photo of the author, Lawney L. Reyes, as a child, with his arm around my dad's shoulder. I have seen few photos of my dad as a child and remember him as a hard working logger who spent his spare time restoring antique vehicles. Dad didn't speak much with me about his childhood, but my mom recalls him talking about the Salmon Festival and what an exciting time it was. Dad's parents divorced when he was five, and I imagine he felt the same kind of pain that Lawney felt as a child when his own parents divorced, although Dad never shared it with me. As I read Lawney's words of first meeting my then nine year old father, I was given a glimpse into the childhood that shaped dad's life and perhaps my own. "He was thin, with disheveled hair, light skin, and freckles across his nose. He was about two inches taller than I was. I judged him to be a half-breed." Through Lawney I saw my dad as a friendly, outgoing child, proud of his Indian heritage and mature beyond his years. While Dad was teaching Lawney to drive his flatbed International Truck through the woods around Manila Creek near Keller, Wa., they spoke of how the Grand Coulee Dam had hurt the fishing and hunting and changed their way of life. Even though Dad was only 9 years old, he felt the responsibility of providing for his family. Both boys felt deeply the loss of fishing, as they lived mostly on what they could catch or shoot. If they couldn't find deer, they were really hurting. They talked about how there used to be a lot of salmon in the San Poil River, but since the dam there were only perch, crappie and carp. Dad said catching a carp was like reeling in a dead log. I smiled, this sounds like something my dad would say.
Through Lawney's journey I felt as if I was given a gift of learning more about my own Indian heritage. I had heard my dad talk about how his old home in Keller was flooded by the waters of the Columbia River, but I had never understood the tragedy experienced by so many when their lives were forever changed by a huge concrete structure called Grand Coulee Dam. The entire town of Old Incheleum had to be relocated. Most of the homes were so dilapidated that they could not be moved, which left many families living in tents or abandoned shacks. I knew my dad was a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, but I didn't know his people were once known as the Swhy-ayl-puh. I have often felt a loss in my own life as I wondered why no Indian traditions had survived to my generation. Most of the traditions that I remember came from my mom's Norwegian background. I'm fortunate to have an extensive family history on my mom's side. Broken families, poverty and loss of homeland made it difficult to retain family ties in the Indian community. It is hard to believe that only 60 years ago Indians were living off the land in teepees and speaking their own languages. They were content and wealthy in their traditions and way of life. The book brings to light why the forcing of reservations and "white ways" made it "necessary" for my father and his father to learn to be white. Lawney's memories and insight in "White Grizzly Bear's Legacy" made me realize how much was lost and why the challenge has now become "Learning to be Indian".
Lawney Reyes wrote his book hoping it would be a legacy for his grandchildren. I wonder if he had any idea of what he was giving to so many others. I lost my dad, the man, in 1986, but this book gives me back precious memories of the past I was missing and a new appreciation for my father as a child. It also gives back a missing piece of the history of Native Americans in Eastern Washington. Thank you, Mr. Reyes.
Lawney Reyes is former art director for the Seafirst Corporation and a member of the Seattle Arts Commission. He is a recipient of the Peace and Friendship Award for Contributions to American Indian Art and the Governor's Art Award in sculpture. His sculpture has won numerous awards and is held in collections in Europe,Asia, and
throughout the United States. He lives in Seattle.
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