Harmony dominated the Sinixt or Arrow Lakes People of northeast Washington State until 1930. Talk of a great dam being erected at Grand Coulee, Washington struck fear and tension reservation wide. Traditional fishing could be lost forever. Would be lost forever. Backwater would force towns, graveyards and other historical sites to relocate. Backwater would soon…
Storytelling was not only for entertainment, but was a way to teach the youth of the Sinixt or Arrow Lakes People of northeast Washington. This was a way of trudging through the long winter months. This is the traditional story as it was told by Spupaleena to Elizabeth in my first young adult book: Change…
Roots and berries were a life force for the Sinixt or Arrow Lakes People of Northeast Washington State. The People were semi-nomadic and would travel to the area within their territory where the roots are berries grew abundantly. The spring months would burst forth fresh nourishment and bring one’s palate back to life. A long…
My last blog post introduced you to basket making of the Arrow Lakes or Sinixt people. I want to take you from the coiled baskets made of cedar root and the folded cedar bark baskets to tule baskets and mats. Tule is the tall, hollow stem of the cattail which was not only a prized…
Basket making was not only a piece of art for the Sinixt or Arrow Lakes People of Northeast Washington State, but more importantly a way of life. One of Survival. In my Young Adult book, Change of Heart, I wanted numerous facets of the traditional Arrow Lakes way of life. Basketry was a pledge. I…
Last week I shared with you about the First Root Ceremony. Today I want to share with you about the First Salmon Ceremony of the Sinixt or Arrow Lakes People of Northeast Washington State. Salmon was the main staple of the Lakes people. At the end of May or beginning of June, spring or Chinook…
Welcome back! I want to share with you about the First Root Ceremony of the Sinixt or Lakes People of Northeast Washington State. When I was editing for my up-and-coming book Heart of Passion, my editor wanted more cultural pieces woven in the tapestry of my story like the colorful hues the Native women entwine…
I must confess I am a non-native living on an Indian Reservation; to be exact, the Colville Confederated Reservation in Northeast Washington State. We have been here for two and one-half decades. I followed my husband to the home of his father’s family after we completed collage at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA. My…
Twenty-three years ago I gave birth to a two-and-a-half pound son. Upon hearing the final due date, which happened to be my birthday, I bubbled with glee. However, my son decided he wanted his own birthday ten weeks prior to mine. He was due to make his grand entry in April, but changed his mind…
Spupaleena nodded walking briskly to her stallion. The fringe on her dress swung back and forth as if being shook by a badger. She said a quick prayer for everyone as she went. She looked up to see Hahoolawho standing in her path. God help me, she prayed. Spupaleena will do nearly anything to make…
In difficult times, the end of the tunnel can be dark and dank. But there is always a friend down the path leading to the barnyard. I rode my Paint Tobiano today and he just blessed me. I walked down into the field to round up my meager remuda. After rubbing all 4.6 of them…
I’ve been invited to participate in the Next Big Thing blog series, in which authors get to describe what they are working on right now. I was invited to participate Donis Casey, who posted her own Next Big Thing last week at http://www.doniscasey.com. Then at the end of this blog, I’m tagging other writers who…
Research is inevitable when writing a book whether its fiction or nonfiction. It was only after working with elder Marguerite Ensminger for three years did I decide to write Change of Heart for my sons. Later I followed up with Heart of Courage. Not only did she teach me the difficult guttural sounds of the…
There is nothing more exhilarating than riding my horse through the wood south of my ranch, listening to music on my I-pod, worshiping God in song. One of my favorite songs to hum, sing, and work up some routing with my horse to: The Glory of It All, by David Crowder Band. At the start…
How does God inspire you? Through music or a daily message? Through humans or animals? I’m inspired by my American Paint Horse. I love all things horse. Bucks Superwind was the inspiration of the stallion in my Heart Trilogy named Sampson. When I have a hurried day, when nothing seems to be going my way,…
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