WARM SPRINGS RETURN

It is a well known historical fact that the tribes of American Indians maintained their own death customs and adapted them to their regional environments. The various rituals and beliefs that were specific to individual tribes also passed to other tribes through trade and intermarriage. Most Native American tribes believed that the souls of the dead passed into a spirit world and became part of the spiritual forces that influenced every aspect of their lives.

Jake Rappaho and his wife Cheetah had studied the burial customs of many tribes in preparation for the burial of Jakes mother Sacajawea Rappaho who died at the age of 92. Sacajawea was buried high on a hill on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation overlooking the Deschutes River. Both Jake and Cheetah were born and raised on the reservation and over the years had visited the grave site on numerous occasions.

It seemed so long ago when Jake received the call from Cheetah indicating that his mother had passed on. Sacajawea Rappaho's burial services brought thousands of American Indians and other dignitaries together. The dignitaries were many and included not only the United States Head of Indian Affairs but the President of the United States as well.

Indians disposed of their dead in a variety of ways. Arctic tribes, for example left their dead on frozen ground for wild animals to devour, Some Midwest tribes placed their dead in lavishly furnished tombs. Southeastern tribes practiced secondary bone burial. They dug up their corpses, cleansed the bones and then reburied them. The Northeast Iroquois, saved skeletons of the deceased for final mass burial that included furs and ornaments for the dead spirits to use in the afterlife.

Closer to home the Northwest coastal tribes put their dead in mortuary cabins or canoes fastened to poles. But the practice of the warm springs tribe practiced cremation which was the preference of both Jake and Cheetah.

It had been one full week since Cheetah had passed away from the brain injury caused by a fall from her horse. The fall resulted when a mountain lion attempted to attack her and her horse while on an Evergreen trail ride.

Jake sat in front of his fireplace with Cheetahs two best friends Rita Regas and the former President of the United States Rose Kennedy Schlossberg Harbor. Both owned ranches that adjoined Jake and Cheetahs. There were no more tears, simply because their collective bodies could not produce any more. Cheetah had been a mainstay for the group for years and the loss of her was overwhelming to all them. Cheetah was also one of the most beautiful women in the world and was admired by many, not just for her looks but for what she was on the inside. She was truly a very special person.

Jake, what have you decided to do with Cheetahs remains? Rita asked. Well the good news is that over the years Cheetah and I have had a number of discussions regarding the possibility of death. It was her desire and mine as well, that our bodies be cremated and that a traditional Indian burial be held at the Warm Springs Indian Reservation similar to that which was held for my mom when she passed away. We have our burial plots already prepared next to my mom's which sits atop the highest point on the reservation.

As you both know the cremation has already occurred and Cheetah's ashes have been placed in a special Indian burial urn which I have upstairs.

I have begun working on the ceremony which I will want to have happen in about a month. I will determine what date works best after I talk with the elders on the reservation. My mom's burial was huge as she was larger than life among our tribe and many others throughout the United States.

Cheetah is another famous name to the members of our tribe and it was her desire to be buried with some of the traditional Indian customs and ceremony. So I want to do the thing right and give those who would like to attend ample time to plan.

I don't know if you are aware of this Jake but at one point long ago, Cheetah told me about your mom's burial ceremony and if my memory serves me correct there was a part of the ceremony called the Ghost Dance that meant a lot to her. She didn't exactly say that she wanted that to be part of her ceremony but she was very impressed by it.

Yes Rita, I am aware of the Ghost Dance played in my mom's ceremony and I have already planned to include it in Cheetahs burial.

Cheetah and I often talked about the rituals and Ceremony that have long played a vital and essential role in our Native American culture. To us, our culture was our religion. We were raised to believe that the beliefs and practices of our tribe formed an integral and seamless part of our very being. Our ceremonies and rituals provided the power to conquer the difficulties of life. We both believed that death should be celebrated knowing that it is the end of life on Earth but that it is also the start of life in the spirit world. We also believed that the journey might be long, so after life rituals are performed we wanted to ensure that the spirits leave the earth and move on to the spirit world.

Jake, that is fascinating, Rose said. I thought we both knew you well yet it is clear that we did not know or understand this part of your thinking process.

I am so pleased to know that this part of your culture will be observed during Cheetah's burial ceremony. It makes me very proud to know that these traditions and culture will be a part of her service.

Rita asked, is anyone helping you plan this ceremony? No. The answer is that I will rely on the elders at Warm Springs to help guide me through the service. I do know one thing for sure, the service will not be long and drawn out. Cheetah and I always wanted it to be simple and yet traditional.

I will follow the elders lead but my guess is that much of what we will do will be similar to that which was done for my mom. Neither of you was around then but in general here is what happens.

The actual ceremony will be held at the top of the highest hill overlooking the Deschutes River. Here nature reaches out to touch the sky. One of the traditions that we will observe is that Cheetahs ashes will be placed in a traditional burial coffin and that relatives of the deceased must follow strict rules in order to assist the departed on their journey. As you both are aware we do not have any relatives on either side of our family. However, Cheetah and I considered both of you as our family. As such you will be treated as family in every respect and as family you will be asked to put a personal item of importance in her coffin. I can only suggest that it should be something that you value and that will help her on her journey to another life. It will be up to you to determine what that will be.

You will both be asked to participate. In my mom's case and I assume the same will be true of Cheetahs, the coffin will be carried by six members of our tribe. The six will be dressed in traditional Indian dress. I will be one of those and will be assisted by five of our elders. In keeping with our tradition, the coffin will be carried up the hill. The coffin will be followed by a family member who will be leading five white horses. Rita, this is the role I want you to play. The five white horses will then be followed by the last person in the precession. This person will be Rose and she will be guiding one...