Near-Death Experience

As a young girl, Mishayo was diagnosed with cancer and had a near-death experience. Now she tours the country telling her story to anyone who will listen, including a recent event at the Spokane Tribal Longhouse. 

She described many of the classical elements of a near-death experience, such as floating above her body and seeing the reaction of doctors and nurses. After leaving her body, she witnessed a series of terrifying images: a woman with no eyes, a man impaled by knives, a lake of fire, and the endless torment of those who rejected God. She cried out, "Jesus, if you're real, please save me!" 

Jesus appeared and delivered her from the flame. 

She asked, "Why did I have to see this? Was it because I was angry at God for getting cancer?"

In her vision, Jesus explained that she had to witness the horrors of hell so that she could come back to earth and warn the people. Jesus named several specific evils, including alcohol, drugs, tobacco, casinos, and abortion. But in all cases, she said the people were assigned to hell because they chose sin before God. 

At the end of her presentation, she led the people in the classic salvation prayer used by many Evangelical churches. Then the people formed a line and she lay hands on them all. 

Regardless of one's theology, the event was striking for several reasons. First, the young girl spoke with a rhythmic, almost trance-like quality. There was no doubt in my mind that she was 100% sincere in her belief. Second, her testimony produced a remarkable, cathartic reaction among the people. By the end of the meeting, dozens of people were holding one another, sobbing, and praying. 

Her message was overtly Christian, but something about her mannerisms reminded me of other Native American prophet movements, like those founded by Wovoka, Smohalla, or John Slocum. According to one theory, prophets tend to arise in times of distress or rapid social change, such as the destruction of Native cultures by American and European powers. In the case of Mishayo, the distress seemed to revolve around the despair of reservation life caused by alcohol and drugs. 

Many were inspired by her message; however, I'm sure that some will reject it. In the end, it will be interesting to see the impact of her message on our community.  

A man sang Gospel music before the presentation. 

The longhouse is filled with Catholic imagery, which is ironic considering the girl's vision. At one point, she reported that she saw Mary crying because people were worshiping her instead of Jesus. 

A family member introduced the event. 

ec'xił t sur'šict

łuʔ sp'q'niʔ ec'xił t sur'šict n sččmasq't.

Hog Canyon

My daughter and I visited Hog Canyon near the end of the day, and the setting sun caused the light to change from moment to moment. It was a beautiful sight!

And of course, I thought of my friend Adam who first introduced me to this place. 

Stairway to Heaven

When I was in high school, I lived near a place we called the Stairway to Heaven - a massive outcropping of granite that vaguely resembled a series of natural steps leading toward the sky. I never did know the official name of that place. But in those days, the rocks were painted many times over with all manner of graffiti: declarations of love, references to drugs and vulgarity, a few political statements, and various attempts at artistic expression. The human messages were not especially heavenly, but the natural landscape was always quite stunning.

Some of the graffiti remains, but most has been removed. Nowadays, people use this Stairway to Heaven for recreational purposes, mostly rock climbing and hiking.

Now that spring is returning, I feel compelled to visit the outdoors and re-connect with nature. The Stairway to Heaven seemed like a perfect place to begin. 

The steps to heaven were covered with vibrant buttercups and a blanket of new green grass.

A close view of the buttercups...

An abundance of flowers...

The trees are bursting with new life. 

At the summit of the stairway, a single pine has taken root between the rocks. As the roots grow and expand, the tree will eventually accelerate the process of natural erosion. 

Metal anchors have been drilled into the rock for the climbers. 

A marmot keeps watch...

Downtown Spokane is visible from the summit.

...and Felts Field.

...and Upriver Dam.

Some of the graffiti remains. 

A graffiti artist waxed poetic and quoted 

A Feast of Friends, by The Doors:

Death makes angels of us all

And gives us wings

Where we had shoulders

Smooth as raven's claws

The American Indian Movement

was memorialized by this graffiti.

...and the ideal of peace.

The ruins of an abandoned building.

An old tree planted by people many years ago.

Upriver Dam.

The raging water escapes the floodgates of the dam.

Dakota's Audition

Dakota auditioned for CYT Spokane's "Beauty and the Beast." This is his last audition as a young person in CYT.

McKenna's Audition

McKenna audition for CYT Spokane's "Beauty and the Beast."

Whitney's Audition

Whitney auditioned for CYT Spokane's "Beauty and the Beast.

Color

This is my first attempt at colorizing 

an old historical photograph. 

This is my great grandfather Jim Elijah. 

Sunset

The sunset hour this afternoon on Charles Road.