Kalapuya

The Kalapuya, a Pacific Northwest tribe speaking Penutian numbered 3,000 in 1780. They believed in nature guardian spirits and vision quests. Their shamans, amp a lak ya taught them how seeking, discovering and following one’s spirit or dream power and singing their song was essential in their community.

An ancestor shared a dream story.

“I speak in tongues, in ancient dialects about love. I share a story of our people living here for 8,000 years before where you are now. In forests, rivers and mountains all animal spirits welcome you with their love. They are manifestations of your being.

“I am grateful to welcome you here. You walked many paths of love to reach me. Some are narrow and smooth in places, wide and rocky in others. I am the soil under your feet. I feel your weight, balance, weakness and strength. I hear your heart beating as our ancestor pounds ceremonial drums. I feel the surging force of your breath fly through this forest. Wind accepts your breath. I am everything you see, smell, taste, touch and hear. I am the oak, fir and pine in your outer landscape. I am your inner landscape. I see you stand silent hearing trees nudge each other, ‘Look, one has returned.’”

“I love the way you absorb the song of a brown thrush collecting moss for a nest. I am the small brown bird saying hello. I am the sweet-throated song you hear without listening. Two night owls sing. Their music fills your ears with mystery and love.

“I am the warm spring sun on your face filtered through leaves of time. I am the spider’s web dancing diamond points of light. I am the rough fragile texture of bark you remove before connecting axe edge with wood. You carry me through this forest. Your flame creates the fire of love. I am the taste of pitch on your lips, the forest scent in your nostrils filling your lungs. It is sweet.

“I am cold rain and wet snow and hot sun and four seasons. I am the yellow, purple, red, blue, and orange flower from brown earth. I am an old dialect of Kalapuya tribes. I respect spirit energies. I hear with my eyes and see with my ears. I understand your love for the spirit power guardian.

“I am your ancestor speaking 300 languages from our long history. Now only 150 dialects remain. Language cannot be separated from who you are and where you live.

“I say this so you will remember everything in this forest. I took care of this place and now your love has the responsibility.”

ART

Adventure, Risk, Transformation - A Memoir

Annapurna Range, Nepal