Finding Better Light

Friends -

This 2024 our New Year’s Day Celebration was distinctly different.

That is to say that this year went beyond the Yachats Peace Hike which took place for at 12 years prior. The event served to recall the trauma that took place in 1864, resulting from Original People being forcibly marched by soldiers eighty miles through rough volcanic rock to the Alsea sub-agency prison camp (now Yachats). Amanda, a member of the Coos Tribe who was blind, left a trail of blood as she was unable to see where she was stepping to avoid the sharpest rocks. They all were brought to what is now the town of Yachats -- imprisoned, starved, and made to suffer incredible conditions.

For decades since, tribal people avoided the town of Yachats. Passing through the town only gave a recall of the grisly prison camp conditions and abuse suffered for so many years. So, if they had to travel up or down the state, they would travel the long way around in order to avoid Yachats.

It was only because of the courage and kindness of Chief Doc Slyter and his openness to discuss the issues with Yachats activist, Joanne Kittel, that encouraged some unity and sense of safety to allow Tribal Members to come to town -- at least to the grotto where Amanda’s statue and memories about her remain. That grotto is theirs.

From here on I will refer to Chief Doc Slyter only as ‘The Chief,’ so as not to call him back from his new journey. You see, he left this world in early November after struggling with cancer for many months.

This 2024 year the Peace Hike commemorated the Chief, who served as Chief of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. I have no doubt that his fairness and wisdom served him well in that capacity. He was also the tribal flute player and flute maker - talents which he shared willingly with interested people.

The Chief became a friend to me and in 2014 he played his music (along with Mary-Beth Nichol) at a showing of my Art at the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center. He also taught me to play ‘Amazing Grace.’

So, I will offer this painting in exchange for a donation to ‘View of the Future,” a non-profit committed to events such as the Peace Hike. “Finding Better Light” is an oil on stretched canvas, 16x20”.

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