Leaping River

## Introduction

         I am Wanapum; meaning "river people". I was born on a warm, sunny day in June next to the Columbian River. Sadly, I was born to a mother who was already sick with the red plague; a father who had already passed because of it. I was taken from the bosom of my mother by the medicine people who came from from the settlements. I was given to a childles couple, farmers, who had good standing with the remaining people of my tribe.

At first, I did not know I was Wanapum. I did not know my people. I only knew I was different.

## **Who I am in life.**

My American English family named me River White. I learned to speak, read and write in English. My mother was Joanna White, my father was William White. At the age of three, I was introduced to the Wanapum Tribe from a distance.

When I turned 5 years of age, my mother and father became ill too. They told me then about my true identity. I was not allowed to join them in case I get this sickness, or give it to them. At 6 years of age, my American parents died. Before they did, they told me to burn their bodies, and not to be discovered by others like them. I was broken. I nearly starved.

During this time, my instinct send me to the river. I had no means to truly communicate. I was kept aside by the spiritual leader - to be sure I remain healthy. He spoke broken English - enough for me to understand, enough for him to understand me.

I learned from him many stories, legends and rituals. I learned to dream and to pray. I learned to be peaceful and to enjoy the smaller things in life. I learned to fish, gather and build. I learned to play the flute and be a dreamer.

I was given new name, Tallulah - it is to mean "Leaping Water" but to honor my parents who raised me, the prophet adopted me as 'Leaping River'. I earned this name proudly among the few people I was allowed to be with -- I could chase salmon with a spear up a stream by jumping from rock to rock and this is how I got my name.

When I turned 10, I wandered off to the farm where I lived before. It was still abandoned, so I lived there in isolation until new settlers came. New laws, new rules, new wars. I left. I kept walking and walking - first along the river, then along the mountains, then along the plains, and even along parts of the ocean. I walked for many years, until I came to this land.

In Odyssa, the first day, I fell asleep in a small town called Valentine. When I woke, a man told me about Wapiti, about the reservation and others like me.

I walked there.

I met Fire Arrow there. We fight, we laugh, we learn together - and now, we work together for Mother and for Family.

## **What life means to me.**

Life to me means finding balance between the old ways, and this new way. I try to be calm, but I am a leaping river. I appreciate the wonder of the world around me, the beauty of nature, the pleasure of peace. I recognise now my calling - but I am not ready to fully embrace it yet. The dreams are many, the fevers run deep inside my soul. I hold passionately the memory of both kindness and cruelty. Of health and illness. Of family and isolation. I am comfortable inside my own skin.

Life means to continue being Leaping River, because that is what I am best at.

## **What's my outlook on the future.**

The year 1899 will make 26 years since my birth. I am establishing my life in Odyssa, I am living my balance and walk as family and friend to the Wapiti Tribe. I have made my home in the Heartlands; I have learned much from the Wapiti elders. My future?

The white owl guided me to change, and I embraced this change. The Elk brought me peace, and I embrace this peace. Fire Arrow brought me to Heartlands and I embrace this place.

The future is truly unknown but I trust in the guidence of the ancestors to bring me to true version of myself. I have dreams, and I am coming to understand their meaning.

## **Conclusion**

My journey is only starting now.

Walk in peace, brothers and sisters, family.