Umapine – Chief of the Cayuse Nation

Wa-Kon-Kon-Wa-La-Son-Me ( Umapine )
Chief of the Cayuse Nation

In 1909, not far from the Crow reservation, in Montana, the Chiefs of many Indian Nations held what was called the Last Great Council of Chiefs. One of the attendees was: Wa-Kon-Kon-Wa-La-Son-Me, who was also called in English: Umapine, Chief of the Cayuse Nation, what is now called Northern Oregon. In his opening speech, I quote a very well said portion that puts forward our way thinking of other races and ourselves.

At that time he said: ” I come from the far distant mountains … To meet the Chiefs, in this Council… We each have two hands, two feet, two eyes, two ears, but one nose, one mouth, one head and one heart. We all breathe the same air … We all are therefore, brothers.

I have respect for all kinds of people … The only difference between myself and the white man is that his complexion is lighter then mine and the only difference between me, the white man and the black man is that the black man has a complexion darker than ours.

Umapine said this over a hundred years ago, but it would serve as well to learn from his words, and follow his advice.

I work with Muskwa International Foundation Inc. which is an entity that was formed to assist the street children in the Philippines, mostly in Manila and Davao, the two largest cities in the Philippines.  You can find out about their projects here Street Children and Natural Disasters.

The stories I tell here I learned from the Elders and Story tellers and I am passing them on with their blessings. These stories can be anything from 4,000 to 5,000 years old.