Peace Hike

UPDATE! 

11th Annual Yachats New Year’s Day Peace Hike Takes New Form This Year


Please read through the entire information below. Should you have any questions or wish more information contact Joanne Kittel
541.547.3144 or at jnkittel@peak.org

Each year, the Yachats Trails Committee conducts its Annual New Year’s Day Peace Hike.

The hike traditionally honors the memory of a blind Native American woman known as Amanda who was forced to leave her young daughter and march barefoot through rocky terrain to the Alsea Sub-Agency internment camp in Yachats in 1864.

The hike, which follows the Amanda Trail from the Yachats Commons to the Amanda Statue south of town has grown steadily in attendance and its importance to the community over time.

This year however, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the absolute need to follow all safety protocols, there will be no traditional large-group hike as we have had In the past. Instead, individuals can experience the power of the Amanda story virtually by video. Starting on New Year’s  morning, viewers can now watch Miluk Coos Tribal member Patricia Whereat Phillips, linguist, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) narrating the story on line. You will find the direct YouTube video link here: https://youtu.be/N6D-wkqXGy0 .

With that as inspiration, people are encouraged to personally explore their own visions and rituals for manifesting and moving peace forward in their hearts and in the world. For those who find Cedar especially meaningful, sprigs will be available in outdoor areas near the Yachats Commons and along the Amanda Trail.

Anyone who has used this opportunity to watch the Amanda video may stop by the Yachats City Visitors Center (5th and 101) or the Yachats Chamber (Rainspout Gallery, 2nd and 101) to pick up a commemorative button. Alternatively they can send an e-mail request to yachatstrails@gmail.com. If requesting by e-mail, please be sure to include your name and mailing address with your request.

This year’s button was created by Morgan Gaines Quuiich (Lower Umpqua) Tribal Member, CTCLUSI.

The Yachats Trails team wishes you a Happy New Year to come and hopefully the return of the Annual Peace Hike where we can all gather together and witness the restorative power of peace. Please see Chief Doc Slyter’s words of encouragement to us all below:

“I hope you are, and your families are’ all staying safe during this very difficult time. Unfortunately, the Coronavirus pandemic has brought a halt to this year’s 11th New Year’s Day Peace Hike. This saddens my heart, but as we move forward in the new 2021 year and need positive energy, remember hereditary Tribal Chief Daloose Jackson’s Dream Power Song – 

(hli-in – hel hantl tuuwitiniiye)
 “We’re not going to fall down.”

 While the format of the Peace Hike is changing, its strength and purpose are not.

It is through the tribes’ and community’s endeavors that many people have become more aware of the great need to acknowledge the wrongs of the past and to be more conscious of the need to treat people of all cultures throughout the world with honor, dignity and respect.