Walaya Loraine Feather (Lakota)

“Walaya was born on September 16, 1949 and passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2018. Walaya was a resident of Okanogan, Washington.”

That’s it!  That’s what the obit said; a birth date, a death date and a residence at death.  Nothing of the child, the teen, the woman she became, how richly she lived, and the inheritance she left to us.  Perhaps that is what she wanted.  But we need to get to know our only Native American classmate (I believe) just a little better.

I can’t remember my first recollection of Walaya.  I think we called her Wally; hope she didn’t like that.  Maybe Fulton or Jefferson.  Years pass, on to high school.  There are photos of her as a sophomore (1965), and one of her in the senior (1968) yearbook in the “English” section above.  And suddenly it seems, she was gone.  Her name does not appear on the Commencement program. Nothing more as I remember.

In April of 2022 I received an email from Terry Jackson, whom I affectionately call my Associate Funeral Director, informing me of Walaya’s death, “I ran into her ex sister in law and asked about her. She asked her  brother and he gave her this. It's all he could come up with.

“She died March 8, 2018, in the state of Washington. Denny didn't know where she lived, if she lived on a reservation, or what her married last name was. If she was single, she probably used Feather. She used to list all her last names on her ID. She had about 4 of them and was pretty proud of all of them when I last talked to her back in 1985 or 86.”

So with Terry’s information I began my search.  And what I found make me wish I had known her better.   She was an artist; she loved butterflies; she was generous; she was affectionate; she lived a rich life.

At the end of this brief remembrance, I have included comments from her friends and what I have found of her artwork.  But I think this Vimeo video taken at her memorial says it best.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Walaya Feather Memorial  @  https://vimeo.com/269368188

walaya was a very talented & exquisite artist who was at her best drawing native american indian art...especially her ink drawings of eagle feathers, sage & pipes....she was quite the spiritual poet describing nature & the star nations & sisterly & brother love...butterfly woman liked to pollinate everyone she met...with hugs and pecks on the cheek....often making someone that was sad or depressed feel uplifted and loved....she was a wise teacher of the traditional indian...

michael andorf, Brandon, IA, Friend

“I was so glad she was my friend. She lived in Galena, IL for a number of years. I treasure gifts she made and gave to me. I loved the greetings in her letters. They began ‘As I was walking among my brothers and sisters the trees this morning, I thought of you, dear friend.

 Janet Jonjack, Galena, IL, Friend

“There was not a better big sister, she was also called Butterfly Woman , Her loss will create a void in many Hearts.”

Leo Troy, LaMotte, IA, Brother

In April, Caitlin LaBar wowed us with her many colorful photos and identification tips for some of the 124 butterfly species found within Okanogan County. This event was sponsored in memory of Walaya Feather, known locally as the “Butterfly Woman.”

From the Buckhorn Bulletin, Spring 2019, Vol.5, No.3

Author’s note: I am a European American with no Native American ancestry. A lifelong student of American Civilization, I have read widely about indigenous peoples, their lives, cultures, spirituality, and history. I am blessed to have had loving relationships with Walaya Lornae Feather (Lakota), and my life partner Marcia Desy (Metis). I am grateful for meaningful discussions with Native Americans along my road — who shared with me I think because I approached them with equality, respect, and sincere interest. That being said, I wrote this article humbly and I hope honorably, in full knowledge that I am a Wasichu “looking in.” We can be grateful that the American Indians in “Rumble” chose to share their music, culture and history with all of us.

Rick Schwertfeger,  https://frontierpartisans.com/11731/indians-rocked-world/

Farewell, Butterfly Woman.  I wish we could have known you better.