Ken Hedler

WASHINGTON CITY – An old Native American proverb goes: “Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in his moccasins.”

Participants in the first Spirit Walk on Saturday walked only eight blocks – much shorter than a mile – and few of them wore moccasins along the route from Veterans Park to the Washington City Community Center.

However, like the proverb, the walk sought to elicit empathy.

The Sage Circle Counseling Center/Native Youth Program of St. George organized the walk and ceremonies to increase awareness of suicides that are psychologically scarring Native American families.

Native Americans accounted for a majority of the estimated 70 people who took part in the walk and other activities and represented Paiutes, Navajos and other tribes.

Chris David, a Navajo, who is a clinical mental health counselor at Sage, held a feather during the start of the event in the park and said, “Let’s have youth and elders up here.”

David’s boss, Sage owner Gwen Hurd, told the gathering that her company contracted with the Paiute Tribe in Cedar City to make their youths feel more connected with their community.

Hurd said Washington County has one of the highest suicide rates in the country, adding Native Americans have an even higher rate.

“This is all about making connections,” Hurd said. “I am thrilled for all of you to be here. We hope to make this an annual event.”

After her talk, Paiute adults spoke and performed brief ceremonies.

Glenn Rogers, a member of the Shivwits Band Council, held a staff almost the length of his body that contained eagle feathers, buffalo fur and buckskin, and told attendees not to take photos of the staff.

The feathers represent living things and come from several places.

“The Anglo people call this ‘superstition,” Rogers said. “It is not superstition to us.”

Rogers said his son, Jamie, 27, committed suicide years ago by hanging.

He added the staff serves as a memorial to his son.

“The staff can mean a lot of things to a lot of people,” Rogers said.

David interjected, “It is important to give back to our people. Today, we give back to our young.”

He introduced the next speaker, Simon Pikyavit, who performed a Sioux honor song.

Pikyavit’s uncle, Benn Pikyavit, a spiritual adviser, followed by performing a ceremony with burning sage.

“Everything plays a part in our lives,” the elder Pikyavit said. He said Paiutes use sage and juniper as part of their culture.

He placed his hand on his heart and said, “This will not lead you astray.”

However, he placed his right hand on his head to illustrate the opposite.

Participants gathered around a circle so that Benn Pikyavit could approach them with sage burning in a small pot as he held a feather above it.

The aroma from the sage wafted in faces.

After the ceremony, David led the walk to the Community Center.

Walkers headed north on Telegraph Street, and passed the Washington City Cemetery after turning left on 300 East.

Some participants carried placards with anti-suicide messages.

One of the Caucasian participants, retired high school English teacher Lynn Bjorkman of St. George, said he is not sure why Native American youth have a high suicide rate.

“You have to ask them,” said Bjorkman, co-director of Reach 4 Hope Suicide Prevention.

Rogers said he did not have the answer.

After arriving at the community center, Bjorkman and others listened to speeches and songs, and watched drumming, jingle dances and traditional male dances.

Follow Ken Hedler , @keninDixie2014.