Western Shoshone Defense Project – 2007-07-11 08:28:32
Public Statement by Corbin’s Immediate Family
TURTLEISLAND (July 10, 2007) — Corbin Harney Spiritual Leader of the Western Shoshone Nation crossed over at 11:00 a.m. this morning in a house on a sacred mountain near Santa Rosa, CA (Turtle Island). He had dedicated his life to fighting the nuclear testing and dumping.
That battle claimed his life through cancer.
Before he passed, he said to remember:
“We are one people. We cannot separate ourselves now.
There are many good things to be done for our people and for the world.
It is important to let things be good. And it is important to teach the younger generation so that things are not lost.”
According to witnesses present, in the morning fog, the spirits of four Shoshoni dog soldiers were outside on horseback before Corbin’s passing. But then one of the Shoshone present, Santiago Lozada, yelled “Tosawi Tosawi!” (White Knife). And then the fog shifted and there were thousands of spirits waiting.
Corbin passed peacefully at the end. He was only worried that he still had more to do. When he finally let go and went with the dog soldiers, Red Wolf Pope, grandson of Rolling Thunder, was present and sang him the Tosawi death song to call the dog soldiers to come take him home. Golden eagles continue to circle the house hours after his crossing.”
True to form Corbin joked around several days ago that he was going to go at 11:00, and kept his promise.
Over his lifetime, Corbin traveled around the world as a speaker, healer and spiritual leader with a profound spiritual and environmental message for all. He received numerous national and international awards and spoke before the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
Corbin also authored two books: “The Way It Is: One Water, One Air, One Earth” (Blue Dolphin Publishing, 1995) and a forthcoming book, “The Nature Way”. Numerous documentaries have been made about his work and message.
In 1994, Corbin established the Shundahai Network to work with people and organizations to respond to spiritual and environmental concerns on nuclear issues.
He also established Poo Ha Bah, a native healing center located in Tecopa Springs, California. He will be missed but always honored for his work and dedication to traditional ways.
Corbin Harney is descended from generations of Newe (Shoshone) traditional healers and was always grateful for the many extraordinary teachers who shared their knowledge in his lifetime. Corbin is survived by his daughter Reynaulda Taylor; granddaughters Ann Taylor and Nada Leno; grandsons Keith, Jon and Joel Leno and William Henry Taylor; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and his sister Rosie Blossom’s family and many cousins and other family members as well as many, many friends around the world. Corbin was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister, grandparents, uncle, great granddaughter, cousins, and friends.
A very special thanks to Patricia Davidson, Corbin’s caregiver in his final months; Dominic Daileda, Corbin’s friend and companion for his support and compassion in hard times, and the family of Dixie and Martin van der Kamp for opening up their home and their hearts to Corbin and his family and friends during his time of need.
Dates and times for services are being made with official announcement to follow. Three day services are planned at the home of Larson R. Bill, So Ho Bee – Newe Sogobe (Lee, Nevada –Western Shoshone Territory) with burial services at Battle Mountain Indian Community, Battle Mountain Nevada.
•:Donations may be made either to the immediate family through:
Reynaulda Taylor, P.O. Box 397, Owyhee, Nevada 89832, 775-757-2610 or 775-757-2064
annietaytay@yahoo.com
Or, to: The Corbin Harney Way, 6360 Sonoma Mtn. Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95404
No other individual, organization or entity is authorized to receive donations on behalf of Corbin’s immediate family or Corbin Harney.
Box of Rain
Look out of any window
any morning, any evening, any day
Maybe the sun is shining
birds are winging or
rain is falling from a heavy sky–
What do you want me to do,
to do for you to see you through?
this is all a dream we dreamed
one afternoon long ago
Walk out of any doorway
feel your way,feel your way
like the day before
Maybe you’ll find direction
around some corner
where it been waiting to meet you–
What do you want me to do,
to watch for you while your sleeping?
Well please don’t be surprised
when you find me dreaming, too
Look into any eyes
you find by you, you can see
clear throught to another day
I know it’s been seen before
through other eyes on other days
while going home–
What do you want me to do,
to do for you to see you through?
It’s all a dream we dreamed
one afternoon long ago
Walk into splintered sunlight
Inch your way throught dead dreams
to another land
Maybe you’re tired and broken
Your tongue is twisted
with words half spoken
anf thoughts unclear
What do you want me to do
to do for you to see you through
A box of rain will ease the paqin
and love will see you throught
Just a box of rain
wind and water
believe it if you need it
if you don’t just pass it on
Sun and shower, window and rain
in and out the window
like a moth before the flame
It’s just a box of rain
I don’t don’t know who put it there
Believe it if you need it
or leave it if you dare
But it’s just a box of rain
or a ribbon for your hair
Such a long,long time to be gone
and a short time to be there
Words by Robert Hunter
Music by Phil Lesh
