The Roar of the Falls: My Journey with Kaya

I’ve always been fascinated by horses, even though I’m a little afraid of them. But this is my chance to face my fears. I take a deep breath and tell Kaya that I’d like to help with training. I follow Kaya and Toe-ta out of camp and up the steep bluffs until the land flattens out. A large horse herd grazes in the brisk wind. Kaya says these are her tribe’s horses, and they’ll catch their mounts there to ride out to the new herd. They’re the best and fastest horses in all of Celilo. Toe-ta overhears Kaya boasting, and says it’s not right to brag. Her gaze drops. My mother once got mad at me for boasting, I explain. She said bragging is selfish, like grabbing more than your share at a meal. Kaya agrees with me. We both get a sick feeling in our stomach when we know we’ve done something wrong. I feel our bond tighten more.

Kaya slips a twisted rope in the mouth of a small chestnut-colored horse and climbs onto a small log. She throws her leg over the back of the horse and hoists herself up. Apparently we are riding bareback. I stare up at the chestnut, who suddenly seems very big. How will I get up on the horse? I swallow hard and put my hand up to the scrape on my forehead. If Kaya could rescue me from the riverbank, then I can do this.

Kaya senses my hesitation and calls Toe-ta over to help. He instructs me to climb up on the log and raise one knee. He grabs my leg and lifts. I grab Kaya’s waist instinctively and scramble up on the warm horse. I’m up!

I hold tightly to Kaya’s waist with both arms as we set off through the hills and away from the river valley. As the horse canters, the horse’s muscles bunch and release beneath me. I try not to slip off. As we get farther away, the sound of the falls lessens and I can hear the steady thud of the hooves. I open my eyes as the wind dies down. I’m riding a horse! Kaya makes me feel safe. As Kaya describes how she loves to ride out here, I can see how much she loves her homeland. The soft grasses change with the wind. The sky is wide, and the world is such a beautiful land for all creatures to live in. I feel the same way when I’m in my garden. Seeing how the plants change and grow. Turning around, I can see the grasses studded with clumps of sagebrush, and I can the soft silver mist of the falls we’ve left behind. A bald eagle soars overhead, before plummeting to the ground like a black stone. It’s hunting.

As we ride, we talk about bravery. About how I admire Kaya for being so brave and helping people. Kaya responds that she isn’t brave sometime. There are many dangers out there, like fires, wild animals, and enemy raiders. But she is more afraid of not doing her job well. She’d like to lead her tribe someday. I confess I am not a good leader. I like to do things on my own. Kaya thoughtfully says that Bear Blanket likes to be alone sometimes, too. But she always comes back later to help others. That’s what matters most: not when you leave to be alone, but when you come back.