White Medicine Woman

Lizzie Perry made a mark in Oregon history by taking unpopular stands with courage and compassion. She confronted Dr. Whitman at his Mission and Dr. McLaughlin at Fort Vancouver for their patronizing relationship with the tribes. She raised a family in the wilderness while providing medical care to whoever asked. This sensitive woman defended the Cayuse Five at their trial, hid Chief Thunder Sky from murderous white settlers, assisted the survivors of the Bear Creek Massacre, encouraged Chief Paulina when a posse was determined to kill him, and prayed for Chief Joseph as he fled the army on his long Trail of Tears. Her closest friends were Indians at a time when this was seen as treason to her white community. Lizzie's story is wrapped up with her relationships with three amazing Indian women: her belief in Red Quail, her struggle to save Butterfly, and her forty-year friendship with Gentle Bird. She respected, defended, and protected many of the Oregon tribes while insisting that, 'what we are doing to the tribes is not fair or right.' For many years, these tribes watched over her farm in case the white settlers discovered her aid and allegiance to the Indians. They swore their protection to her and her family. Lizzie told people that her specialties were bullets and babies, but she never turned down medical care regardless of who the person was, however great or small their need. Her conviction was that all people were special and that the worst failing was not to help them. The governor of the state applauded her 'lifetime of kindness.' A respected writer of the time wrote that she answered ' the call of Indian and white man by foot, by horse, and by canoe ' wherever she was needed. Hummingbirds and bear claws were symbols of help and healing, and these were the symbols of Lizzie Perry. This heroic story shows the strength and determination of a real pioneer woman as she settled in the American wild west.