FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Yachats, OR – The 15th Annual Peace Hike: A Commemoration of Resilience and Remembrance
On New Year’s Day, Yachats, Oregon will host the 15th Annual Peace Hike, a meaningful event that honors the legacy of the indigenous peoples who endured immense suffering under government-sponsored genocidal policies during the 19th century.
The Peace Hike commemorates the tragic history of the Alsea Subagency (1860–1875), highlighting the story of Amanda, a blind Native American (Coos) woman who was forcibly separated from her daughter and marched barefoot with other captives over 80 miles of rugged terrain to the Alsea Subagency prison camp in Yachats in 1864. This annual gathering serves as a solemn remembrance of those who lost their lives and a celebration of the resilience of their descendants, many of whom participate in the event each year.
A Time for Reflection and Education
The Peace Hike invites participants to reflect on the atrocities faced by the Coos, Lower Umpqua, Siuslaw, and Alsea Peoples and to deepen their understanding of this painful history. To support learning and reflection, participants are encouraged to:
- Watch the video “The Genocide of the Alsea Subagency”, narrated by Patricia Whereat Phillips, Miluk Coos, and the late Chief Donald Slyter of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians: www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6D-wkqXGy0.
- Explore the detailed Amanda’s Trail Curriculum, created by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians: https://ctsi.nsn.us/sb-13-curriculum/#7th-grade.
Schedule of Events
The day will be filled with ceremonies, reflections, and guided trail walks designed to honor the past and bring the community together:
- 9:30 AM – The Yachats Community Drum will be available at the Yachats Commons (441 Hwy 101 N, Yachats, OR 94798), and drumming will begin.
- 10:00 AM – A fire will be lit at the Commons, marking the start of the opening ceremony, which will include storytelling by Tribal members and the recounting of Amanda’s story.
- 10:30 AM – Trail walks commence. Participants may choose from several trail options indicated on a map designed by the Yachats Trails Committee and available at the Commons. Those hiking to the Amanda Gathering Area (2.2 miles south of the Commons) will have parking options available for those not wishing to hike the full distance. Volunteers at the Commons will provide instructions. A ceremonial fire will be lit both at the Amanda Gathering Area and the Commons, where participants can place cedar sprigs.
- 12:00 PM – A special ceremony, led by Tribal members, will take place at the Amanda Gathering Area.
- 1:00 PM – Both the Amanda Gathering Area and the Commons will hold closing ceremonies. Participants are invited to place their cedar sprigs in the ceremonial fires, which will then be respectfully closed.
Water, energy bars, and cookies generously prepared by the Yachats Ladies Club will be available at both the Commons and the Amanda Gathering Area.
Additional Highlights
- All participants will receive a beautifully crafted Peace Hike button designed by artist Morgan Gaines, Quuiich (Lower Umpqua), of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians.
- Committee members will be on hand at the Yachats Commons to provide guidance, maps, and answer any questions.
Acknowledging Our Sponsors
This year’s Peace Hike is made possible through the generous support of:
The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Yachats Gem of the Oregon Coast, The Oregon Coast, Yachats Ladies Club, View the Future, Visit Yachats Oregon, Oregon State Parks.
Join the Community in Honoring the Past The Peace Hike is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and a call to remember and learn from the past. Everyone is welcome to join this meaningful event in Yachats, a community dedicated to honoring its history while fostering healing and unity for the future.
For more information, please contact: joannekittel@viewthefuture.org or yachatstrails@gmail.com
