Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

July 11, 2007

Western Shoshone spiritual leader Corbin Harney passes


In Loving Memory of Corbin Harney
Schedule of Visitation/Celebration and Burial
July 14 – 16, 2007
Newe Sogobe (Western Shoshone Homelands)


Corbin Harney, Western Shoshone Spiritual Leader
Schedule of Funeral Services


Eulogy by Katherine Blossom, Western Shoshone: (Schedule below) Corbin Harney, Western Shoshone spiritual leader passed away on July 10, 2007. He was born in Bruno, Idaho on March 24, 1920. He was raised by his grandparents. Corbin traveled around the world and spoke out about global toxins, radiation and illness. He spent most of his life teaching people and healing many. He spoke to many highschools, grade schools, universities, youth correctional institutions and prisons. Corbin is well known around the world for the work he did. Corbin founded Poo Ha Bah – meaning “Doctor Water” in Tecopa, California in the 1980’s, which is a unique native healing and prayer center. A viewing will be in Lee, Nevada at Larson Bill’s residence on July 14th and 15th. Services will be on Monday, July 16th in Battle Mountain beginning with a sunrise ceremony at the Battle Mountain Indian Community park, followed by funeral services at 9 a.m. at the Battle Mountain Indian Community Administrative Building on 37 Mountain View Drive. Burial will be held at the graveside at the Battle Mountain City Cemetery at 10 a.m. A feast will follow at the Battle Mountain Indian Community Administrative Building.

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; John Harney and other Harney family members; and the family of Marge McDade 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.


Visitation:
Saturday, July 14th and Sunday, July 15th. Camp set up beginning Friday, July 13th.
So Ho Bee, Newe Sogobe ( Lee , Nevada )
Home of Larson R. Bill
· Sunrise ceremony to be held each morning.
· Visitation in Tee Pee begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday through sunset on Sunday.
· Camping style in Lee – Hotels available 20 minutes away in Elko , Nevada .
· Food and other donations welcome.

Directions from Elko, Nevada – take 12th street south, turn left on Lamoille Canyon Highway to Spring Creek. Turn right at first stop light in Spring Creek – follow road approximately _______ miles to Lee turn off (on left – see tractor crossing sign). Follow road to Larson’s home (road will be marked with red/yellow/white/black ribbon flags).



Burial Services:
Monday, July 16th
Battle Mountain , Nevada
Schedule:
Sunrise (approximately) 6 a.m. – Sunrise ceremony at the Battle Mountain Indian Community ( Mountain View Drive )
Directions:
From I-80 Eastbound – turn left at first Battle Mountain exit. Right turn immediately
after smokeshop/gas station. Ceremony held at park in center.
From I-80 Westbound – turn right at third Battle Mountain exit. Right turn
immediately after smokeshop/gas station. Ceremony held at park in center.

9 a.m. – Funeral services at Battle Mountain Administrative Building .

10 a.m. – Graveside services at Battle Mountain City Cemetery .

Meal served immediately after graveside services at Battle Mountain Indian Community Administrative offices. See directions above to the Battle Mountain Indian Community Take second right dirt road to large building. Door on left side of building.



Corbin Harney, Western Shoshone Spiritual Leader Passes On –


Public Statement by Corbin’s Immediate Family


July 10, 2007 (Turtle Island). 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.

Family contact information (non-media only):

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

Press Contact: Julie Ann Fishel, Western Shoshone Defense Project

775-468-0230 or 775-397-1371 (wsdp@igc.org)

Photo credit: Western Shoshone horses/Western Shoshone Defense Project

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