Former Cowlitz Indian Tribe General Council Chairman and spiritual leader Roy I. Wilson has died. He was 97.
He died at 4:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Providence Centralia Hospital after suffering a stroke in late January, according to a death notice from a local mortuary and information provided by friends and family online.
“It is with heavy hearts and deep gratitude that the Cowlitz Indian Tribe celebrates the life of Roy Wilson, whose service and commitment to the Tribe is simply immeasurable,” Cowlitz Indian Tribe Chairman William “Bill” Iyall said in a news release on Tuesday.
Wilson served on the Cowlitz Tribal Council for nearly 30 years, nine of which, 1973 to 1982, he served as chairman. Following his tenure as chairman, he served as the tribe’s spiritual leader until 2018.
“He was a warrior who will be remembered for his work on the front lines of our fight for federal recognition,” Iyall stated.
Wilson, also known as Itswwot Wawa Hyiu, Bear Who Talks Much, was born on the Yakama Indian Reservation in July 1927 and was an enrolled member of the Cowlitz Tribe, according to his biography on Wisdom of the Elders, Inc., a nonprofit that aims to preserve indigenous elders’ oral history and cultural arts.
He and his wife, Cherilyn, had eight children, 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Wilson served in pastoral ministries for 47 years in Missouri, Southern California, Oregon, Idaho, Washington and British Columbia before retiring.
After his retirement, he went on to present seminars on the medicine wheel and Native American spirituality as part of the Turtle Island Storytellers Network.
In addition to his service to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Wilson served on at least 13 different boards and committees across the country and wrote and produced nearly 50 books on religion, Cowlitz traditions and legends. He was also former columnist for The Chronicle.
“He has single-handedly created a bridge between Christian and Indian belief systems throughout the entire Northwest. His messages have reached thousands of people for the enlightenment of both groups,” local author and historian Sandra Crowell said in a letter to the editor published in The Chronicle in 2021.
In the decade before he retired from public life at age 94, Wilson constructed a longhouse, museum and library on his property near Winlock, where he hosted church services and ceremonies, including lessons with the medicine wheel, according to Crowell.
“Roy dedicated his life in service to the Cowlitz Indian People, touching the lives of countless Cowlitz members, families, future leaders and the greater community,” Iyall stated. “As Roy joins our ancestors before him, his legacy and his spirit will always be reflected in the progress of the prosperity of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.”
A community-organized celebration of life for Wilson is planned for Sunday, March 9, at Fort Borst Park in Centralia.
The celebration will begin at pavilion one inside the park at 2 p.m. and will include a large fire, drumming, singing and sharing stories about Wilson. Attendees are encouraged to dress warm, bring extra chairs and bring food or drink to share.
Event coordinators ask those with well-wishes to Wilson’s family and stories about Wilson to print them out and bring them to the event, or mail them ahead of time to Laura Steele (Rainbow Many Colors) at 5159 S 170th St. Unit 1, SeaTac, WA 98188.
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe will hold a separate commemorative event at a later date.
“We’ll forever celebrate the life of Roy Wilson and raise our hands to his family,” Iyall stated. “Roy’s wisdom, strength and love for the Cowlitz people will continue to guide us for generations to come.”
Wilson’s arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home in Winlock.
