TULALIP — The Rev. Patrick Twohy began a memorial service Wednesday for Bill Black by blessing his ashes with cedar boughs.
"Among the Coast Salish, the cedar tree is held as most sacred," Twohy said. "It is beautiful and strong. The very flesh of the cedar is (made into) homes for the people and longhouses and canoes. … Its roots and bark are baskets that last forever.
"Bill was a cedar tree."
William Arthur "Bill" Black Sr., 56, died Feb. 11 at his Edmonds home after a long illness. Black was retired after 27 years with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 18 of them as superintendent of its Puget Sound agency.
The service, hosted by the Tulalip Tribes in their gymnasium, drew about 600 people, who honored a man who helped change the face of the federal government’s relationship with area tribes.
Friends spoke of him fondly, recalling his wisdom, humor, courage, talents, dedication to all tribes, deep faith and the beautiful voice he used to sing spiritual songs.
"He tried construction with his dad. After near-death experiences, he decided education was a better way to go. He gave all of himself, and never held back, ever. Even in his dying, he continues to give life to us," Twohy said.
An Okanogan Indian of the Colville Confederated Tribes in Eastern Washington, Black’s Indian name, Qual-Lee’-Lah, means "of the earth."
"Anybody that dealt with Bill knows exactly that — he was a very humble man, very down-to-earth," Tulalip Tribal Chairman Herman Williams Jr. said.
"Bill accepted a job with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in very, very tough times," Williams said. "The creator chose the right person. The bureau needed a strong leader. … He’s done so much for all of his people, and he was humble about it …
"He gave his heart and soul to his people. He wanted us all to succeed."
Joe Pakootas, Colville tribal chairman, said his people are proud that Black demonstrated such strength and perseverance. "It is with deep respect and gratitude and sadness that I say goodbye," he said.
Mel Tonasket, another Colville, said despite the difficulties Black faced over the years, he never heard him say a bad word about anyone. "That’s a unique individual," he said.
Black and his wife, Patty, were married in a traditional Indian ceremony. Patty Black is an academic dean at Everett Community College.
A video of Black’s life compiled by the Tulalip Tribes showed numerous pictures of the couple and Black with his children and grandchildren. Other shots depicted him in various parts of the state, aboard pleasure boats, playing the piano and with numerous other American Indian, state and federal officials.
"I started out thinking I was going to be a music teacher, and I ended up being a bureaucrat," Black said in an interview taped for the video several years ago.
While he was in college, he needed a summer job and began working for the bureau as an enrollment officer for the Colvilles. But he came to love the job and made the bureau his career.
"I work for every Indian out there," he said in the video. "That’s what I do. They know me. They know they can count on my word.
"Life has been very good. I’m the recipient of so much love and enjoyment and satisfaction. I’ve been blessed."
Black will take his last ride in an antique car when his ashes are taken to the Fort Okanogan Cemetery in Monse near Chelan for interment.
Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.
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