Spiritual justice awaits vandals

Vandals and thieves who’ve been prowling around the Canyon at night in recent weeks have more than sheriff’s deputies to worry about. They’re in trouble with the spirit world, too.

Lance Morris, an Assiniboine Sioux from Wolf Point who moved to Coram two years ago, says vandals who tore apart the 15-foot diameter dreamcatcher he made for Native American veterans face special consequences.

“They broke spiritual law,” he said. “I have pity on them instead of anger. Something bad will happen to them or their families. We can’t call it off. It’s up to the spirit world.”

Morris said he came to Coram to get away from the rampant drugs, alcohol and crime in Wolf Point. Many of his relatives were already here — the “Canyon Clan.”

“It was really nice here — until recently,” he said.

Across U.S. 2 from the Trapline Trading Post, where the giant dreamcatcher was temporarily on display, thieves broke into the Glacier Distillery Whiskey Barn and removed the till with about $200 cash inside. Just down the highway, vehicles parked outside the Stonefly Lounge were broken into and items were removed, and someone put a hole in a window at the Glacier Grill & Pizza. A chainsaw-carved bear was stolen just outside Hungry Horse.

Morris said he was in West Yellowstone delivering a medicine bundle when the dreamcatcher was torn apart. He said he was angry but that his chief helped calm him down by explaining that the vandals faced spiritual justice.

Just the same, Morris said he took an extra day off to cool down. He’s the special project director for the Native American Warrior Veteran Intermountain Region. He made “Spirit Dancer,” the world’s highest dreamcatcher at 3,150 feet, from natural hemp and put a lot of special efforts into the project.

“I fasted and empowered it with sacred medicine ties,” he said. “I blessed and prayed for all in need of the Spirit Dancer blessing with my sacred pipe.”

Morris became a pipe carrier in 1992 and is an honorary veteran. He was the pow wow director at the first gathering of warriors, which took place at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City in 1992. Comedian and actor Bob Hope was the national honorary chairman and was adopted into Morris’ family.

“Some wounded veterans may heal their body but still have wounds on their spirit,” he said. “Many can’t find rest when they sleep because of a wounded spirit.”

Morris says he’ll go through the long process of remaking the dreamcatcher. When it’s finished, it will be mounted between two sets of tepee poles at the Trapline Trading Post location. The giant dreamcatcher will be officially dedicated in September, with either Assiniboine Chief Joe Miller or Robert Fourstar in attendance. Both are veterans and members of the Soldiers Lodge.

“We need to remember our veterans and honor their service,” Morris said.