Rle7 said:
You might want to start with the Quinault tribe:
http://209.206.175.157/contactus1.htm
If this person was of Quinault descent, the tribe would want to set his spirit to rest.
Unfortunately, some tribes operate on a shoestring budget and don't have the resources to help identify the deceased, especially when so many of the living are in need of these resources.
The tribal Council Staff or tribal Police Department is a good place to start.
Hi Rle7,
Amazing, as reading the previous set of posts leading up to yours, that is very much the thought I had.
It could apply to any Indian tribe on the Olympic Penininsula, 7 of which I have found so far. And it is because I do believe many, if not most Indian people I have ever met, were extremely proud people, down to the eye of the gnat!
A misnomer, maybe. If something bad happens to you, it is not for public talk. You deal with it yourself. And if you do something that you know is going to anger the spirits, no one even talks about it or acknowledges it. You are on your own on this one, and knew it well before you did it.
That is how I would classify suicide with Indians. It is acceptable to go sit on top of a mountain when you know you are close to deaths door, and wait for the right spirit to come and call you to another world. But to take your own hand and kill yourself, it might be a taboo among the tribe, and they would then pretend as though you never did exist.
I do believe this might be why no one inquired as to our Lyles being missing. They knew he was searching for answers and had maybe said goodbyes, or led family to believe he would see them later, maybe even as far to say 'in another world'.
I know you think Lyle may have come from way out of the area, Coldcaseman. You must have reasons to believe that, and so far your reasoning about particulars has been exemplary, and right on track I think.
I would have to delve into the folklore of the tribes on the Peninsula, but somehow think Lyle knew the Lake Quinalt area, even if he lived up in Port Angeles or Squim, and if he could choose a place above all others on this earth, that is where he felt the spirits were abundant and might help him in his plight, to raise him up to be with his ancestors.
I think he knew he was going against everything he had learned that was honorable in life when he actually decided to and comitted suicide, and sought out the one place by that beautiful lake, where the spirits would hold him tight and help him when he needed it the most.
Scandi